Self defense and protection in a hospital.

[Ruger8mm]

So with the risk of an active shooter being real these days and all those darn "no firearms allowed" signs that don't do anything against a bad guy (but do put my job at risk if I carry on campus). We need other options.

One of the ones I really like is carrying the Kimber Pepper Blaster (Kimber America | Pepperblaster | The most powerful pepper defense system).

The other good option is a fire extinguisher (located all over facilities). Shoot the fire extinguisher into the bad guy's face and then smash their head in with the fire extinguisher once they are disorientated.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

Years ago a state cop pepper sprayed a patient in our ED. The spray traveled approx 200 feet throughout the ED, lingered for hours, and 2/3 of the staff had to be treated. I was in CT when it happened but I did have to deal with the aftermath and what a mess that was.

It is not recommended to use pepper spray in enclosed spaces.

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

We have had active shooter situations in my ER. There was one case where a guy came with several guns and a bag of ammo to refill and continue shooting after his firearms were empty. As he came around the corner to our ER I was standing in front of the door coming to work when he looked me dead in the eye and turn towards me to shoot as four police officers tackled him to the ground. If a bystander had not called 911 about this guy walking up the sidewalk, I would've been dead.

This triggered a major discussion as I went into work about what your instinctive response would be. The response that you do without thinking in a situation like that. To tell you the truth, I've had to speak to my family about my immediate reaction because it wasn't to run away or to attack, but to protect the families in the waiting room by throwing myself in the way.

I console myself with the idea that we have a damn good trauma surgeon on my shift and I know he would put me back together

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I had been advised that Freeze +P is a good alternative to concealed weapons. I don't keep it on my person in the hospital but it is in my purse for the walk to the car.

[heron, ASN, RN]

Nurses on this site have written about violence on their jobs. Almost all of them report being worried about their employers' reaction to their efforts to defend themselves.

Personally, I think attacking a health-caregiver should be a felony everywhere.

I would bet that there are people on staff who would love to teach their skills: verbal de-escalation, how to get out of physical holds, how to block a punch, that kind of thing.

I also believe that there's no single approach that works for everything. I'm lucky in that I work in a place where mgmt backs us up. Most recently, a resident threatened a cna. When our administrator heard about it, the resident was informed that the police would be called if it happened again. Dude got real polite.

[AmeliaBe]

If you decide you must interact with someone whose behavior is threatening, be absolutely sure you know the difference between self-defense and vigilantism. This thread makes it seem as though there is some confusion between the two concepts.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Anyhow. back on point.

Tactical Flashlights make a great pocket sized defense weapons as well. A quality blade is another option.

Interesting. I grew up in the inner city where shootings were not uncommon but ahhhh, the knife fights. Don't know if you've ever seen or been in one but they are incredibly vicious. I saw quite a few during my teenage years and 2 things i observed were: they don't last long and they are CLOSE combat.

Does your tactical training include hand to hand with weapons? Now a knife fighter, yeesh.

[CamillusRN, BSN]

I'm lucky in that I work in a place where mgmt backs us up. Most recently, a resident threatened a cna. When our administrator heard about it, the resident was informed that the police would be called if it happened again. Dude got real polite.

What sorcery is this?!? Seriously, tho, that's something I've never heard of; the administrator actively taking the side of the caregiver, and a CNA at that!

[Ruger8mm]

Does your tactical training include hand to hand with weapons? Now a knife fighter, yeesh.

Well dad was a marine and very good with a knife. He taught me a few things. I'm probably still not that good with a blade.

[/username, BSN, RN]

dual purpose...in case of emergency! u can use it as a shield and something!(you know what I mean)

TACTICAL BEDPANS!

[nutella, MSN, RN]

TACTICAL BEDPANS!

Do those tactical bedpans come fully equipped with a tactical belt so I can wear it an be prepared in case of close encounters? Also, I think they would make me look more dynamic for example as a backpack.

I am all for tactical gear - the problem is that with heavy duty flashlight, tactical pen, tactical bedpan and tactical food bars and so on and forth I have no room for my actual stuff I need...

[heron, ASN, RN]

Who uses metal bedpans anymore? Haven't seen one in over 20 years.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Who uses metal bedpans anymore? Haven't seen one in over 20 years.

see - this is the beauty of it - nobody will know it is TACTICAL gear - it looks like a bedpan.

I think last time I have seen one of those was around 1995 or 1995.