A firearm is only as effective as the skill of the shooter. Gear is only as good as you know how to use it. But the same is true for your fists, elbows, knees and feet. When it comes to self-defense, the options for protecting oneself are nearly limitless. Still, every scenario must be judged circumstantially when it comes to the setting, the situation, the individual, and the items at hand. The saying, "you can't bring a gun to a knife fight," is an analogy for a variety of potential self-defense situations. Ultimately, it's more often than not that a person is unprepared or surprised when confronted with a situation that would require some degree of protection or self -defense. When that happens, the best self-defense tools and tactics are the ones you have on hand when the moment strikes.