Many of us believe in the importance of personal self defense. But we may not have skills or training in karate, boxing, or other systems we normally associate with personal self defense, and rely instead upon the advantage of weaponry.

Weapons are intended to give us extra power and leverage, but they are not always where we need them when we need them in an emergency personal self defense situation. Many who own firearms, for example, leave them locked up at home. Others buy personal self defense products like pepper spray, but don't have those weapons with them 24/7. So it is an important part of any personal self defense mindset to learn to recognize and use improvised weapons.

For example, here are 5 improvised weapons that can be used for personal self defense:

1) A rolled-up magazine or newspaper can be used to block or strike.

2) Entire personal self defense schools are dedicated to using walking sticks and canes as weapons.

3) Cell phones for calling and camera phones for taking pictures, can be important personal self defense tools when reporting crimes.

4) Pencils, pens, forks, and spoons are often readily available for personal self defense, in lieu of knives.

5) The belt worn to hold up your pants can be used as a powerful personal self defense weapon, to lash or strike.

Look around yourself and ponder objects in your everyday environment. Make a mental list of personal self defense weapons you can identify, and then begin to practice using these familiar objects in unfamiliar ways. You may be surprised how many ordinary household items are actually extraordinary personal self defense weapons right there at your fingertips.