Staying Safe at Festivals, Beaches, and Boardwalks: Smart Summer Self-Defense
Summer is the perfect time for festivals, beach days, and boardwalk strolls. While enjoying the fun, adventure, and relaxation, it’s important to remain mindful of your personal safety. Crowded spaces, new surroundings, and unfamiliar situations can sometimes make you more vulnerable. That’s where smart self-defense strategies come in.
Here’s a practical guide to help you confidently enjoy your summer outings, stay safe, and explore innovative non-lethal tools like HERO® devices for enhanced personal security.
Stay Alert with Situational Awareness

A big part of staying safe is simply being aware of your surroundings. Whether you’re at a packed concert, a bustling park, or a lively street fair, here are some tips for staying vigilant.
What is Situational Awareness?
Situational awareness means being fully present and taking in what’s happening around you. It’s about noticing details like exits, crowd movement, and unusual behavior that might indicate potential risks.
How to Identify Red Flags
- Pay attention to individuals who are loitering or behaving suspiciously.
- If someone seems overly interested in your belongings or movements, it’s time to be cautious.
- Look for signs of escalating situations, like arguments or sudden disruptions in a crowd.
By staying alert, you can often recognize potential dangers before they escalate, giving you the chance to move to safety or alert authorities if needed.
Personal Safety Tips
When you’re out and about, a few proactive measures can go a long way in keeping you safe.
Essential Tips for Summer Safety
- Stick to well-lit, busier areas at night. Avoid shortcuts through deserted streets or spaces.
- Keep your valuables secure in a hidden pocket, crossbody bag, or backpack with zippers facing your back.
- Trust your instincts! If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to leave the situation.
- Share your location with a trusted friend or family member when heading to unfamiliar places.
It’s all about taking simple steps to make you a less likely target while giving you control.
Your Summer HERO®: Self-Defense Tools
When it comes to personal safety, the right tools can make all the difference. HERO® offers a suite of non-lethal self-defense devices designed to empower you in any situation.
Meet HERO® Devices
HERO® 2020:
- Compact and easy to carry, the HERO® 2020 fires irritant-filled projectiles from up to 21 feet with pinpoint accuracy
- Rounds burst into a 3-6 foot cloud that engulfs and debilitates the target for up to an hour.
- Features include a blinding stun light, laser sight for precision, and rechargeable battery.
AIIRO®
- Roughly the size of a smartphone, the AIIRO® is super discreet and portable.
- It delivers a powerful and chemical irritant gel that sticks to attackers, disabling them for up to an hour without causing permanent harm.
- Equipped with a 120dB alarm for attracting attention in emergencies.
HERO®LITE™
- 4-in-1 safety that fits in the palm of your hand
- Blinding strobe lights flash red and blue
- Deafening siren startles and draws attention
- Power bank for emergency charging
- Brilliant flashlight to navigate the dark
Why Choose HERO® Self-Defense Tools?
- Non-Lethal: HERO® products are designed to neutralize threats without causing life-threatening harm.
- Ease of Use: Simple designs ensure anyone can operate them without complex training or tools.
- Legal to Carry: HERO® devices comply with legal restrictions in most states, so you can carry them confidently.
- Free Training: Devices include practice cartridges, targets, and video training.
Learn Basic Self-Defense Techniques
Even with a HERO® device on hand, knowing basic self-defense moves can complement your safety plan.
Simple & Effective Moves to Learn
- Palm Strike: Use the heel of your hand to strike an attacker’s chin, nose, or jaw.
- Elbow Strike: Swing your elbow into an attacker’s chest or jaw for close-combat situations.
- Foot Stomp: Aim for the top of the attacker’s foot with a sharp stomp.
These moves are simple, don’t require extensive training, and can buy you crucial time to escape.
Practice Builds Confidence
Make time to practice these techniques at home or by attending a local self-defense class. Familiarity ensures you react instinctively in threatening scenarios.
Using HERO® Devices to Stay Safe
HERO® devices are intuitive, but understanding how they function in real-life situations can build your confidence. Every HERO® 2020 and AIIRO® bundle includes training cartridges, targets, user manuals, and free online videos to familiarize yourself with your device.
These tools are versatile and designed for quick action, providing both immediate stopping power and a clear chance to get to safety.
Real-Life Scenarios
- At a remote beach: HERO® 2020 can help you stop unwanted advances with blinding stun light, intimidating laser sight, and exploding irritant projectiles.
- On a boardwalk: AIIRO® can draw attention to the situation with an ear piercing alarm, or stop an attacker in their tracks with debilitating and sticky irritant gel.
- At a festival: Emergency phone power on hand with HERO®LITE™ plus alarm and emergency lights for any trouble that comes your way.
With a HERO® device, you’re equipped to handle whatever life throws at you.
Make Safety Your Summer Priority
Summer should be all about enjoying life’s moments to the fullest. By protecting yourself with situational awareness, self-defense knowledge, and powerful HERO® devices, you can focus on enjoying the moment.
Whether you’re strolling through a festival, soaking up the sun on the beach, or exploring a vibrant boardwalk, go confidently with HERO®.






