Abstract: A manual activation device (10) includes a support element (40) and a lever (42) having a cam surface (80) which contacts a ball (38) carried in a cap (36) mounted at one end of a reserve battery (17). Activation of the battery (17) is accomplished by rotating the lever (42) about a pivot pin (59) in the support element (40), causing the cam surface (80) to drive the ball (38) into the battery (17) and break the ampule (24) within the battery (17). The lever (42) is preferably mounted on the pivot pin (59) by means of a slotted bearing surface (82) which enables the lever (42) to be removed from the support element (40) only after the ampule (24) has been broken. In addition, when the device is used in a Pursuit Deterrent Munition (PDM) (12), the lever (42) may be connected to the safety pin (18) and the shorting bar (20) of the munition (12), causing both of those elements to be withdrawn when the lever (42) is pivoted.