I have been a Karateka for about 10 to 12 years, but haven't been training for multiple years now. My wife has little to no fighting experience. I am interested in buying a self-defense device. I know that this is not making anyone safe in itself - especially against someone with serious training or weapons, e.g. a gun - however it might help somewhat and in some cases.
Question
I would like to know which devices might practically help in situations where one is attacked.
Hopefully there are some statistics or some research has been done or some security experts out there that know what they are talking about from solid experience.
I write down what I investigated and what my thoughts are. Though I do have martial arts experience, I actually have hardly any real street fighting experience (lucky me, I guess). Thus, I hope that answers are less guesswork than my own thoughts.
Background
Physical aspects
Both, my wife and I, are very similar, except as a women she has a lot less strength. We are around 30 years old, both pretty slim (around 135 pounds / 61kg), small (around 5.65 foot / 1.72 meter) and not muscular, though of athletic statue. We do some sports, but not enough to say we are well trained.
Training
We would like to do some self-defense training (both for protection and fun), which would be once a week.
Even if we train, the main issue of just being the really-not-bulky type will remain for both of us.
Threats
Threats to face might be mugging, (sexual) assault, and "I don't like your face" situations; one would hope to simply escape, but this isn't always possible.
Disclaimer!
Maybe someone will say something like "do self-defense training instead", "be aware of your surroundings", "run, don't play around", and they would be right of course. We are thinking about doing self-defense training (partly also just for fun). These devices are not supposed to be a substitute, but an addition, since we both are not exactly the Hulk (more like the opposite).
What I investigated
1. Sirens (to surprise, not to call for help)
Like http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NSOW4KO, the idea is to pull a cord from the device and it gives off a very load sound that can scare off (like "wtf, I'm out of here") or at least surprise an attacker long enough to run away. In order to be not too stunned yourself http://www.mace.com/screecher-personal-alarm might give the sound a direction. To have it always close to you http://sirenring.com/pages/how-siren-works might be a good choice for women.
Advantages:
- Simple to use.
- Unlikely of self-inflicted harm.
- Can't be used against me (in opposite to all the other options)!
Disadvantages:
- Only a shock-moment for the attacker, might not work against a determined one.
- It effects me as well (in opposite to all the other options)!
2. Tactical light with strobing.
Some flashlights can be really bright and the strobing is indeed pretty disorienting, giving one time to run away (or attack if really necessary). I am not sure if the disorienting effect remains for a while, once I turn tail and run.
A real issue though is finding a flashlight that goes into strobing with the push of a button - haven't found any. So far all need several button pushes to change into strobing which makes the whole thing pretty difficult to handle in a high-stress situation (which is dumb in my opinion, because what else is the strobing for?).
3. Pepperspray
Might be pretty effective, but might also require some training that might not work in the high-stress situation - but I am not sure. Wind, not-so-open space etc. might make pepperspray a danger to oneself as well, not just the aggressor. Might be more dangerous to the attacker then intended.
5. Stun gun
Similar to pepperspray: Might be pretty effective, but might also require some training that might not work in the high-stress situation - but I am not sure. Might be used against oneself. Might be more dangerous to the attacker then intended.
6. Hitting
In case it gets physical a keychain like
might give a bit of extra leverage.
6. Elektronics
There are some neat apps like https://www.safetrekapp.com or complete-package products like http://www.getthedefender.com but I haven't anything like that, which is available outside the USA...
Are there some apps like that where one can set a different phone (e.g. the partners) mobile as the security buddy, instead of a firm? E.g. I thought maybe an app that sends an SMS to a predefined number with the coordinates and a predefined text?
Guns
I forgot to mention them. Guns cannot be carried in my country.