TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) – There are countless gadgets available online designed to help the user fight off a potential attacker. WTOL investigated which tools are effective, and which could be more harmful than helpful.
First, a hair brush with a sharp plastic spike concealed in the handle. Women said the brush was too large, so they might not be willing to carry it everywhere. Martial Arts Instructor and black belt Joseph Alexander agrees the brush might be more trouble than it's worth. "It would just be easier to run from the situation, than try to deal with it," said Alexander.
Similarly, the "Pocket Shark", a large pen designed to be used to stab an assailant, seems impractical. "Maybe you can stab somebody in the eye with that," said Alexander, "but you can stab them with a ball point pen every bit as easily."
Possibly the most common self defense tool is a can of mace, but Alexander warns using mace is not as easy as simply pointing the can and spraying a would-be mugger in the eyes. "You hear all the time about people turning it side-ways and hosing themselves in the face," he said. With the proper training though, mace can be an effective self defense tool.
A less effective weapon is a hat with a heavy beanbag sewn into the back, intended to be used to hit an attacker. Alexander says the hat is impractical because it would have to be worn at all times, or at least frequently, and could be easily taken away from a victim.
Possibly the most useful gadget is a door stop designed to sound an alarm when someone opens the door. Alexander and the woman interviewed said they thought the devise would be effective in warning of an intruder.
Although the gadgets could be helpful, "the body is the best weapon," Alexander said. "The pepper spray is probably the next best practical thing if you are willing to invest the time, effort and energy in it."
