Pepper Sprays have been standard issue for law enforcement personnel for years. The active ingredient in pepper spray is oleoresin capsicum, the same ingredient that gives chili peppers their kick. These self defense sprays squirt a long stream if fog, liquid, gel or foam, and subdue the assailant, by irritating the mucous membranes. This make thier eyes burn so badly, that they cannot continue the assault, or if inhaled, causes violent coughing.

Pepper Sprays are available in many different containers. They can be found concealed to appear as {lipstick|fountain pens|}}}, cell phones, decorative jewelry, or just the plain old spray can. Either way, using pepper spray on an mugger can certainly buy a person enough time to run away and call for help!

Stun guns are popular, but in my opinion, of limited value. These devices require the attacker to get withing arms reach of you. You then have to physically make contact with them, and the stun is not always effective. I think we've all seen the madman in movies shrug off the {{{stungun|stun-gun} and continue the assault.

TASERS (or Air Tasers) are the self defense weapon of choice today, simply for their record of reliability and stopping power. Tasers are not considered as firearms, and are therefore legal to carry, without a gun license. After years of testing Taser International has patented a non lethal "Shaped Pulse Technology" that literally removes a bad guy's muscular self control. The assailant literally flops to the ground, unable to control his own muscles. The Taser pulse is delivered through 2 hook-like barbs that are shot into the attacker. The barbs are connected to tiny insulated wires, which carry the jolt which lasts 30 seconds in the consumer models, giving your loved one's enough time to run away. If the unit is lost while defending yourself, Taser International will replace it for free!! They are affordable at just under $300, so how can you beat that??!! Richard Fan is a practicing emergency/trauma physican assistant in a busy Southern California ER, and an medical officer on the national disaster response team, DMAT CA-1.  Routinely treating victims of assault, rape, and robbery, he has developed a passion and expertise in Personal Safety Thru Smart Technology.  Learn more about Tasers, Pepper Sprays, and more at SmartLifeStore.com