Personal Attack Alarms

Many of us fear that we are at high risk of some sort of physical attack when we are out on the street or other public places.

The fact is however that more people are at risk of attack in their own home from someone they know than from an assault in public from a stranger.

That said it must always be kept in mind that the possibility of unprovoked violence is real, carrying personal attack alarms helps many of us to feel more secure in public.

A personal security alarm is not a weapon therefore it is legal to carry in all areas and does not need a permit. (Note: Many airlines will not permit gas-operated alarms on board planes.)

Anyone, adult or child, can easily be shown how to use an alarm. Unlike a weapon used for defense, personal attack alarms can not be used against you if taken from you by the attacker.

Does setting off a personal security alarm bring members of the public to your aid? Often yes, but not always.

Of course there has to be somebody around to hear the alarm. Unless you are somewhere remote this will usually be the case as the sound of these personal alarms can carry quite a distance. But not everybody acts when they hear an alarm or siren sound, think how often car alarms are ignored.

Do personal attack alarms drive away assailants? Very often yes.

The sudden shriek of an alarm often disorientates and startles an attacker, giving you time to get swiftly away.

The aggressor may run away himself of course and this is a very desirable result. No mugger, rapist or thug wants attention drawn to him and his violent act and this is exactly what a personal alarm does.

If he doesn't run the attacker may try to grab the alarm from you to silence the siren. There are personal protection alarms that require you to remove a pin or flip a hidden switch to activate them. With these it is best just to let the attacker have the alarm if they grab for it, they won't be able to switch it off. Another tactic would be to throw the alarm so the aggressor goes after it and not you, you of course will be running off if possible.

Alarms can be effective in saving you from assault if you use them correctly. Remember though that it is better not to get into a situation than it is to get out of one. Some areas are safer than others but there is no such thing as a safe area. Generally, it is better to stick areas that are heavily populated rather than be in a sparsely populated one.

Your personal attack alarm needs to be compact enough to fit into your hand when you are in an area or situation where you think you may be at risk of attack. Some alarms are indeed very small but it should be kept in mind that a very small alarm might not be loud enough to be effective. A siren of at least 120 dB would be best (130 dB is about as loud as a jackhammer which can be heard two blocks away.)

You may need to get to your personal alarm very quickly, if you keep it in your purse or pocket practice reaching for it, you don't want to be fumbling about when under the threat of assault.

When you have your attack alarm you should familiarize yourself with how to operate it. Test it out (but keep it away from your ears,) make sure that if you need to you can use it without hesitation.

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