Although packing these devices next to the Mentos in your purse may be a little extreme, here are some of the most popular self-defense devices that are marketed today.

Pepper spray

Pepper spray is a lachrymatory agent, a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain and even temporary blindness. It is a nonlethal agent that can be deadly in rare cases. The active ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, the chemical that is found in chili peppers. It’s also much milder than mace, which is illegal in most countries and has a volatile agent mixed in with the capsaicin. Used by police officers, pepper spray is legal on a state-to-state basis.

Taser

The most commercially recognized brand of stun gun is the Taser. Modern Taser-type weapons fire small dart-like electrodes with attached metal wires that connect to the gun, propelled by small gas charges similar to some air rifle propellants. The Taser’s maximum range is 30 feet, and its wire has to be reeled in after each shot.

Stun gun

When you press the stun gun against an attacker and pull the trigger, a charge passes into the attacker’s body. Since it has a fairly high voltage, the charge will pass through heavy clothing and skin. But at around three milliamps, the charge is not intense enough to damage the attacker’s body unless it is applied for extended periods of time. It does dump a lot of confusing information into the attacker’s nervous system, however. The shock can cause the attacker to be paralyzed temporarily or be too weak to move.