As a woman and the physically weaker gender you top the list, with the elderly and children, as a good victim prospect for physical attack. The good news is that although there are devices available like mace, pepper spray, tazers and stun guns, you have effective weapons with you at all times; the built-in weapons; the ones your body came with.

Real-Life Story: I had a 17 year old, female neighbor who was attacked while she was taking a shower by someone who had gone on a rampage and car-jacked four vehicles before breaking into her home. Obviously, if she had mace in her purse, it wasn't accessible to her in the shower. Fortunately, she used her common sense and escaped through the bathroom window when the attacker left the room briefly.

Your Top 5 Built-In Weapons

1. Common Sense - When you use this one, you can avoid many dangerous situations. Glossing over it in favor of politeness or what seems to be logic has cost many lives.
2. Gut Feelings - These are survival instincts you were born with and their job is to keep you alive. How many times have you ignored yours, only to regret it later?
3. Arms, elbows, hands - Your arsenal! Grabbing, striking, pinching, twisting, jabbing, gouging; all fair during an attack.
4. Legs, knees, feet - Your strongest and most powerful weapons can also put you off balance. You can hold on to the attacker for balance when using these. Also good for fighting from the ground.
5. Voice - When used correctly, your voice draws attention to your situation, startles the attacker (catching him or her off-guard), and makes you stronger by circulating adrenaline.

The weapon a woman purchases often gives a false sense of security; especially since most women cannot visualize themselves hurting anyone physically. Many never open the packages of the device purchased and others stay buried deep in a handbag, out of reach in an emergency.

Remember your built-in weapons are always with you and can be very effective in case of physical attack.