well in holland there a only a few options:
-criminal indentifier: there are 2 kinds a cheap € 10 one that only leaves a non-washable paint on the attacker, that stays for 5 days ( has to wear off ) ( sold under the name TIW )OR you can get a combo with both the paint and a foam spray combinded which covers the attackers eye's, but it can be wipped off, thus giving far less time to run than peperspray or CS ( sold under the name X-marker € 25 ) ( CS and peper are illegal
-flashlights, shining a surefire in to somebody's face at night and he won't see a thing for awhile. If he's still coming at ya, jump away so he will run in to that wall behind ya <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
-personal alarms ( the CO2 powered once, give a very LOUD peep sound, unfortunatly you will hear it 2..... )
-batons

i want to get a X-marker, but it isnt high on mine priority's, even though i have been kicked and spit at ( in mine FACE ! <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> ) on the street without a reason.. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> and if they would let me carry a gun, i definatly would !

Even though we I am at scool, I have been warned against carrying a gun as self-defense weapon. the problem is that an attacker will probably try and steel the gun from you, and shoot you afterwards!

I am NOT exagerating. This is the sad reality of living close to gangsters in South Africa. there is the 'shoot first, and then you don't need to ask questions later' mentality.

We once had a situation on our farm where we were ''targeted' by a gang. they robbed us 5 times in a week. Being a farm, the minute you shine a torch or patrol outside, they simply take 5 steps back and hide in the banana trees. I was playning with the idea of bprrowing my friends 'paintball' gun, and using 'criminal marking' paintballs as ammunition. Now only if we could have seen them...

Ever since Ol' Hilary Clinton took over New York, I have been trying every weapon idea I can find, since I was certain she would eliminate guns. Technically she hasn't outlawd personal defense guns, but she has. Criminals can now sue you for shooting them. If you kill them and they have a family, they can sue you.

So,

Although I live in a rural setting, my defense measures can easilly be adapted to urban settings. First, leather really takes the sting out of impacts. Plus, you have the chance of looking tough and/or cool. By simply looking tough/mean/ or most importantly, in my opinion, fierce, you can scare away many predators. I don't know what your fellow country men consider mean looking, but up here it's the unshaven, leather etc look. Just watch some American Holllywood 'propaganda' . Given half a chance, I would die my hair white, I mean think, everyone else is avoiding that color, so your rebelious. Maybe a couple highlights of a very light green too.....

If you have matches and a tennis ball, you can make a fine weapon. Just make a small hole in it and fill it with match heads. I have never actually tried this, but have heard that it is quite respectable.

I won't go into anymore of my ideas, as I haven't quite perfected them. Some proposed ones are arm-launched-rockets, my own stun gun (mine will save the state money from the electric chair <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) and various other projects.

Excuse my inferior knowledge of African geography, but do you live in the region where the Tutus and other guys fight? (Forgot the other tribe. sorry. <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />)

I´ve studied martial arts since I was 6. Although I also know some knife techniques and can hit a 2" circle with a stab, I usually don´t carry weapons. The posture and facial expression seems to give people a feeling that they´ll be better off not bothering me.
Of course some situational awareness helps to stay out of trouble in the first place.

No. the Hutu/Tutsi conflict is (I think) in the Central Afican region. South Africa is in, well... the Southern African region. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I agree with you. But I only ussually carry my baton at night, wher facial expressions and body languge won't be as readable as during the day. I carry a weopon for self-defence: I try to avoid situations where I will need to use it, But I do have a means of protection if I need it.

I am close to getting my concealed carry permit. I work in a location where even a small knife, pepper spray, or batons, etc are a no no. However, I don't feel like it would be a threatening situation unless there were some type of suicider in which case my only protection is to get the h--l out of dodge.

For use with driving, hiking, etc I will be carrying a 45 glock and a knife.

My question, which from a survivalist point of view, seems the most important. What do I carry when I am traveling internationaly? Foreign laws prohibit just about everything. I am dependent on others for my transportation and I am definitly in the most hostile environment I can be in.

A kubotan or Yarawa stick is a small, simple striking weapon which is little more than a stick 5 inches long held in the fist. There is a martial art built around it. They are sometimes carried on key chains.

When back in the States I have a carry permit for PA. I'm dedicated to concealed carry as a primary means of self-defense. Most often I carry a Kahr K-9, Glock 19 or snub .38 special.

Here in Brazil things are a bit more complicated. It is possible to get a carry permit but it is hundreds of dollars and a huge hassle. I do own two .38 revolvers here and do carry on occasion without a permit. This is usually just down to the parking garage and back at night. I also carry when backpacking here. We basically don't have police coverage in my neighborhood so I'm more worried about the criminals than being searched by the police.

When out and about I carry a Spyderco Endura. I don't carry a knife becasue I want to get in a knife fight. I carry a knife to put my adversary in one. I avoid trouble by keeping my "radar' on all the time for danger. So far I have had to esacpe four times from criminal attack and nobody got hurt, that's is success to me, just one more thing that never hapened.

I keep a large pepper spray I the car. At times I also carry a short club-like weapon made of a leather covered spring with a lead weight on the end. It isn't very long but it packs a wallop! Mac

Wherever my carry permit is legal, I carry. That's just a sad reality of my city. Though all of the suggestions in this thread have merit, I decided to focus on the ONE item which I know for a fact will clear airport security.. and is legal everywhere I've been.

If you don't want to look like a potential victim (Chris has a point... when I lived in NY I tried to look "street crazy" much of the time).. you walk with it held in your hand parallel to the ground. But I'm sold on the idea. With a little training, you'd be amazed what you can do. Look here or go to your medical supply store and get a sturdy aluminum telescoping cane.