for the moment i don't have much CASH for selfdefence equipement, but wenn i got the cash i proberbly won't choice a alarm.

mine choice would be either a powerfull flashlight ( like a surefire ) or a selfdefence spray.
-a flash light blinds the attacked or whatever wenn you aim for it's eye and will give you a few seconds to run.
-selfdefence sprays which are allowed in europe will leave a foam like barriere which interupts vision for a few seconds.( and leaves a nice color behind, which stays there for atleast 5 days <img src="images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />)

a alarm doesn't ( temperairly ) take out the the sense which most people use wenn the want to harm a person, the eye's. So i think alarms aren't as affective...