Some Self-Defense Tools We Hope You'll Never Have to Use
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Although Beijing is a comparatively safe city, that doesn't mean that it's totally free of assault and occasional instances of violence. That being said, it may be wise to have an item or two that could be used to protect yourself should the situation require.
While pepper spray is not available on Chinese e-commerce platforms due to "police equipment and weapons regulations," there are many other items for self-defense available. The list below is rated from least to most harmful, and are all totally legal to possess according to the sellers (and the fact that they're on Taobao). With that being said, we remind you to only use these items when necessary, and be prepared for the possible consequences.GPS Buzzer
Easy to carry and disguised as an ordinary pendant on your bag, this accessory may look cute but is actually packed with a number of safety functions, including a very loud alarm designed to distract or frighten away a would-be harasser as well as the ability to record audio, send an emergency message, and even track your movement via GPS.
Door blockers are handy for everyone from frequent business travelers to people who share an apartment with strangers (or rent their spare room on Airbnb). By doubling up on the strength of your lock, you can hopefully ensure that nobody enters your room uninvited. Blockers come in all shapes and sizes (though a small one should suffice), and can be transported through subway and train security checks with no problem.
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While tactical flashlights are likely already well known to campers and hikers, they also have their uses in the concrete jungle. Unlike an average flashlight, the lumen strength of a tactical flashlight is usually ten times higher, making it visible from thousands of meters away. Most devices will also have a strobe function that allows you to temporarily blind a potential attacker.
Tactical Pen
Akin to a Swiss army knife, this nifty pen not only operates like a regular pen but also stands in as a tool to break a window or ward off an attacker. The special tungsten steel head makes it incredibly sturdy and versatile, and many tactical pens come with a multitude of functions, transforming them into a flashlight, lighter, screwdriver, or knife as quickly as it takes you to swap out the head.
Rubber Whip
You don’t need to dress in leather (or latex) to sport a whip – just ask Indiana Jones or the shushu whipping up a storm in your local park. Even though rubber may sound harmless, when it connects with skin at high speed, it stands to sting for far longer than the crack will ring in a would-be attacker's ears. In order to not hurt yourself, we recommend you do seek instruction from someone who knows what they're doing.
While this blog aims to give you a brief introduction to a couple of self-defense products available online, none should be used in place of calling the authorities to report an attack. You can find a comprehensive list of emergency numbers, which all support English, here.READ: What You Need to Know Before Buying an E-Bike in Beijing
Images: Headline, Taobao
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