I eventually plan on turning this into a full-length essay about why giving women weapons for protection is just a Band-Aid. Someday. I promise. For now, please forgive the lack of context and read this instead. You'll get the gist.

I applaud any article that advocates protecting yourself in the city rather fleeing to the 'burbs. However, "Be Prepared" (Urban Buy, 4/24/98) misses some of pepper spray's drawbacks.

Pepper spray only causes "an immediate physiological reaction" if sprayed directly in the open eyes. If you miss your mark, or if your assailant is wearing glasses, your pepper spray defensive can take up to a minute to work -- a minute you can't afford to lose. Pepper spray is also much less effective against a drunk or high attacker. Not to mention that you could easily spray yourself!

The best argument against pepper spray, or any weapon, is that it forces you to rely on something external for your safety. If you don't have your pepper spray, or can't reach it, you are rendered defenseless.

Your article was on the right track when it mentioned alertness and yelling (though you should yell "fire," not "help"). It could have gone further by mentioning self-defense classes, which teach you street smarts and techniques that can be applied anywhere, anytime, without props. Your own self, not any object, should be your primary line of defense.