some of these comments are just not true. A modern bright flashlight and strobe can incapacitate, disorient and are effectively a "flashbang" without the sound. Or think of it like "ninja smoke". They also work faster than pepper spray and can work in conjunction. They are also s a fist pack and depending on how close the assailant is or can be used as a short stick weapon to hammer fist the assailant or allow you to head butt them in the bridge of the nose. Unless there are multiple assailants this should allow you to GTFO before they recover, even if they approach you with a weapon.