Comment: think about what you carry everyday on your person and how it can be used as a weapon. car keys are handy . a rolled up newspaper, a book.  anything you can PUNCH with.   not going to get a 220 lb guy off my back by flailing at him with a newspaper, but that newspaper rolled up pretty tight is a good jabber and people have all kinds of places they don't like being jabbed. don't be shy and go right for the gold - the groin is sensitive for all people.
 i carry a just legal knife - have for 50+ years - learned how to use it.  and because we have had prowlers in our yard recently and more than once - felt the need for something to work at a distance. god's honest truth - santa brought me a good slingshot and some jawbreakers, and i started practicing. using the point and shoot method.  youngest son volunteered to be a test dummy - he wore a heavy coat, safety glasses and batting helmet. when we were done laughing. i hit him several times as he ran around the back yard. it's all love...:)