WIRED Senior Associate Editor Adrienne So tried testing the incident detection feature with her Garmin Venu 2S and was unable to activate it after a fake fall, so we can’t say for sure how well it would work during an actual incident. Still, So says she generally feels a lot safer on the run, thanks to her Garmin location tracking. Like most of these wearables (except for the Apple Watch, which you can set up a separate mobile plan for), your phone will need to be with you for this to work. And of course, you’ll need to activate those security features first.
More security plugins
If you are offline…
If you camp or hike a lot, or are otherwise often away from cell service, most of the products here won’t help you in an emergency. That’s where the satellite messenger comes in.
We have a guide with several picks for different situations. Spot X is old school and doesn’t work if you’re crossing an ocean. But its two-way messaging, mapping, and tracking work independently, so if your phone is dead, broken, or MIA, this thing will work. We really love the Garmin inReach Mini, but it’s now discontinued and only available used.
I’ve talked to several self-defense instructors over the years who always recommend flashlights as personal safety devices – yes, more so than a mace or pocket knife. The flashlight obviously lights your way as you walk in the dark, which might help you see someone otherwise shrouded in darkness, but there are two other reasons why this works. Putting a flashlight in someone’s eyes will disorient them, hopefully long enough to let you escape. I almost got blinded by the iPhone camera flash, so imagine thousands of lumens directly into your eyeballs. If it really was a friendly stranger asking for directions and not a threat, you haven’t actually harmed them and you’ll be far away before you know otherwise. (Sorry, stranger.)
If that doesn’t work, you can use it to hit them, frankly. A piece of metal to your face will hurt worse than your fist, and won’t hurt you in the process. Take a good swing and run. Of course, like any weapon, it can be taken from you and used against you, so keep that in mind.
Infinity X1 lamps are bright. I tried the 4000 lumen one which lit up the room brighter than my actual lights. This is out of stock at the time of writing, but an even brighter 5000 lumen light is available. Both have two cores, one that holds the batteries and one that can be charged. It can also charge your phone, so it’s not bad to have it on hand for emergencies anyway. It’s heavy and long, which is good if you need to swing it around, but it won’t be easy to store in your purse.
★ Cheaper options: Any flashlight with a little weight will do, and there are a few others that we really like. WIRED writer Matt Jancer recommends 350 lumens Fenix E20 V2 ($45) in his Guide to Building a Home Emergency Kit. It’s compact, so it shouldn’t be a problem if you throw it in your bag, but it’s still made of solid metal. For even less, writer Louryn Strampe recommends 900 lumens Anker Rechargeable Bolder ($34), which even has a stroboscope function. It is much smaller, but will still pack a stronger punch than a lone fist.
As we tested
We’ve tested built-in smartphone features, third-party apps, internet-connected jewelry, and other personal safety devices designed to put you in touch with help when you need it. We activated panic buttons where applicable and spoke to responders or went through company-provided training exercises. Most products are capable of signaling your need for help without having to speak to anyone, so you don’t have to dial a number or voice your concerns when it wouldn’t be safe for you to do so.
None of these products offer a comprehensive solution for every scenario, but each offers some form of protection. In some places it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon such as a knife or even pepper spray, and using these items can put you in additional danger. Therefore, the methods we highlight here are an alternative to brandishing weapons.
We approached testing with inclusivity in mind, recognizing that different groups may have different personal safety needs or feel vulnerable in situations where others do not. While we think women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community would benefit the most from some of these products, cisgender straight men are also at risk of violence, even if they don’t hear the same warnings we do. Most of this advice focuses on one-on-one violence, but mass shootings are also a fear that Americans constantly struggle with. These things can help you contact help faster, but they’re not tested for that kind of chaos.