CINCINNATI -- In recent years, many personal protection devices have become available to the public, including personal taser guns and even cell phone stun guns. Just how reliable are these devices?

News 5 took several personal protection devices to two safety instructors to find out.

"Does it produce pain? Yeah. It produces pain," said Cincinnati Police Specialist John Rose after examining one of the devices. "If you stick it against your skin it's gonna hurt. But it's as simple as knocking it away and the pain's gone."

Rose said the bigger problem with personal protection devices has to do with an individual's readiness.

"It has to be in your hand," said Rose. "If it's not in your hand, you will not get to it."

Mike Gardner with the Survive Institute shares Rose's concerns.

"I think you're going to be at an extreme, extreme, disadvantage," he said. "And then for that time you're fumbling trying to get it... it's too late."

Some women, like Judy Bishop, found that to be the case.

"I completely froze. As an adult woman, I didn't know what to do," she said.

Even for those who can react quickly, the devices they choose might not do the trick.

"It feel like a charley horse, liked I bumped my leg on a counter," said Gardner as he tested one of the devices News 5 gave him. The next device he tested did not fare much better.

"I'm pushing in against my stomach and I'm still not getting anything," he said about the cell phone personal protection device.

While the devices may surprise an attacker, Gardner believes that they are not worth the gamble.

"Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't," said Gardner. "And my belief is maybes aren't good enough. Not for my kid and my wife."

Experts say that you are better off investing in a simple safety class. And if you prefer on carrying a device, they recommend one called the Kubotan. It can go on a keychain, which can be held in your hand. When someone attacks, you can hit them with the device to get away.