Abstract: The present invention provides a hand held alarm device for personal use. The alarm device comprises a housing having an alarm circuitry contained therein and a activating switch located thereon. The housing has an attachment strap for releasably attaching the alarm device to the hand such that the activating switch is maintained in a positon to be within reach of the fingers, both during and after a fright response. In an aspect of the invention, the alarm device includes a deactivating switch physically separated from the activating switch for deactivating the alarm device.