Be vigilant!
Unless someone actually jumps out and attacks you, there may be a chance to prevent a situation from slipping into violence. Look at your potential attacker. Compare their size and weight and apparent strength with your own Is it likely that the attacker is armed?
Things to look for:
· Long hair or clothing you could grab.
· Heavy boots or shoes that might cause serious damage or injury.
· Friends your or the attackers- who may come to your defense or become otherwise involved.
· A red face, flushed with blood, implies that the attacker is not ready for fighting; otherwise the blood would be diverted to their muscles.
· Follow your instincts; if you have a feeling that there is a problem, there usually is one.
· A fist shaken at you or emphatic hand gestures, including a lot of pointing, may preempt violence.
· Are you restricted in movement by your clothing: especially by your footwear?
· Is there anywhere nearby which would give you an advantage? Higher ground?
Keep the talking
Unless someone actually jumps out and attacks you, there may be a chance to prevent a situation from slipping into violence. Look at your potential attacker. Compare their size and weight and apparent strength with your own Is it likely that the attacker is armed?
Things to look for:
· Long hair or clothing you could grab.
· Heavy boots or shoes that might cause serious damage or injury.
· Friends your or the attackers- who may come to your defense or become otherwise involved.
· A red face, flushed with blood, implies that the attacker is not ready for fighting; otherwise the blood would be diverted to their muscles.
· Follow your instincts; if you have a feeling that there is a problem, there usually is one.
· A fist shaken at you or emphatic hand gestures, including a lot of pointing, may preempt violence.
· Are you restricted in movement by your clothing: especially by your footwear?
· Is there anywhere nearby which would give you an advantage? Higher ground?
Keep the talking
Try to diffuse the situation by using words and talking out of it.
For Example:
· There is no need to hit me.
· I know you are angry but I don’t want to fight you.
· When a mugger demands money, he/she may be very nervous.
· Usually a short demand or threat is made.
· Rapists, similarly, may just make short, sharp statements
One way of dealing with the situation is to start talking about yourself, where you are going, about your ill heath, which may begin to make you more of a person. The attacker may start to relate to you more as a person and less as a victim and lose concentration, giving you the opportunity to escape. Stay calm. There may be nothing you can do to avoid a physical confrontation.
Prepare to fight back
The time to decide how and if you will fight back is now.
No one can make the decision for you. Evidence suggests that people who have at least attempted to fight back bear less psychological scars than those who choose not to defend them shelf. However each situation is different, only you can judge what you must do. If you do fight back, get angry and give it everything you have. You don’t have to fight fairly, your attacker won’t. During the confrontation, take any opportunity you can to escape, alert the police or reach safety. This isn't being weak it is being sensible.
Carry a weapon
Learn to use a knife, gun, club, baton, or aerosol sprays such as pepper spray or mace. Check the Laws I your area some may be illegal.
Use improvised weapons
· Coins from your pocket can be thrown in attackers face.
· Wrap the coins in a handkerchief and use it as a club.
· Use your bag, purse, briefcase and aim for the head.
· Umbrellas and walking sticks can be used as clubs or jabbed into feet or stomach, or brought up between the legs to an attacker’s groin.
· Hard soled shoes are essential to be able to kick effectively. Aim for the grown or scrape your shoe down a shin.
· High heels should be aimed at an attacker’s foot or hand.
· Putting all her weight on a thin heel means an average woman can exert a pressure of nearly three quarters of a ton!
· You cannot run in heels. Take them off and throw them, or use them to strike the attacker.
· A powerful flashlight may cause daze an attacker and also could make a handy club.
· Grab hand full’s of dirt, gravel or sand and throw it at the attackers face.
· Roll up a news paper and jab it end first into the face of an attacker.
· Dig a pen or pencil into an attacker’s face or hand, the attacker’s impulse may be to defend their eyes.
· Jab or scratch with keys.
· Powder from a compact may temporarily blind an attacker.
· Perfume, hair spray or deodorant can be sprayed into the attackers eyes.
· Take fingers and jab them into the eyes.
· Use the palm of the hand and thrust into the lower jaw and push up and back. Then take your knee and strike in to the groin of the attacker.
Until next time remember: The best time to learn your lesson about personal security and self defense is before something happens.
