| Having some knowledge and preparation when it | | | | your attacker, and surprise is truly your best |
| comes to protecting yourself will allow you to not | | | | weapon in a situation where someone is planning |
| only be safer, but also feel more confident when | | | | to overpower you. |
| approached by a questionable stranger. This | | | | 4. When trying to avoid being grabbed or hit, |
| preparation may help you avoid a violent or | | | | moving in a triangular pattern (as opposed to |
| invasive situation. | | | | moving in straight lines) makes your course |
| Preparing to protect yourself might involve taking | | | | unpredictable to someone reaching for you. Also, |
| a self defense class to learn a few solid moves or | | | | resisting the urge to back up-and instead lunging |
| techniques. Here is a list of five important self | | | | toward the attack-can throw off your assailant. |
| defense strategies that every women should | | | | Again, the element of surprise is in your favor in |
| know (and practice) in order to keep themselves | | | | this situation. If you are running away from an |
| safer in the face of danger. | | | | attack, moving in a zig-zag manner will make it |
| 1. Above all, stay calm. While this is far easier said | | | | harder to get caught. This advice is also true for |
| than done, it is by far the single most important | | | | more dangerous situations (such as those |
| factor in increasing your personal safety. Keeping | | | | involving a gun), as it is harder to hit a moving |
| your cool allows you to assess the situation, think | | | | target than a still one or one moving in a straight |
| about your reactions, and make a plan for your | | | | line. |
| escape. Adrenaline starts to flow extremely | | | | 5. Some self defense courses will teach you to |
| quickly when we are threatened, and the shallow | | | | stomp on your attacker's foot or elbow him in |
| breathing and rapid heart rate can interfere with | | | | the ribs in the event that you are grabbed from |
| your rational thinking. Take some deep breaths, | | | | behind. In fact, the most effective move you can |
| concentrate on remembering your self defense | | | | make is to forcefully use the back of your own |
| training, and plan your implementation. | | | | head to smash into your attacker's face. Your |
| 2. If you are approached by someone demanding | | | | skull is very hard, and will cause some serious pain |
| your wallet or your purse, the best thing you can | | | | if you can connect with his face. Often, this will be |
| do to protect yourself is to throw it as far away | | | | enough to have the grip released, allowing you to |
| as you possibly can. If the assailant truly wants | | | | escape. |
| your money, they will go get it, allowing you to | | | | These are just a few hints that you should |
| run away in a different direction. | | | | consider rehearsing in your mind as you review |
| 3. Having a tool handy (such as your keys, | | | | self defense strategies that will help keep you |
| umbrella, pen, etc.) and firmly gripped in your hand | | | | safe. The best way to stay safe is to avoid |
| gives you an instant weapon. Do not hesitate to | | | | potentially dangerous situations completely, but, in |
| use this 'weapon' if someone attempts to grab | | | | case you ever do find yourself threatened, it's |
| you. Vulnerable places to strike include the face | | | | important to know how to protect yourself. |
| and neck areas. Quick movements will surprise | | | | |