| Understanding a few basic self defense tips will | | | | attacker get too close. Bring you hands up to |
| make your life a lot safer and less stressful In | | | | form a barrier between you and the attacker. A |
| this article I address some fundamental | | | | basic position of hands up at chest height, as if |
| considerations that will empower you to better | | | | pushing something away. Learn to yell in a firm |
| protect yourself if the need arises. | | | | authoritative manner with a simple command such |
| 1) Awareness: This is the most important aspect | | | | as "Back off!" or "Go away!" or "Leave me alone!". |
| of your self defense training strategy. Always be | | | | Develop the use of one of these commands like |
| aware of your external environment and avoid | | | | a "broken record" - do not engage in conversation |
| potential dangerous areas and situations. Above all | | | | with a potential attacker. If someone attacks you |
| be smart, know your limitations and always err on | | | | deal with it right there and then, do not allow |
| the side of caution when your safety is at stake: | | | | them to take you to a second location as most |
| if something doesn't feel right avoid it. | | | | instances end in severe injury or death. |
| 2) Outward appearance: Always carry yourself | | | | 8) If someone is armed and wants your wallet or |
| and behave in an authoritative, assertive and | | | | bag just give it to them with a minimum of fuss, |
| confident manner. Attackers, like all predators, are | | | | do not abuse the mugger just give them what |
| looking for easy victims or prey that will give | | | | they want and let them move away. Only resort |
| them the least amount of trouble. Walk in a | | | | to attacking them in defense if it is clear that you |
| purposeful manner, keeping your head up, | | | | will be hurt further and you have no recourse. |
| shoulders back and chest out. Maintain a steady | | | | 9) If it comes down to having to fight then do so |
| breathing rate, together with a relaxed firmness in | | | | with a fully committed and determined mindset of |
| your posture. | | | | brutal survival. You must develop a mind-set of |
| 3) When exiting your car, after parking it, check | | | | survival, at any cost, and carry out your |
| the rear vision mirrors and external surroundings | | | | defensive attacks with a relentless and full force, |
| to make sure that there is no danger. If in doubt; | | | | continuous attack. Attack with the strongest |
| park somewhere else. When approaching your car | | | | weapons at your disposal, use eye-gouging, palms |
| do so in a manner that you can see around it. | | | | to the face, forearm strikes to the throat, elbows |
| Have your keys ready; avoid getting to the car | | | | to the head, shin kicks and knees to the groin, |
| and then trying to find it them your bag. Always | | | | stomps to the knee joints (or head if the |
| check the back seat of the car before entering | | | | attacker goes down). If you can find something |
| the car. | | | | to hit the attacker with, use it. Use what is |
| 4) Always carry a cell phone that has its' charge | | | | available and once the job is done get out of |
| maintained. Carry it on your person, not in your | | | | there, run and get help. Remember it is your life, |
| bag or briefcase where it may be stolen or hard | | | | you only get one and it is right to protect it. And |
| to get at. Code in the one-touch call buttons the | | | | no one else has the right to take it away from |
| emergency service numbers and those of your | | | | you. |
| partner and closest friends. | | | | 10) When you feel the adrenal fear response |
| 5) Carry self defense weapons such as Pepper | | | | occur, relax, stay focused on you survival intent |
| Spray, if legally permitted. If you are restricted in | | | | and breath. When you feel the attack is imminent |
| carrying self defense weapons then learn how to | | | | just do it. A favorite mental strategy that I teach |
| use the everyday items that you carry on you | | | | is to get my self defense students to imagine |
| as weapons, such as; pens, umbrellas, combs, | | | | that the attacker is about to kill or rape one of |
| stiletto heels, car-keys and key chains etc. Carry | | | | their children or murder their mother right in front |
| a personal safety alarm. | | | | of them and to imagine themselves attacking and |
| 6) If you notice or feel you are being followed | | | | destroying the attacker with an unstoppable will. |
| either in your car or when walking, move to a | | | | 11) Learn a good self defense course. It must |
| more populated area. Avoid driving directly to | | | | deal with all of the tips above; the actual |
| your home. If you are accosted yell for help but | | | | techniques taught must be simple, brutal and |
| direct the call to someone specifically, as it has | | | | easily executed under the stress of the adrenal |
| been observed that if you just call for help most | | | | dump. Preferably seek out a course that |
| people will not assist, as they do not want to get | | | | addresses the adrenal fight/flight /freeze |
| involved. If you direct your plea to someone | | | | response. In addition develop a mind set that will |
| specifically you are more likely to get a response. | | | | kick in when needed, as it is the mind that is the |
| 7) If you are threatened, and the attack is | | | | biggest factor in your fast, efficient and effective |
| imminent, one of the most important attributes | | | | response ability. |
| you must acquire is the ability to maintain your | | | | These basic self defense tips will give you a solid |
| distance from the attacker. One of the biggest | | | | foundation ofr your self protection. Be smart, use |
| mistakes that most people make is letting the | | | | your common sense and stay safe. |