Self-Defense: Don’t be an Easy Target
It is important for everyone to learn self-defense. You never know when you could become a target. It really doesn’t matter who you are or how big you are. If predators want something from you, they will stop at nothing to get it, unless you surprise them and fight back. Most criminals don’t want any conflict. If you make it hard on them, they may decide it isn’t worth it and leave you alone.
So, what self-defense tips can you put to good use? These suggestions will give you an opportunity to escape.
* Use your thumbs: If you have access to the hands of an attacker, use your thumbs to press down as hard as you can on the fingernails just above the nail bed. Surprisingly, this really hurts. Your attacker will be shocked and in pain and will quickly pull away. This should give you an escape opportunity.
* Hit hard at the bridge of the nose: If you get the opportunity, drive the heel of your palm right into the bridge of your attacker’s nose. A hard enough hit can be fatal. Either way, the blinding pain will cause your assailant to take a step back to recover from the hit. Take advantage of the distraction and run. Yell “fire!” as you run to attract attention. People generally respond and pay more attention when someone yells “fire” instead of “help.”
* Push into a bite: A vicious attacker may bite you. Avoid your instinct to pull away. Instead, push the limb being bitten into the face of your attacker. Cover as much of your attacker’s nose and mouth as possible. The result will be smothering unless the bite is released.
* Knee or kick the groin: It doesn’t matter how strong or large your attacker is. If you get a chance, deliver a strong shot to the groin. Your assailant will instantly double over in agony and allow you a good opportunity to run away. Don’t assume this will only work for a male attacker either. Anyone who is hit hard in that area will be in excruciating pain long enough for you to start running.
Now you have some good techniques that will allow you time to get away. What else can you do to help your situation? Here are some suggestions that most people don’t think of when they are panicked:
* Yell fire: For most people, when trapped in a helpless situation, the instinct is to yell for help. The best way to attract attention and gain help is actually to yell “Fire!” It is a proven fact that the majority of people, especially in densely populated cities, ignore calls for help. People just don’t want to get involved. Yelling “fire” will attract more attention and get you the help you need. If nothing else, someone will call the fire department and the sirens will scare your attacker away. If you are told not to yell or scream, do it anyway. Most attackers will run rather than chance attention drawn to them. They don’t want witnesses.
* Anything can be a weapon: Be creative in your self defense. Smokers can burn the assailant with a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe. Keep your keys handy. A key between your index and middle fingers with the jagged side facing down is a great weapon for stabbing, gouging or scraping. Boots and heels can do a lot of bodily damage with a bit of force behind them. Drinks can temporarily blind someone. Heavy objects like, purses, bags of groceries, briefcases or laptops can knock an attacker off balance briefly.
* Become a moving target: If you do get away, run. If possible, weave as you are running. It is hard for an attacker to hit a moving target, especially when it isn’t going in a straight line.
We would all like to think that it will never happen to us. Odds are, if not you then someone you love will become the victim of an attacker. Everyone needs to learn basic self-defense and encourage others to do so as well.
Stay Safe,
Steve Lane
http://www.laneselfdefense.com
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