Safety tips for women :

Personal safety has become an issue of importance for everyone, especially for women. Concerned about this state of affairs, Sgt. Darren Laur and his wife Beth Laur began teaching self-defense classes and safety seminars in 1993, and have since reached thousands of women. The demand they saw for reliable safety information, made them write a book on safety measures.

The following are the things that every woman should know about personal safety and are covered in the Laurs’ published book, Total Awareness: A Woman’s Safety Book.

SELF DEFENSE :

Most people think of kicks to the groin and blocking punches when they hear the term “self-defense.” However, true self-defense begins long before any actual physical contact. The first, and probably most important, component in self-defense is “Awareness”: awareness of yourself, your surroundings, and your potential attacker’s strategies.

The criminal’s primary strategy is to use the advantage of surprise. Studies show that criminals choose targets who are unaware of what is going on around them. Be aware of your surroundings, it indicates “force presence”. This will help you avoid any sort of altercations.

TRAVEL AND HOTEL SAFETY :

Violent crimes against women happen in the best and worst hotels around the world. Predators may play the part of a hotel employee, push their way through an open or unlocked door, or obtain a pass key to the room. As with home safety, never open your door unless you are certain the person on the other side is legitimate, and always carry a door wedge with you when you travel. A wedge is often stronger than the door it secures.

HOME INVASION PREVENTION :

This crime is on the rise. The primary way to prevent a home invasion is simply to never, open your door unless you are certain you know who’s on the other side. Such a room should be equipped with a strong door, deadbolt lock, phone (preferably cell phone), and a can of pepper spray or fire extinguisher.

PEPPER SPRAY, ITS LEGALITIES, AND HOW TO USE IT :

Pepper spray, like other self-defense aids, can be a useful tool. However, it is important to understand that there can be significant drawbacks to its use. For example, did you know that it doesn’t work for everyone? Surprisingly, 15-20% of people will not be incapacitated even by a full-face spray. Also, if you’re carrying it in your purse, you will only waste time and alert the attacker to your intentions. Trust your body and your wits, which you can always depend on in the event of an attack.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FIGHT :

No matter what age or physical condition you are in, it is important to understand that you can and should defend yourself physically. You have both the moral and legal right to do so, even if the attacker is only threatening you. Aim for the eyes first and the groin second. Remember to use the element of surprise to your advantage — strike quickly, and mean business. You may only get one chance.

• AVOID A CAR-JACKING

The criminals approach you from the blind spot and pull you out of the driver’s seat or jump in the passenger’s seat.

• USE THE INTERNET WISELY

Although the Internet is educational and entertaining, it can also be full of danger if one isn’t careful. When communicating online, use a nickname and always keep personal information such as home address and phone number confidential. Instruct family members to do the same.

• HOW TO CHANGE FROM A THREATENED TO A CHALLENGED MINDSET WHEN IN DANGER

Research suggests that under both threat and challenge stress evaluations, a stress-is-enhancing mindset produced sharper increases in anabolic (“growth”) hormones relative to a stress-is-debilitating mindset. Furthermore, when the stress was evaluated as a challenge, a stress-is-enhancing mindset produced sharper increases in positive affect, heightened attentional bias towards positive stimuli, and greater cognitive flexibility, whereas a stress-is-debilitating mindset produced worse cognitive and effective outcomes

• ESCAPE IS ALWAYS YOUR BEST OPTION

What if the unthinkable happens? You are suddenly confronted by a predator who demands that you go with him be it in a car, or into an alley, or a building. It would seem prudent to obey, but you must never leave the primary crime scene with the predator. Runaway, yell for help, throw a rock through a store or car window — do whatever you can to attract attention. And if the criminal is after your purse or other material items, throw them one way while you run the other.

• HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD SELF-DEFENSE COURSE

A good course covers critical thinking about self-defense strategies, assertiveness, powerful communication skills, and easy-to-remember physical techniques. The instructor respects and response to your fears and concerns. Instruction is based on a belief that women can act competently, decisively, and take action for their own protection. Essentially, a good course is based on intelligence and not muscle. It offers tools for enabling a woman to connect with her own strength and power. These courses are out there. Good luck with your research. Taking a self-defense class is one of the most positive acts a woman can do for herself!