BASIC SELF DEFENCE TIPS TO OVERCOME AN
ATTACKER
HOW TO AVOID ENCOUNTERS
1. KNOW YOU SURROUNDINGS
Do not wander alone into places that look suspicious or is unknown to you. Wherever you are, know what is happening around you. If you feel someone is closing in on you, make sure you maintain distance or alert someone. Do not worry about being wrong about your guts. Better be wrong than sorry.
2. DON’T BE DISTRACTED
Keep your guard up. Not getting lost on your phone and not using earphones in public, are basic precautions that one can take to stay alert and stay away from any unwanted encounters.
3. LOOK LIKE A TOUGH TARGET
Most of the attackers look for a soft target. People who appear to be easy targets end up being victims of attacks more often. Therefore always hold a strong and bold appearance, make eye contacts and give people an impression that messing with you is not an option.
4. SPEAK UP IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE
Always speak up in situations which feel uncomfortable to you. You feel someone is pressing towards you while sitting in a metro or a bus, do not hesitate to speak up and let that person know.
5. USE WHAT YOU HAVE IF YOU’RE ATTACKED
You can never be sure of what might happen, but incase you face an attack ever, make sure to use whatever you have on you, be it a scarf, a body spray or even a pen. You can always use something or the other for your defence. Keep your mind open and act smart.
6. KNOW HOW TO ATTACK
Do not just start hitting or kicking the attacker blindly, without knowing what you are doing. Instead of wasting your energy doing that, focus all your energy on giving one powerful shot which can be enough to knock the attacker down.
7. INVEST IN SELF DEFENCE GADGETS
Investing in self defence gadgets can save you a whole lot of trouble if you were ever to get into one of these situations. Self defence gadgets like pepper sprays and stun guns can always come in handy as they will literally fit into anything easily, even your pockets!
8. KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR EQUIPMENTS
Make sure you know how to use any of the equipments that you are carrying for your defence, beforehand. You don’t want to be in a situation where you have the products to save you but you have no clue as to how to use it. That would be a shame.
9. USE SAFETY APPS
There are a number of safety apps implemented by the Government which can be used to give out SOS signals and help can reach you in time of need.
10. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
Always trust your instincts! There may not seem a lot of reasons to trust your sixth sense, but you know how many times your instincts have been right and has saved you. So if you feel wrong about something, don’t do it. Feel wrong about going to a place, don’t go! And feel wrong about a person, stay away from them.
11. MAINTAIN DISTANCE AND PROTECT YOUR SPACE
As long as they can’t reach you, they can’t physically hurt you. Therefore, always keep your distance and stay far away from possible suspects
12. SIGN UP FOR SELF DEFENCE TRAINING
If you feel you really are in a situation where you need self defence training, do not hesitate to sign up for one, because physical combat techniques take time to master.
BODY PARTS TO AIM INCASE OF AN ATTACK
- EYES -Eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of our body, without it we are lost. So disabling your attacker’s vision can surely help you escape.
- NOSE – You can give a blow to your attacker’s nose by straightening out your palm. This can cause him sever pain giving you some time to escape.
- NECK – The side of the neck is a bigger target, where both the carotid artery and jugular vein are located. Therefore striking this part of the neck with your hand as hard as you could can bring the attacker down on his knees.
- GROIN – Everyone knows where to hit a man in case of an attack. An attack to the groin never fails. Just make sure you hit as hard as possible!
HOW TO MAXIMISE DAMAGE :
Use your elbows, knees and head.
These parts of the body are most effective for inflicting damage: your elbows, knees, and head (they’re your body’s bony built-in weapons).
Use everyday objects.
Everyday objects you carry around with you or things in your environment can also be used to your advantage as weapons. Hold a key or pen between your middle and ring finger while you’re walking home in the dark for more assurance. Outdoors, you can toss some dirt or sand into your attacker’s eyes.
Women are often told to spray perfume or hairspray into an assailant’s eyes. The point is, use whatever you can to make your defence stronger.
Leverage your weight.
No matter your size, weight, or strength in relation to your opponent, you can defend yourself by strategically using your body and the simple law of physics. This is the principle behind martial arts systems like Jujitsu and other self-defence programs where a smaller person is able to defeat a larger one.
It is important to know when to give up. DO NOT continue to pursue and fight your attacker if his intensions are to take your wallet or a valuable, especially if the attacker is in possession of a weapon.
Remember that your life is more precious and that valuables can be replaced, but not your life.
