Self-Protection Tips

[REP]

In light of some things that has happened to some DUers, here's some self-protection tips I received a while ago. I didn't pay too much attention when I got them, but after reading about the horrible thing that happened to Liberal Historian, I'm paying attention to them now. Some of them verge a little on the histrionic, but overall, worth taking a look at.

begin {Protect yourself


1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide to New Orleans: If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than in you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car: Kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND DRIVE AWAY.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

a. Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in
the back seat.
b. If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most
serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women
are attempting to get into their cars.
c. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger
side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk
back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT
IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than
dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs.(Stairwells are horrible places to
be alone and the perfect crime spot).

7. If the predator has a gun and you are NOT under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The
predator can only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most
likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you
raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated
man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He
walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with
his vehicle, and that is when he abducted his next victim.


I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.


Send this to any woman you know, that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry. }end

On edit: the email ends with the "pass it on to women" but men should follow some of these, too. I hope all DUers stay safe!

[XanaDUer]

1. I remember also hearing

never get taken to "crime scene number two". That means, it is better to take your chances and run from the original scene(and they probably will miss you with a bullet) than go with them ,at weapon point, to another, remote area.

Studies show if perps take you to crime scene two, there is a greater chance you'll be killed.

[CBGLuthier]

2. another thing

One I learned when I worked at a library years ago. When walking to your car, always carry your keys with a couple of them on either side of your fingers and the keyring in your palm. Makes a great punching and scratching weapon.

I am a 6 foot tall man and I always carry my keys that way. :)

[XanaDUer]

5. I left working in libraries

due to violence.

And the key thing-when I lived in NYC, my *mother* told me about the key thing!

I still walk sometimes with my keys like that. Imagine getting punched with a bunch of pointy keys?

[geniph]

25. My very first day working at Seattle Public Library

a lunatic managed to get down into the locked basement collections area and hide. He attacked the janitor with a straight razor and nearly killed her. My first week working there, I gave up using the public stairs or public elevator at all, after seeing discarded syringes and people standing there peeing and people covered in blood in the stairwells.

The trouble is, libraries are open to all, and they're good places for crazies to go and hide out. Those of us who've worked in libraries all have horror stories (and some funny stories) about disturbed patrons.

I very seriously considered getting a CWP when I was working there, but instead prevailed on my husband to carpool with me or else carpooled with coworkers. I did NOT want to be leaving that building alone at night, and I hated working alone late at night there - it was VERY creepy to go to the ladies' room in the evening after the janitor was attacked.

[XanaDUer]

29. Ah, the used syringes!

We had some of those.

And of course, the librarians were and are expected to clean it.

[rustydog]

40. Actually, if you carry the key as if you are going to insert it in a lock,

it makes a wicked weapon when used in a slashing motion.
Keys between the fingers tend to slip and fall flat when used in a punching motion. When you carry the key as i mentioned, hold it so only about 1/4 inch is sticking out. Go for the face, neck, arms.
You WILL cut your attacker with the key, I promise you, and it is much omre effective.

[Superfly]

3. Or, if your state allows it...carry one of these

But make sure that you comply with all local, federal, and state laws.

B

[REP]

7. And Only If You Know How to Use It and Are Willing To Do So

I'm not anti-gun, but unless one is properly trained, it can be hard to use a gun for self-defense in a stressful situation. You don't want your gun to be used against you, and you need to be completely sure you could take another's life (and live with it). I know some highly trained, highly responsible shooters who don't carry for many of those reasons. Just something to consider.

[Superfly]

9. Agreed 150%

That's good advice.

Thanks!

[-..__...]

28. That...

and situational awareness. If your spidey sense is tingling that something is wrong, it most likely is.
Be constantly aware of your surroundings and the people around you, especially if you're alone
or at night. Simple things like talking on your cell phone while walking to your car or reading on a park bench
are a distraction and offers criminals opportunity to strike. Just because you look the part (or don't),
never think 'why would anyone bother (or dare) to rob me'. It can happen to anyone.

To anyone desiring to carry a handgun for protection I'd highly recommend; training, practice, classes, practice,
a clerar understanding of the laws regarding self defense, and more practice.

I'd also suggets reading Massad Ayoob's "In The Gravest Extreme". It's a must read for anyone who carrys a firearm for self defense.

[prez_sux]

31. you aren't a democrat

.

[-..__...]

32. Have we met?

Actually, I'm registered as an 'Independent' (open primaries and all, y'know ;) )
but have traditionally voted Dem. I have no idea of what I posted prompted you
too respond that way. Criminals don't care or ask about political affiliation... ya dig?

Care to elaborate?

[prez_sux]

35. Care to elaborate?

nah.


;)

[TXlib]

22. Hypothetical gun situation

Although I am anti-capital-punishment, I know just how I'd want to react if I were carrying a gun, and got mugged.

I'd wait until the perp turns his back, and then blow a very large hole in it.

I'd tell the police when they showed up that I thought he was turning around again, and I didn't want to wait for him to raise his weapon.

There's not a cop in Texas who'd arrest you at that point.

[prez_sux]

30. looks like a titanium model

no thanks, too much recoil.

[rustydog]

41. You'd better train, and train and train and train....

under realistic conditions or it won't be worth S**t to you.

First of all, you have to recognize the life-threatening condition, draw the weapon and fire it. (in combat conditions)
If it isn't drawn and you are attacked, have you practiced fending techniques to give you time todraw and fire your weapon?

A gun can get you in a position that goes from bad to knee-deep in S**t in a gawdaful hurry.

Don't get me wrong, I own guns...I don't carry concealed weapons, they'll get you killed.

[VelmaD]

4. the number one thing...

is don't look like a victim. Carry yourself like a self-confident bitch on wheels. Most criminals are looking for the easiest target possible. If you look like you'd put up a fight most of the time they won't bother.

Darth Velma

[plcdude]

8. yes and

the kinkier the better. Loved your responses on that kinky thread you sure scared me into a woody. Just kidding. I agree your demeanor is very important.

[VelmaD]

12. I'm never gonna...

be able to live that thread down am I. ;)

Take a number and get in line and I'll get to you as soon as I can. :)

-V-

[BiggJawn]

26. I'm in front of plcdude, right? And a spiffy use for a 'Biner...

:evilgrin:

I found out the other day that I could get a few fingers in the carabiner I clip my keys with. Velma could get her whole hand into it (I hope) The other side of the clip bottoms in your palm, giving you a "hard point" to strike with. Fold the keys back and stick 'em through your fingers...

And look like the meanest son-of-a-bitch in the Valley....

[geniph]

27. You have to be careful with that

because you'll attract the ones who like a challenge. I know, I used to act all tough and mean on the streets, and I got the REAL crazies after me. I learned I was better off being invisible. Don't make eye contact. Don't respond if they say insulting or suggestive things. Don't attract the attention of lunatics. And don't be alone in secluded places if you can help it.

[Kamika]

6. some self defence things i learnt

ok i never actally been robbed or anything but i have a gun and even took a (free) self defence course.. here some stuff if youre getting assaulted by a rapist or so.


1. if you can, get a gun, mace is "ok" but wont stop someone high. I have a small pistol almost like the one on the picture someone posted but mine is black (hows that for description)
2. if you can kick him between his legs (or just do anything you can aslong as it inflicts pain there, like grab the two things and squeeze like hell)
3. yell as high as you can that theres a FIRE because ppl will start to move..
4. if you can, put your fingers in his eye sockets and press all you can

[REP]

10. Excellent Point!

I, too, have heard that yelling "FIRE!" works better than "Help!" The last time I was attacked (over 10 years ago), I yelled Fire which actually got people to call 911. (I also broke the son of a bitch's cheekbone and arm - and kept my purse.)

[XanaDUer]

11. Kewl!

my mother (also in NYC) jammed her pointy stiletto heel into a robber's foot and ground it down!

It's important to stay calm and look for whatever you have around you and on you to protect yourself.

[REP]

13. My Mom Used Her Cane

There was a rash of robberies at QuikTrips, and while my mom was getting gas, the guys they were looking for tried to rob her. She hit them with her cane, chased them off, and got their license plate called into the police and they were arrested. Go Bad-Ass Moms!

[VelmaD]

15. my nanna did that too...

she heard someone at the front door of her house. She rolled over in her wheelchair to see what was going on and saw a hand reaching into the house. She grabbed her cane from next to the door and smacked him with it. There was a yelp and then he was gone.

Go Bad-Ass Grannies too.

[ForrestGump]

21. Tha cane is a potent weapon

Many Chinese ('kung fu') martial arts styles and some Korean ones (possibly others, too) use the cane as a formal weapon within the system. I know one cane form (form = 'kata' = set of prearranged moves) and the moves within it would do quite a number on the human body. It can hit, it can hook, it can slash, and it can strike. It slices, it dices....

And a cane is 100% street legal - you can even take it on an airliner.

[private_ryan]

52. oh boy

you expect people to go to the bar or at the supermarket with a cane?

[ForrestGump]

53. Nope,

but they could always borrow one from someone (as long as they didn't make 'em fall over).

I know a couple of martial artists who carry canes (admittedly because they got a bit overenthusiastic with their knees during their youth) - I've always wondered if carrying one would actually make you more likely to be victimized and thus up the chances of getting to thwack bad guys with it.

Anyway, the point is that most tradtional martial arts weapons are NOT directly applicable in today's society - I don't usually tote broadswords or three-sectional staffs around with me. BUT you never know what might be at hand and if you have some knowledge of how best to handle various kinds of objects as weapons, you're better off.

A restaurant gives you knives or chopsticks (chairs, too), a woodsy trail gives you a staff or similar (heck, staff-like objects abound just about everywhere), and your basic crowbar would make a lethal equialet of a cane or broadsword. It's ncie to be somewhat prepared, anyway.

[noiretextatique]

33. my grandmother carried a pearl-handled little pistol

don't mess with texas women.

[bicentennial_baby]

16. Yes, never yell Help

Studies show that people are unlikely to respond to cries of Help!, while they are more likely to respond to cries of Fire!. If you've never read it, look up the story of Kitty Genovese, the woman who was stabbed to death in the middle of her apartment complex while her neighbors shut the curtains and did nothing.

[ForrestGump]

19. Alternate suggestion

"if you can kick him between his legs (or just do anything you can aslong as it inflicts pain there, like grab the two things and squeeze like hell)"

A groin attack might totally incapacitate a man, but it might not. If you hit those things from the wrong angle or something interferes with your kick - like his hand, because men are naturally paranoid about that area and it's easily covered by a fast block - you're not going to do anything but make yourself more vulnerable. Also, if he's hopped up on something you can hit him full-force, square on the gonadal zone, and he won't feel it. I have been kicked in the groin without it bothering me - well, once....usually it hurts rather a lot.

No possible defense is foolproof or is able to be applied in any one of a suite of different situations, and the only way you can truly up your chances is by either entering martial arts training for the long haul or by going the other way and buying a firearm. Ultimately, though, the outcome is never for sure. But, in regard to groin attacks, there are alternate targets that may be safer to reach and that are worth having within the universe of your options.

Besides, if I were a bad guy I might think about wearing a protective cup as a hedge against possible self-defense-trained women.

Probably a better idea is to go lower, and it has the bonus of exposing you less and keeping your body more stable - we're assuming here that the average woman is not a martial artist with a few years to decades of training.

A kick to the shins can really slow someone down, when one just made with the point of your shoe. Ever barked your shins on somethign, or perhaps been kicked in the shin while playing soccer or wahtever? Man, it hurts. And a stomp onthe foot (if you're close enough) can really ruin anyone's day (and foot).

But if you can really power into it and kick hard, take out the SOB's knee and he won't be able to come after you. Smash that sucker - visulaize an stick or piece of wood leaning against a wall and about to become firewood under the impact of your foot. Even a drugged-up attacker isn't going to be able to overcome structural damage like that. And you have the advantage of kicking to an area that's low - (a) you can develop more power in the thrust of your kick, even if you're not trained, and (b) it's much harder for him to prevent you from attacking low unles he's trained up more than is typical.

And then run.

Or, if you've got him to the ground with a destroyed knee joint, go find something solid to whack him some more with.

Probably the key block to women being able to successfully defend themselves is that they're conditioned from an early age not to fight and injure - it's hard enough for many of us dudes to get used to the idea of injuring people. Only a long-term program of martial arts training (or similar fighting) is going to get you past that. Martial arts go far, far beyond self-defense, but if you've trained for a few years you've got a decent chance of being able to look after yourself.

And that's not true of just men - I've been thrashed by women half my size (literally, in weight, and a foot shorter in height) during my own training. Height and weight will always be an advantage if all else is equal, but even the best fighters never have it all their way and all you need is one good shot and you've possibly saved yourself. Besides, the rabbit fighting for its life will battle so much harder than will the fox hunting for its dinner.

[rustydog]

42. I respectfully disagree with a part of your post...

If you have the sucker on the ground do NOT go looking for something to whack him with...If you are leaving the scene..leave!!!

If you want to finish him off, you have two good hands,elbows and feet to take the person out. if they are on the ground, start stomping their ankles, hands, head etc. Or, just take off once they drop.

A kick to the common coronial nerve along the outside of the leg will drop a person like a rock. A kick to the femoral nerve along the inside of the leg will also do the same thing, when going for the groin, try to place the point of your shoe inthe a-holes scrotum like you are punting a football.

[ForrestGump]

47. Yeah, you're right

I was just feeling vindictive.

The best form of self-defence is to not be there when the attack is launched. And the best way to make sure of that is to run, fast - running's the ultimate martial art, in that way. Some people can't run, though, or are prevented from doing so by being with their children or spousal-type unit.

Yep - groin kick's best with that upward motion.....go for liftoff, as if you were trying to kick a hay bale so that it flies back over your head. Then the sucker won't be able to breed, either.....

[MadHound]

14. If you are unarmed, and unable to flee, a few places to strike

First off, if you are going to get into a physical combat with your assailant, don't do the pushy-pushy, shovey-shovey shit. This will get you killed. You are in the fight for your life, strike like it. When throwing a punch, put your body into it, not just your arm.

First place to hit is the chest, over the heart, right about where you would place your hands for CPR. Strike a hard blow here. It will cause a spasming of the heart and lungs, rendering the attacker helpless while he tries to maintain breathing and other bodily functions.

Second, the larnyx, right at the adam's apple. This will crush his windpipe, rendering him unable to do anything else except attempt to breathe. If you are kind, and don't wish him to die, instruct him to put thumb and forefinger on each side of his windpipe and gently squeeze together until his windpipe opens back up. He will be able to breathe, but will have to use all of his resources to continue to breathe and get to a hospital.

Third, the gonads. We all know what this does. Don't be afraid to use it, or better yet, go for the fake(us guys are extremely protective of this area) and strike somewhere else.

Fourth, the temples on each side of the forehead. A very tender spot on the head that when hit does one of three things, depending on the force you strike with. It will stun them, so that you can get to safety, knock them unconcious, or kill them(you have to hit real hard for that).

All of these blows are quite doable and effective even for somebody with very modest strength.

If you wish to learn more, go take some martial arts classes, I recomend them to anybody.

[TXlib]

17. Carry a decoy wallet

Put some cancelled cards in it, and $10-$20 or so.

That's enough cash to get a typical crackhead a fix, so he'll go away.

Keep the decay wallet more handy than the real one.

Throw the decoy in one direction, and run in the other, if possible.

[ForrestGump]

48. That's a great idea!

I might start doing that.

[Drifter]

18. Other suggestions ...

Make sure you have your keys out and ready to go BEFORE you get to your car. Fumbling through your purse or pockets looking for keys can give the opportunist mugger ... well ... more opportunity.

Taking this further, hold your keys in your dominant hand such that there is a key (or keys) between each finger. When you make a fist with your hand the key points should stick out near your knuckles. This creates a cheap form of Brass Knuckles. If you are attacked attempt to punch at the assailants face. I key in the eye can really ruin your attackers day.

Cheers
Drifter

[Brewman_Jax]

20. Striking points, if you have to use them...

kick to the shin and knees. The shin is very sensitive, the knee can be quickly and temporarily disabled. You'll render the opponent less able to run. A kick is harder and a punch has a better chance of injuring its user rather than an opponent.

then, attack the soft points, eyes, throat, solar plexis, groin.

Note from watching J.J. Bitenbinder--throw the CASH in one direction, you go the other direction.

[private_ryan]

54. not sure about a kick to the shin

and as far as the knee goes you can't just kick it. To take the knee out you have to kick with a heel and rotate your leg a bit (that's the way I was taught anyway). I'm sure they are other ways but if you miss, you just got closer to him and he's even angrier.

Ladies, if the sob wants to kidnap or do anything sexually I'd play along till you get clear shot to his throat. It can be a punch (might kill him, which is fine IMO) or open hand. If it's just money it's your call.

if he grabs you, and has you tight go for the eyes (slowly move your fingers to his face and eyes). NO MAN or woman will keep holding you once you start putting your fingers in his eyes.

Punching is great, elbowing is great, kicks are great if you know how to throw them. Otherwise you'll break your hand, wrist, leg and do more damage to yourself. This is the reality...

[ForrestGump]

56. A kick to the shin is going to hurt, a lot

but it's not too likely to totally incapacitate. So what most people do when they are struck in the shin is that they automatically drop their hands toward it and bend down, and that's when you smash the sucker in the face, go for the eyes, or bop 'em in the throat. if nothing else, a defense that inflicts severe pain can be a set-up either to further (rapid succession) attack or to runnign away.

I don't know about the wisdom of (an untrained, smaller, less physically powerful woman) playing into an attacker's hands in hopes of getting a shot that may not present itself. You're pretty much screwed if you lose that opportunity.

With full awareness that ANY such 'rule' or 'guideline' could go out the window in a real situation, I'd tend to stick with the school of thought that holds that you need to respond IMMEDIATELY. There may be no second chance. And, ideally, your counter would reach him before his attack is even completed - attack his attack and leave second but arrive first - though that may be stretch without a degree of training.

Think about it, though - if some big dude is launching an attack on someone he perceives as smaller and weaker, and she doesn't even freeze but comes right back at him with a technique that hurts (shin kick) or worse (destroy the knee, attack the throat, etc), he's going to be the one who's hampered by surprise. An attacker is all aggression, probably laced with overcondfidence, and a defender can take advantage of that by not acting as she 'should.' I'd suggest that right at the start of it all - where the tendency to just freeze is greatest - is where you'll find the greatest window of opportunity for striking back and getting away. After his initial attack is successful, he's more likely to have the edge and control of a situation that may only get worse in terms of opprtunities for escape.

[private_ryan]

58. you respond immediatly

IF you know what you're doing, otherwise you just got yourself in a lot more trouble.

wait for the opportune moment and strike once, unless you've been trained on this and know kick boxing, boxing or some effective martial art. That's what I'd suggest, if you're built like a fridge most likely you will not be attacked. They pick their victims...

Now if you come after me that's a whole another story :). If you're lucky I will make the person miss so many times that you'll get tired in a minute or two...unless the guy knows more than I do and you never know what the other person knows.

[TXlib]

23. There's been a lot of focus in the replies on physical defence

I firmly believe, unless you've been training for years, either in hand-to-hand combat or with a firearm or other weapon, that it is dangerous to emphasise physical self-defence.

The most important, and easiest, part of self-defence is avoidance. Don't get into precarious situations. For women especially, points #4 and #8 in the inital post are especially important. Even if you're a world master in hand-to-hand combat, you're still better off avoiding the situation to begin with.

Any good self-defence class will spend most of its time emphasising how to keep out of danger to begin with.

[ForrestGump]

49. Definitely

Alertness and awareness are vastly more important to most people than is martial skill, because if you have those qualities you're far less likely to have to have to risk it all in physical contest. And NO person, not even the most skilled fighters out there, can predict with 100% certainty that they will walk away the victor....and, even if they win, they could still be seriously injured. It's more a matter of degrees of losing....

I've had to use my own physical ability as a martial artist, in self-defence, but my training has entered into the picture countless times before in both AVOIDING confrontation and, when provoked (much as part of me wanted to go in and kill the SOB), by defusing or escaping the situtation. If the confrontation's with an 'unloved acquaintance,' and your ego demands that you save whatever face you feel you lost by walking away, well, there are always the possibility of another time and place that are more suited to you.

Many of these women's self-defense courses bother me because, based on what I've heard from graduates of some, it seems like some provide a false sense of security in that they set up unrealistic situations and solve them with (often totally impractical and even ineffectual) techniques that need to be trained in regularly to be any good. A weekend course is no quick-and-easy substitute for martial-arts training.

There was an excellent program years ago, called Model Mugging (I think) that had a martial-arts instructor dressed up in massive layers of padding - the idea was that women would be able to hit him full force (kicks to the knees, eye pokes....everything) to up the realism of their self-defense training. I don't know if it's still around, but it was a great idea. And the mugger would simulate all sorts of attacks, including laying on top of the woman. There might be some excellent self-defense courses out there but, from what I've heard (and most of the women who've described the training to me did not have any idea that it was perhaps somewhat counterproductive), there are also some that could get a woman into more trouble than she'd otherwise be in, if only because she decided to fight rather than flee (assuming that she had the opportunity). It's easy enough when training heavily in martial arts to get to the point at which you know enough to get yourself into trouble but not enough to get out intact.

Those Tae Bo infomercials that were so prolific a while ago freaked me out for the same reason. It's a great workout, but the infomercials featured testimony from men and women who gushed over how much more confident they felt in terms of being able to defend themselves. Fine, perhaps, if they had Billy Blanks as a martial arts instructor, but Tae Bo is not a martial art. That attitude's scary, especially as a selling point, because (though they may have developed some of the physical skills necessary) Tae Bo is just NOT a martial system. It's more like dancing in a martial manner, because the martial intent and the 'killing spirit' (for want of a bettter descriptor that currently eludes me) are absent. And the best way to learn how to fight is usually to fight - what do you think is going to happen to a Tae Bo warrior who takes his or her first punch to the stomach? The shock, more than the actual pain, is going to end the fight for them. Badly.

[ForrestGump]

50. 'Model Mugging'

It seems like the idea - instructors who don heavy pads and encourage women to kick (punch, elbow, knee, headbutt, gough, stomp, etc) the hell out of them is alive and well and has proliferated vastly since I last read about it.



Here's a Bay Area example:

http://www.bamm.org/

Boston area:

http://www.impactboston.com/about.htm

Michigan:

http://www.wammselfdefense.org/

More (also includes a good description of their philosophies and approach):

http://www.prepareinc.com/



Some of these groups offer classes for men, as well - men are too often overlooked in self-defense courses (what? do they assume we're all incipient Bruce Lee's and the like?) - as well as for children and teens.


If you want to check it out, Google it up and see if you can find a program near your home.

[ForrestGump]

51. One more - Model Mugging photos....

http://www.aimmself-defense.org/gallery.html

http://web.philwells.net/modelmugging.html

[Enraged_Ape]

24. Bottom line is...

don't be the easiest target.

It's like the joke where two campers are awaken in the woods by a grizzly bear storming out of the brush. One of the guys pulls a pair of sneakers out of his backpack and starts putting them on. His buddy says, "You don't think those will help you outrun the bear!" And he says, "I don't need to outrun the bear..."

Find a martial art you like that includes the basics (punches, kicks, grappling techniques, falls, etc.) and stick with it for a while. Forrest Gump had a great summation of different styles in another thread, but what it really amounts to in any martial art is that you get out of it what you put into it. Practice for a while and not only will you be in better shape, but you will be confident that at least you will know some things to do if you ever need to use them.

Keep yourself in shape and always be aware of what's going on around you. Walk like you know where you're going and someone else is expecting you. Ladies, if you have to work late, always, ALWAYS, have an escort out to the car, or you don't stay late.

[noiretextatique]

34. thanks, REP! i will pass this along

i got a stun gun a few years ago...carry it in my bag. i've been told that these need to be recharged occasionally, fyi. i never leave home without it.

[REP]

46. Especially After What Happened to LH

I thought we all could use a reminder to be aware and be safe (not that I think LH did a damn thing wrong! She survived, which means she did everything right). The most important thing is to get away any way you can, whether you distract the attacker or knock them on their asses.

The thing about sitting in your car really got me, because I did that - until today.

[Valerie5555]

36. WATCH or ATTACK DOGGIES

Wonder if getting a watch or an attack dog is a good idea though the downside may be that it may bite the letter carrier.

[Valerie5555]

37. As for your bank card PIN #

if you could, in the words of Gandalf to Frodo concerning the Ring, KEEP IT SECRET, KEEP IT SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and also make sure to not carry a large amount of money with you.

[THUNDER HANDS]

38. wow

remind me to never rob any DUers

:evilgrin:

[incontrovertible]

39. agree with all except 1

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

This is extremely difficult for an untrained person under likely-to-be-fatal attack to accomplish successfully, and could easily blow your last chance before being beaten unconscious and tied up.

There's a reason they tie your hands behind your back, ladies.

Here is all you need to know, and the first thing they teach you in Krav Magra:

1) Take both of your thumbs.
2) Use your thumbs to drive both of your attacker's eyes deep, deep, deep into his brain.
3) Do not stop until he stops screaming and twitching.

If he has an accomplice, this accomplice will be extremely preoccupied by his shrieking, convulsing, blinded, vomiting buddy, and you will have a better than even chance at doing the same thing to him, as well - or at least being able to run like hell.

The most important thing to remember is that, if captured, you will be murdered. Sorry, I've studied too much true crime to believe otherwise. The idea that you should not resist an obvious serial rapist/murderer attack is paternalistic claptrap from the 50s, and has likely gotten thousands of American women killed, without reason.

More important than anything else, especially for single women living alone: Buy a 20 gauge shotgun.

[rustydog]

43. So when the serial rapist takes you from behind...

how do you get your thumbs into the eyes?

It is easy to say you'll do that, but the circumstances have to be right. You have to learn how to get out of choke holds, grabs and how to fend off strikes so that you can get to the position to gouge out the eyeballs.

[incontrovertible]

44. true

can't argue with that.

[private_ryan]

55. maybe convince him that you're not going to run

or something like that. Or let me do this or that first ...get closer and here you go.

[ForrestGump]

57. Getting out of certain choke holds is pretty easy

At least in practicing it.

But often the best way to get out is to ignore the choke and use your two free hands and two free feet to attack the idiot who's so kindly tied up both of his arms. Quickly, though, both because everything needs to be fast and because if he's got it right you'll pass out pretty expeditiously. I'm not sure how many street assailants are going to be that skilled in applying choke holds, but it'd pay to be ready for the worst case.

[Best_man23]

45. Make that shotgun pump action

The unmistakeable "click-clack" of the pump action will give any would-be person attempting to break into your home pause.

[Valerie5555]

59. "Skyjack This" tip

Especially after what happened Sept 11 2001 and in light of the "highjack threats" as of late, here's a possible "SKYJACK THIS" tip that may very well work, or request an aisle seat on a plane so you could serriptitiously put your foot out in the aisle and trip the SOB and hopefully some other fellow passengers would sit on them before they would even be able to think of reaching the cockpit.


On edit though Capt. "The Preamble to The American Constitution is this : WE THE PEOPLE and "We The People" are strong and united and shall never be defeated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" had the right spirit and idea or that United Pilot who piloted one of the first post Sept 11 flights, I found that other little idea may be more simple and effective.