1. Situational Awareness!
We live in a world full of distractions, particularly as our mobile phones constantly cry out for our attention.
A recent study found that 1 in 7 of us regularly cross the road whilst engrossed with our phones, and hundreds of people are run over in the UK every year because of this.
Pay attention to your situation and environment, and adjust your level of awareness accordingly.
Scrolling through Facebook in Starbucks is fine, but doing it whilst walking home in the dark, late at night, might not be.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! If something seems wrong, it probably is.
2. Target Denial
This is a fancy way of saying that you want to deny a suspicious person the opportunity to catch you by surprise.
If the person on your side of the road gives you the creeps, cross the road. Wait for the next elevator.
The best way to stay safe is to avoid danger.
3. Create A ‘Fence’
In a staggered stance with your hands at head level, fingers outstretched and palms facing the aggressor, the ‘fence’ does several important things.
Firstly, it is perceived to be a passive, non- aggressive posture.
Secondly, it enables you to keep some distance between yourself and an aggressor.
Thirdly, if the situation warrants it, you are postured in such a to deliver a solid pre-emptive strike.
4. Avoid Grips
If someone has a grip on you, they have a degree of control over you. That’s bad news if you want to get away.
Do everything you can to stop someone establishing grips on you and break grips as soon as you can- before they get secure.
5. Vulnerable Points
It’s likely that an attacker will be bigger and stronger than you, so fighting strength with strength may not be wise.
Targeting vulnerable points, such as the eyes and groin, may give you the opportunity you need to escape.
Tune in to the primal side of your nature and get ugly.