Top 7 Things you should know Self Defense

7 Things you should know for

Self Defense

Written by Robert Torres

5th Degree Black Belt Instructor

Self Defense Expert

• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

You have the right and the responsibility to defend yourself! If you ever find yourself in a self-defense situation and ever feel; Scared, Verbally and Physically Threatened and Un able to escape without defending yourself, or if you feel as though your life is being threatened, then you know you have no other choice then to defend yourself at whatever means necessary to escape harm or even potential death.

You are the most important person in your life. Don’t you think you have to protect this person more than anyone else? Think of it this way. Who is the person who goes to work everyday and puts food on the table? Who is the person who wakes up in the morning and helps you through your day? Who is the person that when It comes time to get things done you can totally and completely rely on? YOU! And you are your best friend right? So would you let anything bad happen to your best friend? How can you protect anyone else, (Wife, Husband, Children etc.) without protecting yourself first?

• KNOW YOUR WEAPONS

Every day we go through life not knowing when and even if an attack will occur. Now don’t get me wrong, you SHOULD NOT go through your day today paranoid about being attacked by any and every person that walks past you. However you should stay alert at all times. Knowing where you are, observing your surroundings and making sure that you can get away in case of an attack / emergency.

Things like taking note of the exit signs. Recognizing that there is a strange person following you, and so on.

Your first weapon is yourself. You should always walk strong and with confidence. Not only will you deter your attacker, but also you’ll feel good. Another weapon you can find commonly on your person is your Car Keys. Keep them out whenever you are walking to and from your car. If you are a smoker, a lighter can work as an effective weapon. Not to mention Aerosol cans, from perfume to hairspray. If attacked, reach for anything that could be used to distract your attacker for a few seconds. This will give you time to escape. Remember that your life is the most important thing you have, and there is no one better to protect it like you.

• KNOW YOUR ATTACKER

In order to defend against and attacker or mugger you should know what they are thinking and feeling. This will help you to defeat your attacker long before the attack / assault happens.

There are three things that your attacker will consider before actively deciding to confront you and attack you.

• Desire: They feel the need to attack you (Financial gain, Physical Pleasure, Nothing to loose)

• Opportunity: They find you comfortable in your surroundings (Lost in a cell phone call) Attackers will find consistencies in your life and use them to their advantages.

• Ability: This is the physical advantage they feel that they have over you. The attacker will evaluate you. If you look like an easy target or if you are large and muscular, appear confident or intimidating.

You may never be able to take away their desire to attack, but you can take away their opportunity and ability.

• KNOW HOW TO PREVENT AN ATTACK

Preventing an attack can be the simplest thing you can do to save yourself many months or years of physical, mental and emotional torment. Training yourself and your mind to meet and exceed the level of your attacker will help tremendously. Things like…

• Show confidence in yourself, walking upright with your chin up.

• Walking in groups.

• Making eye contact and greeting people as they walk past you.

• Knowing where your exits are located for a quick escape.

• Be conscious of who is around you.

• Knowing your “Personal Space”. (Arms distance around you)

• KNOW HOME SECURITY

There are many home security measures you may put into place depending on where you live. The following is a list of things that could help you with your own home security.

Physical Security:

• Get a dog

• Door Chain

• Dead Bold (1” deep)

• Door Prawl (anti Credit Card / Jimmy)

Prowlers in the house:

a.Call the police and stay on the line.

b.Tell them the address and phone #

c.Describe the situation

d.What room you are in and give a description of the house and intersecting streets.

a.Don’t “Hunt Down” the intruder

b.Use a FIRE LADDER

c.Keep a family Emergency Response Plan and practice it with your family.

d.Have a Duress Code – Covert “NEED HELP” Signs / Codes and share it with your immediate family members. To let them know that you are in distress.

Auto Security

a.Dome light

b.Lock your doors

c.Look under the car when you approach it.

d.Check the back seat before you get in.

e.Don’t give all your keys to the parking attendant

f.Leave confidential information at home or locked in the glove compartment.

• KNOW WHERE & WHEN TO ATTACK

There are very effective and non leathal methods to control a subject. However, there are occasions when your only reasonable option may be to sue a strike to stun or incapacitate them for a moment in order to salve yourself or your family from harm.

There are several areas to strike an attacker in order to stop them dead in their tracks or to physically control them to where they comply to your command. When using these strikes you should use only the minimum amount of force nessesary to control the situation. These strikes include:

a.Palm Heal

b.Hammer Fist

c.Elbow

d.Knees )

e.Frontal Kicks

f.Low Kicks

• KNOW MARTIAL ARTS

The only way to effectively train your body for an attack is to study and train daily in the martial arts or by taking a consistent self-defense course. Before looking at different schools for training talk to the instructors and watch a few classes before deciding if it’s right for you. For more information on self-defense or to start your own martial arts training visit www.crescentmoonkarate.com

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