Self DefenseSelf Defense starts before the fight ever begins. The most effective form of self defense is to never get into a fight in the first place. It’s always easier to STAY out of trouble than to GET out of trouble.
Avoiding Trouble
Hard Target
Have A Plan
Evasion
De-escalation and Conflict Resolution
Avoiding Trouble
The first rule of Self Defense is to not go anywhere you know to be dangerous. Whenever possible avoid areas where it is reasonable to assume that you could be in danger of assault. Places high in crime, Places where you stand out, and places where you have few friends or allies. To avoid conflict know where the danger lies, and steer clear of places where the danger waits. In areas where crime flourishes, in areas where darkness reigns, in areas where you are alone and vulnerable. These are the areas where an attacker will most likely target you, because these are the areas where the attacker has the greatest advantage. The first rule of any attacker is opportunity. They will target those individual’s that are available to them. If you do not appear on their radar screen they will never single you out. An attacker wishes to carry out their deeds in isolation where their mayhem will not be interrupted or witnesses. Surprise is also an advantage that they seek because it denies you the opportunity to avoid or prepare for the attack. Avoid any and all places that play into the attacker’s strategy. Avoid the attacker’s territory, avoid any place they have the opportunity for surprise and deny them the safety of anonymity.
Bars and Clubs. Alcohol is fuel for idiocy of all kinds, including violence. Alcohol inhibits your inhibitions making fighting the dude that just stepped on your shoe at the crowded bar seem all the more reasonable. You can tell which establishments are more prone to violence than others by the presence of bouncers. They wouldn’t waster good money to pay some tough guy to stand around sucking up oxygen if things didn’t get rowdy now and again.“What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.”- Sun Tzu.
Criminal establishments. Drug houses, meth labs, chop shops, raves, opium dens, are all places you should really want to avoid. If you find yourself at any of these places, you probably need to seriously re-examine your life choices. Criminals act outside the law, and even “good people” will take extraordinary measures, including violence to preserve the status quo of drugs, money, power, and freedom.
Bad Neighborhoods. Cars circling the block, Cars pulling up to and driving away from the same house, people standing outside that could be drug dealers, look outs, or prostitutes, People wearing the same colors, People carrying weapons, Sounds of gun fire, Abandoned homes or businesses. These neighborhoods are rife with criminal establishments and the criminals who run them. If you are so unfortunate as to live there, move to a slightly better neighborhood, you can’t afford not to.
Unstable Nations. Corruption, violence, war, civil unrest, kidnappings. Check the U.S. State Department's watch list. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...w/tw_1764.html As a foreign devil you can’t help but stand out from the crowd, and be targeted.
Isolated places. Parking lots, fields, alleys, the woods, unoccupied buildings, industrial neighborhoods, garden mazes. Any place you might find yourself alone and not easily seen or heard by others. In these places predators wait, and are embolden by privacy provided there. give yourself plenty of room between yourself and any place an attacker could spring from. Make sure no one is hiding around your car before you get out, and make sure no one is hiding in your car before you get in.
The dark. Any place previously listed or not. In the darkness predators gain anonymity, which emboldens them to act without fear of being seen, being identified, or being stopped. Two conditions most sought after by criminals are surprise and anonymity. Darkness provides both of those conditions. Stick to areas of light like a moth to flame.
Hard Target
The second rule of Self Defense is to not look like a victim. If you look like and easy mark, then you are more likely to be targeted. Criminals, like wolves target the weakest among us. In order to avoid being targeted in the first place you should endeavor to look like someone who will be more trouble than they are worth. An attacker like any predator seeks out the easiest prey. Those who look weak, sick, lame, or unaware. These are called soft targets, because they have easily exploitable vulnerabilities. To avoid the hungry eye of the wolf, you must minimize the appearance of vulnerabilities that would embolden an attacker to single you out.
Look alert. Head up and look confident. Focus on what’s around you, not your phone, iPod, or book. Never sleep in a public place. Take note of what and who is around you. Make soft eye contact with anyone near to you to let them know that you see them, and could identify them in a line up latter. Don’t stare them down, your attempt to intimidate them will be seen as a challenge. Don’t look away as they pass, that is the moment of the attack. What obstacles are in your way, what could provide cover for an attacker to jump out of, where are the exits, who is watching you, Are they following you, cross the street or go into a store and find out, and what’s in their hands? Be able to see trouble coming eliminating the element of surprise from your attacker. Being caught off guard is the number one reason people fail to react appropriately to a threat.“If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles”- Sun Tzu
Look ready. In order to avoid being targeted in the first place you should endeavor to look like someone who will be more trouble than they are worth. Making someone second-guess the decision to try and harm you is the fastest, and easiest way to avoid an attack altogether. Don’t look lost, disorient, or confused. Have your keys out; you don’t want to have to dig through your purse while standing next to your car in the dark empty parking garage. Clutch the phone in your purse; it will look like you could have anything in your hand, possibly a weapon at the ready. Keep one hand free; if you are burdened with two hands full of shopping bags, what will you defend yourself with? Wear functional clothing; clothes you can run or fight in. Just looking ready could be enough to deter an attacker to seek easier prey.
Have A Plan
The third rule of Self Defense is come prepared. Planning and sticking to you plan is the best way to avoid getting into situations that compromise your safety. Surround yourself with trusted friends. Don’t let others alter your plans. If someone asks for the time, directions, or help in or around their car; be as courteous as possible but keep moving. Follow your instincts. If you have a feeling that there is a problem, there usually is one.
Know your plan. Where you are going, how you are getting home, and safe places you can retreat to. Map your route. Call the cab company ahead of time. Stick to your schedule. Make a good plan and stick to it. Select locations that are safe. Know how you’re getting around. Know of safe places nearby to go if you get in trouble.“Let your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”-Sun Tzu
Inform others. Tell people where you are going, what you are doing and when to expect you back, just in case they have to come looking for you latter, or at least find your body.
Bring a friend. A group of people means that you are not alone and vulnerable. Don’t get separated. Don’t be lured away. One of your friends should be sober. Even if you are not driving if you are drinking you need someone sober at hand to keep you from being so **** stupid. Don’t trust anyone you don’t know really well, and even the ones you do trust should not be unduly burden with watching out for your safety.
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