THE FIRST RULE OF SELF-DEFENSE? Don't get into a confrontation to begin with. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, sometimes we forget some of the basics. Here are ways o stay out of trouble.
1. BE AWARE AT ALL TIMES. If you have a purse, make sure you hold it close and in front of you. Put your devices away whenever you are out-in a bank, walking down the street, getting into your car.
2. ALWAYS MAKE SPACE. I have video of a truck pulling up to a woman and asking for directions. She walked tothe car door, and the driver grabbed her purse and took off. She didn't let go and ended up getting very hurt. Being nice is...nice, but to protect yourself you have to put YOU first. Maintain space.
3. DON'T SHOW WHAT YOU HAVE. I had a client come to me who was robbed and beaten in front of a resort. A man walked up to him and asked for money. My client pulled out his wallet. The man got a glimpse of his phone and before he knew it, his three friends wee beating him down and taking his phone. It's nice to want to hep people, but gibe to an organization instead. Do not stop when anyone askes for money much less take out of your wallet.
4. IT'S OK TO BE RUDE. Most of us don't want to offend other people, so when someone who is walking toward us makes us feel uncomfortable, we simply continue on our way rather than changing sides of the street. This is about protecting your life and the lives of those you love. A male self- defense instructor once told me, "If a woman gets out of the elevator because I make her feel threatened, I'm glad. If I were a bad guy, I might get angry. A good person won't get offended at all."
5. DON'T PARK NEXT TO A VAN OR A CAR WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN IT. And if you walk out to your car ad there is a van or a car parked with someone sitting in it, ask someone from the store you were in to walk you to your car, or wait for someone before you get in. Avoid getting in your car until they leave.
6. WALK AROUND YOUR PARKED CAR. It only takes a few seconds to make sure no one is hiding in it.
WHAT IF YOU DO GET INTO A PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION? Hit with the hard ridge at the bottom of your palm. Many people think a good punch to the face will stop an attacker. It might, but you are more likely to hurt yourself. The face has a lot of bones, and it can hurt to punch someone. So if you are not accustomed to punching, hit with your palm. It's called a palm heel strike. Use the bottom of your hand, and stretch your fingers out. Do not curl your fingers because you could hurt them too.
HIT WHAT WE CALL THE "SOFT SPOTS". Punching someone in the stomach might feel satisfying, but it will just make most attackers angrier. Go for eyes, nose, throat, groin, or knees. These are vulnerable areas. Fight dirty! But do not assume that because you fight dirty, you will automatically be okay. You are fighting dirty, but so is your attacker. You might just have one shot. MAKE IT COUNT!