• Develop a mental blueprint (mindsetting) of how you’ll respond in an attack.  Visualize yourself responding by hitting, screaming, kicking or running away.  With the right mindset already in place, you’ll be less likely to freeze or hesitate when assaulted.

• Focus on the context of your situation (how vulnerable you are)  rather than a stranger’s appearance or words.  Criminals don’t necessarily look like criminals.  Many rapists, muggers, and murderers are clean-shaven and well- dressed.  Be alert to your surroundings when alone and be ready to change your path or to use verbal/physical self-defense techniques if someone approaches you.

• Criminals often set victims up for attack by asking for something from you (a ride, the time, directions, etc) or by offering help (carry your groceries, etc).   Is someone trying too hard to be nice or charming?   Are they trying to get you alone or to another location?  Never ignore a bad feeling.

• If you feel threatened by someone that seems calm and not impaired by drugs or alcohol, hold out one or both hands, palm(s) toward him, and forcefully say, “Stop. Don’t come any closer” or “Back away”.  If he appears agitated or under the influence of alcohol/drugs, be polite an hold your hands out in front of you as if apologizing for something.  Say something like “What do you want?  Is there a problem?”.

• Create an opportunity to escape.  If the above tactics don’t work, you may need to use physical self-defense.  As an attacker advances, hold your hands up to protect your face.  When he is in range, quickly flick one hand out, fingers first, into is face in the eye area.   As he reflexively moves to protect his face, stomp hard on the top of one of his feet (if you’re wearing hard-soled shoes).  If you’re wearing soft-soled shoes, stomp down on one of his ankles from inside to outside, which should cause his ankle to buckle.   Use your window of escape and don’t stay around to create further injury.

• Don’t worry about seeming rude when you’re vulnerable.  Don’t hesitate if you’re walking and don’t stop to talk to a stranger if you’re alone.  Practice being assertive in everyday, non-threatening situations so that you’ll be comfortable with assertiveness.

• Screaming can create a chemical reaction that allows you to react instead of freezing up.

• Never allow yourself to be taken to a second location, even if the attacker has a gun.  As soon as you are confronted, run away in a straight line (not a zig-zag pattern).  He’s likely to miss you if he fires, and if he does hit, most gunshot wounds are survivable.

• Don’t leave your drink unattended when at a party, bar, or nightclub.  Always let a friend know where you are going and check in with friends periodically.

• If your car stalls at night or in an area with little traffic, get away from your car and out of sight so you can see when help arrives.  Highway predators often target stranded drivers, so don’t stay in the car. If you’re car stalls in the daytime on a busy roadway, stand away from your car off the shoulder because stalled cars are often struck by inattentive or drunk drivers.

• Always have your keys in hand when approaching your car.  Lock all your doors immediately when you get inside your car and keep them locked.  Also, be careful when exiting your car because it’s harder to see someone from a seated position in your car.

• Beware of fake accidents (someone rear ends you or pulls in front of you and stops abruptly).  If you think you’ve been set up, stay in your car and wait until police arrive to exchange information.   If there are no serious injuries, you may want to leave (after getting a license plate number and description of the driver) and immediately report the accident to police.

Visit David Hallford’s blog, Free Self Defense Now, for more information and to request a free copy of the full handbook, Power Perceived is Power Achieved.

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• choosing a college
• career interest areas
• choosing the right work environment
• interview tips
• good job options for career changers
• explaining a career change
• identifying transferable skills

To request a copy,  fill out the contact form (be sure to include the email address where you would like the ebook sent).  Copies are in PDF format.

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