Ultimate Guide To Personal Protection
What is the ultimate guide to personal protection?. Like a lot of women around the world it common to feel that walking alone at night is something that concerns them – and justifiably so. With fewer people around, the darkness gives cover to would be attackers, decreases our visibility and even places that look safe during the day suddenly have a different vibe. Whilst avoiding going out alone at night would be preferable , this isn’t an option for the majority who need to commute to and from work. So, here is a complete guide to your personal safety.
SURVEY ON AUSTRALIAN SAFETY
Personal Safety Survey 2021 – 22, Australian Bureau of Statistics
This is is what they told us:
- An estimated 2.9 million men (31%) and 6.2 million women (63%) did not walk alone in their local area after dark.
- Women were more likely than men to avoid walking alone in their local area after dark because they felt unsafe.
- women are more likely to experience violence at the hands of someone they know (35 per cent of women) than a stranger (11 per cent).
- Over 70 per cent of boys surveyed also felt more comfortable using public spaces, compared to only 63.1 per cent of young women, while 42.1 per cent of boys also said they trusted people in their local areas, compared to 35 per cent of young women who did not.
PLAN AHEAD
In order to give you the ultimate guide to personal protection. It is important that you put some time and thought into where you are going, what time you will arrive/depart, whether it will be at night etc.
This is where you can use the ‘What if” self defence tactics to give yourself the best chance of survival. Ask yourself,
- What if my train is late?
- What if I think someone is following me?
- What if my car breaks down? etc.
Having answers to these questions means you have a good plan in place and can react quickly and feeling confident if it scenarios happens.
Always think ahead and plan your journey:
- Know your route
- Have a plan B
- Don’t take the secluded shortcut!
Self defence is mostly about using common sense. Remember that martial arts or self defence is more than just physical training, but also becoming strong mentally so you won’t take any unnecessary risks.
PREPARATION IS THE KEY
- Make sure your mobile is fully charged
- Keep some cash in your pockets (if you don’t have pockets use your bra) just in case your purse gets lost or stolen.
- Put a personal attack alarm on your bag or in your pocket
Test that it works and have it somewhere you can easily set it off. I.e. not in the bottom of your bag!
- Wear appropriate clothing
Think about your footwear – could you run in high heels if you had to get away? Maybe take a change of shoes with you. Check the weather in case , you need an umbrella or coat.
- Take a small, powerful torch in your pocket ( mini tactical torch)
Hopefully, you choose routes that are well-lit but this isn’t always the case.
Having a torch gives you opportunities to see if someone is coming or hiding. Making you look prepared and confident, which is often a turn-off to a criminal looking for an easy target.
PAY ATTENTION (ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PERSONAL PROTECTION)
Here is an activity I did when teaching my kids about situational awareness from a young age. Next time you are out and about, pay attention at just how many people are walking around in their own world completely oblivious to their surroundings. It’s scary when you realise just how common this is. Ask yourself am I one of them?
This is a key factor in staying safe!
Being present and switched on in your environment and the people around you is essential part of self defence. This is the difference in avoiding an attack, defending yourself or becoming a victim.
- Take your ear buds out
- Put your phone away
- Stop daydreaming or stressing out about work or upcoming exams.
- Focus on your surroundings and the people around you.
By paying attention and making eye contact , you are making yourself a more undesirable target to a predator who wants to catch someone off guard.
KEEP IN CONTACT
It is always a good idea to let your your partner, friend or family member know where you are, who you visiting and when you are expected back?
Send a text to let them know you have arrived safely
Have steps in place for what to do if you haven’t heard from your friend that they’re home safe. Do you have their emergency contact details?
TRUST YOUR INTUITION
This is something that should taught from a young age and is our best warning in self defence and is critical to avoiding any potential danger .
Unfortunately I feel this not something that a lot of martial arts schools focus on teaching. This is why I created the ultimate guide to personal protection.
But so many of us switch it off or don’t listen to it thinking they’re just overthinking a situation . Trust me this skill has saved my life.
- Don’t ignore your gut instinct ever!
- Listen to what your body is telling you
- You will feel uneasy and your hairs on your arm will rise. When something isn’t quite right
- You get a bad vibe about a certain person
- A place or street feels unsettling and has dangerous vibe.
When your body signals that something is wrong, act on it and remove yourself as quickly as possible. This could mean taking pre-emptive action when you sense someone is following you such as:
- Changing direction
- Crossing the road
- Running away
- Activating a personal alarm
- Calling for help or for a taxi
- Going into a cafe, shop or safe space
- Knocking on someone’s door.
If possible try to getting assistance from passer-by. Firstly because it gives safety in numbers. Secondly you have someone who can wait with until help arrives. And, finally getting other person involved will deter the perpetrators.
BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED
The ultimate guide to personal protection it’s all about learning that the smallest things can determine if you are seem are hard or easy target.
- Walk confidently, not looking at the ground and slouched posture.
- Keep your head up, make brief eye contact with people
Do not stare or give dirty looks, but rather a quick glance to let them know you’ve seen them.
- Walk in the direction of oncoming traffic (this is a great trick at night). This helps
so cars can’t pull up behind you without you knowing. On your designated route is there somewhere that someone could ambush you?. Tall bushes, dark paths or unlit areas. Keep out of reach of anyone that looks suspicious and don’t get close to parked cars so you can’t get grabbed.
- Keep your hands free
Don’t carry lots of shopping bags or phone. You may need your hands to defend yourself. Time is of the essence. No matter what do not fight over your belongings. These can be replaced but you cannot.
- Do not flash your valuables such as phones, watches, jewellery etc.
- Have your keys ready before you get to your car or front door. If you are digging at the bottom of your bag, this gives the perpetrator the perfect opportunity when’re distracted.
- Stay in public, well-lit areas if possible
LEARN MARTIAL ARTS OR SELF DEFENCE
This will be one of the greatest investments you can make in order to keep your family and self safe from any physical harm.
Never get into the mindset that “it won’t happen to me” or “What if I am not strong enough”. Remember that saying that “it’s better to have a skill and not need it. Than to need it and not have it “.
SAFETY IN NUMBERS
There is nothing more sad hearing on the news that another woman who was last seen leaving a bar, party or social function alone. And ends up getting attacked or ends up missing. There is safety in numbers. As stated previously attackers are looking for an easy target, submissive and won’t draw unnecessary attention. So having to deal with two or more people makes it harder to achieve.
If it you decide to have a girls night out. Have a plan to to watch out for each other not only why you are out . But also checking in with each other at the end of the night to make sure everybody has made it home safely.
ACT FAST, STRIKE HARD, DON’T GIVE UP AND ESCAPE
One of the most important part of self defence is that once a person has decided to attack you. Then it’s game on. You probably find most of your martial arts training will go out the window. As your flight or fight response kicks in to gear.
The only thing that matters is your survival and safety. What this means is that you don’t want to only hurt your attacker. You need to cause injury in order to protect yourself. Remember that it’s either you or them who will win. And only you have the power to do it.
TAKE THEM BY SURPRISE
As mentioned above the main goal of an attacker is to catch you off guard. So turn the tables as soon as it gets physical. Counterattack by striking first, fast, hard and keep going until you can physically escape to safety.
I know that is scary and uncomfortable to think about, but so is being assaulted and unable to fight back. Better to take all precautions in your training than waiting and realising it is too late.
POSITION YOURSELF WISELY ( ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PERSONAL PROTECTION )
Get in the habit of positioning yourself where there is an easy route to an exit. Try not to position yourself in a corner, in the middle of a huge crowd, or where you have no cell service in case you need to escape quickly. This is useful at concerts, restaurants, and even on the subway.
FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE
If you know self defence, use everything you know. If you don’t, do whatever it takes to fight back- whether its punches, kicks, eye pokes, bites, and scratches. The highest priority is to not get taken to a secondary location. The more you fight back, the harder you make it for your attacker, raising the chances that they will give up and run away. So fight and fight hard!
If a kidnapper tries to pick you up, drop your body weight, attack their face with as much force as possible: poke the eyes, scratch their face, even bite if you have to
If a perpetrator tries to force you into a car. Use your feet to push off the car door. If you have a bike hold onto it so they can’t fit you in the car. Throw the attackers keys far away from the car if you can. Delay being put into a car as long as you possibly can, every second counts!
MORE SAFETY TIPS
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If you return to your car and see that a van is parked right next to the driver’s side, enter through the passenger side. Predators often use vans and will disguise it as a family car, even using “Baby on Board” decals.
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You return to your car and it has a flat tire. Back away. Return to wherever you came from (restaurant, store, etc) and call for help. Once assistance arrives, approach your car. If someone comes up to you (even if they are a woman) and wants to offer help, politely say, “No thank you.” If a man, he could be a predator. If a woman, she could be distraction.
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When leaving the mall or work late at night, if available ask a security guard to walk you to your car. I loved this option at work . Where if we knew we were going to finish late we could pre book one of the security guards to either walk you to your car or to local train station (which was close by).
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When traveling, do not walk with your map in your hand. It is a dead giveaway that you are a tourist. Therefore, you are an easy target.
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When asking for directions and someone offers to show you the way by having you follow them, do not go. Just ask for them to point you in the right direction. Often, predators just want to get you to a place less crowded where your screams can’t be heard.
FINAL THOUGHTS IN THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SELF PROTECTION
Over the years the principles of self defense have changed. It has become increasingly clear that self defence is not only physical anymore. But also a combination of mentally and emotionally as well.
I remember growing up thinking once you were inside your home, you were generally safe from potential danger. But now in such a technology based world and an increase of domestic violence. We have to be more and more vigilant.
Remember, to these vital points in order to stay safe
- Minimise risks
- Be prepared for any unexpected
- Make yourself a difficult target
- Be ready to take action to get home safely.
I hope this guide in personal protection has been helpful and has given you plenty to think about. Please share it with family and friends who could also benefit from this advice. Follow my website to receive all the latest posts straight to your inbox.