Self Defense strategies

dzrose93 · #1 12-09-2003, 12:46 PM

The kidnapping of Dru Sjodin from a mall parking lot has gotten me thinking about self defense tips that I learned in college. My chapter sponsored a women's course in self defense for all of the co-eds on campus, and we were taught a lot of helpful things. I'm going to post the ones that I remember here. If anyone would like to add to them, please do so. The more knowledgeable we are about means of self-protection, then the less likely we are to become victims of a violent crime.

1) Never allow yourself to be taken from your primary location. If you are confronted by an attacker who tries to kidnap you, fight the kidnapping at all cost. Even if the attacker is armed, you have a better chance of survival by fighting, screaming, and drawing attention to yourself than you do if he/she moves you to another location where no one is around to help.

2) When walking alone, place one or two of your keys in between your fingers and hold the rest in your fist. The keys that are sticking out act like a cat's claw, and can be used to rake an attacker's face quite effectively.

3) Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Park in well-lit areas, and always notice who is near you when you are walking to or from your car. Check your back seat before you get in to make sure that no one has slipped in unnoticed while you were away from your vehicle.

4) Once you are in your car, lock your doors and leave. Don't stop to dig through your purse for something or make a phone call on your cell. Get that car cranked up and mobile as soon as possible.

That's all that I can recall at the moment. Anyone else?

moe.ron · #2 12-09-2003, 01:27 PM

1) Remmember, no matter how big the person is, the groin area will take that person down long enough for your to run.

2) Make as much noise as possible.

ZTAngel · #3 12-09-2003, 01:32 PM

To see this technique, look in a mirror. Look at the bottom of your neck (where it meets your chest). You'll see a slight indent. Push on it slightly. It almost chokes you, right? If you are being attacked, you can take your fingers or your keys and hit your attacker HARD in that area. It will knock the wind right out of them and give you enough time to RUN.

kappaloo · #4 12-09-2003, 01:40 PM

When attacking someone with keys - slash don't poke. It will do more damage and is harder to dodge.

TigerLilly · #5 12-09-2003, 03:41 PM

I've heard not to go for the groin of an attacker, since most men guard that area instinctively. Instead, go for other weak spots, like the instep, face...etc? Can't remember the other ones.

Something else, even if your attacker has a gun, run away because the chances of him hitting you are pretty low. Even lower if you run erratically, changing direction ever so often.

33girl · #6 12-09-2003, 03:44 PM

I've also heard that if you do decide to go for the groin, yank instead of kicking or kneeing. It is more painful.

This is part of being aware - always walk with your head held high, chest out, good posture. Don't slouch or hunch your shoulders around you protectively. This just makes you look more afraid and like an easy target.

texas*princess · #7 12-09-2003, 05:15 PM

Something my older sister has always done and has told me to do as well: If you are alone and walking to your car (for example) and you are talking on your cell phone and see anyone who looks suspicious, try to keep an eye at them on all costs. It also doesn't hurt to describe the suspicious person to the person you are talking to. ("I'm outside the ABC mall parking lot and there's this guy who looks kind of suspicious. He's about 6'1 has dark hair and blue eyes, and is wearing blue jeans and a blue plaid shirt..")

For those of you with more 'self defense' experience, would you say this is a good idea?

aephi alum · #8 12-09-2003, 08:43 PM

I attended a similar session back when I was in college. The session was run by the campus police chief, who was a woman.

Don't carry pepper spray - your attacker can grab it and use it against you.

Walk purposefully. Don't look lost - even if you are.

Have your car keys in your hand as you approach your car. Be aware of the vehicles on either side - notice if they're occupied. Look not just in the back seat, but also under your car. If all is well, get in, lock your doors, and drive away.

If your place of work has security staff, sometimes they will escort you to your car if you ask them. If not, you might be able to get a coworker to walk you out. This is important especially this time of year, when it's dark at the end of the workday.

Here's something I always used to do when I was traveling: When I got into a cab to go home from the airport, I called my husband on my cell phone. This served the dual purpose of letting him know I was safe, and letting the driver know someone was expecting me and would contact the police if I didn't arrive soon.

James · #9 12-09-2003, 09:15 PM

I would probably blind him, then crush his testicles, take out a knee cap and if I was really scared crush his wind pipe or shatter the vertabrae in the back of his neck. I don't like being afraid.

cashmoney · #10 12-10-2003, 05:38 AM

I took Karate lessons for 6 years. I have all kinds of trophies at my parents house. I think thats how I took out all my anger and frustration when I was a little cashmoney. I specifically remember on two different occasions when I got disqualified at some tournaments I was in. One time I was kicked out because I kept kicking this guy in the face when I was doing a round house kick. He kept pissing me off because he was taking cheap shots and getting points for it....so I kicked the schit out of him in his face and knocked him down on the ground. They disqualified me. On another occasion they had me going up against guys who were two levels ahead of me, I was so tall they woudln't let me fight other boys my level or age. I was 11 yrs old and took on boys who were 13 & 14 yrs old. I remember getting my butt kicked by two guys who were two levels ahead of me....they were whipping my a$$. Finally I got pissed off enough and I quit doing my Karate moves and just started beating the hell outta them. It was tough....I remember crying and I pinned this one guy in a corner of the ring and I just kept nailing him in the face....then that kid started crying. What made it all funny was that when my mother found out i was going up against guys that much older than me she didnt want me to fight, and even more so when I was getting my butt kicked. The parents of the other two guys were saying to let us fight. My dad told my mom to just chill and see what happens, something about me needing to go through that. When I started beating those guys down the other parents started screaming for the fights to be stopped. When the ref tried to break it up since I had the guy pinned in the corner...I pushed him away and then spit on the one guy, they disqualified me for that little tantrom.

So, you may ask yourself why this story? I think when it comes to self defense.....its 90% mental and 10% training. You'd be surprised what humans are capable of when they get pissed off enough.

Lady Pi Phi · #11 12-10-2003, 10:57 AM

Grab. Twist. Pull.

I was taught that in a self-defense class I took in grade 8.

DeltAlum · #12 12-10-2003, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cashmoney
I think when it comes to self defense.....its 90% mental and 10% training.

I agree and think this is a really important point. I'd go one step farther. That's why a lot of people with advanced "belts" can get the crap knocked out of them. They think they're invincible and go through the motions without thinking.

I think it's important (if your mind will work this way) to think about vulnerable and pressure points and attack them with purpose and decisiveness. Punch straight at them instead of swinging -- that makes it harder on the attacker and gives them less time to block. It also allows you to focus the power of the punch in the target area.

That's easier said than done, but a lot more effective, I think. Having said that, I know how difficult that can be when in a crisis situation.

By far, though, the best defense is to keep yourself aware and out of dangerous situations. Running is good, too as someone pointed out. The last option should be getting into a physical confrontation. When possible, get the hell away.

ThetaGrrl · #13 12-10-2003, 07:24 PM

I've probably posted this somewhere else here before, but it's SO VERY IMPORTANT...

You don't have to pull over for a police officer when you are in the middle of no where. Put on your hazard lights and drive the speed limit to a well lit area, so that if it is a real cop, they know that you know they are present. In the mean time, call 911 on your cell, and ask if you are being pulled over. If you do pull over, you don't have to roll down your window all the way, and it is completely within your rights to have them call for a second officer or meet you at a local police station.

PLEASE, please remember this. A woman in Fort Collins was pulled over by who she thought was an undercover cop, and the outcome of the story was not a happy one, I'm afraid.

texas*princess · #14 12-10-2003, 07:34 PM

thetagirl, thank you so much for posting that!!! that was something i have forgot, but it is very important to remember because it is so true.

Tom Earp · #15 12-10-2003, 07:39 PM

All good points!

Keep Keys in a striking position!

If in front of you, never hit with your fist. Curl fingers and stick in the Nose! Push it up they die!

Kick in the crouch, step on the instep or top of foot. Then run like Hell, scream at the top of your lungs.

In front. curl your fingers not in a fist, hit in the Thorax (Throat), will kill them or get them chocking.

Be submissive at first, do not panic! Look for an opening!

If all else fails, shoot the SOB!

If in front coming at you run like hell and scream like hell!