Self Defense strategies

[dzrose93]

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?