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Self Defense: Personal Safety Tips
85There are a lot of so called "self defense" instructors out there who want to sell you "UNBEATABLE SELF DEFENSE NINJA SPECIAL FORCES SECRETS!" Or maybe they want to sell you a personal safety gadget that fits in your pocket and will protect you from muggers, bullets, knives, Muay Thai punches, and kung fu kicks - for only $19.99 plus shipping and handling.
And there's a fair share of martial arts schools out there who want you to believe that if you sign their 12 month contract you'll be invincible in a month.
I have nothing against martial arts and self defense courses. I've studied various martial arts throughout my life. But the more I studied and practiced, the more I realized something.
99% of the time, size and skill have no effect on your personal safety.
If someone really wants to hurt you they will hit you from behind while you're walking out of the bar with that hot babe (or stud) you just met. Or they'll just shoot you when you put up your dukes
and scream your fiercest Bruce Lee war cry.
Criminals don't come looking for a fight. They look for easy money. It's that simple.
And there are two very simple things you can do to avoid being easy money.
Let me tell you a story.
One nice summer day a few years ago, I took a walk through downtown Nashville. Nashville is the capital of Tennessee, and has a beautiful Capital building. The tomb of President James K. Polk is on the capital grounds. There are several museums downtown, and some really interesting statues and architecture.
But Nashville also has the same sorts of problems that any city has - especially downtown.
My wanderings took me past several people waiting at a bus stop. I noticed one gentleman leaning against a building behind the bus stop. I kept walking, but about a block later, I just happened to turn and look behind me.
The man who had been chillin' at the bus stop was now walking maybe a hundred feet behind me.
I kept walking, and a block or so later I looked behind me again. He was still walking behind me.
I had nowhere that I needed to be. I was just wandering around. So I made a right turn, walked a ways, and then a little while later crossed the street.
When I looked again, he was still behind me. On the same side of the street as me.
This time I stopped, and watched him. I was very open about it - I wanted him to know that I was looking at him. I watched until he met my eyes. I held eye contact for a few seconds, and then turned to walk across the open ground leading to the State Capital Building.
When I turned and looked again, he was still watching me, but he didn't follow.
And that's the end of my story.
I employed the two most valuable self defense secrets I know, and nothing bad happened. The rest of the day was quite nice and uneventful.
Sorry, no kung fu exploits or BRUTAL SPECIAL FORCES NINJA SELF DEFENSE KILLING SECRETS! Actually it's a little embarrassing telling this story, it's so simple. But I'm not telling this story to convince the world that I'm a supreme badass.
Maybe I'm paranoid, but I believe that he was following me because when he first saw me wandering aimlessly and alone, he thought I would be an easy target. And through awareness and attitude, I convinced him very quickly that I would not be an easy target.
Now, it helps tremendously that I am an average sized adult male, and I feel pretty confident of my physical abilities. I'm not downplaying the importance of physical skill in self defense and personal safety.
By all means, sign up for a good quality self defense course, or even better, take up a serious study of martial arts. It might change your life.
But I've spent a lot of time alone, often at night, in some pretty dangerous places and I've never had to use anything I learned in a martial arts class to protect myself from crime.
Those two words, Awareness and Attitude, are all I've ever needed. They are the secret to self defense. Always be aware of your surroundings. Always be aware of the people around you. And always be aware of your intuition. If something feels wrong or dangerous, trust your gut, not your head.
As for attitude, don't worry about channeling Clint Eastwood. Confidence and a relaxed attitude will work wonders.
- Body Language and Assault Prevention: A Minireview
- Short Circuiting the Victim Selection Process
- Attracting Assault - Victims' Nonverbal Cues
A classic study that identified some of the ways that criminals identify their victims.
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Thank you Vraj. Too many people walking down the street listening to their Ipods or talking on cellphones nowadays. Why, back in my day...
I was nearly mugged twice when I was younger. The first time I walked into a strange house in order to avoid the assault. Two little kids were watching TV--they called their mom and I explained what was going on. I was a block from home--they called the police who escorted me home and told me to move to a better neighborhood. (Brilliant...like I couldn't have thought of that myself.)
The second time I made a decision I knew was stupid when I made it--I decided to cut through a field behind a shopping center to save time--and the minute I was ten yards in, suddenly there's a guy behind me. That time I ran. He ran too. I made it into the store and he disappeared.
After those two incidents I did change my behavior in the ways you describe. I'm hyperalert, confident, and not very friendly looking on the street. If someone seems to be following me I do exactly what you describe here, and it always works. I also make sure my doors are locked the minute I get in the car for any reason.
A lot of it really is attitude, though I don't mean at all to 'blame the victim'. When I'm 80 I'll probably attract crooks no matter how mean I look--but I know what you say here has a lot of truth to it. Thanks for an informative, useful hub.
Agree with you in everything. I never had a problem with thieves or gangs, for my attitude. They always know better than to mess with me. And another thing I do , is show them by attitude that I think they're OK, that there's no prob and that I'm not going to tell. That helps a lot! LOL !
Interesting hub! Cheers ! :)
Good advice. I had a similar experience in Washington, D.C. When walking home after a play I was approached by a panhandler who started out polite but kept following me and got nastier and more threatening. I kept on walking and finally ditched him by going into the Mayflower Hotel lobby. He apparently was not armed, and neither was I. I was mugged in Sao Paulo on the street at 6pm near the Sao Paulo Hilton. While I was waiting for the light to change so I could cross the street, a teenage boy approached me and politely asked me in English what time it was. When I raised my left hand to look at my watch his confederate grabbed my wallet out of my back pocket (I wasn't wearing a jacket). The boys ran off in different directions. Although the sidewalk was crowded with pedestrians none responded to my yells to stop the robbers. I chased one of the boys for a half block or so and gave up. Apparently they had spotted me and the bulge from my billfold in my back pocket and waited for me to stop walking at a traffic light. This kind of street crime is common in Brazil. Sometimes force is used. I heard that an elderly tourist woman suffered a broken arm from muggers after her purse had pushed her to the ground. Tourists are advised be careful walking down town even in broad daylight and to take only cabs called by the doorman at their hotel. Jewelry and expensive watches are best left at home in the U.S. or locked in a hotel safe. (My experience was 15 years ago, but from what I've read the situation hasn't improved since then.)
Wow Pam, great comment. I'm glad you made it through those situations unscathed.
Hi Tantrum, thanks for the comment. What you said about gangmembers makes sense - it's kind of what I was trying to get at by describing my attitude as relaxed and confident. It's kind of like dogs or bees. If you are afraid that means one of two things - you are an easy target or you are a threat. Neither one of those two things is something you want to be.
Hi Ralph - my sister was pickpocketed in London, and my mom had her purse snatched in China. This sort of crime does seem much more prevalent in other countries - maybe it's just because Americans are obvious targets.
As for asking the time - that's pretty common - or asking for a light. Anything to stop you and distract you for a second. I usually just keep on walking - it's rude but...
I have to agree with you on awareness. This is the most effective way to stay out of harms way. At this point you still have a chance to avoid it. But when you are beyond this stage, a good self defense course, martial arts classes will come in handy. Practice and practice so it becomes second nature and something that is hard to do but essential, stay calm. Your reactions will be quicker and you are able to think alot clearer when you do. It is hard, I know, but it has to part of your state of mind. Great points here.
Thanks for reading ehern. I agree, martial arts/self defense courses can be very helpful. Even if you never use the techniques, the confidence you gain could be protection enough.
Nice hub! Good job!
You're right,formal training has less to do with it than luck,experience with and a willingness to do violence.I have experience with this.A man can get a lot of benefits from working out on a good body bag but keep it simple.
I recommend pepper spray,it,s non lethal so one is less apt to hesitate to use it.Be careful in the wind,it can end up in your own face.There are some very powerful flashlights on the self defense market that will momentarily blind an attacker.Mainly be aware and make it clear that you are aware.Also have a plan.Watch who you hang out with and try not to get into compromising situations.
Thank you Bredavies!
Great suggestions, oldenuf.
Especially the part about having a plan!
Very interesting hub, and straight to the point. And as regards formal training you are right too. The greatest brawlers usually had no training, just experience. Not that I am one of those though. :)
Thanks for reading and commenting, hypnodude. Most of the fights I've witnessed in real life ended before they began, with a good sucker punch from an untrained brawler.
Very good hub with good advice. Thank you very much. I, nowadays, carry a little bag of paper in my pocket. I leave it open and turned it half-way down. Either to be thrown in the face, if I have a chance, or put my hands in it and go for the eyes. Hopefully it will help.
Good tactic Hello hello. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Good common sense article. Most unarmed 'streetfights' only happen in high schools or bars. Self defense in adult life means crime, and crime means weapons (robbery, mugging, rape, etc..) The only defense against against a weapon is a weapon of your own! And we certainly don't need a world where everyone carries a gun or knife. Awareness and attitude will get you through almost all of life unscathed. Good article.
Yeah, usually they use a kind of blitzkrieg attack, better if launched behind the shoulders.
This is important info and well written. I believe you are right about awareness and attitude, but I've been thinking of a self-defense course (for the not-so-young) as we live in a fallen world that is degrading as time goes by. Thanks!
I've been thinking lately, though... :) ... there are still some very nice people out there. We need to communicate in our communities, don't you think?
Taking a self defense course is a good idea, RTalloni. Even a martial art might be a good investment, although it will take a longer time for you to see practical self defense results from a classical martial arts class.
Communicating with your neighbors is an excellent idea!
Excellent article. Many self defense styles or RMA's are learning to incorporate situational awareness into their arsenal of "techniques". If people aren't aware enough, which I agree is very true, then they need to understand how important this really is. you can avoid many "opportunities" to test out your skill set by simply being aware of your surroundings and the individuals in or entering into it. Well done, Mr. Wilson. I look forward to reading more of what you have to write.
Another good hub William, great advice and a great topic.
Thank you Wren and J.!
J. - good comments. Situational awareness is the most important part of personal safety.
It's true someone can always sucker shot you! but you can still be ready, be aware don't walk around with your head down not paying attention cause if you do the bad guy likes you!walk with your head high totally aware of what's going on. and ya a good street self defense class is a great idea it will give you a few tools to cope with violent crime, and I also highly recommend getting a good self defense product and practice using it so you'll be ready. pepper spray is a good one it works! also for some real defense training i Recommend, Kenpo Karate, Krav Maga and Close Combat.
Be Safe,Master Jack Eastman
2nd Dan Tae Kwon Do
5th Dan Combat Tae Kwon Do
This is perhaps one of the best practical yet effective hub I have read. I mean honestly, what is written here is purely practical yet for me very effective. No crazy zig zag deadly moves, only basic and helpful tips, the awareness and the attitude you project. Nice hub.
WOW!!
YOu have some very good info on here!!
Ireally enjoyed reading through all of it. And I even learned some things too.
Very good keep up the wonderul work!!
Some great advice. "Those two words, Awareness and Attitude, are all I've ever needed." So, it is possible to achieve safety without physical contact.
awareness really can help in self defence ...useful hub voted up !!!!!!
Loved your article, but I still prefer taking a self defense class like Krav Maga because just street crimes like robbery or a bar fight isn't the only time you'll need to know how to defend yourself. DV comes to mind. There are a lot of sick people in the world and having some tools to use just in case helps.
vrajavala 2 years ago
Good points. However, not everyone is aware like that, possibly due to being immerserd in other social activities. Good hub