Posts Tagged ‘self-defense tips’

Age or Race Makes No Difference with Self-Defense

Anyone can be a victim. As such, it doesn’t matter how old a person is or what race he belongs to. A person is always better off knowing how to defend himself if calling 911 proves to be impossible.

Who Says Old People are Pushovers?
In Charlotte, North Carolina, seniors are learning a new use for their canes. At the Atria Merry Wood senior living center, the elderly are benefiting from a self-defense class that’s specially designed for their age – and their use of canes. Combat Cane classes teach the art of cane-fu, a self-defense tactic that would not only save them from the bad guys but are great for exercising and their self-confidence, too!

Although students of the recently introduced cane-fu classes were still somewhat reticent about using their newly acquired skills with the cane, experts have noted the positive effects of the workout on the seniors’ mental acuity as well as heart and lung activity.

Combat cane classes focused on hitting target areas like eyes, throat, and groin. Afterwards, voluntary pairs were selected for mock battles. Euphemisms like dot the eyes, which referred to eye-poking, were used in respect of their students’ advanced age.

Other self-defense tips were also imparted. The seniors were particularly delighted at learning non-physical tactics to avoid trouble and deter attackers. They were advised not to reveal their fear, shout and use foul language, if necessary, just to show they weren’t an easy victim.

Westerns Learn the Eastern Way of Self-Defense
A West Scope center teaches young students how to defend their selves with a little-known Indonesian martial art called “poekoelan tjimindie tulen”. Besides teaching self-defense maneuvers, it also taught kids important values like respect for one’s self and others.

Kids in the center were barefoot, wore white shirts, loose-fitting white pants, and belts of different colors. They learned jabs and kicks, which altogether helped build their physical and emotional confidence.

The same Indonesian martial art style is also taught in public schools in Portland and Beaverton as well as in free clinics. Pronounced as pu-ku-lan chi-min-dee tu-len, the martial art focused on instilling “compassionate balanced action” in the kids.

Prior to the physical lessons, kids were also taught basic self-defense techniques like trusting their gut in order to identify potentially “bad”situations and do what they can to avoid trouble. They were also taught how to defend themselves verbally at first and to use physical force only as a last resort.

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How to Use Pepper Spray: Tips for the Clumsiest

Don’t get me wrong. Using a pepper spray isn’t like rocket science but when you’re panicking, under threat, and you’re not the most graceful person in the world, a lot of things could go wrong. You could end up disarming yourself instead of your attacker.

Here are a few tips to ensure that it’s your attacker “and not yourself” that will be in danger from your pepper spray.

Understand How Your Pepper Spray Works
Different types of pepper spray work differently; if you want to disarm your attacker in just one shot, the first thing you have to do is to familiarize yourself with how your pepper spray works. Then you can start practice your aim!

Broken-Stream Pepper Spray
The main disadvantage of broken-stream pepper sprays is its comparatively short lifespan. Each squeeze or press will release a strong jet of pepper spray solution, which means you’ll run out of “ammunition” more quickly than usual.

The good news: you don’t need to be an accurate shooter when using this type of pepper spray. Think water guns. With a broken-stream pepper spray, one shot may be all it takes to completely disarm your attacker. But if you’re still worried about your aim, you can always use the “fan”shooting technique and spray from left to right, ensuring that wherever your attacker will come from, you’ll get him good.

Foam Pepper Spray
Now, we get to foam pepper sprays. Windy days make it generally hard for people to use pepper sprays because there’s always a chance that your weapon will backfire on you. But that’s not going to happen if you’re using foam pepper sprays. More importantly, it’s sticky and if your attacker tries to wipe it away, he’ll only end up spreading the foam and causing himself greater pain!

Fogger Pepper Spray
Unlike foam pepper sprays, there’s a slight chance your spray could be blown back and hit you instead during strong winds. But unlike foam pepper sprays, it can be used against multiple attackers; just use the “fan” technique!

Forced Cone Pepper Spray
For general purposes, a forced cone pepper spray is the best for your needs. Its spray pattern can work up to a distance of eight to twelve feet and 2 feet in terms of width. Because forced cone pepper sprays emit a fine spray, they are less likely to blow back and hurt you during strong winds. Fine sprays, however, also means you have to work with a limited margin of error. So work on your aim and remember: practice makes perfect!

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Tips for Using Lipstick Pepper Spray Properly

Lipstick pepper spray can be a very effective and efficient tool to protect yourself from an attacker. But like most self-defense tools, it is only as effective as the person that uses it. If you use it the wrong way, the tool could cause unnecessary harm not just to your attacker but also to other innocent bystanders. Worse, it could even harm you. Here are ways on how to use lipstick pepper spray properly and safely:

Understand how it works
Pepper spray contains an irritant found in – what else? – pepper. The substance is called oleoresin capsicum or OC. This is a lachrymatory agent that causes the stinging associated with pepper sprays. It affects the eyes, nose and mouth. During an attack, you should consider these areas of the face as your main target.

Be careful, though. Just because you own the lipstick pepper spray doesn’t mean it can’t work against you. If you make a mistake about using it, it could affect you and not your attacker.

Make the lipstick pepper spray a familiar weapon
The better you are at using lipstick pepper spray, the safer you will be. Know which end is which. In an attack, things can happen in the blink of an eye and if you have to fumble for the trigger of the spray, you will lose precious seconds to protect yourself. Make sure that you are very familiar with the spray. That will make it very easy for you to wield it in case you need it.

There’s only enough in the container
Lipstick pepper spray contains a smaller amount of pepper spray than the regular canister. It may seem like less power but lipstick pepper sprays are aerosols. This means that the spray is pressurized. When used, the droplets are more focused and can reach a farther distance. There’s probably enough spray in a small lipstick bottle to give off 5 to 10 one-second bursts.

It pays to remember that the amount contained in a lipstick pepper spray is limited. As such, it’s important that you use this tool carefully. Make sure that the spray hits your attacker in the face to maximize the tool’s efficacy. If you use too much in the wrong way, you could waste a real opportunity to protect yourself.

Take note of its expiry date
Lipstick pepper sprays have expiration dates. You should find this printed on the product. Over time, the pressure inside the small case will decrease. If the product is expired, it will not be as effective and the distance it can cover may be significantly less. Take note of this date and make sure to get in touch with your supplier for a refill.

Keeping Fit IS Keeping Safe: Practical Self-Defense Tips for Health Buffs

Although plenty of high-tech devices and exercise gadgets have appeared on the market, gadget-free routines such as jogging and walking are still considered as the best cardiovascular workouts around. They not only burn fat very efficiently and effectively, they also build muscle and increase metabolism. Plus, they don’t cost a cent. But keeping fit these days is not just a matter of improving your health – it is also about being safe. In fact, knowing a few simple and practical self-defense techniques could make sure that you keep fit and still be out of harm’s way.

Keeping safe while keeping fit
According to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a charity that focuses on personal safety, it’s important that safety precautions are taken if you intend to keep fit. In a news release that appeared on December 5, 2008 at the Westmorland Gazette, the Trust offered advice specifically for joggers and health buffs who either want to start a health fitness plan or continue their fitness routine. This is to increase awareness regarding the risks and dangers to joggers and health buffs who prefer to exercise outdoors.

Healthy self-defense tips
Know your route. When walking or jogging, try to keep to a route that is familiar to you. Don’t try new paths, roads or walkways and by no means should you go running through a short cut – especially not if you don’t have a companion. If you’re unfamiliar with the path, you’re less likely to be confident and probably won’t know where to go in case of an emergency.

Tell someone where you’re going
Before you leave the house, always inform someone of your route, what time you’re leaving, what time you expect to come back and with whom you’ll be running.

Stay with other joggers. If you’re with a crowd or a companion, you’re less likely to be attacked. Go with a buddy or ask to join a group. If you can’t find a running or walking buddy, best stick to areas where there are other people around. If you find yourself running in a deserted location, turn around and get out of the area immediately.

Use only lighted pathways. Never exercise in areas where there are no lamp posts or lights. That way you can clearly see other people with you. In case you need help, you’ll be easily seen and located.

Consider bringing a self-defense tool. A mobile phone, an alarm, a stun gun or a can of pepper spray could be a lifesaver. If you’re running without a companion or exercising at dawn or at night, carry any one of these tools with you. They can help prevent or discourage an attack, disarm your attacker and give you the opportunity to escape or call someone for help.

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image credit to sxc.hu

4 Ways to Make the Groin Kick an Effective Self-Defense Tactic

In self-defense, the groin kick is considered as one of the most effective means of fighting off an attacker and rendering them helpless. Although the effect is generally temporary, it can buy you enough time to escape or even disarm your attacker. But is it really that effective as a self-defense tactic? Here are some things you ought to know about the groin kick:

If your attacker is a man, he’s probably expecting a groin kick
Men know that a well-placed kick in the groin can be very painful. The groin area, particularly the part where the male genitals are, is extremely sensitive. There are more nerves in this area and the skin and underlying tissues are not as well insulated or protected by a good layer of fat or muscle.

Male attackers know this and are more likely to be wary (and ready) for attacks to the groin. Their instinct will help prevent any part of your body from hitting their groin and thus protect them from pain.

Use the element of surprise
Kicking the groin as a self-defense tactic can be very effective if it is performed at the moment your attacker least expects it. If your attacker can stop a groin kick or if your attack does not have enough force in it, you will simply anger your attacker and give them more reason to harm you physically.

The best and most effective way to use the groin kick as a self-defense tactic is to unleash it as a surprise attack. If your attacker doesn’t see it coming, the more effective and debilitating it can be.

If you must use the groin kick, make sure your attacker doesn’t see it
Another important thing to remember about the groin kick is to use it at close range. That way, you are sure of your target and are more likely to make a direct hit. The crotch area can also be accessed more easily from a close angle.

Don’t always rely on ‘kicking’
When people are instructed to use a kick as a self-defense tactic, they think only about using the foot or the knee as a means for an attack. However, in a real-life emergency situation, your knees or feet may not always have necessary leverage or room to commence an effective groin kick.

If your knees or feet have no room to move to perform a groin kick, consider using other parts of the body, including your hands or elbows. If necessary, you might even consider using a tool such as a stick, a bat or a rock. That way, you are not severely limited by circumstance when it comes to preserving your life.

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image credit to bulletma9net

Personal Safety Tips for Truly Enjoyable Holiday Travel

It’s common for many families and individuals to go on a trip for the holidays. However, holiday travel can only be enjoyable if it is safe. To make sure that your holiday travel plans are glitch-free and pleasurable, here are personal safety tips you might want to consider:

Be aware of your surroundings
If you’re going on holiday travel, remember that there are probably thousands of other people who, like you, also have the same idea. When traveling or driving, make sure you are not distracted. If you’re driving to your destination, for example, avoid loud music, toys, bags and gadgets that may present aural or visual interference.

Know whom to call in case of an emergency
Have emergency numbers ready. If you have a mobile phone, save these numbers or write them down for easy access later, in case you need them.

Arm your children with important personal safety tips
If you’re traveling with children, make sure they are safe and secure during the trip. List down emergency numbers they could call and teach them what to do in case they get separated from you.

Be road-ready
If you’ll be driving to your destination for holiday travel, check your car. Have spare tires, extra gas and necessary tools. Check weather reports and traffic volume in areas you expect to pass. Map out your route and identify exit points or alternate routes.

Don’t pick up hitchhikers
The holidays are times that most people use to traditionally offer gifts or favors. Just make sure that one of those favors doesn’t include allowing hitchhikers into your car. While many hitchhikers are probably harmless and just truly need a ride someplace, you really can’t be sure about some of them. To ensure your personal safety during holiday travel, just be on the safe side.

Be patient
Expect a holiday rush of passengers and fellow travelers. This means you’ll have to contend with heavy traffic, planes filled to capacity and fully booked hotels. Factor in delays caused by bad weather or mechanical problems and you can imagine the kind of things you will have to put up with.

Avoid losing your temper at other passengers or lashing out at service personnel. You could get into an argument or a fight that could cause you physical harm.

Protect what you leave behind
The excitement of going on holiday travel might cause you to overlook one vital thing: to ensure that the home or apartment you leave behind is safe. Prior to going on a trip, make sure that your home has sufficient locks and/or alarms and is protected from fire or burglars. That way, you’ll still have a place to go home to after a holiday trip.

image credits to jimfrazier

Tips to Avoid Going Into Panic Mode In Case of an Attack

The body is actually equipped naturally to protect itself in case of danger. Once your brain registers that you’re under attack, it sends out signals to your body. This causes your muscles to tense up and your heart rate to increase. You then go into a flight-or-fight mode – you either run away or you stay and fight off an attack. Unfortunately, the same reaction could also cause you to go into panic, which could potentially place you in danger. Here are ways on how NOT to panic when you’re under attack:

Train yourself for anything
The only reason you might panic when you’re under attack is if you’re unprepared – both physically and mentally. If you’re unfit, weak or have no skills to defend yourself effectively, you’re more likely to lash out, do or say things that will jeopardize you further.

To avoid going into panic mode during an attack, be prepared. Undergo training if you must – a few basic lessons in self-defense will be a great help. Learn how to use your body as a weapon or to use available tools to protect yourself.

Train your mind to handle emergency situations. This will help keep you as calm as possible so you can think straight. If your mind is clear, you’re more likely to be more capable of protecting yourself and avoiding panic.

Always have a Plan B
It would help if you have an emergency gadget or escape route. A solid back-up plan will help make you more confident. If you have an escape route planned, a way to seek help that will respond quickly or a tool you can use to prevent physical harm, you are more likely to come out of a physical altercation unharmed.

Be aware of yourself and your surroundings
You’ll have a tendency to panic if you’re in unfamiliar surroundings. Learn to quickly assess where you are so you’ll be able to do the following:

- determine your position, its advantages and limitations
- determine the position of your attacker, his/her advantages and limitations
- availability of an escape route
- availability of tools you can use to defend yourself

Carry a gadget designed for self-defense
If you have a gadget or tool you can use for self-defense, you could avoid going into panic mode when under attack. Simple gadgets such as a kubotan, a pepper spray canister or a stun gun can help deter an attack or even prevent physical harm to yourself. Consider using a self-defense gadget you’re most comfortable with and carry it frequently. You’ll never know when you’ll need to use it.

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Tips and Tricks for Anticipatory Self-Defense

It is said that the best cure is always prevention. The same holds true when it comes to handling and facing life-threatening situations. When the body goes into a fight or flight mode, it can sometimes be difficult to keep a straight head and avoid panicking. When it comes to defending yourself and your loved ones, one of the best techniques to use is anticipatory self-defense. It could help prevent a difficult situation and might be the best way out in case of a confrontation.

What is anticipatory self-defense?
The principle of anticipatory self-defense is based on prevention. Instead of waiting for a dangerous situation to arise, it’s much better to try to anticipate what might happen and prepare for it than to find solutions when the situation is already occurring. That way, danger may be averted and a difficult situation defused.

To apply anticipatory self-defense, here are some things to remember:

Learn to assess the situation
An important first step to anticipatory self-defense is assessment of the situation and the environment. Why is the situation happening? Who are involved? What type of environment are you in? Is it possible to put a damper on the situation? If not, what would be the possible results – a confrontation, an argument, a physical fight? Are you capable of defending yourself? Are there self-defense weapons you could use? Do you have an escape route?

Avoid confrontation as much as possible
Anticipatory self-defense is not about acting out an immediate counter attack. It’s important to try to see if a confrontation can be avoided through physical evasion or verbal contact. If not, only then should physical self-defense techniques be used.

Find an escape route
Having an escape route may just be your best bet to run away and save your life. In case a threat escalates or you discover yourself at a huge disadvantage, you might put yourself and whoever it is you may be protecting in greater danger if you stay and fight. Look for a way to escape the situation or at least to minimize the threat, such as allowing your companion/s to escape while fighting off the attacker.

Once the attacker has been neutralized, an escape route will also come in handy in case you need to leave the scene immediately.

Neutralize the attack with efficiency
The key to anticipatory self-defense is to use force with efficiency. Using too much force might exhaust you of much-needed energy. Use sufficient force to neutralize an enemy but reserve some in case further attacks from other opponents come.

image credits to sxc.hu

How to Check If Your Self-Defense Instructor is Really Teaching You the Right Moves (and Not Just Taking a Move on You)

A lot of your efficiency and efficacy when it comes to self-defense will depend on your instructor – how well they can transfer their knowledge to you as their student and how effective their techniques are for real-life self-defense. Once you’ve decided to learn self-defense, your most important consideration is who to choose to learn from. But how do you check if your self-defense instructor is actually teaching you the right moves? Here are ways you’ll know:

He’s trained and certified in the self-defense course you want to learn
Decide on the type of self-defense class you want to learn first and then look for a teacher who has the appropriate training and certification in that discipline. This is because you can’t realistically expect a taekwondo instructor to teach the art of Krav Maga simply because he/she doesn’t have the proper skills and knowledge.

Always look for a self-defense instructor who is certified in the self-defense style you want. That should give you a pretty good idea if he/she is capable of really teaching you the right moves.

Check local credentials, certifications or national affiliations. Internationally trained and affiliated self-defense instructors are usually more expensive but you could have the assurance that you will be trained under the best. Ask for referrals from associations and clubs. Many of these are nationwide networks, which should allow you to find certified instructors in your area.

Ask for referrals and reviews
If you can, look for former or current students of the self-defense instructor you want to take classes under. Ask these students regarding their experiences – the techniques taught by the instructor, how well the lessons are structured and shared, how long each sessions are and the kind of progression you can expect.

Checking if your self-defense instructor is really going to teach you the right moves and will not merely take a move on you is sometimes just a matter of learning from others’ experiences. Do this before you sign up for any lessons.

Do your own research
It pays to have enough knowledge or background regarding the type of self-defense discipline you want to learn. That way you will be more familiar with the type of moves involved, including the kind you can expect an instructor to teach you.

There are plenty of books, magazines, videos or websites that can offer you excellent information regarding self-defense instructions. Learn from these. Once you know the kind of moves used in a particular self-defense discipline, you could easily check whether your self-defense instructor is really teaching you the right moves and not just taking a move on you.

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