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Hey!! I’m mad!! Here are some #selfdefense tips if you’re in a worst case scenario (as in: cannot get away)
NEVER STOP MAKING NOISE. First rule!! Make it as difficult as possible for your attacker!! Call attention to what is going on. EMBARRASS THEM. Literally anything!! BE LOUD. A lot of people freeze up in Bad Events. PRACTICE being loud. Shout in your car with the music up, etc etc.
NEVER STOP MOVING. if someone is touching you, make it DIFFICULT. Do your best to get away. Flail/hit/squirm (WHILE YELLING) and if your mouth is able to? BITE. Sink your teeth in & DON’T LET GO. Pretend you’re biting into a tough piece of meat (cause you are).
Good things to yell: “Help! I don’t know you/him/her/etc!” This lets bystanders know it’s not “just some squabble.” Call a common man’s name “HELP MIKE, HELP.” Which can make your attacked think someone specific will be coming to aid you.
Parents! Teach your kids to yell, “THIS IS NOT MY MOM OR DAD.” Bystanders will know it’s not just a temper tantrum but that there’s a real danger.
THE FACE AND NECK ARE EASY TARGETS. But only certain places! If you have a hand free, take that hand and JAM IT INTO THEIR THROAT. It won’t feel nice. Practice on yourself. Feel your neck & where it doesn’t feel pleasant if you push. That’s where you want to apply pressure.
Avoid the mouth!! They can bite you. Eyes are great but they’re a small target. A better place to reach for are the EARS. Grab an ear and YANK. Yeah. Hard as you can. YEAH.
If you are able to use your legs, KICK EM IN THE KNEE. The knee only bends one way, friends. Your attacked will be down and out. No one will be chasing you with a broken leg.
Don’t try to kick them in the groin! You’re more likely to miss. INSTEAD. If the attacker is amab and you are in position to reach their crotch (wheelchair users, this is a good one if you can’t kick em in the knee), reach between their legs, grab a fistful, and YANK :D
Many of these techniques, you might notice, are designed to inflict LOTS OF PAIN VERY QUICKLY. This is the point! Don’t be squeamish! You want to INCAPACITATE so you can get away.
An attacker is trying to HURT YOU. Defend yourself in any manner necessary that allows you to get away. You might end up with pulled hair or a black eye but that is BETTER THAN NOT WALKING AWAY. DON’T GO QUIETLY.
And please please please DO NOT GET INTO A VEHICLE. You will die. FIGHT LIKE YOU’RE GOING TO DIE. Because if you’re going to die, better to make it as difficult as possible & do it where you were last seen so there is a greater chance of people finding your body.
We try to be smart. We try our best to be safe. But sometimes there is a horrible encounter with a terrible person. It’s NOT YOUR FAULT. It is their fault for deciding to inflict harm. So make them suffer those consequences.
(PS, once they’re down, leave. Don’t keep going. If they’re incapacitated and obviously can no longer harm you and you continue to do damage, you then become the attacker, at least legally. It sucks and it’s stupid but best to avoid that.)
Sources: I’ve been a martial artist for twenty years and I used to teach self defense for a living. Also I’m currently furious :D
