Self Defense Street Smarts

[Paladin]

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/selfdefense/street.html

"Street Smarts


Keep up maximum situational awareness. Don't be an easy target.

-SURPRISE is an attacker's biggest possible advantage. Don't let him have it!
-Know what is going on all around you at all times. Keep up a regular scan with ALL of your senses. Trust your gut!
-Be aware of and pay special attention to all current and upcoming possible ambush points. Proceed with caution around corners, past alleys and doorways, etc.
-Beware of eavesdroppers and people following you. Remember that most attackers stalk for a while before attacking.
-Walk quickly and with purpose down the center of the sidewalk. Remember that when you are still, you are an easier target. Watch out!
-Use common sense! Stick to well-lit, populated areas, walk with friends, etc.
-Exude non-challenging, but prepared and confident, aura.
-Have your keys ready when approaching your building so that you do not have to stop and fumble for them with your head down.
-Carry mugger money and phone change.
-Keep your hands free and available if possible, i.e. not stuffed in pockets.
-Maintain your circle of security if possible. Carefully monitor anyone who breaches it.
-Dress to run or fight, if possible.

Perceive possible threat from as far away as possible.
-Distance = Time = Options.
-Determine best escape routes, environmental weapons, etc.

Take subtle measures to avoid possible threat.
-Change route, enter commercial establishment, etc.

Take direct measures to avoid threat.
-Run away to a populated area, utilize environmental obstacles, yell for help, etc.

Counter threat.
-Create your window of escape!
-The best defense is an aggressive offense!
-Hit hard, hit fast, hit first (when possible/justifiable)!
-Use and/or improvise weapons!
-Use the environment (obstacles, hard objects to knock attacker(s) into, etc.)!
-"Winning" is SURVIVING (preferably without serious injury or loss of property), NOT necessarily beating your attacker(s) into the ground!
-Respond with maximum force until attacker(s) is (are) unable or unwilling to follow you when you run away.

Get outta there.
-Go as fast as possible to the nearest secure location (friend's house, police station, populated commercial establishment with phone, etc.).
-Beware of being followed by unseen accomplice(s) of attacker(s).

Check yourself for injuries.
-Check by feel and vision and have someone help if possible. Adrenaline can do amazing things in terms of concealing pain.

Get medical attention if necessary.
-First 911 priority.

Report incident.
-Second 911 priority.

Celebrate being alive.
-But stay alert!!!

Remember: Attacks WILL come when you LEAST expect them and are LEAST prepared to deal with them, in the STRANGEST situations!
MINDSET IS EVERYTHING!!!

--Ari Kandel"

[ghentry]

-Carry mugger money and phone change.

How many of you carry "mugger money"?

[jbirds1210]

I might get killed for being poor! Mugger money? I feel like I am getting mugged everytime I put gas in my car!
Jason

[Paladin]

-Carry mugger money and phone change.

How many of you carry "mugger money"?

Or at least a wallet to give 'em as a distraction before you shoot 'em.

Hey it's generic advice <shrug>

[Paladin]

I might get killed for being poor! Mugger money?

This guy did:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... php?t=1791

I know a girl who was 17 when she was shot (wounded) for not having any money when some Crips robbed her.

[JLaw]

Paladin...

Where do you come up with all these great postings and news articles?

JLaw

[dws1117]

Paladin...

Where do you come up with all these great postings and news articles?

JLaw

I've asked before. He won't reveal his secret. My suspicion is that he's just a news junkie.

BTW another great post, Paladin. A lot of things I've never considered.

[stevie_d_64]

Paladin...

Where do you come up with all these great postings and news articles?

JLaw

He doesn't actually do anything...Too much time on his hands...

Like me sometimes...

[Paladin]

My suspicion is that he's just a news junkie.

Entirely possible...

I just pass on anything I find that might be of interest.

[Paladin]

Some of the more subtle points that people may not realize or may forget in the heat of the action are:

If you retreat, check to make sure you aren't being followed. Don't let the badguys track you back home. If they track you back home, it could just compound your problems.

And at the end of a fight it is important to check yourself for injuries. You may have been shot and not even realized it. For real. It can and has happened.

[flintknapper]

Great post, thank you for sharing!

I incorporate most of these things into my daily life, but somehow.. my wife still manages to get my paycheck every Thursday! Are you the one that told her about the "mugger money"?

[gigag04]

I can see the point of mugger money. I also have heard too much of pay off and then be shot.

You guys decide for yourselves...I get mugged at gun point - I'm going for my gun.

This isn't me being a big and bad...I just feel like I have a good chance at ending up shot either way. Might as well go down fighting.

[stevie_d_64]

If you retreat, check to make sure you aren't being followed. Don't let the badguys track you back home. If they track you back home, it could just compound your problems.

I see it more as a problem for them, not for me...But good point nonetheless...

And at the end of a fight it is important to check yourself for injuries. You may have been shot and not even realized it. For real. It can and has happened.

Very true...

[stevie_d_64]

I can see the point of mugger money. I also have heard too much of pay off and then be shot.

You guys decide for yourselves...I get mugged at gun point - I'm going for my gun.

This isn't me being a big and bad...I just feel like I have a good chance at ending up shot either way. Might as well go down fighting.

I don't believe you should be so hard on yourself...Be a little more confident in your ability to protect yourself effectively...

Do things that keep you out of trouble, and the odds become even more in your favor, because the things that do materialize as a threat to you or someone are a little clearer when you are not inundated with threatening stimuli that can diminish your ability to effectively deal with an issue...

That may be easier said than done, yet, yer pretty sharp for a fellow Aggie...

[KBCraig]

I can see the point of mugger money. I also have heard too much of pay off and then be shot.

You guys decide for yourselves...I get mugged at gun point - I'm going for my gun.

Muggings are so rare here as to be unheard of, so I'm not going to be in the habit of planning for them. But if I were, I'd use money in a clip as a distraction device. Throw it to them and take the opportunity to draw.

Kevin