5 Self-Defense techniques everyone needs to know to survive

 

No one can deny that the best self-defense strategies and techniques work equally well for men and women, but women really need them because they’re assaulted more often than men.

Statistics indicate that one in three women will be the victim of some type of violent attack in her lifetime. Women also endure more incidents of verbal and sexual harassment.

Here are a number of effective, real-life situation tested self-defense concepts and techniques that anyone can use.

1- Practice target denial

Don’t make yourself an accessible target. The outcome of a battle is often determined before the first blow is struck. When you have the opportunity to escape from a situation before it turns bad, take it.

If an approaching person gives you the creeps, walk to the other side of the street. If an elevator door opens and the guy standing inside makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up, wait for the next elevator. Those actions aren’t cowardly; rather, they’re a smart way to eliminate danger.

2- Present yourself with confidence

Be aware of the message your body sends to those around you. Like animals, human predators target those they consider the weakest or most vulnerable.

Attackers search for men or women who appear frightened, confused or distracted. They look for women who walk with their head down and their hands stuffed in their pockets.

By walking with confidence and awareness, looking around and keeping your head up and shoulders back, you’ll dramatically reduce the likelihood of becoming a target in the first place.

3- Set strong verbal boundaries

Good verbal skills are an effective self-defense tool, one you’re likely to use more frequently and successfully than any physical technique. When a predator engages you in conversation, he’s actually “interviewing” you to see if you’ll make a good victim. An experienced attacker is practiced at using his words to freeze you with fear, thus reducing the chance that you’ll try to defend yourself.

Although an aggressive verbal confrontation can be terrifying, you have to be strong enough to show the attacker he’s picked the wrong victim. If you stand tall, remain calm and respond confidently and assertively, you’ll probably “fail” his interview. The power of your voice alone can cause him to seek an easier target.

4- keep a safe distance

Everyone has a comfort zone or personal space. When an aggressor enters that zone, you’re uncomfortable because you know you’d need that space if you had to fight back. When you’re in an adrenalized state, you need a quarter of a second to react to an assault. This “reactionary gap” should be anticipated when you think about your comfort zone.

You should try to maintain approximately one to one-and-a-half arm lengths between yourself and the aggressor. If he starts closing in, you need to use verbal boundaries. If he still doesn’t back off, it’s time to get physical.

5- No matter which martial art you practice, learn techniques that are basic and stick with them in a self-defense scenario.

- Eye strike.

The eye strike can be used in a standing or prone position. Often, simply driving your fingers toward your assailant’s eyes will cause him to recoil. Even if you don’t make contact, it creates space to set up a more devastating blow.

- Heel-palm strike.

Hitting with an open hand reduces the chance that you’ll injure your hand and enables you to more easily attack from a non-confrontational stance in which you’re holding your hands up and open while you set verbal boundaries. Then, if your attacker steps into your comfort zone bang!  he gets it right in the face.

- Knee strike.

This technique is recommended over any type of standing kick because it is easy to use and can be delivered while you stay centered and close to the ground ,which is crucial when you’re adrenalized. A knee to the groin can end a fight immediately.

Don't panic if you are knocked down. More often than not, women end up on the ground when they’re assaulted. The good news is that most assailants are not skilled ground fighters; they’re bullies who are used to knocking women down and forcing them to comply. Remember that the heel-palm strike and eye strike work well on the ground. It’s a good idea to have a few kicks that work there, as well.

Read more: 9 reasons why mass shootings occur in America 25 times higher than other countries

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The most effective Self-Defense weapons

Carrying the best self-defense weapons isn’t always about prevention, either. Just knowing that you’ve got an alarm or a pepper spray ready to go can provide a level of comfort and help keep fear levels to a manageable level, especially if you’re visiting a new place or walking through a sketchy part of town.

Successful use of these tools usually involves some kind of distraction or painful deterrent, whether through noise, light or electrical immobilization. Examples of the best non-lethal self-defense weapons include:

Pepper Spray

Personal Alarms

Stun Guns and Tasers

Tactical Whips

Steel Batons

Tactical Pen

Baseball Bats

Emergency Whistles