Safety for Women

Thank you for posting this. Isn't it amazing that most of these instructions go against everything that we would have thought? I wonder, if I was in that kind of situation if I would react the way I should or if I would revert back to what i had always thought?

If I ever get locked in a trunk, I'll probably panic and die before I can even think about breaking the tail light. I'm too claustrophobic to even picture it in my mind lol.

See now, if they had taped a dog barking I probably would of gotten killed.  I'm not particularly crazy about kids so not sure that would of got me. 
 
Thanks, Sandra!  I think my mom also sent this to me awhile back. 

Lori - I would do the same as you.  A dog barking (or cat meowing) would have me out the door in an instant.  I might pause a moment or two if it was a kid (I don't look out my window now when I hear a neighbor kid crying, but I go right outside if I hear a dog yelping or barking more than usual).
 
A girl I worked with years ago was brutally attacked when getting into her car at 7:30 AM in the parking lot of her apartment complex.  Safe area, broad daylight.  If she had seen this info, it may have helped her.  She did everything wrong - she got right in the car when the guy showed her the gun, and she drove exactly where he told her to.  He held her captive, beat and raped her for hours before dumping her back near her house (he stole her car and robbed many businesses right afterwards).  She was a very gentle type person, so I wonder if he detected that in her and chose her as a target.  She never yelled for help in the lot, just got in and drove.  I always think I'd run or crash the car, even if there was a gun pointed on me, because I'd rather die than live through what she experienced.  She was very seriously injured, physically and emotionally.  BTW, they never caught the guy, either.
 
Thanks for the reminder of great info, Sandra!

I think the point of those instructions are that your chances of survival with the attacker are slim, at best. So, you can exert your control in the situation, even if it is the last thing you do. Criminals get very confused when we refuse to act like victims. I remember the movie, "Nothing to Lose." Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence. Martin decides to carjack Tim, who has been having the worse day of his life. Tim says, "Man, you picked the wrong guy on the wrong day" and proceeds to tear through the streets hoping to crash or get pulled over by the police.
 

Ron, your reference to that movie reminded me of another friend who was a "crime victim," but refused to act like one.  He worked full-time during the day and bartended at night, until closing.  He was obviously exhausted most days.  One night after leaving the bar and walking home to his apartment, a guy attempted to mug him, weilding a knife.  He demanded my friend give him all his money (he likely spotted my friend leaving the bar, knew he tended there and had a pocketful of tips).  My friend was so darned tired from stretching himself so thin, something snapped and he just gave the guy an earful -- "If you think I'm going to give you my money after I've spent the last several hours on my feet dealing with drunk people all night, after working in a stressful office all day, only to hand you the money so you can pi** it away somewhere, you got another thing coming . . ." and on and on.  The mugger was dumbfounded and just took off.  Turns out the guy had mugged several people on nearby blocks, and a cop came upon my friend shortly after this, and brought him to the station to make his report.  They made him retell the story many times, bringing in more and more officers, because everyone wanted to hear this unbelievable story!

I'm glad that worked out. The other option, what I may call the Heinlein option or even the Nugent option is to pull out a bigger gun and turn the tables. In Texas, a private citizen, after training can get a permit to carry a concealed weapon. The only problem is that you have to be willing to use it. Otherwise, don't carry one because it will be used against you. We can't protect ourselves all the time but we can reduce our chances of being victims. Do not hesitate to ask for an escort to your car. It's better to be called a nervous nellie than it is to have people send flowers to your viewing. As for gunfire, it is better to be tried by twelve than carried by six. That happened to a friend who was attacked in a bar that he co-owned and ran. A dope dealer sliced him with a bowie knife and he returned the favor with a short stock .12 guage. The other guy did not make it. His friends got rid of evidence and made it look like he shot an unarmed man and my friend couldn't afford a good attorney. So, he served 8 out of 25 to life for manslaughter. But he made it out in one piece. He's hilarious and will make you laugh until your sides hurt. Adores his family above all else. He will literally give you the shirt off of his back if you need it. Just don't think you can take him down because he will prove you wrong. And he refused to act like a victim. It's a split second decision that can change the rest of your life.

I always pay attention to tips and advice like the list above, but my problem is I'm not calm in an emergency, so I'm almost certain I'd be in a panic-mode that would cause me to be frozen in place.  I think I'd forget everything I was supposed to do.  The best I can do is hope and pray I never have reason to find out!

Tracy, I was like you. I paid attention to the tips, but fear overroad memory and logic.  My husband taught me a trick that works though.  Play scenarios through your mind. Actually think it through step by step.  Multiple times, over and over.  Develop what they call 'Muscle memory' even if it is mental muscle memory .  I have found that it not only helps with the fears and the nerves, but it makes me think before I step into a situation that might be dangerous. It has also helped develop some good habits like always walking from a store to the car with the keys in my hand to use as a weapon. Prayers an awesome weapon too.[]

Don't forget that unusual things can be weapons.  For example, if you are confronted wiht someone carrying a knife and your dog is not the protective type, just unsnap the leash (don't worry about your dog right now since chances are, they won't desert you but stand there and bark to attract attention) and hit the attacker with the clip end of the leash across the face. Also, don't bother trying to kick some guy in the nuts--kick him in the knee cap! Most bad guys know that if someone will try to fight back, they will either go for the eyes or the groin and will be protecting those areas.  Trust me, if you kick someone on the SIDE of the knee cap, they WILL go down.

 I also carry a wad of keys when I walk the shelter dogs. My keys weigh almost a pound and are a weapon simply because of their size and many, many sharp edges. I suspect that if I smacked someone upside the head with them, I might acutally knock him out!

The point is, think outside your comfort level and how to survive. DO not be a passive person; passive people are DEAD people.  This info is courtesy of my dad, a former Marine. Also, as much as I love my car, I would give it up in a second if I thought my life were on the line. My car can (at great inconveniece) be replaced--my life can NOT.

Trust me, if you kick someone on the SIDE of the knee cap, they WILL go down.

 
Not only that, you will disable them for life. When I started studying Kenpo Karate in 1977, our instructor brought in a doctor he knew who explained to us students what kind of damage we would inflict with our skills. It takes only 7 to 15 lbs of force to break the knee if forced in the wrong direction. Even the laziest couch potato has 10 to 15 times that amount of force in a well-placed kick to the knee. It is a swifter strike and harder to defend because it is so low. Striking the windpipe with a twist of your body weight will collapse it, cutting off oxygen. Death follows in 4 1/2 to 5 minutes. A snappy palm to the nose at a slightly upward angle will shatter the nose bridge and drive it into the brain, causing cerebral hemmorhage. Death follows in 30 to 60 seconds. These are all vunerable targets that do not require the strength of a weight lifter to strike. Just speed and accuracy. I learned the most about fighting from sparring with women when I started Tae Kwon Do in 1988. Since they don't often have the strength of a big guy like me, they go for speed and accuracy.
Kung Fu and Tai Chi taught me flow of one move to the next and that it is not always the "strongest" strike that does the most damage. Jeet Kune Do taught me how to  strike from any position and how to move without a particular style, while reading someone else's style.
 
A person doesn't have to have my martial arts history or even your father's marine background, though it is a help. If, as you said, they can train some reflexes into themselves, then they can defend themselves on instinct, even in a panic.

Thanks Sandra, those are some really good points to remember. An elbow, close range, is REALLY effective.

I like the tip about not driving off calmly if someone is in your car. Very good to know.

This is why my whole family takes martial arts. I want my girls to be able to defend themselves, if ever needed. Since the thought of the evils of the world scare me so, this is one way I feel a little empowered. Do not go calmly.

My girls can disarm me pretty effectively, and I'm so proud of them. More than anything the training gives them confidence which makes them less likely to be a target.

Thanks for the post!

[sm=tex.gif][size="3"]Thanks for the great info.  Well heres another one that a friend emailed me about.  What they do is put a piece of paper on your back windshield.  When you get in your car, you start it, and right next to you is your purse.  You put the car in reverse, look behind you and see a obstruction on your back window.  What do you do?  You put the car back in park, leave the door open, and get out and remove the piece of paper, leaving your car running in park and your purse inside.  [color="#ff0033"]GUESS WHAT!!  BYE BYE CAR WITH PURSE!!  [color="#000066"]People, DO NOT get out to remove this piece of paper.  Use your mirrors or really stretch inside to see behind you. [color="#cc0033"] DO NOT GO HOME!!  [color="#000066"]There is a chance you can be followed.  Please Please take precaution.  Just thought I would add this one.  STAY SAFE EVERYONE!!  Fondly,
Michele
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[sm=tex.gif]IORIB---I agree with you about unusual things being used as weapons.  Here is one I use.  I cut a piece of BX Electricial Cable about 2 to 2 1/2 feet long.  I crimped the ends.  I leave it at my seatside in the car.  Its perfectly legal.  It reacts like a whip when swung. Dont forget its armored.  And believe me it hurts worse than a conventional whip.  It can break bones.   Also, its easy to use even your not strong physically. Swing like your using a fly swatter.  It is VERY effective.  Hope this helps!   Fondly, Michele