General Tips

• Be Aware.  Awareness is on of the most important things in self defense.  By being aware of your surroundings, many threats on the streets can be avoided.

• Don’t daydream, stay alert and tuned into your surroundings

• Never act or look like an easy target – Look Confident

• Project confidence and alertness.  Communicate the message that you’re calm, confident and know where you’re going.  Stand tall, walk purposefully and make quick eye contact with people around you.

• Don’t us an IPod when walking in isolated areas

• Don’t presume that because your area has been “safe”: thus far, that it will continue to be so.

• Trust your instincts.  If you feel unsafe in an area, leave or stay out

• Take 15 to 30 seconds to observe your destination area before approaching

In Your Car
 

• Danger areas are stepping out of your car either at home or in isolated areas, and also walking to your car

• Always approach your vehicle with the keys ready

•  Always check your car before entering

• Never go below ¼ tank of gas 

• Park in well lit areas

• Look for persons under your car or in nearby vehicles  

• Always lock the doors in your car and home immediately after entering or exiting

FEAR

Controlling fear can mean the difference between life and death.

• What is Fear?
   

  1. An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger

  2. Reason for alarm 
      

• Turn the panic into reaction and the attacker has no idea who he is dealing with.  Turn it against him and that is true power.

• When fear is triggered the brain releases ad floods the bloodstream with things like adrenaline, endorphins and cortisol; the pupils dilate to sharpen vision; the heart beats heavily up to 5 times its normal rate; the lungs expand to get more oxygen into the blood stream; glucose from the liver is metabolized to create instant energy.  At this point the body is ready for action

• Fear is a system overload stimulated by your perception of the perceived danger or threat.  It is an emotion response to a perceived threat.
   

• Mentally fear can be overwhelming.  Fear often turns to panic which consumes the mind and paralyzes the body.  But with awareness and focus the person can weather the chemical storm going on in their body and channel the survival instinct for self defense.