EMPOWERED Self Defense

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When it comes to self defense, your mission is to get you and those close to you home safe. 

Just as important and realizing your mission is to understand the mission of your attacker. Attackers want to exhibit power and control over you without getting hurt or getting caught.

Connect what you need to do to achieve your mission, while using what you know about the attackers mission to ensure your safety.

• Avoid the Attack
• Avoid the Fight
• Win the Fight or Attack and Flee
• Self Defense for Women
• Self Defense Weapons

Mastering Simple & Specific tactics will keep you much safer than attempting complex tactics that will take years to perform well.

Smother means using every tactic and angle you have available. Do not stop until you are safely away from the threat or the attacker(s) are fully neutralized. 

• Don’t allow others the power to dictate anger, fear, or hate
  • If somebody bumps into you, keep your cool. If you bump into somebody, apologize.
  • When others honk their horn or flip you off, choose not to
  • At the same time, present yourself as confident, and willing and able to protect yourself when you need to   

• Be alert and deliberate in your movements; maintain eye contact and strong posture (head up, shoulders back, stand tall) 
• Whether or not your believe it, act like you are Powerful. This will make your potential attacker question following through with an assault 

• Hands up and in front (non threatening but ready); don’t turn your back; be aware of others around you 
• Use your "outside voice" and draw attention to the situation, 
  • "Back off! I don't want to fight!"
  • "He's got a knife!"
  • "No! Stop! This man is bothering me!
  • "I'm being Attacked! Call 9-1-1!"

Although avoiding the fight should be a primary goal for all of us, it is also important to acknowledge that some things are worth fighting for. If you stop, think, and reflect, deep down every one of us knows what that is. Potential harm to another who cannot help themselves is an example of when you may have to fight, despite your ability to personally escape the situation.  

• Every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted in the US
• One in 5 women are raped
• 1 in 4 women are sexually assaulted during college

Even beyond physical self-defense training and tactics, Survivor Mentality is the most important skill to keep you safe.  Click below for more information.

• College age women are at greatest risk with 84% of the sexual assaults and unwelcomed sexual coercion occurring within the first 4 semesters
• Victims were on a date with 13% of rapes and 35% of attempted rapes that occurred
• 1 in 5 high school females report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner
• 90% of acquaintance rapes involve alcohol
• 38% of college-aged victims assaulted in college, were victims prior to attending college
• Students in sorority houses are 3 times more likely to be raped than those living off campus. Those in on-campus dormitories are 1 1/2 times as likely to be sexually assaulted

• NEVER leave your drink or food unattended. Date rape drugs are often used to incapacitate a victim. Important to note: bar tenders and bouncers are not necessarily your friends and could be in on targeting victims. Click HERE for more information.
• When you go "out," go with Good Friends, not acquaintances or others that may leave you in a compromised position. 
• You are more likely to let your guard down with familiar people. 70% of women attacked, recognized their attacker. Don't live in fear, but ALWAYS REMAIN AWARE and trust that internal voice.
• The parking lot is the most common place for an assault. Be aware of your surroundings. Give yourself space to react around "blind" corners or vehicles. Have your keys in hand when approaching your car. Obtain an escort when in dark or remote areas and when experiencing uneasy feelings. Check inside your vehicle before leaving.
• The element of surprise and tactics of requesting help or assistance are both commonly used to size up and attack a victim. Be fully aware of surroundings. Accept that NOT helping or stopping to answer a question is not rude. It may be vital in keeping you safe. 
• Police Impersonation: Be aware, especially at night and when in remote areas. If in doubt, dial 911 to verify police presence. If in a remote area, turn the inside light on in the cab to acknowledge the officer and drive to an area where others are present. Only roll down the window an inch or two to allow transfer of information. 
• Concerned your being followed? Take four right hand turns or get off and on the freeway to verify being followed. Call 9-1-1 and go to a public place. 
• When having work done by a contractor, have someone else present or, at a minimum, notify others of work being done and by who. Verify licenses and credentials. Search contractors on the BBB website

• If you have a chance to get away from a bad situation by running, RUN
• Draw Attention to the situation. Even if threatened to be quiet, alert others to what's going on.  "Help me! He's attacking me! Call 9-1-1!"
• Always Fight Back. Move, twist, kick, hit and bite when necissary. The groin, throat, face and eyes are all vulnerable targets. Continue to face your attacker versus giving them your back, which could put you in a more difficult self-defense situation. Your best opportunity to fight and draw attention to the sitation is right when the attack begins. Never submit to being taken to a second location. 

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The firearm controversy continues to make headlines. Fear is used by people on both sides of the issue to advance their agenda. It all comes down to Education, Training, Respect for the firearm and Personal Responsibility, to take advantage of the self-defense benefits, while avoiding innocent people getting hurt.

When used and stored appropriately, with the right training, firearms are a very useful tool in defending yourself and others. 

• Approximately 15,000 murders occur with guns each year.  It is estimated that guns are used in Self-Defense up to 2.5 million times per year (Armed Resistance to Crime: The Prevalence and Nature of self-defense with a gun; Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology)

• Women use guns 200,000 times a year to prevent sexual assault (Armed Resistance to Crime: The Prevalence and Nature of self-defense with a gun; Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology)

• Deciding to carry a gun for self-defense without the proper training or the emotional maturity required, can result in serious bodily harm to you or an innocent person, as well as place you in prison. For many people, non-lethal forms of self-defense are a better option

• Using a gun for self-defense is not right for everyone, but everyone should know gun safety and how to use a gun properly. This includes our children. We can control what is in our home, but we can't control what our family encounters in the homes of others.

Just like lethal forms of self-defense, if you decide to carry non-lethal forms of defense, you need to be prepared to use it when appropriate. 

CYF world non-lethal recommendations;

• Sabre Flip Top Pepper Gel keychain: 
• Kimber Pepper Blaster II: 
• Vipertek VTS-989
• Kubatan