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EMPOWERED Self Defense
“A lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they CAN'T do. I always look on the positive side of what I CAN do.” ---Chuck Norris
EMPOWERED Self Defense
The formula for real impact in Self Defense
EMPOWERED Self Defense = mission x connection x simple & specific x smother
Mission
Your mission is the most important principle spend time internalizing. When it comes to self defense, your mission is to get you and those close to you home safe, no matter what it takes.
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. The more you increase your attacker's odds of getting caught or hurt, the greater your odds are in NOT becoming someone that is the target of an attack.
Connection
Connection consists of three primary areas:
1. Connecting a few key concepts that significantly decreases your odds of being attacked
2. Personally connecting with the potential attacker in a way that says, "I am not an easy target and you will get hurt and caught if you mess with me."
3. Connection is also connecting a few key concepts and tactics that will neutralize the attacker and/or that creates space for you to get to get home safe.
Simple & Specific
Mastering Simple & Specific self defense techniques will keep you much safer than attempting complex tactics that will take years to perform well.
Smother
Smother means using all self defense techniques and self defense products you have available. Do not stop until you are safely away from the threat or the attacker(s) are fully neutralized.
Avoid the Attack
Be Aware of your Environment
- Step one in avoiding risky situations and suspicious people is being aware of your surroundings
- Head down, earphones on, and focused on your phone or personal items makes you more susceptible to an attack
- Travel and park in well lit and populated areas. If the surroundings are sketchy, obtain an escort or travel in pairs when possible
- After parking your vehicle check your side and rearview mirrors. Attackers know that many cars automatically unlock once the vehicle is placed in park. Make it a habit to lock your vehicle immediately after you get inside.
- Wear appropriate clothing/dress for the area you are in
- When walking to a car or residence, have your keys out and ready. Check for anything out of the ordinary in and around your vehicle or residence
- When you arrive at a new place or when new people enter an area you are at, take time to look at and assess them.
- Don't flash cash or expensive items
Project Confidence
Project confidence and the state of being alert. Criminals look to take victims by surprise and attack those that appear weak. Someone with confidence might fight back. Attackers want to avoid that.
- Head Up & Shoulders Back (projects confidence and allows you to see surroundings)
- Purposeful Confident Stride (not too short nor too long, with arms swinging naturally)
- Eye Contact (casually and briefly meet the gaze of others; if someone appears to be following you, casually turn around and make eye contact)
- Calm, Cool and Collected: avoid mannerisms that appear anxious (nervously darting eyes, quick and nervous/tense walk, hands in pockets, fidgeting with personal items)
- Keep Your Wits About You: don't venture out alone while intoxicated
- Visualize and Practice what you will do and how you will act in a compromised position before it happens. This will increase your confidence and prevent you from freezing when it matters!
Trust your Gut Instict
If things don’t feel right, trust your intuition and change your situation. Don't second guess your inner voice.
Avoid the Fight
Control your Emotions
- 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
- With self-defense laws, initiating conflict or being the initial aggressor can eliminate your self-defense legal protection rights. If you choose to exercise your right to carry a firearm, you must exercise self-control. Otherwise, that conflict escalation could land you in prison.
Convey Confidence and Think Powerful
- 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
Maintain Space and Draw Attention
- 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!"
Some Things are Worth Fighting For
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.
Win the Fight or Attack and Flee
Fight Attitude - Preparing your Mind is most important survival tool
- Don't hesitate, Act!
- In a street fight or assault, there are no rules
- Do not stop until the threat is neutralized or there is space to flee
- Once the attacker is neutralized, stop and distance yourself from the situation
- Visualize what you will do in self-defense situations
- Know your worth and what you're fighting for
- Strengthen your internal monologue and mentality through exercises
Basic Self Defense
The focus will be Krav Maga self defense techniques, which are based off of fine-tuning natural instinct and following a few principals that can be applied in many situations. Krav Maga is aggressive and is proven in street and military fighting and self-defense. Basic Self-Defense Includes the following:
- Stance
- Movement
- Striking
- Chokes
- Knocked to the ground
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Advanced Self Defense
Criminals attack when they feel they have an advantage. The following are scenarios that you should be prepared for:
- Multiple Attackers
- Weapons (knife, gun, club)
- Home Intruder
- Third Party Protection
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Self Defense for Women
General Statistics
- Every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted in the US
- One in 5 women are raped/attempted rape
- 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.
Those at Greatest Risk - Sexual Assault Statistics from Campus Safety
- 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
Things you Need to Know
- 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
Self Defense Tactics
- 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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