Be Aware

By: Master Farhad Dordar

Nobody expects to be attacked while they are going about their daily business and the vast majority of people likely won’t be. However, violent attacks can come without warning and when you least expect it.
Being prepared for such a situation is very important and could save your life! Don’t allow yourself to become a victim! Follow these simple guidelines to help yourself become more aware:

• Be mindful of your surroundings.
• Practice extensive scanning. Look around and make sure you know what is going on in your environment.
• When walking at night, check behind yourself every 5 seconds.
• When you scan your environment, focus on the two or three blocks ahead of and behind you.
• Show confidence through your posture; keep your back straight and head up.
• Walk with energy and don’t be afraid to make eye contact with people.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Attackers will choose those who appear to be an easy target. Don’t be an easy target!

Are you being followed?

If you think someone is following you, the best thing to do is to cross the street. Once you’re across the street you can check back and see if the person is still following you. If they are, turn around and look directly at the person who you think is following you. Direct confrontation may frighten off the person following you. If it doesn’t, run to the nearest street light or populated area and scream for help. If you are being followed, never lead them to your home and never go into an unlit area. Call the police as soon as you can!

If you are attacked

If someone gets too close to you, you must prepare yourself mentally and physically to handle the situation. Be ready to use your arms to block an attack and if attacked, be prepared to go for the groin. Use your knee to strike your attacker and hit hard. Try to disable your attacker as soon as possible.

For improved safety, don’t run away to a back alley or a dark secluded spot, run towards a brightly lit area where there are lots of people.

Try to keep your eyes open and yell and scream loud as possible. This will scare your attacker and let other people know you are in distress. Try to carry something sharp in your key chain that can be used in a crisis situation.

Try to learn the pressure points and remember at least 3 points on different areas of the body. Use these spots and hit your attacker as hard as you can. These spots can be the throat, diaphragm, groin, jaw, kneecap, shin, eyes, and lower ribs.

If the attacker is much heavier than you, you can gouge your attacker’s eyes and bite their nose, cheek, or neck when they get close to you. Always protect yourself by keeping your hands and forearms over your face, while remembering not to lose sight of what your attacker is doing.

Try to run away – be prepared to flee as soon as you have the chance. Your safety should be your primary concern, and hitting an attacker in a sensitive spot should give you enough time to run away.

Multiple attackers

If there are two or more attackers, you should never stand in between them. Try to position yourself so that your back is protected and you are always facing both of your attackers; don’t let them get behind you.

Even if one of the attackers gets closer than the other, remember to concentrate on all of your attackers at the same time.

If one attacker makes a move toward you, consider attacking the other one. He will not expect to be the target of your response. This is like a move in chess – try to use all your tools at the proper time.

The tools that you need

Knowledge of self defense techniques and strategies

Take a self defense course or enroll in a martial arts school that has a strong self-defense component and learn as much as you can about escaping from various holds, using joint manipulation techniques and fighting from the ground.

A strong body

Strengthen your body. Have an exercise routine to help you make your body stronger. Sit-ups and push ups will help you build strength in your upper body. Having a strong body doesn’t just mean physical strength, it also means having a body that can absorb blows while you fight back and escape.

Good Cardio

Train your running for speed and cardio, because other than being good for your fitness and general health, it is a vital safety skill. Always be prepared to run.

Concentration, Communication and Psychology

Try to maintain your concentration and be aware of your surroundings. Don’t let verbal taunts or quick movements distract you. Try not to be nervous. Take deep breaths and be as calm and relaxed as possible. Don’t panic! Believe in your ability to defend yourself and survive. Talk to your attacker and try to make a connection with your attacker. Find a weak spot and exploit it. Use whatever tactics you can in order to diffuse the situation.

Speed, Power, and Timing

Target training, partner training, bag training, balance training and learning distance are all important aspects of developing your self-defense skills. If you learn how to use your skills with power and speed, you have a much greater chance of delivering a blow that will injure your attacker and allow you to escape. Learn about the timing of your techniques as well. When is the best time to deliver a blow for maximum effectiveness?

Your voice – Yell! (KIAI)

Don’t be afraid to yell loud, long, and primal. Make as much noise as you can, and don’t be afraid to keep on yelling. A strong voice can be much more intimidating than you may realize.

Distance

If you are in an argument with someone on the street, don’t stand close to the person you are arguing with. If the person attempts to get close to you, try to maintain a 2 meter distance (10 feet). As you are backing away, make sure you have your pepper spray or a sharp object in your hand and maintain conversation. Use your communication skills to try to avoid a confrontation.