Self-Defense Training: Practical Tips Everybody ... - Women's Health

Self-defense training can save us and our loved ones in times of danger. However, not all of us have the time to take self-defense classes. At the very least, we should arm ourselves with some basic and practical information on defending ourselves. The following are prudent tips for defending ourselves:

?Practice personal security precautions. Always be aware of your surroundings. Choose well-lit areas for walking and parking. Have your keys ready when approaching your car or your door.

?If you are suddenly attacked, or you sense that a person will attack you, shout and push back. Shouting would signal that you need help, and it can discourage attackers who are just after an easy prey.

?Once you get attacked, you only have a few moments before the attacker gets full control of you. Try to inflict as much injury to your attacker as you can in those few moments. Strike the vulnerable body parts such as the eyes, nose, ears, the groin, knee and legs, which are nearest to you. Use your hands when striking upper body parts. You can use the outer edge of your hand, especially for striking the side of the neck where the carotid artery and jugular veins are. Use your fingers for gouging or scratching the eyes. You can strike your attacker?s nose using the heel of your palm, or if he is behind you, use your elbows and aim for the nasal bones

?For the lower body parts, kicking the side of the knee can immobilize your attacker and cause him to lose his balance. Kicking the front of the knee may cause more injury, but it will not likely get him off-balanced.

?Your elbows, knees, and head are your most bony parts and they are capable of inflicting the most damage.

?Be aware that everyday objects can potentially be used as weapons. It?s a good idea to hold a pen between your fingers when walking home. Sand or dirt can be thrown into your attacker?s eyes. You can also aim perfume spray at your attacker?s eyes.

Sexual assaults usually go through 3 phases: the first is subduing the victim; second, exhausting the victim; the third is the actual sexual assault. All your attempts to inflict injury on your attacker to free yourself fall on the first phase. In the second phase, it would actually be counter-productive to continue fighting as he already has you trapped and is just biding time to get full-control. If you recognize that the situation has entered into the second phase, it would be a much better strategy to pretend exhaustion and surrender. The assailant will mistakenly think that you have given up, and would loosen his hold. You would have a split second chance to wrest yourself free.

These are just some practical tips for defending yourself in times of need. It would still be invaluable to actually take a self-defense class where you get to learn and practice life-saving self-defense moves and techniques.

Aline Heller writes about issues concerning women and families. To learn more about self-defense training, go to Top Secret Self-Defense. Another useful resource is Simple Self Defence Tactics

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