Fear of the Dark

Part of the power is to share the information-- but I'll try not to bore you!

I took a "Street Smarts" class for 4 hours Monday and 4 hours Tuesday night. The final "exam" was a simulation attack. Each of us had to take a turn by going to the middle of the gym and closing our eyes. We had to wait in silence and with our eyes closed until we were physically touched, at which point the simulation began. Our opponent looked very much like this guy, minus the sword:



For some people, he acted like a pushy homeless guy asking for money. For some, a guy using bad pickup lines and then backing the person into a corner so she had to fight her way out. For others he just grabbed them from behind, or from the front.

I waited with my eyes closed, listening to him walk around me, listening to him readjust his velcro, I think I stopped breathing. Then he grabbed my right arm and began to yell "get into the van" while he dragged me across the floor as hard as he could. This was NOT come at me slowly with your left hand stuff. After a short stall, I yelled "let go" and grabbing my right fist in my left, jerked my arm out of his hands and spun around to run. I heard him start to run after me and I turned, spread my feet apart and got my hands up to punch him. Applause rang out-- and the critique began.

1. I had a short stall-- that was good.
2. I could have stepped closer to him to avoid the "tug of war" which an attacker will always win, but I did managed to pull my arm away quite fast-- mixed goodness.
3. On realizing that he was persuing me, I spun to face him. Way good. The worst position you can be in is being grabbed from behind. At that point you can only step on his toes and try to get elbows swinging.
4. On spinning to face him, I got into fighter's stance in record time. Thank you Hapkido and kickboxing class-- there was not even a thought towards it-- it was a very natural thing to do. Also way good.
5. I said "let go", but then the rest of the altercation was silent. When attacked, your best bet is to make noise and yell sentences like "stop", "let go", and "don't touch me". I struggled in silence, and this is my biggest failure. Now I know, when I"m in a stressful situation I really have to think about yelling. I'm supposed to visualize situations and yelling responses.

So that was my class. Points to take home with you on home and personal security.

SHE- fighting principle- Stop the attack, Hinder the attack, Escape.

Rules of the game:
1. Never believe your attacker.
2. Never try to reason with your attacker.
3. Never go anywhere with your attacker. (Die in public, not in private!)
4. Never get into a strangers car.
5. Never let yourself get separated from the group.
6. By resisting an attack, you will be injured no worse than if you comply.

Lifestyle changes:
Lock your doors. With a chain if you can.
Don't place any ladders around your property outside.
If someone asks you to use a phone for an emergency, offer to make the call for them- don't let them inside.
Stand near the buttons on the elevator if you are in there alone or with someone you don't know.
Don't wear your purse across the shoulders-- most injuries from purse snatchings are from the knife they use to cut it off you. They want the purse, they won't wait for you to lift if off your shoulders.
Carry your wallet in your pocket, the other stuff goes in the purse.
Use one hand to carry your bags-- the other is for protection.
Leave some room in front of you when you stop at a red light. If someone tries to break your window and climb inside, it's harder to climb inside a moving target.
Have your keys ready- use them as a weapon.

And my absolute favorite...
Sleep with 3 things near your bed. A phone, a flashlight, and a fire estiguisher. The fire estiguisher is for both fires and to spray in the face of an intruder!!! I like this one-- already moved the estiguisher to my bedside!!!