No matter the stage in life, it is imperative that women have a plan should a scary situation present itself. Whether walking across a college campus, jogging a secluded trail or crossing a mall parking lot on the way to their car, women shouldn't be forced to live in fear, but instead walk with strength. Some of the following tips may seem obvious, but if kept top of mind, could save a life.
Know How to Fight Back Taking a self-defense class where you will learn sensitive areas to target and escape maneuvers is worth the time. Jamie Cashion, a seventh-degree black belt and inductee into eight Halls of Fame in martial arts, has been teaching women to protect themselves since 1989. He takes his skill set to several high schools and colleges each year free of charge. "If a woman is attacked, it's most likely for the purpose of rape. I always teach women to first take out their attacker's vision by sticking their thumbs in the eyes. Women should also claw in order to get DNA under their fingernails. While women may not have the same strength as men, they have 300 pounds of pressure in their mouths. Biting is another technique I instruct women in my classes to utilize," Cashion says. According to Cashion, other weak areas include the throat and the groin. "The groin works unless the attacker is on drugs; then it can be ineffective."
Stay Visible Those wanting to cause harm tend to stick to areas that are less populated. If you have to walk at night, make sure there is good lighting on your route. Take a wide path when rounding corners to avoid being surprised.
Carry Tools Items such as pepper spray, Tasers, personal alarms and handguns can help you out in a bad situation. It's important to know precisely how to use any item you choose to carry, and also be aware that any weapon carried has the potential of being used against you in a situation. A jolt from a stun gun or a blast in the face with pepper spray can give you just the time you need to escape.
Tune In Avoiding a confrontation is the best strategy for staying safe. Don't look like an easy target. Walking with confidence and giving eye contact so those around you know that you are aware of their presence make you less susceptible. "Statistics show that predators seek weaker victims that look meek and are looking down," Cashion says. Wearing headphones is never a good idea when a woman is out alone. Sense of hearing is a valuable resource.
Be Car Smart Parking lots are often the sites of attacks or abductions. "Most women have tunnel vision when they are walking to their cars. You will never be attacked successfully if you are aware of your surroundings," Cashion says. When you approach your car, don't linger. Have your keys out and unlock just as you are about to grab the handle to avoid letting a predator in one of the other car doors. Once inside the vehicle, immediately lock the doors.
Products for Protection
Vipertek VTS-989 Stun Gun
Vipertek VTS-989 is capable of delivering 53,000,000 volts, which is enough to literally neutralize a target or threat.
Sabre Pepper Spray With Jogger Strap
Weighing just .75 ounces, the Sabre Pepper Spray comes with an adjustable hand strap, making it easy to carry while running. It has reinforced safety to prevent accidental discharge and a spray pattern advantage that decreases wind blowback.
Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380
Compact and sleek, the Bodyguard 380 delivers personal protection in an easy-to-carry, comfortable platform, making it perfectly suited for concealed carry.
Artemis Smart Jewelry
Artemis is a personal safety system that discretely hides inside fashionable jewelry and communicates through your smartphone. If something bad should happen, Artemis lets you instantly access a security operator who knows your location and has an audio recording of what is occurring. It also automatically updates loved ones via SMS.
bSafe App
Designed to keep you safe 24/7, bSafe is a personal safety app packed with features for both everyday safety and real emergencies.
- Set up your own social personal safety network of friends, family and coworkers.
- Ask friends to walk you home with Follow Me's live GPS trace, or help friends stay safer by walking them home from wherever you are.
- Use Timer Mode to program an automatic alarm that will trigger if you have not checked-in in time.
- The Guardian Alert button will immediately notify your friends and family members that you need help and let them know where you are (GPS) and what's happening (video). It will even set off an optional siren.
