Reaction & escape

Reaction

If avoidance is impractical or impossible, we need to react quickly and efficiently.

Try to react in a way that allows you an opportunity to escape. For instance, if a perpetrator asks you for your wallet, take it out (preferably a dummy or “sacrifice” one), show it to him and then throw it away from your person. This will give you an opportunity to escape. Be creative.

You may also consider a first strike option if it is justified (must we wait for an attack we know is coming?). It must be understood that this is a last resort. A majority of robbery cases end without major harm if we give up our valuables.

To be able to physically overcome an attacker, you need to have good self-defence, or better yet, close-quarter combat, skills, including weapons training.

When learning tactical defensive skills, please remember some golden rules:

Starpic by AZLINA ABDULLAH
# Most women are physically weaker than men.
# The longer the fight, the higher the aggressor’s chances of defeating you, especially if it is a man.
# A perpetrator has no compassion for you, so do not have any for him.
# The longer and harder you train in self-defence, the better your chances of survival.
# If you carry a weapon or substitute weapon (keys, pepper spray etc), know how to use it.
# Try and anticipate the feeling of shock in an attack against you.

Again, please be aware of how effective and pertinent your self-defence training is:

# If your class focuses on martial sports, remember real-life is not like a sparring event.
# If your class focuses on kick/punch and fitness, you should run from confrontations because punching bags do not hit back, unlike an assailant.

Also, make sure that the techniques used are suitable for females against males. Do you only practise with other females, or do you practise against males too?

Again, a reverse punch and jump spinning kick to the upper section looks good when done by a very competent black belt holder, but can it work successfully for you against an aggressive male threat? The moral here is to know your limitations, and take steps to overcome them.

Other points:

# Are you using ordinary locks or high security bolts and locks at home?
# Do you keep your home address hanging with your keys?
# Do you keep your ATM pin number with your card?
# Do you keep a dummy wallet of expired cards and some cash to “throw away”?
# Have you checked the entry and exit points of your home? Maybe nobody can get in, but can you get out in an emergency?
# Do you hold fire escape drills for your family?
# Are there working fire extinguishers or smoke detectors in the critical areas of your home?
# If you have lost your keys, do you change the locks?

Escape

If the threat has been neutralised, evacuate the area quickly. It’s OK to leave stuff behind because your life is more important.

There is absolutely NO need to stick around if you have already taken him down. Even if you are a man, you should get out of the crime scene immediately.