6 Self Defense Tips Every Woman Needs to Know

It's a calm night in your home town and the sun has just set. You're just finishing grocery shopping at your favorite supermarket and are heading out to your car. The parking lot is empty and eerily quite and you can feel your anxiety rising. Something doesn't feel right, but you frequent this store and you've never felt threatened, you assume your imagination has gotten the best of you and proceed to your car. As you near you car, you begin to fumble for your keys. Mere seconds later there is a unidentified man wrestling you to the ground and threatening your personal space and your life. What do you do? Unfortunately this and similar situations happen all to often and many women find themselves physically, sexually, and emotionally abused by unknown attackers who are seldom caught.

1. Be Aware: Being aware of your surroundings is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your safety and well being. If you find you are alone in a parking lot or walking down a dimly lit street take a quick survey of the environment around you. Look for things like escapes routes, groups of people your can look to for safety, possible weapons, and possible dangers.


2. Trust Your Instincts: If you don't feel safe or believe that a situation can put you in danger, chances are you are right. Women often believe that their gut instinct is really just their imagination playing tricks on them. Consider your instincts and intuition to be your greatest form of self defense. If you think there is something amiss or your are uncomfortable go a different way, go back in the store and ask for an escort to your car, or if you must put your self in the position, be keenly aware and be on the defense.


3. Be Prepared: Being prepared can be the different between life and death. When you are going anywhere alone make sure you have a self defense mechanism like pepper spray, mace, or even a pocket knife on your person. Remember to keep them in a place you can easily get to. You can have your only personal self defense artillery, but if it's scattered somewhere at the bottom of your purse it's not going to help you one bit. When you are walking keep your keys in hand. This will allow you quicker access to the safety of your home or car and can also act as a weapon should an encounter arise. Simply put your largest key (generally your car key) pointing outwards between your middle finger and the finger next to your thumb. If someone should attack you, your key is now a weapon you can use to poke an assailant in the eyes. You also can use your purse as a tool to strangle or hit a predator.


4. Reduce Your Risk: While you may not always be able to avoid an attack, there are several things you can do to minimize the likeliness of an attack.
   • Move with confidence. When you walk, carry your self confidently. Confident women appear strong where as women who appear to be self conscious or scared tend to look like easy targets. Keep your shoulders back and your head up.
   
   
   • Don't go out alone. if at all possible, never walk in the dark or in unfamiliar areas alone.
   
   
   • Never hitch hike.
   
   
   • Keep flashy jewelry, expensive purses, and money out of sight or at home. These things often peak the interest of passer byers and can put you at a higher risk for assault and robbery.
   
   
5. Know Where to Attack: It's very beneficial to know the three or four most vulnerable parts on the human body. The eyes, knees and throat are vulnerable areas on both men and women. The groin is also a extremely vulnerable part on the male body. Knowing these areas can help you gain the advantage in an attack.


6. Plan Your Defense: You may be lucky enough to never encounter a situation where you need to defend your self, but you definitely should know how to just in case. Take a few classes in self defense or martial arts to help you learn how to defend you self. Use what you have learned to create a plan of attack should your safety be compromised by another individual. A few simple moves can help you breakaway from a predator and make it to safety.

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