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Fight or flight -

There are only two courses of action possible in such scenarios. The first one is when you are either alerted and aware of the danger and manage to escape. This is the ideal course of action when you are in a dangerous situation.

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Fight or flight -

Sometimes, however, you are confronted with the scenario and it’s too late, or you don't have the chance to escape. In which case, you are forced to engage. This is when things get a bit more tricky, but more on that later.

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Preventative measures -

Now, let’s take a look at some basic concepts you should grasp before a dangerous situation arises. These preventative measures are paramount to any self-defense scenario you may encounter.

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Trust your instincts -

The first thing you should consider in the face of a potential threat is trusting your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, get away from it. Our gut can help us avoid danger, so be in tune with yours and follow your instincts.

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Trust your instincts -

Does that person or group look suspicious for whatever reason? Cross the road to the other side, walk into a store—do whatever you need to avoid them. Does someone give you the creeps? Turn around and walk away.

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Don’t make yourself an easy target -

Don’t make yourself an easy target. The shortcut you’re taking is too dark at night and makes you feel vulnerable and uncomfortable? Don’t take it. If you see a situation where you can sense danger, get away from it.

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Look and act confident -

Bad guys prey on the weak. If you look distracted, frightened, or confused, you may be more easily targeted by a criminal.

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Look and act confident -

Attackers want an easy mark, so walk like you know where you’re going, and be confident about it. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of being targeted. If you look like hard work, attackers might choose an easier target instead.

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Set strong verbal boundaries -

Talking yourself out of a bad situation is a great skill to master. As mentioned previously, predators look for weak victims, so it's important that you show no fear. So, remain calm, stand tall, confident, and respond assertively.

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Don’t assume a threatening, confrontational stance -

It’s important that you don’t hint that you are ready to fight to defend yourself. If you raise your hands in a guard position, then this is a clear hint for your attacker and may trigger a violent response.

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Assume a non-threatening stance -

Instead, assume an apologetic and non-threatening stance by raising both your hands. This way, you will have your guard up, yet look non-threatening.

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Keep a safe distance -

Managing distance is one of the most important elements in combat sports; after all, if your opponent can’t reach you, he can’t hurt you. The same applies to any real-life situation where a physical attack is imminent. Try to keep at a distance of over an arm’s length at all times. Step back if you have to, maintaining your hands raised.

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Muggers -

Getting mugged can be a traumatic experience, though some muggers are just petty criminals who prey on easy targets to make a quick buck. Still, many won’t hesitate to harm you (or worse) to get your valuables. So, it goes without saying that you should comply. After all, your life is more valuable than your purse, right?

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Muggers -

The situation changes when the mugger displays an intent to harm you, despite you handing over your valuables. In which case, you should use the element of surprise and strike first and hard. If you have a legal self-defense weapon such as pepper spray, use it.

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Muggers -

If not, a blow to the nose or the family jewels may do the trick. The aim is to run away immediately after and not to fight the mugger. Hit and run. Of course, if you can run away before any of this happens, that's a no-brainer.

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Road rage -

Road rage incidents are common and can get ugly real quick. The first thing you should do is try to de-escalate the situation. Apologize (even if it’s not your fault) and stay inside your vehicle with your doors locked and windows shut. Your ego might be hurt, but you won’t be.

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Bar fights -

Bar fights are pretty common, and these can be nasty. Trying to reason with a drunk person might not be the best solution, but it’s important to be assertive in your tone and keep your distance. You want to avoid physical confrontation at all costs, but running away is not easy in such a situation, so, as soon as you can, draw the attention of a bouncer.

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Multiple attackers -

This is not an easy scenario to deal with. While with one attacker you might be able to get away by hitting him and running away, with more attackers this is a lot harder. Even if you take one down, you’d still be at a disadvantage. You're better off screaming for help and trying to escape to a crowded area.

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Sucker punchers -

The sucker puncher feeds off people who don’t want to fight. It’s a cowardly move that some people use. The sucker puncher will try to intimidate you, get into your physical space, and get you to drop your guard. Do not allow any of these things to happen. Be on alert, as these people have no moral code whatsoever and will attack you out of the blue.

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An armed person in public -

If you find yourself in a restaurant, grocery store, or other public place, and someone with a gun walks in, the first thing you should do if you’re out of sight of the gunman is lay low and look for an exit. If you can be seen, just lay on the ground and don't move.

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An armed person at work or in school -

The first course of action is to run and hide. Barricading in a room is a viable solution. Use any pieces of furniture you may have available to secure the door and windows. If you need to engage, try to find weapons to protect yourself and others. These may include table legs, pens, keys, etc.

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Bullies -

Bullies typically pick on people who won't fight back, so if you do, they might think twice and choose another victim. In a school situation though, this should be taken to the principal, or whoever is in charge of such matters. Fighting is the last resort, but one you might have to engage in when push comes to shove.

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An animal -

Most self-defense scenarios involve humans, but they can also involve animals. In an urban setting, these will most likely be dogs. First try to draw the attention of the owner and other people by yelling. Standing your ground and grabbing something you may use as a weapon is one way to deal with it. Another, in the case of a dog, is to climb on top of whatever you have nearby, be it a car or a tree.

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An intruder walks into your home -

Our home is supposed to be the place where we feel safe. To have an intruder walking into our home can be truly terrifying. The first thing you should do to try and avoid such a scenario is to take steps to reduce your risk of being targeted, as well as implementing safeguards as a preventative measure. Engaging with home intruders should be a last resort, so let's take a look at some of the things that you can, and should, do.

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Start with the basics -

How can an intruder invade your home? Most likely through a door or windows, right? So, start there. Make sure they are sturdy and secure.

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Keep it lit -

Is the outside of your home dark at night? Invest in some exterior lights with motion sensors. It’s also a good idea to leave a presence light on indoors during the night. This might deter some intruders too.

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Make use of technology -

From alarms to surveillance cameras, there is an array of tech at your disposal that can help secure your home.

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Create a safe room -

While this is not practical in every home, if you can do it, then it’s something to consider. Just make sure you always have a way to communicate with the outside world from that room (e.g. by having a phone or a radio).

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Establish good relationships with your neighbors -

Sadly, some people don’t even know who their neighbors are. Establishing a good relationship with neighbors is always a positive thing. They can alert you of any suspicious movements around your house, and vice versa.

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Prevention -

Many situations can be preventable, and when they are not, it’s important to prioritize de-escalation and escape. Learning self-defense or a martial art may be a good complement, but it’s a last resort.

Sources: (University of California) (Evolve MMA) (Wonder Hoodie)

See also: The most effective martial arts for self-defense

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