Self-Defense Options You Might Not Know About

If you are like most people, you probably haven't done a lot of thinking about what you would do in a situation involving physical assault. Why would you? I mean, it's unpleasant and scary. Further, depending on your physical makeup, you may think you'd probably lose anyway. However, you don't have to have an MMA fighter's body to defend yourself.

Attackers often look for targets who are unsuspecting. One of attackers "tools of the trade" is the element of surprise. So, live like your heads on a swivel which means be aware and do things like park your car or walk only in areas that are well-lit. You should also avoid parking next to a large truck or van where an attacker might pull you in

When you are in a parking lot, keep your largest house or car key poking out between two of your fingers. This makes a good weapon. If a bad guy approaches you and asks for your purse or wallet, give it to them. Your life isn't worth whatever is in your wallet or purse.

If the attacker grabs you, scream as loud as you can. Tell him to "Get the F— away" as loud and angrily as possible. Profanities are fundamentally offensive and color the way we are viewed by others. This is no time for niceties; you should sound like a thug. This will alert anyone around that you need help.

Running away to a safe place should be your first choice when possible. Otherwise if you are backed into a corner, Do what is necessary to escape. That may mean fight like an alley cat or a junk yard dog.

You should push him, bite, knee, poke, gouge and whatever is necessary to inflict not just pain, but debilitating pain and continue screaming. You should make sure it hurts, so go for the ears, neck, nose, eyes, legs, and of course, his groin.

Don't move any closer to your attacker unless you have no choice. Try to aim at a place where you can hurt them, but don't have to get close. For instance, kick him in the knee instead of stepping close to poke him in the eye. If aiming at the upper body, use your hands; the lower body, use your feet.

Here are some specific areas to focus on:

Eyes

• Gouge, poke, dig, or stab the eyes with your fingers or nails. This is disabling for several moments, especially if you do it several times.

Nose

• Use your palm, elbow, forearm to push the nose upward, and use all of your body weight.

• If the attacker is behind you, use your elbows and aim for the nasal bone.

Neck

• Try to focus on the side of the neck where the body's major blood vessels are located. If you hit the side of the neck with your hand or elbow, you can even knock someone out.

Throat

• Blunt force trauma to the larynx or digging into the trachea makes it very difficult for the attacker to breath.

Knee

• Even the largest, most burley men can be brought down by kicking him in the knees. Try to drive the foot into the side of his knee, which forces him to lose his balance and possibly tear an ACL.

Groin

• Try to hit the groin with anything you can. Your hands, knees, elbows, feet, or even your head. Do it as hard as you can and do it as often as you can.

Normal people aren't interested in fighting, for any reason. But in the unlikely event you are confronted by what turns out to be a dangerous person, fight like your life, or the life of a loved one depends on it.