Eleven Life Saving Self-Defense Tips For Women

Ever since the dawn of time, women have been the targets of violence so much more frequently than men. It has always been that way and it will probably always be that way. The genetic difference is obvious which may account for this vast disparity.

If women know where they are more likely to be attacked they can at least be prepared for an attack and have a heightened sense of awareness.

Domestic violence, which has received a lot of publicity lately because of the Ray Rice incident, is as old as the hills. We have been writing about it for over a decade now and applaud the NFL for whatever action they may take in future instances of domestic abuse in the league for players, coaches and other team members.

• Close to 30% of all women in a relationship can expect to be abused or assaulted at some point in that relationship. It has been and always will be the number one source of assaults against women and the number one reason why women are injured so much more than men.
• Women get assaulted in parking lots, with rape and robbery the primary accompanying crimes.
• Close to one in five women attending a college or university will be sexually assaulted at some point in her time there.
• The workplace is another common site for assaults against women.

Here are some tips that women can use for their self-defense.

Our number one tip is to develop a self-defense strategy that we recommend includes a self-defense course as the foundation. If you can, avoid a martial arts program that focuses on the martial arts only. Get a training program that is geared specifically to women. This self-defense course entitled woman’s combat is put together by a lifetime martial artist and assault survivor. She teaches specific techniques for women-just what you’re looking for! Once you have that training, then you can build on that foundation with some self-defense products such as a pepper spray or a stun gun.

Never go anywhere without some self-defense tools. Pepper sprays and stun guns are the most common, but personal alarms are effective in certain situations. Pepper sprays and stun guns are effective close to 90% of the time. Pepper sprays have a range up to 12 feet on average so they are a longer range self-defense product. Stun guns have to be physically applied to an assailant so they are a short range backup defense. We heartily recommend any one of our 106 keychain pepper sprays that can literally be with you wherever you go.

Consider going places with a friend. There really is safety in numbers!

If you are assaulted, remember that escape is your number one priority. Focus your attention on getting away from your assailant. If the assailant is after your purse or your iPhone, let him have it but not before you throw it in the opposite direction you plan on going. In other words use it as a distraction. Your life is much more important.

If your car is ever carjacked by an armed assailant with you driving, do whatever you have to do. Deliberately crashing your car is not out of the question. You will be prepared for an accident, the carjacker will not. This shock may enable you to escape.

Do whatever you can to attract attention to your situation: scream, yell, break a window or if you have one, use a loud personal alarm. A personal alarm may have a decibel level as high as 130, just short of a jet engine, the maximum allowed.

If you are at home, never open the door to your home or apartment unless you are absolutely sure who it is. If it is a stranger, make sure they have a legitimate reason for being there. Use your peephole to see who it is, before opening the door. If you don’t have a peephole, get one. Nearly 80% of all home invasions happen right through the front door with homeowners opening their door to complete strangers without knowing who it is.

Develop a sense of awareness. Women are especially blessed with a sixth sense-which some call intuition. Pay attention to it! Most criminals use surprise as a tactic in their assaults. If you have a heightened sense of awareness, you may be able to spot an assault in the making and avoid an attack.

We are sorry to say it but you should never trust a stranger. There been many stories about downtrodden men approaching sympathetic women in a parking lot in broad daylight with no weapon in their hands. Once they got into their spiel about how they needed a little help, women may fall under their spell and become a target for assault.

Do not physically engage an assailant. No matter how well trained you are, the chances of you prevailing in an altercation with an assailant are slim to none.

Be especially aware in darkened areas such as stairwells at work or in an apartment complex. Even poorly lit parking lots are prime places for assaults on women

Be aware, be savvy and be prepared! Follow these self-defense tips for women and you will stand a much better chance of avoiding an assault or if you are assaulted surviving with minimal injuries.