This New Year’s Resolution !
Personal Safety ? A resolution? Seriously ? Can this be or rather should this be our new year’s resolution 2017 ?
We all are more used to and comfortable with routine resolutions like losing weight, spending
time with family, travelling, quality work etc etc . But, I guess with India changing we need to change too, Especially we the Indian Women! In the wake of many recent unfortunate incidences its about time we women gear ourselves up to become our own saviours and protectors. Its about time we women stand and back each other up … holding hands . The need for self defence and awareness is paramount!
Every person who leaves home should expect to return back safely at night in good health. Can you ever imagine the knock on the door to tell you, that your loved one will never be returning home? Or the phone call to say he /she’s in the hospital and may never walk again? Or even worse …
Ensuring that we never receive that knock or phone call — is the most important reason to create a safe and healthy social environment .
The first and foremost need of the time is to learn few basic self defence tactics . One often confuses Self defence with martial art or most people think only of kicks to the groin and blocking punches . Self defence is “ The act of defending oneself or something that belongs or relates to oneself. By any means . “
Lets discuss few basic tips and tricks that can come handy for us in the form of Self defence :-
- Alertness : Staying Alert is our shield and first line of defense. True self-defense begins long before any actual physical contact. The most important component in self-defense is alertness & awareness: awareness of yourself, your surroundings, and a potential attacker.
- Intuition : “Gut instinct.” our intuition is a powerful subconscious tool to situations and people. All of us, especially women, have this phenomenal gift, but very few of us actually pay attention to it. We ignore that tingling bad feeling about someone or some situation. Learn to trust this power and use it to your full advantage. Trust your instincts !
- Escape: RUN away . Its always your best option to safety. Remove yourself from that dangerous situation. It would seem cooperation would keep you safe, but you must never leave the primary crime scene. You are far more likely to get hurt if you go with the attacker than if you run away (even if he promises not to hurt you). Run away, yell for help, do whatever you can to attract attention. And if the criminal is after your purse or other material items, throw them in one direction while you run in the opposite direction.
- Your right to fight. Unfortunately, no matter how sincerely we practice awareness and avoidance techniques, we may find ourselves in a physical confrontation. Whether or not you have formal self-defense training, and no matter what your age or physical condition, you must understand that you CAN and SHOULD defend yourself physically. You have both the moral and legal right to do so, even if the attacker is only threatening you and hasn’t struck first. You may attack him to save yourself. Your odds of survival are far greater if you do fight back. Aim for the eyes first and the groin second. Remember, though, to use the element of surprise to your advantage–strike quickly, and mean business. You may only get one chance.
- Self defense moves :- Following are the few Human soft spots, where you can cause maximum pain to escape an attack :-
Attack mantra : Eyes, Ears, Mouth & Nose; Throat, Groin, Finger & Toes !
These are human soft spots. No matter how strong your attacker is, these points are always vulnerable . Use your finger nails, knuckles, thumb, elbow to hit, punch, poke and puncture these soft spots.
Attack on eyes : Shove your finger nails, Thumb, keys etc to gouge and hurt his eyes.
Attack on ears : Grab, Pull & twist very hard. It causes maximum pain .
Loud Slap with both hands on both the ears together .Slap very hard. It causes surge in air pressure, which causes numbness & Pain. This can also rupture ear drums.
Attack on mouth & Nose : This punch would need more force than eyes & ears. Hit hard with an upward force on nose / mouth with your palm-wrist, head or elbow .
Attack on throat : The soft triangle area below Adams apple & above collar bone is very vulnerable. Holding his neck, Punch & poke in this soft area hard with your two thumb .
Make a claw of your fingers, clutch and squeeze hard around adams apple. This will block his trachea & make him choke.
Attack on groin : hit hard with your knee/leg , or anything else that you get your hands on.
Attack on fingers & Toes: finger & toes of our feet are another vulnerable spots…esp if we are wearing heels! Stamp & Hit them hard on toes.
6. Our Weapons : Don’t forget to use everyday pocket items as a weapon… ladies purse, keys,pens, books, cell phone, hair brush, umbrella… Ladies purses are often heavy and can be an excellent weapon to hit your attacker . Similarly Keys, Pens, safety pins, any other sharp objects can be used as a weapon to buy enough time for you to run away to safety .
Punch these sharp objects into the human soft spots as discussed earlier . Safety devices like pepper spray can be of great help. There are many safety mobile apps too these days. Do mock test these apps for effectiveness and use them likewise.
7. Don’t be sympathetic to hitch hikers or sympathy seekers
8. Give a no nonsense look and raise voice against eve teasing. Challenge them, create drama , draw crowd , don’t be afraid of what people will say … its your safety and personal space being violated, not theirs !
Practice . Practice. Practice. Routine & Regular practice only will ensure our reactions at the time of need.
You must be prepared to fight as if your life depended on it. The overpowering desire to do whatever takes to survive is what self defense is really about.
Hope these few basic tips helps us to stay prepared, alert and aware.
Have a happy and safe 2017 !
