Triangle Martial Arts Association

General Safety
Triangle Martial Arts Association | Wednesday, 20 August 2008

BE ALERT - Keep your head up, and your eyes open at all times. Criminals look for easy targets, and will prey on weakness. Stay aware of who is around you, who is approaching or following you on the street, and don't get lost in your cell-phone converstation or in your i-pod.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS - If something doesn't quite feel, look, or seem right - it probably isn't. Trust your primitive survival brain instinct even if it makes you look foolish or causes you to walk a mile out of your way. It's better to be proven wrong while still in one piece, than to be proven wrong and end up in hospital.

DON'T OVERLOAD - If your concentation is on your backpack, laptop carrier, jacket, and a couple of parcels it's not on your surroundings. Getting too overloaded makes it harder for you to focus or run away if needed - and all that "stuff" may prove appealing to an opportunistic criminal.

STAY IN THE LIGHT - At night, and even during the day, stick to well lit, well traveled streets and routes. Avoid dark, less traveled, out of the way routes as they will attract the type of people you just don't want to meet on your journey, whether walking, cycling, or driving.

PARTNER PROTECTION - If you must travel at late at night, travel with a friend, or better still, get a taxi to and from your destination. Single people often present a more attractive target for opportunistic crime.

PHONE FRIENDS - If your inner voice isn't sure and you're feeling a little uncomfortable, call a friend and talk with them until you get to an area where you feel safe. Tell them exactly where you are and what is bothering you.....or ask them to come pick you up. Cell phones can be life savers when used properly. Pretend to be telling your friend that you're "Just around the block on xxxxx street...I'll be there soon." It may deter an opportunistic attacker if they know you may have friends close by - and in the worst circumstances, your friend on the other end can call the police for you.

BE COURTEOUS - Many physical altercations occur because of a perceived slight, insult, or gesture. Try to be courteous, compassionate, and apologetic yet firm in your resolve to move on to a safer area if confronted by someone who is apparently annoyed at you. It's always better to walk away apologizing, than to end up unable to walk.

ATTRACT ATTENTION - If you cannot avoid a problem situation, or you suddenly and unexpectedly find yourself in one, attract other peoples attention to your plight as loudly and forcefully as possible. Be sure to state you don't know your assailant if other are around you as this will clue them in to the fact that it's not a 'lovers quarrel' and may encourage them to call the police. Use a whistle or personal safety siren if you have one. Shout "FIRE, FIRE" as people are more apt to be inquisitive about something that shouldn't turn around and attack them. Bump as many cars as you can to get their alarms going. Although most people ignore car alarms....if ten in one street are going off it's likely someone will take an interest.

FLIGHT BEFORE FIGHT- If things seem likely to become physical - try your best to run away as fast and as far as you can to safety. If all else has failed and you feel physically threatened or are actuall physically assaulted you must decide if, when, and how to defend yourself. Consider items you may have with you that you can use to help in your defense, and do what is necessary to walk away from the incident. Remember you are legally responsible and culpible for your defensive actions - but it's better to be tried by twelve that carried by six!

NEVER - allow yourself to be dragged into a vehicle by a stranger - allow yourself to be taken to a remote or isolated area by a stranger. No matter what - FIGHT, RUN, KICK, SCREAM, do whatever you must. The chances of surviving such a stranger kidnapping are not in your favor, while the chances of surviing a defensive action are more optomistic.