by

Michael P Peppers

(Martial Artist / Self Defense Practitioner for 40 years)

Travel in Groups of at Least Two

One individual is always a target, especially when distracted.  A saying that I live by:

"ONE is none, TWO is one, and THREE is best!"

Stay Alert

Don't be distracted when moving about.  CELL PHONES can be your worst enemy as well as your best friend.  Make sure you are aware of your surroundings when on the cell phone. If you have to talk, do so when your back is against the wall and you can focus around you.  Attackers look for distracted individuals to become their next victim.

A VERY COMMON ploy used by muggers/robbers is to walk up to you and ask for a hand-out while an accomplice steals your purse, wallet, bags, etc... or....worse, thumps you on the head. DO NOT make eye contact with BEGGARS and do not engage in their conversation.  Simply shake your head NO and keep a brisk walk while scanning the area for accomplices.

Follow Your Instincts

If it doesn't feel quite right, then reassess the situation. Many victims upon post attack interview state, "I knew something was going to happen. I knew something was wrong."

Don't Panic

If you find yourself in a difficult situation, be smart. Maintain as much control as possible. Use the rush of adrenaline to help you out. YOUR CELL PHONE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND HERE!  Dial 911 and DON'T hang up; these can be traced. Immediately state your location in case your attacker takes the phone away. Just say it as fast as you can. 911 tapes are recorded.

Mentally Rehearse a Plan

It is NOT paranoid behavior to be prepared! Rehearse in your mind what you would do in a certain situation. Practice what you will do; this will make your actions a reflex. .  LEARN Self Defense enough to allow you to escape. DO NOT STAND AND FIGHT.  Just get away and run for help. If you carry any type of weapon, please LEARN how to PROPERLY use it so that it doesn't become a weapon AGAINST you!

Have an Escape Route

Pay attention to where the doors and windows are. Being able to find the nearest escape route may save your life. Many of the mass shooting victims could have escaped, but never did because of a conditioned response to stay put until help arrives;  HELP NEVER ARRIVES IN TIME!  YOU ARE YOUR BEST DEFENSE.  Put as much distance between you and the attacker as possible. DISTANCE is your BEST FRIEND in cases of weapon attacks.

Your Strongest Weapon Is Your Mind

Even with martial arts training, concealed weapons training, and safety training, your defense is always a REACTION. Your ASSAILANT already knows what he/she is going to do. Thus, they ALWAYS have the drop on you.  USE YOUR MIND to outwit them; it is your strongest weapon! You don't have to be bigger, meaner, nor more heavily armed than the attacker, just be smarter!

Self Defense is Exactly That

You have NO DUTY to defend others!  You CANNOT be held liable for NOT DEFENDING others. Actually, the police have NO DUTY to defend you either (Supreme Court Upheld Ruling); their ONLY DUTY is investigative and arresting AFTER THE ACT has occurred! Protect yourself and your loved ones immediately. Call 911  to dispatch police for ALL OTHERS needing help!

Know What Information To Give Police

Even the smallest detail may give authorities a clue to finding the suspect. Tell authorities everything that occurred and what was said during the incident, including things that may seem unimportant to you.

Be Able To Describe A Suspect

Try to recall unusual details about the suspect like tattoos or an odor. Practicing these observation skills is important. This is easily practiced by walking down a mall floor.

Do Not Open Your Door For Strangers

If you don't know them, don't answer the door. You have NO DUTY to do so. Let them know that you are inside via noise, barking dog, etc, but do not answer. This will let a potential burglar know that you are in fact in the home.  Most burglars will initially present as a solicitor then break in if there is no response. A noise of response will let them know that they should try one of your neighbors instead.

Some Strong Self Defense Actions:

When walking down the side of a building, walk 4 feet away from the wall, if possible.  In doing so, you can see around corners much sooner than you can if you hug the wall when walking.

Always take the lighted path.

Park your car away from other cars so that you can see all sides and underneath before you get into the car. Attackers will use other cars as concealment before they attack. Don't give them that chance. Attackers have hid underneath cars and grabbed ankles with a pull to make victims fall and hit their head on concrete.

When carrying your purse, shoulder strap it in diagonal fashion from left shoulder to right hip or vice versa. This 1) shows others that you are aware & 2) makes it more difficult to grab and run.

Carry your car door key in your hand, positioned to quickly open the door along with a pepper spray in the same hand ready to spray. Make sure you get the spray that contains dye for ease of suspect identification. LEARN HOW TO USE the spray lest it be accidently sprayed on you.

If attacked, DROP YOUR LOAD!  Whatever you are carrying may hinder your defense. IF SO, then DROP IT and get away.  Throw it at them, but don't hold onto it if it is going to hinder your escape.

If confronted with a weapon remember the following:

• DISTANCE is your friend.
• Run away from the weapon screaming loudly "FIRE, FIRE, HE HAS A GUN"
• Put THICK SOLID objects between you and the weapon. BRICK, CONCRETE, CAR ENGINE BLOCKS are good objects to get behind if being shot at. Car doors, wood, sheet rock are NOT good objects to get behind. Bullets penetrate all those! The movies are very wrong in depictions of cover against bullets.
• A handgun will NOT easily hit a target unless the shooter is WELL TRAINED. Even a well trained shooter will have difficulty hitting a MOVING TARGET. Run away & put distance between you & that gun!
• DO NOT GO into another car, room, location with an armed assailant. If you do, your chances for being murdered are 80 percent. If you turn and run, your chances of being shot are 20 percent with only a 3 percent chance of getting killed. RUN, RUN, RUN! Yes, the statistics have been researched!
• Armed criminals generally KNOW that if they make you "move one inch", then they get arrested for armed robbery AND KIDNAPPING (worse offense). That is why most seasoned criminals will tell you to GET TO THE FLOOR. By making you get down, they are not kidnapping (generally, you are safer here). If they force you to move, then they are KIDNAPPING you. If you are kidnapped, chances are good that you will be killed!

BE SAFE !