"Never underestimate your opponent" is just another way of saying "Give your opponent the respect he deserves". Don't assume that just because you are practicing the martial arts you will be able to defeat any attacker. What happens if the person attacking you is also an accomplished martial artist?
Thinking of this makes you realize that the best way to defend yourself is to stop trouble well before it can happen.
You only have to make one mistake to get caught in a dangerous situation. Give a potentially violent attacker the respect he deserves, espically if he has a weapon.
Avoid trouble. If trouble finds you sacrifice money and possessions to protect yourself. Only if you have no other choice, defend yourself. Self Defense is a subject that should be treated just like a disease., the best cure being prevention. The absolute best way to protect yourself is to avoid all confrontations. Avoid putting yourself into vulnerable positions, or even appearing to be an easy target for troublemakers.
Awareness is the key. We will be attempting in the next several months to remind students and their family members of certain situations or scenarios that you should try to avoid. In this way we can help you to become "avoidance oriented".
Our first example is for the ladies. Whenever you are walking to your car remember to keep your purse away from access. This means to have it on the side of your body that is not easily gotten to. For example, if you are walking in a parking lot, keep your purse on the side of the parked cars, not on the side that the cars would be driving by. Someone could easily reach out and grab the purse and drive off, possibly dragging you behind...More to follow. One common type of robbery that is currently taking place can easily be avoided by awareness and performing the following:
If you are driving home, and there is an automobile close behind, do not pull into your driveway. Simply pull over to the side of the road and let the car pass by. After it passes pull into your driveway and park as usual. This is espically important if you are returning from a shopping trip where you purchased some very valuable articles, or from your ATM. If you allow an automobile to follow you into your driveway, you are trapped, unless you have a circular drive! Thinking and being aware can make a huge difference. At night, when parking in a parking lot, always park under or near a light, as close as possible to a well lit building entrance or exit. When approaching your car have your keys out and positioned to insert in the doorlock. Use the cars windows as mirrors, checking for reflections of anybody approaching. Inspect the area around and under your car as you approach it. Always check your car's back seat before getting in. Sometimes an attacker will hade in the back seat, waiting until you are inside before springing his attack. Tips for safe use of your automobile:
You need not be paranoid, just aware of your surroundings.
Remember, a criminal is looking for a quick and easy target.
So, starting today, if you haven't already, lets fight back
and make his job much more difficult, and hopefully
impossible.
It is appropriate for us to give a few hints at this
time of the year (Holiday season) that are related to
shopping and other activities:
You need not be paranoid, just be aware of your
surroundings. Remember, a criminal is looking for a quick and
easy target. Follow these hints for safe use of your
automobile:
Remember, a criminal is looking for an easy target, don't be one. Always be aware of your surroundings. We will bring only two hints for you this month. Both are very important, one comes to us from a State Police officer and the other recently happened to one of our students.
One of our students, while shopping, made two crucial mistakes that made him vulnerable to a robbery. The first was to pull a large roll of money out of his pocket in order to pay for a much smaller purchase while shopping. The second, and a most important thing to be aware of was, that someone followed him out of the store. Later on a street that had no traffic, that someone bumped into the rear of his car at a stop sign, got out of his car, (as to apologize or access the damage, if any) came to his window and put a pistol to his head and robbed him of his cash. Luckily, he didn't shoot. If that had been a rookie robber our student might be dead today. So, 15'- once again - don't flash a large sum of cash money, ever. Be prepared before you go out. Have only about enough to pay for what you are purchasing. If you must have a lot of cash on you have it in two pockets, your approximate purchase amount ( or slightly larger) and the rest in another pocket. If you can use checks or credit cards. 2nd Don't stop on a lonely deserted street if someone just bumps your car lightly. You may possibly lose a great deal more than some light damage to your car. Continue on your way as though nothing has happened.
One of our Police officer students told us recently that if a criminal has a gun or knife on you and tells you to get into his car, truck or van try to read and understand his intentions. If they appear to be deadly - DO NOT OBEY HIM.. You will have a better chance by refusing to listen, or by defending yourself against him right there. Use the techniques taught in our self-defense classes, or literally fight for your life because if you go with him, there is an 85 percent chance you are going to be killed.
Home/Neighborhoods
The next couple of months we will discuss topics that you should be aware of in order to protect yourself while in your own neighborhood.
A reliable self-defense periodical stated that during the next twenty (20) year period 3 out of 4 homes will be hit by burglars. The facts are frightening: one (1) burglary every 10 seconds; one ( 1 ) property crime committed every two (2) seconds and one (1) armed robbery every 46 seconds.
Home/Neighborhoods
If you are ever approached by a representative of any business, or as an official of the government, police officer, etc., do not let them in your residence without proper identification. A true law officer or other professional will not be offended by your diligence.
If a stranger comes to your door asking to use your phone, because of this or that problem, do not let him/her in. If you want to help, offer to make the call for him/her, but do not let him/her in!!!
If you feel suspicious about an automobile, or stranger, around your home for an unusual amount of time, report it to the police.
One in four burglars enter through an unlocked door or window. Make sure you lock all doors and windows. Check them now, today, as soon as possible.
Home/Neighborhoods
Keep the outside of your home well-lit and free of any obstructions, such as overgrown bushes, hedging, etc., especially in the area that you travel from your car to your home. Plant thorny bushes,(roses, bougainvillea, etc.) to deny them access to certain areas (under windows, around property lines, along fences, etc.)
As you approach your home or apartment, especially after dark, look around arefully, checking for anything unusual. Have your keys out and your door key ready to insert in the door lock. Don't give an attacker an extra chance by having to fumble around for your keys.
Walking and running in dimly lit public areas requires some amount of cautio. Don't go too close to buildings. Someone may hide in a poorly lit alley.
Home/Neighborhoods
Continuing on with our topics of things that you should be aware of in order to avoid/deter crime in your neighborhoods.....
If you have just moved into a new home or apartment have all of your exterior door locks rekeyed.
Consider installing an alarm system. There are many on the market. One is sure to fit your budget If you cannot afford to have an alarm system, find out how to make it appear that you do.
Make sure that all your windows are properly dressed, so that criminals cannot see what appears to them as treasures within. Keep your window shades and curtains drawn at night.
Have deadbolt locks installed on all exterior doors for added security.
Keep your doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are at home.
Never hide a key near your front door, or under objects in the front of your home. One of the times you go to use it someone unscrupulous will see you.
Get to know your neighbors. You'll be aware of strangers. Plus, you can create a "buddy" system to look out for each other.
Home/Neighborhoods
Professional burglars have been known to read the social and obituary columns. If you have to attend a special occasion that has been published, ask a friend or a close neighbor to stay in your home or apartment while you are away.
If a street light in your neighborhood goes out, report it immediately. Keep after them until it is repaired. Criminals avoid well-lit neighborhoods.
When walking on the sidewalk or waiting for a bus, don't go too close to the curb. It's too easy for an assailant to grab your purse.
When on the bus, sit as close as possible to the driver and by all means avoid sitting next to an exit door, if you are carrying a purse or valuable package.
Keep any expensive, or for that matter expensive looking jewelry covered (inside your clothing) when you are on busy crowded streets or transportation systems. It's too easy for a thief to rip a gold chain off your neck and disappear.
Home/Neighborhoods
If a professional criminal intends to break into a home, he will often use the telephone to be sure the home is vacant. Be very careful to whom you give your telephone umber, and when you do, don't do so verbally. Write the number down and hand it to the person you want to have it. If you are a woman living at home alone, don't list your name in the telephone book. Do not give out your name or number to a caller when asked. Simply ask who would they like to speak to, or take a message. By no means leave a message on your answering machine stating that no one is at home. It is best to say that you are unable to come to the phone at this time and will return their call. Self defense is a subject that should be handled in the same manner as disease protection, the best cure is prevention. The absolute best way to protect your self is to avoid all confrontations. You must avoid putting yourself into vulnerable situations, or even appearing to be an easy target for troublemakers.
Awareness is the key. We are going to continue to remind students and their family members of ways to remain "avoidance oriented" at all times.
Ladies, whenever you are walking to your car remember to keep your purse away from access. This means to have it on the side of your body that is not easily gotten to. For example, if you are walking in a parking lot, keep your purse on the side of the parked cars, not on the side that cars will be driving by. Someone could easily reach out and grab the purse and drive off, possibly dragging you behind. More to follow. Child abduction has risen to alarming rates in our society. A common story that child abductors tell children is that "Your mommy/daddy sent me to give you a ride home."
After teaching your children to respect their elders, how, as a concerned parent, can you protect your children without teaching them to disrespect adults? Make up a family "SECRET CODE' word or password. Tell your children that you will never send anyone to pick them up unless you tell them the secret code word. Tell them NEVER get close to an adult stranger, and NEVER get into a stranger's car. If the stranger says you sent him/her to get them, ALWAYS ask for the secret code word.
Have "role-play" situations where you "make believe" you are a stranger and ask your child to get into the car. Have your child ask for the secret word, and run away if you don't know it. Play this game often enough for both of you to remember the secret word and to use it.
It is not unlikely that you will eventually get stuck somewhere and have to ask a friend (whom the child may not know) to pick up your child from school or day care. With this simple system, the child can ask for the secret password, get it, and be secure.
"Never under-estimate your opponent" is just another way of saying "Give your opponent the respect he deserves". Don't assume that just because you are practicing martial arts, you will be able to defeat any attacker. What happens if the person attacking you is also an accomplished, if not honest, martial artist himself? This kind of thinking makes you realize that the best way to defend yourself is to stop trouble before it can happen. You only have to make one mistake to get caught in a dangerous situation. Give a potentially violent attacker the respect he deserves, especially if he has a weapon. Avoid trouble. If trouble finds you, sacrifice money and possessions to protect yourself. Only if you have no other choice, defend yourself&. More on awareness, avoidance and self-defense next month.
If you use drive-up tellers or go to a drive-up auto teller, or, just go to the bank or ATM machine to cash a check, be aware of any occupied autos in the area. Be especially aware if any leave the parking lot or street immediately after you. If you must approach an auto-teller after dark or in an isolated area, park your car as closely to the teller machine as possible. Don't do this at all after nine p.m.
On the way home, don't stop at a stop sign or red light or for any reason, too closely to the vehicle in front of you. Leave enough room for you to exit around it if it becomes necessary.
Always keep your vehicle in gear, even when stopped. This will allow a quick retreat should it become necessary.
When you arrive home (especially at night) be aware of any automobiles that are behind you. If any are in close proximity to you, do not turn into your driveway. It is possible that a burglar/assailant could drive in behind you, and thereby block your escape route. Instead of turning in, pass up your driveway and drive around for an extra minute or so to determine if the auto behind you is following you. If it is, drive to the nearest secure place (police station, fire station, etc. and report your situation.