Practice and Preparation are Essential to Successful Self Defense

Just a week ago, a 17-year-old girl disappeared while jogging in a neighborhood park. Despite warnings, women continue to go to the park to run alone with no thought to their self defense. A Jeet Kun Do teacher provided the following suggestions to local news outlets.

1. When you head out to run or walk, take a partner or a dog.
2. If you must wear headphones, make sure the volume remains low enough that you can hear anyone who might be approaching you.
3. Carry pepper spray and remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
4. Never turn your back on someone who appears suspicious to you.
5. If someone does approach you, yell! “Stop! Stay Away!” works well and will attract attention quickly.
6. If someone does grab you the rule is “Escape to Gain Safety”. This means kick, bite, scratch, and hit. Do whatever else is needed to get away.
7. Ideally, aim for the eyes, groin, throat or shins, as these areas are vulnerable and hurt a great deal when struck.
8. If grabbed from behind you can still turn to some degree. Turn and drive your fist into your attacker’s groin.
9. If turning isn’t an option, head butt them. Drive your head, fast and hard, into their face.
10. Be aggressive, and keep fighting until you get away.

Practice is the key to effective self defense and gives you confidence in your ability to protect yourself in dangerous situations. Formal training reduces the chances that you will freeze when attacked, and that improves the likelihood of escape.

An alternative to spray, which can be less effective in windy conditions, consider a stun baton which is a small stun gun that can be easily carried in your palm as you exercise.