6 Self-Defense Basics Everyone Should Know
Quick Read:
De-escalate, disengage, and defend
- Knowing basic self-defense and disengagement techniques can help you avoid violence and feel more confident if you must defend yourself.
- Be aware of your surroundings and call for help or go to a populated location if you feel unsafe.
- Maintain distance and avoid getting backed up against a wall.
- Plan your escape route and take off restrictive items like heels to make it easier to run.
- Only carry a weapon if you’re trained to use it.
- Practice disengagement moves to break free from holds and escape a fight.
Carry pepper spray. Keep your keys laced between your fingers. Don’t wear headphones at night.
There’s a lot of advice about what to do to protect yourself from attack or assault.
Assault is never the fault of the person attacked — regardless of what they wear, how much they drink, or whether they decide to pop in headphones.
Nonetheless, for some people, learning the basics of self-defense can increase confidence and help them feel more prepared if they find themselves in a threatening situation.
Self-defense is more than knowing how to throw a punch.
Be aware of your surroundings
“Situational awareness is the key to all of this,” Master Dukes says.
Looking around and being aware of what is happening near you can help you notice sudden movement or if something seems out of place. If you don’t feel comfortable in a situation — say, walking back to your car after a late shift — it’s best to return to the place you came from and ask someone to walk with you.
Master Dukes also recommends cutting back on your phone usage while walking.
“One, you could hurt yourself by walking into something or tripping on a curb and falling. Two, someone could attempt to steal your phone right out of your hand,” Master Dukes says.
Plus, if someone intends to harm you, it will be harder for them to surprise you if you are looking up and are aware of what’s going on around you.
De-escalate if possible
De-escalation will look different depending on what an attacker wants. Still, it ultimately comes down to doing what you can to safely leave a situation without having to resort to violence.
So, if an attacker wants money, give it to them. If someone is picking a fight, don’t engage, even if they are rude or insulting your pride.
“Threats should be taken seriously. Do your best to get away from the person and call for help if necessary,” Master Dukes says.
Maintain distance from your attacker
In a situation where you are walking home and think someone is following you, you want to keep a distance between the two of you and, if possible, return to the place you came from. There, tell someone what is going on and get help.
If you can’t get back to your point of origin, maintain as much distance as possible, then turn and look at the attacker. This might feel like the exact opposite of what you want to do, but Master Dukes explains that some attackers will back down when they see you are aware of them.
In cases where you do have some space, dial 911 to get help or use the panic button on your phone (hold down the side button and one of the volume buttons on an iPhone) to automatically call emergency services.
It also helps to keep objects between you and the attacker (think things like cars, tables, or anything else nearby). If you end up in a situation where you do need to fight to protect yourself, do your best to avoid getting backed up against a wall.
Plan (and prepare for) your escape route
Unsafe situations are no time for decorum.
Take off high heels, jewelry, and any other items that restrain your movement. You want to be able to run to safety if needed.
If you’re near your car, Master Dukes recommends keeping your keys in your hand for easy access and using the panic button if you have one, which will cause your car to create noise and flash its lights. Keeping your keys handy will help you get into your car faster, and the commotion from your car can draw others to you to help.
Train with a weapon before carrying it
Lots of people keep pepper spray or brass knuckles on their key chains in case of an attack, but having a weapon doesn’t mean you will be able to effectively use it.
“Most of the time, people buy weapons and just leave them in a place they won’t be able to get to in time to use them. Often, weapons are used against the victim because they haven’t trained adequately to use the tool in the first place,” Master Dukes says.
Whether it’s a firearm, knife, taser, or pepper spray, be sure you know how to use a weapon before keeping it on your person. (In other words, if you don’t know how to use that pepper spray keychain, it’s best not carry it.)
Practice disengagement moves
Even with the best de-escalation tactics, you might be put in a situation where you have to defend yourself physically. “Just focus on the basic principles of the techniques and keep fighting. The will to survive is a powerful weapon all by itself.” Ready for some basic disengagement moves? Let’s get started.
Supportive stance
In a fight, you want to assume a position with your weight distributed on both feet, a slight bend in your knees, and your hands up and ready.
Standing at an angle will help you keep your balance if someone hits you, plus it makes it easier to turn and run.
Don't stand straight, facing your attacker. Stand at an angle with your knees bent.
Staying Safe When It’s Darker Out
When darkness falls
- More crime happens during evening hours.
- Moving to all-year daylight saving time could make winter days safer.
- Until then, be mindful about safety and follow practical tips to help prevent crime.
With our short daylight in December, it's inevitable to spend some time in the dark. And it's not just that it's dark. The dark we're dealing with during a Northeast winter comes with a cloud cloak that makes it easy to be invisible. We know how much this affects mood for some people, but what about something that affects all of us: personal safety?
Is darkness more dangerous?
When everyone is rushing between work and home and evening activities, the streets and sidewalks can be a chaotic place during a dark evening commute. It's also not a myth that there's more crime and accidents in the evening hours — most happen between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m.
“Simply put, darkness kills — and darkness in the evening is far deadlier than darkness in the morning,” says Master Dukes. “The evening rush hour is twice as fatal as the morning for various reasons: Far more people are out and about at 5 p.m. than at 7 a.m., more alcohol is in drivers’ bloodstreams, people are hurrying to get home, and more children are enjoying outdoor, unsupervised play. Fatal vehicle-on-pedestrian crashes increase threefold when the sun goes down. Moving sunlight to the evening hours can save lives."
A dark evening commute is more dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. If we could have one commute in sunshine, it would be safer for it to be the evening commute. Mornings are more predictable.
When commuting or getting around town
Pedestrians: Be visible. Choose winter wear with light-colored, reflective fabric or add an inexpensive reflective patch to your jacket, bag, or briefcase to help drivers and others see you. When crossing at intersections, make sure drivers see you before stepping off the sidewalk and avoid crossing mid-block. Be predictable. Avoid using your phone in unlit areas where people could be hidden.
Transit users: In addition to the tips for pedestrians, try to wait at well-lit stops so drivers can see you, and use a transit notification light if there is one.
Cyclists: Obey all laws for head and tail lights and wear reflective gear, too. The more you glow, the better. Stay on designated neighborhood bike routes if at all possible.
Drivers: Be aware that the nighttime commute is the most dangerous for everyone in winter, and you are responsible for a heavy machine. Plan your route, go slow if it's raining, and be aware of cyclists and pedestrians, especially children and school buses.
When getting exercise
Try to get up early and get your workout in during the morning or take a midday break. The least safe hours for all street users are in the evening when we're all rushing around.
If you have to exercise outside when it's dark, wear light-colored, reflective clothes and something that blinks, such as a headlamp. Be as seen as possible. Stick to well-lit streets and well-traveled routes.
Municipally owned tracks and outdoor athletic complexes sometimes turn the lights on after dark and can be a good option if you can't work out indoors.
When at home
Here are some reminders.
- Lock all doors, even when you're inside.
- Install high-quality doors with secure deadbolts.
- Install a peephole or a chain lock, so you can check to see who's on the other side before opening.
- Keep trees and shrubs near entrances and windows trimmed.
- Keep exterior lights on at all times.
- Use timers on interior lights if you are going to be gone.
- Know your neighbors and let them get to know you — consider joining or leading a police block watch program. Be aware of what's going on in your neighborhood.
Staying safe in the dark is about understanding the risks and taking charge to lower them for you and the people you love. You don't need to be afraid, but you do need to be aware and smart.
Sexual Assault Can Cause Long-Term Distress, but Healing Is Possible
Trauma from sexual assault doesn’t have to be a life sentence
- Sexual assault happens more to women, but it can happen to people of all genders.
- Up to one-third of women who are assaulted will develop PTSD.
- Trauma can rewire the brain’s fear response, making someone react more strongly to triggers.
- It can also warp a survivor’s sense of self and connection with others.
- Therapy can be extremely helpful, and most people who are treated will heal.
- It’s important to challenge misguided beliefs about sexual assault to prevent them from contributing to the problem.