Self Defense Tips for Women

In today's society self-defense has become a survival tool. Carjacking. Rape. Robbery. Abduction. Victims. These are words used everyday in cities throughout the country. No woman is immune to these types of occurrences. They happen all over the country in small and large towns, daylight and night hours. Victims can be young, old, rich, or poor. It is important that we are aware of these incidents and know what we can do to lessen our chances of becoming the next victim. There are numerous things women can easily do to reduce the appearance of being an easy target or victim. A woman's knowledge of these things can help her against an attacker regardless of her physical capabilities or stature. While I hope no woman will become a victim of any type of crime, increasing crime throughout the nation warrants the necessity for all women to learn from these incidents and follow these tips.

Always be observant of your surroundings. Pay attention to what is going on around you. When you walk out to your car keep your head up and your eyes and ears open. Have your keys out and ready to get into your vehicle. Look around and become aware of someone who appears to be standing around or lurking. Notice cars that seem to be circling around. Maybe they are waiting for a parking space, maybe they are looking for their next victim. When driving in the car keep shopping bags and purses in the trunk or on the floor board as opposed to the passenger's seat. When driving, a pedestrian or even another motorist will see what is on the seat, and if it is something they want they may attack. If you park your vehicle in a garage at home, allow the garage door to close all the way before exiting the vehicle and pay attention. Make sure nobody crawls under the door as it is closing.

Trust your instinct. Don't assume that just because it is still daylight outside you can let your guard down or you can ignore a bad feeling. If someone or something seems out of place it probably is. Don't be afraid to ask people to escort you to your vehicle. Most shopping malls and larger stores have security officers available to escort you. Finally, consider a martial arts class. Martial arts classes are a great way to exercise and stay in shape. They will also teach you self defense techniques and get you used to using them. You can know the entire self defense in the world, but if you have not practiced these techniques you may not be ready for the surprise encounter.