#TakeCharge Of Your Safety By Learning The Art Of Self-Defense

Women have been taught since their childhood to be safe. Now we think is the time to be safe by learning the art of self defense. Not hiding behind the closed doors. Come out and #takecharge!

Self-defense has various steps-

1. “Be alert” while you are alone or traveling.
2. “Understanding and evaluating the situation” which could be eve teasing, stalking or simple staring etc.
3. “Acting mindfully” in response to these first signs of attack.
4. “Confronting (if required) the situation”, in the way you come out safe from the situation.
5. “Grappling/ fighting (if required)”, it could be a defend or an attack to save yourself.
6. And most, importantly an “escape” to save your life.

Grappling or fighting is one of the last part of the self-defense and to be used only if required to save yourself. But before we learn grappling or fighting, number of things should be learnt and perceived to make ourselves safe in day to day living. 

Here we give you a few tips when you are alone and faced with unwanted attention.

• If you are alone in the lift, press all the buttons up to your destination. No one will dare to attack you in the lift which stops on every floor.

• If a stranger tries to attack you when you are alone in your house, run into the kitchen. Expert says, you only know where the knives, forks, plates, chilli powder etc. is kept. All these can be turned into deadly weapons at the time of need.

• Shout! Use voice modulation as a weapon. Remember that noise is the greatest enemy of the molester. He does not want to be caught.

• If you are taking an auto or taxi at night, before entering it note down its registration number. Use your mobile to call and pass this number to your family or friends. Also, talk in front of the driver to ensure that the driver is aware about his details being transferred to somebody.

• Even if nobody picks up your call, pretend as you are into a conversation. The driver should know that his details are with someone and he could be in serious trouble if they try to harm you.

• If a driver takes you through an unknown route, and misbehaves with you, don’t feel helpless. You can use the string of your purse or your stole to wrap around his neck and pull him back. Within seconds he will feel choked and helpless.

• In case you do not have a stole or a purse, just pull him back by his collar. The top button of his shirt would then do the same trick.

• If you know that you are being stalked, enter a nearby shop or a house. Stay their till you feel safe again.

• Never accept eatables or drinks from a stranger in public places like clubs, parties etc. Even if you buy a bottle of juice, water or soft drink from any store and you find it open, do not purchase it.  

• Make sure you have an SOS key on your phone. If you feel any unwanted activity around you which makes you feel uncomfortable or fearful. Use your phone in a way that on the click of a single button of your phone, your brother, husband, father or any nearby authority can get a signal in the form of an alarm.

• A scooter or a car key could also be used as a potent weapon if used in a proper manner. Keep a pepper spray with you, it has saved many lives.

• Walk confidently and fully conscious while you are traveling. Avoid using phone for longer period, while you are traveling. As the attacker attacks a target which looks weak and lost.

?Being mentally alert is the best weapon you can have; the attacker always plans the attack before he attacks you. If you stay alert, you can recognize the early signs of attack and avoid a fatal situation in future.

Be confident and empower yourself and stay safe.

This article was originally published here by Komal Bansal founder KBK Raksha, working in the field of women and child empowerment.