What can I do to protect myself from predators?

Question

I need to know from something that almost happened to me one day

Answer 1

I think it's best reduced to one sentence - pay attention - and I mean strict attention - to your instincts. Your subconcious recognizes situations where you are most vulnerable. Don't go against them even if it makes you late for a meeting or something.

Martial arts are fine, but the idea that you can learn enough in a weekend or two to be of much use is a total fallacy. One of the better r\websites I've found on this subject is: http://www.graeagle.com/feather/womens.html, but I think it still understates the difficultly a woman faces when trying to disable a man - even long enough to get away. The people you run up on that intend to hurt, rape, or kill you can be notoriously hard to dissuade and maddeningly indifferent to pain.

And I've seen men and women spar, for years. A lot of it would not have been terribly encouraging to the women that watched it. It did, however, give the women in the classes an honest impression of what they are up against, and that's very important.

As I've said before, the focus should be on avoiding any dangerous situation you can, and developing sensible habits that are followed without exception (i.e. checking the back seat of your car before you get in, paying attention to where the man that walks out of a store behind you goes. When his behavior "just doesn't seem right" to you, make it the focus of your attention while you still have running room.

But if your work or your lifestyle puts you into situations that are dangerous, then yeah, if you can legally do so, carry a gun. Just know how to use it, and be ABSOLUTELY sure that you can do so without hesitation once you have issued an order to back off that is ignored or someone displays obvious agressive intent.

At that point you pull the trigger until it don't go bang no more. I think revolvers are best for women, but it's best if it is small enough to be palmed, more or less, because you have to keep it where it can be put to use almost instantly for it to be any use to you. Charter Arms Undercover .38 with Plus-p ammo is a good choice. Fits in a pocket easy. S&W model 19 with a two and one half inch barrell in .357 mag is okay, too, but a lot bigger and harder to palm. Don't mess with an auto unless you are willing to take the time to become a confident expert with one of them.

But no matter what they show in the movies, don't expect a gunshot to disable a person instantly, unless you hit him in the head. And I speak as someone that been shot. More than once Seriously. I didn't feel much of anything. And I have little use for mace or pepper spray. Seen people ignore it completely, Does nothing to me but water my eyes a little bit and clear my sinuses.

But, back to the gun thing. If you do plug and kill somebody, expect to go through the hassle of your life, because assuming you saved your life by doing so, there's not going to be much evidence that he did much to you. If there were no witnesses, (and there usually aren't) All of his relatives will claim he was on his way to bible study. You'll be visciously cross-examined and every thing you've ever done that you regret will be dug up and thrown in your face. They'll make you out to be paranoid and trigger-happy and do their dead-level best to send YOU to jail. I've seen how the bastards work. And they've spent their life learning how.

I've been there. Spent quite a lot of time in court. And you'll probably have a "jury of your peers" meaning a bunch of people that were too stupid to get out of it or had nothing better to do than work for $25 a day, and there's never any guarantee that they won't do the wrong thing. Most of them are idiots that don't know any more than they've seen on "law and order" and didn't have the grey matter even to properly assimilate that.

But it's better to be tried by 12 than carried by six, anyday. SO if it comes down to do or die, by ALL MEANS, Blow his goddam head off, and/or go for upper chest shots. Gut shots don't do anything to anybody quick enough to do you any good.

Best to never let it come to that, and concentrate on learning how to minimize the risk.

Answer 2

Don't smell any free perfume samples because they could make you faint and who knows where you'll end up then. Beware of your surroundings. I carry a pepper spray and I often have an umbrella in my car or somewhere handy. If a guy does make a move on you aggressively, don't be afraid to fight back and try to stay in public view. Your elbow is the strongest point of ur body so use it whenever possible. Let's see, wut else do u need to know. O yeah, if a guy makes you drive off somewhere don't do it and crash ur car fast into something and use the time to escape. It is better than being found somewhere isolated and probably dead. If they are looking to rape you they would give up if you cause trouble because they don't think it is worth it. Depending on your situation you should run (preferably in a zigzag pattern) even if they have a gun because the chances are high that they can't shoot (unlike how they portray in movies). If they want your money, throw your wallet far away from you because the chances are they are more interested in the money than you. Then run like crazy in the opposite direction. I hope this info helps.

Answer 3

Avoid places where you might find a predator. Dark alleys, dark parking lots, bad neighborhoods. But, lets face it, it can happen during the day in a parking lot around a ton of people. I remember years ago a girl in the park was raped. Their were people around and even though she screamed for help they just walked away because it wasn't their business!! So carry a small bottle of hairspray like those travel size. Hairspray in a persons eyes hurt..you being a woman should know that. First...run...or..
If you cannot get to a weapon of some sort..(hairspray)..go for the knees. Most men think you will go for their genitals and protect them at all cost. Don't. Take your foot and slam it into their knee. You might cripple them for life but, hey, he has no one to blame but himself. Try to slam your open palm into their nose, stomp on their foot, HARD like you want to break it...anything just to get away and be able to run to safety.
Empower yourself by taking some women's defense classes. You don't have to take karate just a self defense course or a weapons course. The more better and confident you feel the more you will be able to protect yourself at all costs.

Answer 4

Why do you think that Predators are interested in you? Are you just receiving attention that you don't want? Are you assertive enough to say no and mean it. What sort of positions are you putting yourself in that these predators think that you are fair game? Are they realy the predators that you believe them to be?

The actual incidences of predatory behavior are very very small. The factor that you feel the need to protect yourself from these phantoms is saying more about your state of mind than other peoples intentions.

I used to feel that I carried a flag above my head invisible to me but visible to every bully around It said Pick on me. I had to change my way of thinking. when I did that then I started to realize that they weren't just picking on me that that was the way that some people are made. I learned to combat them.

If you go around with the thought that these people are out to get you then that is what will happen. It is a self fulfilling prophecy.

If you feel physically threatened then do something to make yourself feel secure. Take a self defense class. DO NOT carry weapons. this will only lead you to want to use them against someone who is probaly Innocent. It also could in the event that you need them lead to them being used against you. not to mention the legal implications.

Talk to someone about it.

Answer 5

I advise you to get better advice from the police and a martial arts gym than you'll get here. Anyway, you must be willing to use mace, knees to the groin, fingers to the eyes, elbows to the face for them to be effective. Running is extremely effective, too. A lot has to do with where/how you park/deal with your car. Get some advice from some experts, starting with the police.

Answer 6

Vigilance. A Taser gun (they come in pink now). Self Defense classes (you need to know a few moves and be willing to use them if you are cornered). Assertiveness. Ask questions. Do not hand out personal information.

Answer 7

Does your state have a conceal carry license?

You could take Karate and buy you a Smith & Wesson, about a 40 cal. And really, really, learn to use it.

If one don't get em, the other will.

Answer 8

...become highly unattractive, that way no one will notice you. Bathe less frequently, put on a lot of weight, and dressing like a slob are a few things that will help avoid predators.

Answer 9

Don't walk where wolves and cougars are hunting.

Seriously...

If you want a good answer, you need to ask a good question. Based on what you say, the best we can say is "Don't go to bad places" and "Carry mace."

Answer 10

You will need to be specific as to predator type and circumstance.