The best self defense tip?

Question

I walk home at night - sundays are the worse (because its so deserted). Its creepy downtown. Nothing has ever happened, but what tips would you suggest? I already have pepper spray.

Answer 1

Plan safe routes, don't take shortcuts if possible. Only walk in well-lit areas and don't worry about keeping up appearances - if something about someone on the street makes you nervous, trust your gut and avoid them. Keep your pepper spray in a place where you can grab it quickly and easily - attacks often come from behind. If possible, call someone when leaving and when you arrive so they know to expect you. ALWAYS BE ALERT AND AWARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT, KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND YOU. Remember to look behind you as well. Carry yourself well, with confidence - remember that we are still animals and body language speaks volumes - look people in the eye. Wear practical clothing.

The following is taken from a self defense website which also provided several of the above tips:

When someone gets too close to you, prepare yourself mentally and physically. Prepare to use your arms to block an attack. If attacked, go for the groin. Use your knee to hit your attacker and hit hard. Try to disable your attacker as soon as possible.

For more safety don't run away to a back alley or a dark secluded spot, run towards a brightly lit area where there are lots of people.

Try to keep your eyes open and yell and scream loud as possible. This will scare your attacker and let other people know you are in distress. Try to carry something sharp in your key chain that can be used in a crisis situation.

Try to learn the pressure points on the human body - try to remember at least 3 spots in different areas of the body. Use these spots and hit your attacker as hard as you can. These spots can be the throat, diaphram, groin, jaw, kneecap, shin, eyes, and lower ribs.

If the attacker is much heavier than you you can gouge your attacker's eyes and bite their nose, cheek, or neck when they get close to you. Always protect your face by keeping your hands and forearms over your face.

Try to run away - be prepared to flee as soon as you have hit your attacker. Your safety should be your primary concern, and hitting an attacker in a sensitive spot should give you enough time to run away.

Answer 2

Take a good self defense class. Many karate schools either teach a specific course, or know of a school that does.

A good cours is not just about fighting but learning awareness and saftey proceedures. Check out a few schools in the phone book. Our schools teach the course 2-3 times a year around the KC area.

Answer 3

Get a taser, if legal in your area. Pepper spray will often only give you a couple of seconds to either run like hell or take out your attacker.