Self Defense

R Bushman Tae Kwon Do, Inc.
Grand Master Roy Bushman
Precautions for Self Defense
These suggestions are from the Cincinnati Police department and various other sources collected by Grand Master Bushman. Since there are numerous possible self defense situations, there is no guarantee the following suggestions will be the right action for your particular situation, but past experience has proven the value of being aware of these suggestions.

1. Walk only on well-lit, frequently traveled streets. Avoid parks, dark parking lots and construction areas after dark.
2. Walk near the curb rather than near buildings, alleys or shrubbery where you could quickly be pulled out of sight
3. Be aware of other people walking or loitering around you. Walk with confidence in your gait. Studies show that criminals pick victims not always by sex, race or age, but frequently by how they move. Stooped, hesitant or “same side” movements are typical of victims. “Military march” movements characterize non victims.
4. If you believe you are being followed as you walk, turn around and look. If you are in danger you can prepare to deal with it, if not in danger you can relax.
5. If, while walking, you are accosted by someone in a car, run in the opposite direction the car is traveling. In the time it takes them to turn around you can be gone. If they get out of the car, remember the next precaution.
6. Location #1 is always better the location #2 >>> do everything you can to stop them from taking you to another location.
7. Whatever action you have already taken, it was the right move. Looking back in regret does not help you. Assess the situation you are in now and think strategically. If there is an opportunity to escape >>> almost always take it. Rapists have gotten off because the victim passed on their opportunity for escape.
8. When walking keep your hands as free as possible.
9. Wear clothes that allow you to move freely and run. While high heels, platform shoes or tight clothing may be fashionable, be aware that they can make it more difficult to get away.
10. Always check the back seat of your car for intruders before entering. Each year there seems to be at least one attempted adduction in the area that began with the attacker hidden in the back seat of the car.
11. If you are being followed in a car, do not drive home. Drive to a police, fire or gas station or any other well lit and preferably populated area.
12. If someone tries to enter your car while you are stopped, consider gunning the engine to get away, even if this means running stop sign or red light. (while looking for cross traffic.) If they have a gun pointed at you, they are likely to let you drive away before firing their weapon in public, but make your best judgement.
13. Live in as secure a building as you can – locked front entrance, dead bolt locks, well lit public areas, halls, etc. Pressure your landlord to make it safer. Recent court decisions have held landlords liable for not securing their properties.
14. Install a peep-hole in your front door, if there is no window.
15. Never open your door until you know who is standing on the other side. Repair or delivery persons can be identified by their ID cards or by calling their employers. Remember you do not have to answer your door at all. Do not admit anyone into your home unless you are sure of their identity and intentions. This includes potential “date rape” situations. Consider what impression you may have inadvertently made, and how well you really know them, are they intoxicated, etc.
16. Be aware that the sound of a person yelling “fire”, a baby crying and similar techniques have been used by attackers to get victims to open their door. Attackers have faked car problems, injuries and other crises to get close to their victims. Try to balance being a good citizen with common sense, such as staying where you are and calling for help.
17. Avoid fumbling for your keys when approaching your car or home. Have your keys in your hand, both to and from your car and home. Keep the key you intend to use poised in a position so it could be used as a weapon. Know which way your key goes into the lock. Keys can be held so they project out of your fist and make an effective weapon.
18. Consider carrying a weapon on your key chain such as mace or pepper spray or a kubaton (small stick) and get some training on how to use it properly.
19. Instead of using pepper spray consider using a can of wasp spray instead. The wasp spray can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray they have to get close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an
antidote. If you keep a can on your desk in the office it doesn’t attract
attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. You can also keep one
nearby at home for home protection.
20. Do not put your first name on your mailbox or in the phone book. Use your initials. If you live alone, you may wish to include a fictitious roommate’s name on your mailbox.
21. Leave a light on and a radio on inside your home while you are gone. If your house looks inhabited, chances are better it will not be broken into. Criminals prefer to move quickly, quietly and in the dark. Anything you can do to deny them these conditions will help.
22. Carry a flashlight from your car to your home when returning after dark. It can be used as both to spot an intruder and as a weapon.
23. If you find evidence that an intruder has entered your home, do not enter. Call the police immediately from a nearby phone.
24. If you are hesitant about entering an elevator with a stranger, wait for the next elevator.
25. Do not hitchhike. If a necessity, ask the driver where he is going before he asks you. Also, avoid being dropped off directly at your destination.
26. Consider carrying a whistle in your hand and use it if you feel threatened.
27. Do not allow anyone to follow you into your building. Just because the person is holding a key does not mean he has a key to your building.
28. Do not go to the laundry room alone. Do your laundry with a friend.
29. Inform your babysitter of all precautionary rules you follow; insist for the safety of the babysitter and your children that these rules be followed.
30. Do not give personal information to strangers over the phone or internet, and do not let the caller know you are home alone.
31. If you receive a “wrong number” call, never disclose your phone number or name. Ask what number the caller is trying to reach and instruct the caller to dial again.
32. If you receive an obscene phone call, hang up immediately and notify the police. If the calls persist, keep a whistle next to the phone. At the next obscene phone call blow the whistle loudly into the mouthpiece.
33. Your best defense against an attack is awareness. Remain alert and aware of your surroundings so you are not caught off guard. Learn to observe those around you.
34. Learn how to avoid freezing through yelling and practicing the physical techniques learned today.
35. Take a martial arts course. Like any other physical skill, the techniques must be practiced regularly to be most effective. Tae Bo, Cardio kick boxing and similar classes are not self defense or martial arts classes. They can be helpful by keeping you in better condition to defend yourself, but they are rarely teaching effective self defense techniques.
36. Supplement a martial arts class with other physical fitness classes so your overall conditioning is improved.

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