Safety first - We're new to these threats

[Denise]

Ladies,

    Most of us are new to the dangers of female-hood.  I was always diligent and knew my surroundings at all times.  But now that I'm presenting female more and more, there are new "rules" that I (we) need to be aware of.

    These rules are good for everyone not just women and some of them I had not been practicing.  It's a short read, but right to the point.

http://channel955.iheart.com/articles/trending-104650/written-by-a-cop-everyone-should-15411387/

[Raell]

Thanks! I tweeted the link

[Angela Drakken]

If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

This one was the most OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE piece of advice I've ever read. lol
If the car isn't running and you're not being compliant, most often the assailant will pistol whip you and drive the vehicle themselves. I'd personally exit the vehicle and throw the keys away screaming my fool head off.

[cheryl reeves]

The advice too gun the engine and crash is sound advice. Me I would take the car jacker for one hell of a ride for I drive in a way that would scare a NASCAR driver. Always and I mean always be aware of your surroundings of you don't think it's safe to back into the store and ask for someone to walk you to your car. Carry pepper spray and always carry your car keys in your hand that way you can hit the panic button on the key fob.

[Artesia]

Everything near me is a weapon.  So long as they don't have a firearm I can fight back enough to get away.  Keys, Pencil, pen, rock, stick, trash can, purse including straps, dice bag(pulls double duty as a sap and caltrops four sided dice hurt even through tennis shoes when at a run) .  That doesn't include my purpose built weapons, a dagger, mace(spray) , Mace(bludgeoning weapon) , Sword, crossbow, bull whip, baseball bat, and maglight.  I guess the last two aren't purpose built weapons, but they sure have the mass to do the job.

HTH training helps, as does the Korean gentleman who I spent time learning some neat "tricks" from during my time in South Korea.  It's amazing how much you can do when hitting pressure points.

Do not do anything from earlier in my post unless you KNOW what you are doing, it can get you killed as easily as it can save you.  I've already used one of those once in a real situation, several times in practice.

[Mariah]

Thank you for sharing that. Hugs
Mariah

[AnonyMs]

I'm all for safety, but it sounds like you're all living in a war zone. Its a bit disturbing.

[AlyssaJ]

A lot of this can be summed up in a simple concept, situational awareness. For me this is something I practice all the time and not just because of the threats to me from being trans but also other aspects of my life that dictate it.  When I'm out walking the streets of any city, I'm always taking note of who and what is around me. I generally avoid getting lost in my phone because that's a sure fire way to lose track of what's around you.  At restaurants, I carefully select the table I sit at (if not being seated by a host/hostess) and even the chair I choose.  I will not sit with my back to an entrance.  I'm careful at blind corners or recessed doorways as well.

There are a million other examples but I need not go through them all.  Sure this may seem like paranoia but really it's just being aware of your surroundings.  When you go for a walk and pay attention to nature, you do much the same thing, so it can actually be enjoyable. I'm not just looking for danger, I'm just looking to be aware of everything good and bad that is happening around me.

[Veronica J]

Everything near me is a weapon.  So long as they don't have a firearm I can fight back enough to get away.  Keys, Pencil, pen, rock, stick, trash can, purse including straps, dice bag(pulls double duty as a sap and caltrops four sided dice hurt even through tennis shoes when at a run) .  That doesn't include my purpose built weapons, a dagger, mace(spray) , Mace(bludgeoning weapon) , Sword, crossbow, bull whip, baseball bat, and maglight.  I guess the last two aren't purpose built weapons, but they sure have the mass to do the job.

HTH training helps, as does the Korean gentleman who I spent time learning some neat "tricks" from during my time in South Korea.  It's amazing how much you can do when hitting pressure points.

Do not do anything from earlier in my post unless you KNOW what you are doing, it can get you killed as easily as it can save you.  I've already used one of those once in a real situation, several times in practice.

yeah the pressure points are amazing, tho i have met a few in training who feel nothing when some of these points are hit.. they just stand there.. even when you kick their shin with a steel capped boot..  if that ever happens i run like hell.

my one son is like that, feels next to no pain.. he was taught and constantly checks himself if he falls.. he just cant feel it, he has learn to fake it well tho so he doesn't stand out..... hes run into tables, fallen off bikes and put holes in his skin and had no clue its happened. even when he put his hand thru a window a few weeks back, (fighting with bro), he screamed from shock for like 2 seconds but thats it and was like ummm mom i am bleeding!!.. as they stitched him up the doc was impressed and he just smiled and kept quite.

i constantly look around and note possible dangers.

[Brooke]

my one son is like that, feels next to no pain.. he was taught and constantly checks himself if he falls.. he just cant feel it, he has learn to fake it well tho so he doesn't stand out..... hes run into tables, fallen off bikes and put holes in his skin and had no clue its happened.

I'm in a similar situation. I have chronic pain in the form of cluster headaches (said to be the worst pain a human being can feel) and that only registers as a 3-4/10. I've had doctors sit me down and tell me "even though you don't feel pain, you're still doing physical damage to your body"

For reference that people here can understand, electrolysis registers as s 1-2 max with no anesthetic.

[Nuuni]

I'm all for safety, but it sounds like you're all living in a war zone. Its a bit disturbing.

I just listened to several hours of interviews with my late grandmother for her memoirs.
Men are horrifying and terrible. I should NOT have to hear about that many rape and assault attempts that are considered normal and expected behavior.

[big kim]

Fight dirty, fingers in eyes, up nose & push or pull (sounds gross & it's bloody but works), bite especially ears or nose & lips. Scratch especially face it will give DNA & mark them for a long time. Kick out a knee cap they will drop to the floor and then kick or stamp on their head or chest.Grip the windpipe, hold at arms length while squeezing & shaking as hard as possible, I took out a 6'6" gorilla with this move.

[Veronica J]

Fight dirty, fingers in eyes, up nose & push or pull (sounds gross & it's bloody but works), bite especially ears or nose & lips. Scratch especially face it will give DNA & mark them for a long time. Kick out a knee cap they will drop to the floor and then kick or stamp on their head or chest.Grip the windpipe, hold at arms length while squeezing & shaking as hard as possible, I took out a 6'6" gorilla with this move.

that works 90% of the time, there those out there who wont drop from a knee cap kick.. then run like hell

[Angela Drakken]

Not many aren't going to drop from a punch square in the throat.
They teach a very diluted self defense class in most Ontario Highschools, it's not much but it's a start.