Awareness and self defence : Think of self defence as self-protection

Be aware of your surroundings

: location

: People

: situation

Location:

Basically, where are you, is it well lit, is it day, is it night, is it somewhere you’re used to or is it foreign to you. Can you see where you’re going to or is it hidden e.g. car park, is it in the open or inside.

Locations most likely to be randomly assaulted are, Train and bus stops, Venues (clubs and pubs etc.) Footpaths and driveways.

People:

Do you know everyone, are you by yourself or are you with a group. Are the people around you sober or intoxicated, what is the mood or atmosphere of the crowd like.

Situation:

What are you doing, where are you going. Who is around.

Example:

a. It’s daytime you leave work with another colleague you can see your car; 1 other car is parked 2 spaces away from yours.

b. It’s nighttime you leave work with another colleague you can see your car; 1 other car is parked 2 spaces away from yours 2 people standing at their car talking.

c. It’s nighttime and you leave work by yourself. You can see your car; 1 other car is parked 2 spaces away from yours and 2 people standing at their car talking.

d. It’s nighttime and you leave work by yourself. You can see your car; 1 other car is parked 2 spaces away from yours and 2 people standing intoxicated yelling at each other.

e. It’s nighttime you leave work by yourself. You can see your car, 1 other car is parked next to yours, 2 people standing intoxicated yelling at each other and you have to walk past them to get to your car.

What do you do?

Would you know what to do?

Same objective (get to your car) it’s just in each scenario the surroundings change to increase the risk.

Always trust your instinct, your first thought is usually right.

Some ways how you can avoid risky situations:

Stay in a group.

Watch out for your friends

Don’t accept drinks from others

Trust your instinct

Avoid the risk if possible

Plan ahead

Notify others

Just because you should be able to doesn’t mean you should.

“If I win $5,000, should I be able to walk down the street waving it above my head letting people know I won” legally yes I should be able to, but should I, absolutely not.

Is it worth the escalation of violence.

If someone bumps into you and spills your drink, you have a choice, it’s an accident, get over it, get another drink and enjoy the rest of the night, or get aggressive, get into a fight end up injured or injure someone else and get arrested, what sounds better.

If someone cuts you off in traffic, why escalate things, remember we all make mistakes.

If you cause it, own it:

If you bump into someone and spill their drink, own it and get them another one and enjoy the rest of the night.