Commendments for Street Survival
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Personal Safety
“Commandments of Street Survival”
1- Always remember rule#1: There are no rules. Always remember that there are no rules on the street.
2- Always stay alert: Most street crimes and altercations are impulsive or opportunistic. You should always be aware of you surroundings. Confrontations can happen anytime or anywhere. If you hear an unexpected noise behind you, look to see what caused it. Don’t ignore the noise and hope it will go away. Use common sense and avoid poorly illuminated and deserted areas. When confronted, don’t become too focused on what the aggressor is saying. Instead try to see if he is armed? With what kind of weapon? Where can you run? Is anyone close by? Try to relax and focus, if you panic it will only make it more difficult. Don’t freeze.!
3- Expect the Unexpected: Don’t overly anticipate, but have a general plan of action. Since it is difficult to practice the scenarios with a partner, try to ask yourself, “If I was at the bus stop and someone tried to take my wallet or purse, what would I do?, where would I go? Etc.
4- Always be on the lookout: Let common sense be your guide. Don’t walk next to a building where someone can reach you from a doorway or corner before you have a chance to react. Instead, walk near the street being careful of people loitering in parked cars. If approached, develop a posture that makes it difficult to reach your vulnerable targets, yet non-aggressive so you won’t needlessly invite aggression.
5- Stay in shape: It is very difficult to effectively defend yourself if you lack the reserve capacity to sustain a defense of counterattack. Most bad guys have other priorities than to stay in shape.
6- Forget that you are a nice person: Your adversary is not a “Nice Person.” If he/she were you, wouldn’t find yourself in this situation. You must try to meet the aggressor's attack. Remember that, “People that victimize other people have Hockey Score IQ’s but they have instincts of a shark.” (J.J. Brittenbinder). In some situations people have acquired weapons such as Kibatons, mace and stun guns. The only problem with weapons is that they may fail or worse yet, they may be used against you. The bottom line with self-defense is to avoid confrontation at all cost.
*Property of the Changmookwan Black Belt Center*
By: A. Paredes Black Belt Instructor and Master G. Fullerton).