Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Self Defense Challenge

The other day I was having dinner with a friend of mine. While we were dining, the conversation drifted to the topic of self-defense. My friend asked me a very good question: "Sue, what would you do if you were attacked while you were in the shower, while you are in a very vulnerable state?" This struck me as a very good question, and got me thinking, "What WOULD I do if I was in this situation?" Thinking about self-defense in these situations helps one develop countermeasures that can be used in many different situations. Having a set of defensive measures in mind that are applicable in many different situations helps one be better prepared. While you can never be 100% prepared in all situations, by having an awareness mindset you are better equipped than most people.

Back to my friend's hypothetical scenario: When you are in the shower, you still most likely have access to everyday items which could easily be used as weapons. For example, shower bottles, razors, combs, or anything else that is reasonably solid can be used to strike an attacker in vulnerable areas such as the eyes, nose, and throat. The key is to be aware of your surroundings and to always consider that you can almost, in all situations, easily arm yourself to improve your chances of successfully defending against an attacker.