7 Self-Defense Tips

The following tips and techniques are given to prepare your for the event when someone wants to do you harm.

1. If someone is following you on the street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell and if you feel they are suspicious, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk: “I can’t believe it is so cold out here”, You can ask where they shop, or even ask what their name is. Now you’ve seen their face and could identify them in a lineup, so you lose appeal as a target.
2. If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell “Stop” or “Stay back!” Most of the rapists said they’d leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target. If you carry pepper spray (We are a a huge advocate of it ) yelling “I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY” and holding it out will be a deterrent.  If you want to attract attention yell “FIRE!, HELP FIRE”  It draws people like moths to a flame
3. If someone grabs you, you can’t beat them with strength but you can by out smarting them. If they grab your wrist, pull your wrist back so your hand is in waving position (palm facing forward) and twist it toward yourself and pull your arm away. It is hard to hold onto wrist bones that are moving in that way. They stumble toward you and you stumble back, so you can use that momentum to backhand them with your knuckles in the forehead, nose or teeth. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm between the elbow and armpit or in the upper inner thigh HARD. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it hurts.
4. If grabbed by a stranger, remember the four most sensitive areas on a man’s body are the eyes, knees, groin, and throat. On a woman, there are three: eyes, throat, and knees.
5. After the initial hit, always go for the groin. It is extremely painful if you slap a guy’s testicles (do not be afraid, your life may be at stake!). You might think that you’ll make the potential rapist really mad and make him want to hurt you more, but the rapists who were interviewed reported that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble, and he’ll take off.
6. If he puts his hands up to grab you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. I saw the instructor do this to another man, without using much pressure, and he ended up on his knees and both knuckles cracked audibly. It works!
7. You may also wish to try and grab the windpipe itself to inflict enough damage to escape. Submerse your fingers and thumb into windpipe or larynx area and squeeze as if you were trying to make your fingers meet in a fist. During the squeeze, pull with all your might. This maneuver can be performed effectively even if your hand and upper body strength is not very strong. Of course the advice we always hear still applies. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don’t dismiss it, go with your instincts. You may feel a little silly at the time, but you’d feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

PeppperEyes.com is dedicated to meeting your safety needs by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim.  If you want to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and property arm yourself with our products and the knowledge about the best way to stay safe in an ever increasing violent world. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.

How to Defend Yourself on City Streets

Statistically 80-90% of all assaults on city streets are committed against women.  While not all domestic violence is committed against women, probably 98% of all incidents are.  The United States hails itself as a  – a “civilized” society, but has pockets that continues the uncivilized practices found in other countries where women are not treated will at all.

 Women are targets of crime and violence everywhere-city streets, college campuses, work place sexual exploitation, and at home. Women in particular have become targets when they travel in their cars, their hotel rooms, just about anywhere they go.
 
Literally nowhere is safe for many women. Whether you live in a large city or are just a tourist, it is vital to know how remain safe on the city streets. People who come from smaller towns may be caught off guard by the amount of crime and aggressive activity that is present in larger more populated cities, but by being well armed with the correct knowledge and tools will allow your to be safer wherever you go.

Be Mindful
The most important thing you can do when you are on city streets or anywhere else is to be mindful of your surroundings. Understand that criminals look for easy opportunities to assault an unsuspecting and unaware victim. A typical target will be a person who is clearly from out of town and may be intimidated by big city life.  They are too busy site-seeing or trying to find some place. Be careful where you go, and pay attention to everything and everyone around you. A criminal never wants to be seen before committing a crime, so if you walk with a sense of purpose with your head held high and survey everything, you will be a far less likely target.

When you are out at night, try to stay in areas that are brightly lit. Darker streets and alleys offer the perfect cover for an assailant to hide and catch you by surprise. Walk with friends anytime you can, because criminals are far less likely to approach a group than an individual. If you are alone, keep a brisk pace, keep your personal protection product in hand, get to where you are going and make your way inside. As you return to your vehicle, be prepared to get in right away. Lock the door and drive off quickly. You never know when a criminal may be nearby watching to see if you hesitate and give them an opportunity to assault you..

Guard Your Cash
In the city there are thousands of people around, so the odds of encountering a criminal becomes very high. They watch for potential victims at all times, and one of the things they look for is someone who is obviously carrying a large amount of money or valuable personal items.  Never carry your social security card or anything that can be used for identity theft in your purse. Never flash cash on a city street, as that will encourage a thief to target you.  Always pay attention at ATM’s. It’s a good idea to keep your money spread out,  well hidden and located in an areas that is difficult to get to. A pick pocket may be able to pull your wallet out of a back or jacket pocket, but will be far less likely to attempt to reach into a front pocket, which makes that an ideal location to store your money and credit cards. Be mindful of the crowds on public transportation. Some experts also recommend carrying a second wallet with just a small amounts or fake of money and invalid or fake credit cards. I personally like putting those Gospel Tracks that look like real money in mine. That way you have something to turn over if you are ever mugged.

 Women should carry their purses close to their bodies, but not with the shoulder strap placed securely around the neck. A purse snatcher may be determined to take what you have, and it can turn violent as they wrench the purse from you. It’s better to let a thief take your personal belongings than to risk being hurt. Carry as little cash as possible, and only one or two credit cards. Then if the purse is taken, your loss will not be too great.

 A Street Encounter
Although it’s always best to be polite, even to strangers, it is a good idea to be very wary of anyone you don’t know who approaches you. They may ask for directions, money or anything else. Answer quickly, and continue on your way. If they persist, tell them that you are unable to help and mention that a police officer would be better suited to provide assistance. You may find yourself being followed, and if so remain in a public area. Find a police station or security guard and explain your predicament.

Carrying a personal alarm or any other personal protection product such as a pepper spray is a great way to deter strangers who will not back down. Sounding the alarm will grab the attention of everyone around, and focus it on you. A criminal won’t want to be seen by witnesses, and will leave you alone.

 In Case Of Assault
When an attack is unavoidable, you must be prepared to fight back. Practice any self defense maneuvers you know and aim for pressure points on the assailant’s body. Adopting a self-defense program or a self-defensive attitude will enhance your self-confidence and power to fight back  If you have a self defense weapon like pepper spray or a stun gun, don’t be afraid to use it. Use anything you can get your hands on as a self defense weapon.  If the choice is you or them, choose you.  The device will protect you and leave no permanent damage on the aggressor. Act! Don’t hesitate!  Point! Shoot! Scream, scratch, bite, hit, attack or kick. Do all that you think is required to escape from the crime.

Anyone who has been hurt during a violent assault or rape while visiting the city should seek out immediate medical attention. Get to a hospital as quickly as possible, and make a full report with the police.

 PeppperEyes.com is dedicated to meeting your safety needs by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim.  If you want to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and property arm yourself with our products and the knowledge about the best way to stay safe in an ever increasing violent world. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.

Learn More about Self Defense and Useful Resources for Women

Will you be able to defend yourself?

· Karate self defense techniques - Here you can watch several video clips that demonstrate basic karate techniques. It probably won’t make you become a karate expert but can teach you how to fight back against an aggressor.

· Date Rape -This article will teach you how to protect yourself from a date rape and what to do if you’ve been raped.

· Taekwondo Self Defence - Learn various self-defence moves in Taekwondo. Plus, you can share your experience or knowledge on the Taekwondo forum, and read blogs about martial arts.

· MartialTalk - A forum for people who are interested in martial arts to discuss self defense concepts and techniques outside the traditional styles.

· Judo Self-Defense Forms: Goshin Jutsu - Learn 21 Judo self defense techniques against an armed or unarmed attacker.The website also provides insightful information about Judo history, principles, philosophy and tournaments.

· NY Jiu Jitsu – Self Defense for Everyone - This Manhattan school of the American Jiu-Jitsu Federation offers self-defense classes for women, men and children at all ages. Besides the Jiu Jitsu techniques, the classes will also focus on situation control and mental conditioning.

· National Sexual Violence Resource Center - The NSVRC provides information regarding all aspects of sexual violence. The organization’s main purpose is to address the causes and impact of sexual violence through prevention efforts and resource provision.

· National Coalition Against Domestic Violence - The NCADV is an organization that tries to help women and children who have been abused in their own home by forming coalitions at the local, state, regional and national levels.

· Rape and Sexual Abuse Survivors – Dancing In The Darkness – Dancing in the Darkness is a place for rape and sexual abuse survivors to share their thoughts and how they can get back into their normal lives after the rape.

· Martial Arts & Self Defense for Women & Girls - The organization provides summer camps for women and girls as well as comprehensive self defense certifications and training for self defense instructors.

Devise a plan to be safe, and work that plan.

PepperEyes.com is dedicated to meeting your safety needs by assisting anyone who is unwilling to become a victim.  If you want to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and property arm yourself with our products and the knowledge about the best way to stay safe in an ever increasing violent world. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.

Check out the additional  resources on our LINKS page

Date-Rape Drugs: Protecting Yourself

What they are and the steps to staying safe from becoming a victim of date rape drugs

For many years a new kind of rape threat has reared its ugly head at bars, on college campuses, at house parties, and in various nightclubs – they can be called “predator” or “date rape” drugs. You may have heard of them, but what exactly are date rape drugs? Strictly speaking, any substance that renders a person incapable of saying no or asserting yourself and your needs can be used to commit the act of sexual rape. This can include items such as like alcohol, marijuana or other street drugs, designer or club drugs like ecstasy, over-the-counter sleeping pills and antihistamines, even cold medications. However, the term “date rape drug” usually applies to the drugs like, Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB) , Rohypnol, and Ketamine Hydrochloride. Listed below are the various types of “Date Rape Drugs” and how they are used.

Alcohol
When ever people hear the phrase “date rape drug,” alcohol isn’t usually what comes to mind. But, as these statistics show, the link between alcohol and campus sexual assaults is evident:

• 90% of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim.
• 55% of female students and 75% of male students involved in acquaintance rape admit to having been drinking or using drugs when the incident occurred.
• As many as 70% of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity primarily as a result of being under the influence of alcohol, or to having sex they wouldn’t have had if they had been sober.

Understanding the effects of alcohol on your body, limiting your alcohol consumption and avoiding drinking games are some of the ways you can decrease the risk of sexual assault. Know what alcohol can do to you can help in you in the following ways:

1. You can make a more informed decision about whether or not to drink.
2. You can recognize the warning signs of dangerous intoxication and call EMS for a friend.
3. You can reduce the risks associated with using alcohol, including injury, unwanted sex and being a victim of crime.
4. If you choose to drink, you can make safer decisions about drinking.
5. You can get help for yourself or for a friend.

GHB
GHB stands for gamma hydroxybutyrate, a central nervous system sedative often referred to by other names such as “Liquid Ecstasy” or “Grievous Bodily Harm.” GHB can produce drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression, and coma. Overdose of GHB can occur quickly and can be fatal. GHB is typically an odorless, colorless liquid, with a slightly salty taste. It is classified as a sedative and is in the same drug family as Rohypnol and ketamine.

GHB is used as a general anesthetic in Europe; however, the drug is illegal in the US. It has been used in this country as a date rape drug: it can be slipped into a victim’s drink, causing dizziness, confusion, drowsiness and sometimes loss of consciousness. When GHB is combined with alcohol, it is especially dangerous because the combination of two depressants can lead to overdose.

GHB is generally taken in a liquid form, though it is sometimes found in powder, tablet, or capsules. Since in its liquid form the strength of GHB varies, and people’s reactions to it vary, it is very easy to take a dangerous dose of this drug. The effects of the drug begin 10 to 20 minutes after taking it and last up to 4 hours.

Rohypnol
Rohypnol is a brand name for a powerful sedative that is often referred to as ”roofies.” Rohypnol is not legally available for prescription in the US and so just having it in your possession signals intent to commit a crime. Rohypnol may cause users to feel intoxicated; they may have slurred speech, impaired judgment, and difficulty walking. The effects are often felt within 10 minutes and can last up to 8 hours. Rohypnol can cause deep sedation, respiratory distress, and blackouts that can last up to 24 hours. Rohypnol has gained popularity as a recreational drug. Colorless and odorless, it has been linked to numerous incidents of sexual assault because it is a fast-acting sleeping pill that can be slipped into a drink and leave the victim with little or no memory of the incident. The drug has been changed to leave telltale blue floating particles when mixed with liquids. If you see these in your drink, do not drink it. Get help and notify Police and Security immediately.

Ketamine
Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic that is intended for veterinary use. It is also known as Special K, K, Vitamin K or Cat Valiums. At high doses, ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems. Low-dose intoxication from ketamine results in impaired attention, learning ability, and memory. It is most commonly used by veterinarians on large animals today. In the 1980s it began to be used recreationally as an intoxicant.

Ketamine is either sold as a dry white powder or a clear liquid (in its original pharmaceutical packaging). The powder is made by drying the liquid. The residue from this drying process is then crushed and snorted in small doses (called bumps). In rare cases ketamine is injected intramuscularly or smoked with tobacco or marijuana. Whether smoked or snorted, the effects begin in a few minutes and lasts less than an hour.

Why Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine are used in Date Rapes:
While many sedatives have been used as date-rape drugs, Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine are the ones you are most likely to encounter.

They are easy to administer. (Stir and dissolve)
When victims feel the effects, they often leave and are caught alone and vulnerable.
If victims ‘come to’ during an assault, the drugs render them totally helpless and unable to do anything.

GHB – is most often administered to victims as a clear liquid with a salty taste, but can also be found in capsule and powder forms.

Ketamine - Administered in liquid, tablet and powder form, Ketamine is a fast-acting general anesthetic often used by veterinarians.

Rohypnol - Often dropped into beverages in tablet form, Rohypnol is a potent and fast-acting sedative that dissolves rapidly, leaving no detectable taste, color or odor.

When victims are raped, they doubt their experience because of the impaired memory of it.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

PepperEyes.com desires that no one falls prey to a data rate drug and we recommend that you take all precautions to not become their next victim.

Whether you are at a bar, the student union or any public situation, keep yourself and your friends safe by doing these simple things:

• Never leave a drink unattended. NEVER.
• Do not accept a drink from anyone you would not “put your life into their hands.” Remember, any stranger or casual acquaintance could be suspect. Even those people who are mixing or pouring drinks.)
• If you are feeling sick or dizzy while out socially, go to someone you KNOW and TRUST. If there is no person you can talk to about your condition, call someone on the phone. Never leave alone or with a stranger. NEVER. (The intent of date rape drugs is to get you isolated and then to assault you.) If you think you have been drugged and cannot tell or call someone, call 911. A blood sample can be collected and appropriate tests run.
• Remember, alcohol greatly increases the effects of these drugs. The mixture could be lethal.
• Attend parties or bars with a group of friends, arranging beforehand to watch each other’s drinks. If you arrive as a group, leave as a group.
• Watch out for your friends. If a friend shows symptoms of date-rape drug ingestion, seek medical attention immediately.
  Signs to look for include: Dizziness and/or nausea, memory loss, breathing or motion difficulties, and acting disproportionately intoxicated relative to the amount of alcohol consumed.
• To prevent yourself and your friends from becoming victims of date-rape drug, you need to know what you are up against.

This article was moved from my old blog

By Victor Swindell, owner of PepperEyes.com, a division of Swindell Enterprises. PepperEyes.com is dedicated to assist those people who are unwilling to become a victim and are taking personal responsibility to protect themselves, and their families with our pepper spray, stun guns, and other personal security products. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.

Do you feel lucky?

Over the Holidays a friend of my house was robbed. In the decades that his family had lived there, nothing like this had happened to them.  I also have known other people who became crime victims. In doing research about crime you quickly see patterns of behavior that one make a person more or less attractive for a criminal attack.  On thing that you learn in discussing crime is that psychologically, most people are not even willing to accept that it may become a crime victim. They prefer to not even think about it and they don’t take proactive steps to protect their own safety and the safety of their residence and family. 

 Ask ten of your friends what type of personal protection they have when the time comes.  Ask them if they even thought about what they would do if approached by a criminal? I know lots of gun owners, but they don’t carry them when they go shopping or walking or jogging. Some homeowners take some precautions but, don’t do many of the things I’ve recommended. They are gambling with their safety!

Researchers who spoke to crime victims say that people react in one of two ways. Many “good” people were so doubtful that anything like this could ever happen to them that they could get past the their sense of having been “wronged” to take the steps that prevent the same thing from happening again. Other victims however admitted that they created the opportunity for the time, by being distracted by something else.  The people in these groups are the ones who will learn from their mistakes and make corrective changes to prevent from being a victim again. Our goal is to prevent you from having to learn from a mistake and do what you have to do now, so you want have to do what you should have done later.

 So what types of people are criminals choosing as targets?  What are the odds that you could be targeted?  Why do they choose this person and not that one?  Why was your neighbor’s house robbed and not yours?  The crime victims more often than not, offer themselves up as targets by they way they behave, by being distracted, disorganized, unfocused and unprepared. As a seasoned criminal said “We don’t pick our victims, they pick themselves”

 I was told never give a crook a chance because they would take it. Criminals are lookingto hit the Jackpot, They look for opportunities to score big, and there are looking for big returns with minimal amount of risk and efforts.

 Unfortunately as a group, women are the more frequent crime victims. Women alone may certainly be attractive targets for robbery or other attacks simply because they are smaller and according to popular myth weaker than men offer the path of least resistance.

Below are the statistical numbers based on crime data provided by various studies that indicate your odds of being a victim of sexual crime.

STATISTICAL DATA

In 2007, there were 248,300 victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault. (These figures do not include victims 12 years old or younger.)   Here’s the math. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey — the country’s largest and most reliable crime study — there were 248,300 sexual assaults in 2007 (the most recent data available).  There are 525,600 minutes in a non-leap year. That makes 31,536,000 seconds/year. So, 31,536,000 divided by 248,300 comes out to 1 sexual assault every 127 seconds, or about 1 every 2 minutes. This figure has remained consistent for over a decade.

 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed rape; 2.8% attempted rape).

 17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape.

 9 of every 10 rape victims were female in 2003.

 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by age 18 (Finkelhor, David, et al. “Sexual Abuse in a National Survey of Adult Men and Women: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Risk Factors.” 1990.)

About half of all rape victims are in the lowest third of income distribution; half are in the upper two-thirds. (Violence against Women, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice, 1994.)

While about 80% of all victims are white, minorities are somewhat more likely to be attacked.

 Lifetime rate of rape /attempted rape for women by race:

• All women: 17.6%
• White women: 17.7%
• Black women: 18.8%
• Asian Pacific Islander women: 6.8%
• American Indian/Alaskan women: 34.1%
• Mixed race women: 24.4%

Men

• One in six men will experience a sexual assault in his lifetime.

Children

• More than half of all rapes of women occur before age 18; 22% occur before age 12. (Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women, Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey, November, 2000)
• Females ages 12 to 24 are at the greatest risk for experiencing a rape or sexual assault (DOJ 2001).
  • 15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12.
  • 29% are age 12-17
  • 44% are under age 18.3
  • 80% are under age 30.3
  • 12-34 are the highest risk years.
  • Girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.
  • 7% of girls in grades 5-8 and 12% of girls in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused.4
  • 3% of boys grades 5-8 and 5% of boys in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused.  

In 1995, local child protection service agencies identified 126,000 children who were victims of either substantiated or indicated sexual abuse.

• Of these, 75% were girls.
• Nearly 30% of child victims were between the age of 4 and 7.  

93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker.

• 34.2% of attackers were family members.
• 58.7% were acquaintances.
• Only 7% of the perpetrators were strangers to the victim.

If you think your safe because the probability of your being a victim is low, don’t use this as an excuse to walk through life with a false sense of security. You should still be vigilant about your security. Remember that adage ”never give a cr0k a chance”.  My friend lives in a nice subdivision, and never had this issue before. None the less he did become a crime victim.

Current statistical reports indicate that over the past decade and a half, the crime rates in most major cities have declined, considering that two-thirds of national crime rate occurs in the ten largest cities in the U.S.

Professor Wesley G. Skogan from Northwestern University spoke at UIC’s SSB last yeary, regarding the issue of the declining crime rate in the city of Chicago.

Skogan explained that when crime rate is down in one big city, it can be up in another, or in other area like the suburbs.

“Crime is local, one third increase of property rate contributes to crime in New York, City” said Skogan.

According to Skogan, it is the community factors that have strengthened in cities like Chicago in 15 years, which leaves reason to believe that citizens taking precautions, educating, and arming themselves  are contributing to help lower the crime rate.

 So if you want to reduce your chances of being a crime victim, do what you have to do now, so that you want regret it later.

By Victor Swindell, owner of PepperEyes.com, a division of Swindell Enterprises. PepperEyes.com is dedicated to assist those people who are unwilling to become a victim and are taking personal responsibility to protect themselves, and their families with our pepper spray, stun guns, and other personal security products. In today’s society being equipped mentally and physically is no longer an option.