You Are Your Own First Responder!

The latest mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA this past week is a grim reminder that deranged lunatics can, at any time, cause the mass loss of life.   For me, its also a reminder to talk to my adult students about things they can do in their daily routine to help keep themselves safe. Here’s just a few:

1. Know where the exits are.  Every time you go to the store, library, school, etc., know where the exits are!  I can’t stress this enough.  You don’t need to be paranoid or over reactive, just know where they are.
2. Have increased Situational Awareness.  Be aware of the people and the things in your environment.  If something doesn’t look right, pay attention to it.  Again, theres a huge difference between being paranoid and having increased awareness.  Look around, don’t stare at your phone, keep your head up and your eyes forward.  This alone will make you look a lot less attractive to a potential attacker and more prepared to react if necessary.
3. Be proficient with a self-defense tool.  While having the physical skills and knowledge to defend yourself with your hands and feet is extremely important, there are limitations.  Self-defense training is your first line of defense, but what if your attacker has a weapon?  You’ll need one of your own to “level the playing field”.  There are several that come to mind:  tactical pen, pepper spray, expandable baton and a firearm.  All of these require knowledge and training, some more than others, but don’t let that discourage you from seeking that training.   Start with one and then add others as you become more comfortable, pepper spray is a good one to start with.
4. Avoid conflicts with others.  Keep your finger to yourself when your driving.  Road rage incidents are avoidable and if you’re serious about self-defense you just can’t involve yourself in them.  The only violent encounter you are guaranteed to survive is the one you avoid in the first place.

You can never be ready for absolutely everything, but you can give yourself an edge by taking the steps above.  We all need to take responsibility for our own safety and the safety of our loved ones.

Remember:  You Are Your Own First Responder!