The best way to defend yourself is to avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation to begin with. When out about town or even in their own home, a person needs to be aware of what is going on around them and who is around them. Keep your eyes open, and look ahead of you and
behind you. Recognize a possible threat before it is close enough to you to bring you harm.

Start defending yourself when you arrive at a shopping mall, before you ever exit your vehicle. You should park in a well-lighted area. Always park as close to the front of the building as possible. Look around before you unlock and get out of your vehicle; determine the safest route to the building.

Be certain to have all of your belongings gathered together and be ready to exit the vehicle as soon as you unlock the door. Keep your keys in your hand, space the keys between your fingers so that if attacked, you can use this as a defense weapon. Identify possible threats to you as you walk and avoid walking near them.

When you leave a shopping mall, the same rules apply. You must be aware of those standing around outside, and notice if someone is watching you or near your car. If you feel there is a possible threat, do not second-guess your instinct. Go back inside and ask a security guard to escort you to your car. Have your keys ready to open your vehicle and enter it, locking the doors immediately once you are in it.

If you have an electronic key on your keyring, use that only when you are standing next to the door. If it unlocks more than the driver door, do not use it at all. Keep your car doors locked while driving and your windows up, be aware of people around you when you are stopped at traffic lights or intersections.

You must be aware of all of your surrounding all of the time. Being aware of possible threats can help you avoid them and keep you and your loved ones safe.

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There are many uses for belts. Most people wear belts for only two reasons, ie. for fashion, or to hold one's pants up. But there is also another use for a belt: self defense. A belt, if properly designed and used, makes a very effective weapon.

You've probably heard jokes about Texans and their huge belt buckles. Have you ever thought to consider how much damage those huge belt buckles can do when swung at an assailant from the end of that thick leather belt? It can do more damage than one might think.

Start by choosing a good belt. You don't want a cheap one that could be easily snapped in two. You want a strong leather belt. You might think that a thick and wide belt is best, but this isn't necessarily so. A thinner belt that doesn't have as much width will actually swing faster and sting more when it makes contact than a wide, thick belt. Just make sure that it is leather.

Next, choose a belt buckle that has some weight to it. It doesn't have to be "Texas sized" as long as it has enough weight. Make sure that it is securely attached to the belt.

Next, practice with the belt as much as possible. Practice getting the belt off in various holds and situations. Practice holding the belt as well. Ideally, you want to wrap one end around the palm of your hand a few times, so that you don't lose your grip on it.

Pay close attention to the action of the belt with you swing it from various directions. Note how it wraps around things. Ideally, you don't want the belt to wrap around. You want the end of the belt to strike, and then to quickly come back to you when you move your arm again - much like a bull whip. Otherwise, your assailant will have time to grab the end of the belt and pull it away from you.

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Hopefully, you will live your entire life without ever having to use any self defense techniques. Unfortunately, in the world that we live in, it is important to know self-defense, and it may, at some point, be necessary to use those self defense skills.

One common skill that is taught in self defense is to constantly be in motion, if possible. It is much harder to hold on to something that is moving. Consider the difference between holding a sleeping toddler and a moving toddler. There is a vast difference, and holding that moving toddler is much harder.

If your attacker is having to focus on holding onto you, while also focusing on the moving parts of your body to see what your next move is, he cannot carry out the culmination of this attack. Remember that random attacks that have absolutely no purpose don't take place very often. In most cases, the attacker has a purpose, whether the purpose is to rob you or to cause physical damage.

By staying in constant motion if possible, the attacker must focus on pinning you, so that you cannot move. If your attacker's attention is focused on your hands and arms, he most likely won't be focused on what your feet are doing. If he is focused on your feet, he can't be focused on your arms or hands. If he is focused on your hands or feet, he can't focus on stopping your screams. Like you, your attacker only has two arms, and two legs unless there is more than one attacker.

At the same time, going perfectly still may fool your attacker. It may make him think that you have given up. You could pretend to pass out and just go totally limp. Once he loosens his grip, you can try to get away again. The drawback of this is twofold. First, if you fail to get away, he most likely won't fall for it a second time. Second, if he means you physical harm, this gives him the opportunity.

When it comes down to it, you will have to use your own judgment to determine which technique will work the best for you, and offer the greatest opportunity for escape.

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