Self Defense for Women

Defense Products, Classes, and Techniques for Personal Safety

Sep 20, 2009 Karen Plumley

Self defense products and classes for women along with proper defensive techniques will help insure personal safety from threats, physical abuse, and violent aggression.

There are many self defense products and classes out there that will help women defend themselves if under attack. It is also important for all women to try to practice common sense personal safety techniques such as learning to be more aware of surroundings and also understanding how to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Reducing the risk of attack is the best self defense for women.

Types of Defense Products for Women

There are many self defense products on the market and they are great for men as well as women who want to defend themselves. Keeping any one or more of these protective items close by when walking alone, day or night, will be a great deterrent to a potential attacker. Many criminals will shy away from a loud whistle, personal alarm, or the threat of pepper spray use.

Keep personal safety items within reach, either on a key chain, loose pocket, or even in hand. Here are a few products that have proven very useful for women:

• Pepper spray (like mace)
• Safety whistle (louder and more reliable than a simple pea whistle)
• Personal alarm
• Stun gun or baton (some are made to mimic a cell phone)
• Tasers
• Defensive key chains/flashlights

Remember that some states have rules and restrictions regarding the use of self protection devices, so be sure to check with the state and/or city of residence before purchasing/using any self defense products.

R.A.D. System of Defense – Learn How to Physically Defend Oneself

R.A.D. stands for rape aggression defense and is a hugely beneficial program for women to learn self defense tactics and techniques. These self defense classes are offered for free by police departments by trained R.A.D. professionals. There are also many colleges and universities that offer R.A.D. Taking a R.A.D. class is probably the best way for a woman to learn how to defend herself.

Reducing Risk of Attack – How a Woman Can Spot and Avoid Danger

There are risks for women everywhere: at work, in college, or even at home. It is so important to be aware of surroundings, and it is this simple advice that can be the difference between danger and safety. Here are a few tips for women to help avoid potentially dangerous situations.

At Home:

1. Have police evaluate home security.
2. Install good outdoor lighting.
3. Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed below windows.
4. Invest in good door and window locks and a peephole.
5. Do not hide spare key around house.
6. Don’t answer door without knowing who it is.
7. Ask for identification of visitor, even if it is a police officer.

In the Car:

1. Check all around the car and in backseat before entering.
2. Maintain at least one-quarter tank of gas at all times.
3. Once inside, keep windows rolled up and doors locked.

Outside:

1. Stay several feet from curb or hedges when walking.
2. Keep eyes roaming all around for suspicious activity.
3. Look strangers in the eyes and project confidence.
4. Keep valuables and money out of sight.
5. Talk to friend or family member on cell phone while walking.
6. Watch license plates of cars that look suspicious.
7. Wear loose fitting clothing and comfortable shoes.

Another Important Personal Safety Tactic

One of the most effective self defense products is free: a woman’s voice. However many women feel timid to yell out “get back”, “stay away”, or “no” firmly and loudly when they are threatened. This simple tactic, however, may be all that is necessary to save a woman’s life and should be practiced often. A woman’s voice is the first line of defense and is one very important means of self protection.

Learning how to handle aggression, threats, and violent attacks will be one of the most important investments a woman can make for herself. Arming oneself with self defense products and attending an excellent women’s self defense class such as the R.A.D. system will be a good start. Moreover, practicing awareness could help a woman diffuse a bad situation before it escalates into something in which pepper sprays, alarms, or defensive maneuvers are even necessary.

The copyright of the article Self Defense for Women in Abuse is owned by Karen Plumley. Permission to republish Self Defense for Women in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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