When you are contemplating getting off the grid and living off of the land, one preoccupying issue is self-defense.
When you are in a spot where the police and assorted passers-by cannot give you aid, you need to be certain that you can defend yourself. If you are married or have children, it is equally important for them to understand how they can protect themselves as well.
The truth is that self-defense is something that can be learned, and there are some very effective techniques that can be picked up by anyone.
10) Eye Gouging
If someone is attacking you and your hands are free, it is important to go for the most obvious and vulnerable targets right away. In many cases, an attacker’s eyes are the first choice.
Hook your fingers into stiff claws and rake at the person’s eyes.
9) Run to the Kitchen
When you are in the kitchen, you have an advantage over the attacker. You know where all the knives are, and there are a number of things that you can smash over an attacker’s face and head.
Things like broken glassware and broken crockery can severely injure your attacker.
Recommended: 17 Tips For Surviving In The Wild
8) Shin Rake
Being grabbed from behind is something that is deeply disturbing, and if you are not prepared for it, there is a good chance that you will freeze. If you feel someone grab you from behind and drag you close to their body, you can do a move called a shin rake get away.
Shift all of your weight to one foot, lift the other and kick it back against their knee. Rake your foot down their shin as hard as you can. If you have shoes on, this can take off a lot of skin. Slam your foot down on the top of their foot. This can actually break their foot and prevent further harm or pursuit.
7) Yell
When people freeze up from fear, they often also go silent. This is something that can make it much easier for an attacker to do what they want.
Be ready to yell loudly if someone threatens you. The sooner you yell, the more likely it is that you will be able to get away while they are nervous and unsure.
6) Running from a Gun
If someone is pointing a gun at you, remember to assess what they want. If they just your wallet or purse, give it to them. However, if they are trying to take you someplace, it is far better to get away as soon as you can.
Wait for a distraction, and then run away in a zigzagging pattern, making it harder for them to shoot you.
5) Break a Wrist Hold
When someone has grabbed your wrist, drop down into a deep stance where you are well-grounded. Ball up your fist and push your elbow towards their body.
The more quickly and powerfully you do this, the more likely it is that they will be forced to drop your wrist. This position keeps you strong and grounded while they are off-balance.
4) Hit With The Elbow, Knee or Head
While a fist is a great thing to hit someone with, remember that the hardest parts of your body are your elbows, your knees, and your head.
Use these parts on your attacker’s face, groin, and stomach when you are trying to get away.
3) Throat Strike
When you want to strike someone’s through, strike the side rather than the front. Stiffen your hand with all fingers stretched straight and together, and fold your thumb underneath your palm.
Strike the targeted throat area with your palm down, either forehand or backhand. This can knock someone out.
2) Zone of Safety
If you keep at least three feet between yourself and a possible assailant, you make it much harder for them to harm you. Maintain this circle of safety.
1) Step Into Your Punch
If you know how to throw a punch, lift your foot slightly when you draw back, and then step down and forward hard as you throw it.
This gives you much more force.