Personal Safety Tips for Women brought to you by Simple Self Defense for Women.

The No. 1 question asked by women: ‘What do you do when a stranger approaches you in a parking lot?’

No one likes to be rude, but bad guys can take advantage of your good nature. So what do you do if you’re approached?

The best self-defense is to not allow yourself to be put in a vulnerable situation in the first place. The best way to do this is to keep your distance from this person. Everyone has his or her own personal space, and if you allow that stranger to come too close to you, then you may not have enough time to react.

The best way to keep your distance from a potential attacker is to extend your hand up in front of you at eye level and ask that person what they want. It is important you have it at the eye level of that person, which is more intimidating.

You can say whatever you feel comfortable saying to that person, but do it with purpose. Say it with an authoritative voice. Excuse me, can I help you? Please keep your distance, what do you want? This act alone can improve your odds of survival. The person approaching you now knows that you are well aware of him. Bad guys want the element of surprise and easy targets. With your hand up as it is, anyone in the parking lot looking in your direction can see this could be a bad situation. You don’t even have to say anything. Your hand up says it all. This action is a universal language that you do not want that person any closer. Most people have cellphones and can call 911 to report that something is going on in the parking lot that does not look right.

Keep in mind if that person is a good guy, he will apologize and walk in a different direction. If not, no matter what they are saying you must keep your distance because you may be in serious personal danger. Please keep in mind this technique is a preventative measure to avoid an attack, and it will improve your odds of survival, but it is also a test. This will tell you right away if you’re in danger and if you will need to react.

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Published on April 18, 2012 at 12:00 pm