Women and the outdoors

[Deleted]

Since the world is constantly changing, women need to protect themselves while outdoors.
Some tips are: never walk alone at night. If going around a corner, swing out wide instead of walking flush to the building.
Carry pepper spray or a stun gun.
Learn self defense. Remeber ears, eyes, throat and the groin are good areas. Also, kicking the leg at an angle can cause a nasty break. ;D
Carry a whistle.
Put a key between your fingers. It makes a nasty weapon.For example, use it to pucnture the windpipe, poke out eyes.
Slapping the ears hard causes ears to burst.
Yell fire when attacked. A study showed a women hollered help numerous times and no one showed up to help her. Even though numerous people were around. She was stabbed numerous times. Anybody remember this study from a pscycology class?
Hope this helps.
tnborn

[bergere]

Those are good things to do Tnborn.

Thank you.

[Deleted]

Good tips. Having been mugged in both a "nice" neighborhood AND a bad one, the first thing is awareness. Both times, I was "in my own world." And at my height, I'm not typically considered an easy target.

I personally prefer something stronger than pepper spray or a stun gun, but those are a good start--as is even one of those purse-sized mag-lites (not the keychain ones) held in one's palm.

When crossing a dark parking lot, be sure to keep one hand free.

[antiquestuff]

Better to go with a nice revolver instead of a stun gun if you need defense...

[Deleted]

Smith and Wesson make a.38 for women. It is on a j frame and is about the size of a womans hand.
tnborn

[Deleted]

Look under your vehicle when approaching it and look inside before getting in. Once you're in, lock the door and leave. Many women leave themselves vulnerable to attack because they sit in their unlocked vehicles and balance the checkbook, fill out a notecard, check their shopping lists, etc.

Another thing is if you're ever carjacked and the person is ordering you to drive somewhere, crash the car in a conspicuous place. It'll draw a lot of attention plus, the car will be undriveable.

/VM

[Deleted]

My husband taught me self-defense (he used to work in a prision) one of the most effective things to do when you are attacked from behind is to use your heel to step as hard as you can on the attackers instep. (this is hard to describe btw but I hope you get the point) Another thing that causes pain/distraction that is overlooked is the shins. Instead of kicking, just stomp your foot all the way down the shin. This is really effective in womens shoes (heels esp.)

[starfire]

I usually ride with someone to and from work (car pool) but when I am by myself IF there is a car behind me I will go up a street or two (to my parents street) before turning then I go on to my street. I usually do that in the day time also.

[aranaea]

I wanted to recommend:

www.gavindebecker.com/books-gof.cfm

which has a lot of good advice. I work nights and get off around midnight, so I don't have much choice about walking or biking home alone, lol.

[bbird]

Thanks for the book recommendation aranaea!

I noticed you haven't got a karma point yet, so I'm giving you your first. :-)