free shipping on orders over $49
We're having a 15% off sale on all our products. Enter your email below to be notified about future sales.
The Anatomy of an Attack
I hope you never have to experience an attack firsthand. I’m sure you have seen one depicted on a TV show or in a movie. But how realistic is that scene? If you haven’t actually been in that situation, you may have no idea. And you definitely don’t know how you would react in that situation if it hasn’t ever happened to you.
Statistically, you are more likely to be the victim of a crime than win the lottery. But you play the lottery every week anyways, don’t you? OK, maybe I do. The truth is you never know if, or more specifically when an attack may occur. Let’s walk through an example scenario, from the safety of your smartphone or computer screen.
Attack Phase One
You are walking alone to your car in the parking lot when you hear a noise behind you. You glance behind and see a man jogging toward you. He is larger than you and has a shiny object in his hand. You feel scared and don’t know what to do.
Here are some tips on what to do if you find yourself in this stage of the situation:
- Try to stay calm. It is important to stay calm and think clearly in this situation. If you panic, you may make a decision that could put you in more danger.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Look around for potential escape routes or places to hide. If there is an open business or another public area closer to your car, head for it.
- If you can, try to get away from the person. If you are able to run away, do so. High heels may look great at work, but perhaps you can carry a pair of sneakers for back and forth in the parking lot.
- If you are cornered, be ready to defend yourself. If the person attacks you, fight back. Use whatever you can to defend yourself, such as your keys, a purse, or even your feet.
It is important to remember that your safety is your top priority. If you feel threatened, do not hesitate to defend yourself.
Attack Phase Two
Your brain and nervous system go into overdrive. You feel a surge of fear and adrenaline, and you start to run towards your car. Your heart is pounding, your lungs are burning, and your legs are shaking. You know you’re not going to make it, but you keep running anyway.
Now, your body is reacting to the fear response. Your sympathetic nervous system is activated, which causes your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure to increase. Your muscles also tense up, and your pupils dilate. These changes are all designed to help you fight or flee the threat.
As you run, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones help to provide your muscles with energy and to suppress your immune system. This is why you may feel sick to your stomach or have a headache after a traumatic experience.
Your body is also diverting blood away from your non-essential organs and towards your muscles. This is why you may feel lightheaded or dizzy when you’re scared.
The fear response is a powerful survival mechanism. It helps us to stay safe in dangerous situations. However, it can also be overwhelming and can lead to negative consequences, such as anxiety and panic attacks. If you find you struggle to cope with fear, it’s important to seek help learning how to deal with this kind of stress before a situation occurs.
Attack Phase Three
You reach your car door and grab the handle. Just as you’re about to open the door, you feel a hand grab your shoulder. You turn around and see a man standing behind you. He is holding a knife and is demanding your wallet and keys.
Now you are tired, scared, and out of breath. You don’t know what to do. Do you hand over your belongings and hope for the best? Do you try to fight back?
There is no easy answer. It depends on the situation and on your own personal safety. If you think you can safely hand over your belongings, then do so. If you think you can fight back and defend yourself, then do that. Toss the items to one side of the attacker, and run to the other. But if you think either option could put you in more danger, then it’s best to run away.
Here are some things to consider when making your decision:
- The size and strength of the attacker. If the attacker is much larger and stronger than you, then it may be safer to hand over your belongings.
- The location. If you are in a public place, there is a better chance that someone will come to your aid if you fight back. If you are in a secluded area, then it may be safer to hand over your belongings. If you think you are going to be taken to another location, stay and fight. The second location is never advantageous to the victim.
- Your own personal safety. If you are pregnant, elderly, or have a disability, then it may be safer to hand over your belongings.
Sometimes your purse or wallet is the only thing the attacker is after. If cutting your losses and getting away with losing a few belongings ends this situation, it’s unfortunate but survivable.
Attack Phase Four
What if the attacker doesn’t want your personal property? What if they’re looking to get closer and personal in other ways? They could be a mugger, a rapist, or a kidnapper. You have no idea what they’re going to do next. Are you prepared to handle this escalated situation?
The truth is, no one is ever truly prepared for a dangerous situation. But there are some things you can do to increase your chances of staying safe.
- Be aware of your surroundings. This means paying attention to people and things around you, especially when you’re in a public place. If you see something ahead of time that doesn’t seem right, trust your gut and walk away.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel like you’re in danger, don’t hesitate to get away from the situation. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Do you have one of those red panic buttons on your keychain? Use it to draw as much attention as possible.
- Learn how to defend yourself. This could mean taking a self-defense class or learning how to use self-defense weapons. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation. You don’t need to be a black belt, but some good intermediate skills will greatly help.
- Carry pepper spray or a stun gun. These can be effective weapons for deterring an attacker.
- Stay in well-lit areas. When possible, this makes it more difficult for an attacker to hide or surprise you.
- Walk with confidence. This can make you a less appealing target to an attacker.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you feel unsafe, don’t hesitate to ask someone for help. Have a co-worker or security escort you to your car at night, if possible.
It’s important to remember that you can’t control everything that happens to you. But by taking these precautions, you can increase your chances of staying safe in a dangerous situation. Be safe, and be prepared.
Attack Afterthoughts
The peace of mind that comes with knowing you can protect yourself in a dangerous situation is priceless. Black Belt Defender offers a wide variety of self-defense products and safety equipment to help you stay safe. Whether you’re a man, woman, child, or elderly adult, we have self-defense products that are right for you.
Our products include stun guns, pepper spray, personal alarms, knives, and more. Self-defense products and safety equipment are an unfortunate necessity in today’s society. But by taking the necessary precautions, you can help prevent crimes from happening. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Invest in your safety today.
No one has the right to harm you or make you feel unsafe. You deserve to feel safe and secure, and you have the right to defend yourself. Even a child can carry a personal alarm if trained to use it for emergencies only.
There are many ways to protect yourself. You can take self-defense classes, learn how to use a self-defense weapon and carry pepper spray or a stun gun. You can also make sure to be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe, don’t hesitate to get away from the situation or ask for help.
It is important to remember that you can’t control everything that happens to you. But by taking steps to protect yourself, you can increase your chances of staying safe.
As always, be safe and be prepared.
See Also:
- See all of our Situational Awareness related posts
- Caffeine and Self-Defense: How Your Morning Brew Can Boost Situational Awareness
- Hyperawareness: Paying Attention to Things Most People Don’t for Self-Defense Mastery
- How Your Smartphone Can Hurt Your Situational Awareness – And How to Fix It
- Growing Up Alert: How to Instill Situational Awareness in Kids at Every Age
