BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

1. Don’t have your nose stuck in your cell phone.

2. Train yourself to visually scan the parking lot (or street scene, park, etc.).

3. Don’t daydream or think of your ‘TO DO’ list.  Pay attention.

4. Know what to look for.  Be aware of anything that looks suspicious.

5. Pay attention to corners and reflective surfaces.

6. Practice awareness skills and drills.

DE-ESCALATING

1. Don’t be there (if you can help it).

2. Do not threaten or challenge the aggressor.

3. Control your body language – use neutral or non-threatening stance.

4. Speak in a calm but firm voice.

5. Look for escapes.

6. Call for help (if you can).

PLAN OF ACTION

We all need to have a well thought-out plan of action in case trouble arises.  If we have a plan, we don’t have to think of a plan during the threatening moment when we only have seconds to act.  You need to have a prior plan and know what you would do if:

1. You pass a group of young men who are acting terribly suspicious.

2. Someone is following you in a parking lot or on the street.

3. You are suddenly approached by an attacker. (front) / (behind) / (side)

4. You’re in a bank that is in the process of getting robbed.

5. You’re in McDonald’s and someone has a gun.

6. You’re in a movie theater and there’s a bomb threat.

7. Someone in a car is following you while you are driving.

EXAMPLE:

“If I’m at a gas station and if a car quickly approaches, then the passenger rushes out at me to rob me or cause me physical harm, I’d give him money if that was what he was after (in hopes of him then leaving me alone).  If he tried to get me in his car, I would fight, using whatever nearby object(s) there are as a weapon, and my aim would be to stop him any way I could, as quickly as possible. I would target his throat.  I would also yell and make as much noise as I could.”

ANOTHER EXAMPLE:

“If I was at McDonald’s and a mentally disturbed person came in with a gun, I would quickly hit the floor and roll against a wall or hide under a table.  If the exit door was not in his line of vision, I would hurry to that, staying low.  I am prepared to scan for all exits every time I enter a place, so I am prepared to know where all the escape routes are.”

Everyone’s plan of action is different, depending on their physical abilities and limitations, personal training, weapon training if applicable, and personal morals.