HIT Self Defense Tip: Human Predator Characteristics v. Wild Animal
Tags: Abduction Prevention, College Safety, Female Rape Prevention, Self Defense for Teenagers, Self Defense Training Techniques, Stranger Rape
Recently, I was on vacation in the Smokey Mountains - I came across some pointers from the National Park Service on what to do to prevent a bear attack. I noticed these pointers were similar to what we teach our students on how to avoid an attack from the human predator. Let’s go through a couple of these points and compare between the bear and the human predator:
A. Be aware. The best way to avoid contact with bears is to keep your eyes open when you are hiking, camping etc. This is your first line of defense. If you see them early enough you can backtrack your way out of the area. Similar to the human predator; when you are aware of your surroundings, regardless of your location, you are better equipped to see and avoid potential danger. Think about it…. if you were in an area that was known to have bears, would you have your iPod in or be talking on your phone? Most likely, you would be aware of your surroundings to avoid an attack situation: same holds true when you are in a more urban environment.
B. If a bear approaches you make noise/get ‘Big’/throw stones, etc. You want to give the bear unwanted consequences, or at least provide the bear with the ‘illusion’ that you are not an easy target. With the human predator, you want to approach the situation in the same manner. You want to give the human predator potential consequences that they would rather avoid - like injury or getting caught (even if you only give them the illusion). Get BIG! Make them re-assess the attack.
C. If you do unintentionally provoke a bear attack - fight back with everything you have and try to create space if you have the opportunity - put a barrier between you and the bear. There are a few different schools of thought with bear attacks: one is to roll up into a ball or play dead. The other is to fight back (even if your attempt is in vain) and try to inflict some type of pain that will end the attack and make the bear retreat (like fingers into the eyes). Again, approach an attack from a human predator in the same manner. Fight with everything you have and strike to the vulnerable areas (eyes and groin). Just remember: if do not resist/the attack will occur - so what have you got to lose?
I hope this helps.
Stay safe.
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