H.I.T. Self Defense

Recently, ADT Security has been running different commercial spots on home invasion: one with a ‘mom’ and an attacker who breaks down the front door; another with a daughter who is home alone when someone tries to break into the home. In these commercials, the alarm sounds and the predator flees (neat and tidy). But what do you do in a real life scenario. Maybe you don’t have a security system; maybe you are in an apartment or condo with limited escape routes - maybe you wake up with a predator in your residence.

First and foremost; like any life threatening situation - have a plan: like you would in the case of a fire - you have potential access routes, escape routes, etc. As we’ve discussed previously, there is a difference between property crimes and personal crimes. With most property crimes the intruder wants the property and would prefer not to be confronted by anyone. Normally, they will choose to break in when they feel there is no one around. If however, they are desperate, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, that reasoning goes out the window and you suddenly have a very desperate individual in your home with you. In the case of a personal crime (sexual assault) most often they will target you before they ever step foot into your home. Whether they case your place out or follow you home from the grocery store, gym, etc., you will likely have become an object of their attention prior to the attack.

Regardless if this is a property crime or a personal crime, you want to get away from the residence and away from the predator as quickly as possible. You know the layout of your home better than anyone. Especially better than someone who’s in the residence for the first time. Remember, they are under duress from adrenaline, etc. You can use this to your advantage. You do whatever is necessary to disengage the confrontation and flee. If this is a property crime, more often than not, you can disengage the confrontation fairly easily and run. There’s no need for negotiation with the perpetrator - just get out. In the case of a personal crime, you have to do whatever you can to stop the attack and flee. Remember: closest weapon, closest target. Go for the marbles: eyes and groin if possible (one option: refer to blog post: http://www.hitselfdefense.com/blog/hit-clip-eye-gouge). You want to inflict enough pain to provide you with a few seconds to escape. Don’t forget about the ‘consequences’. You need to give the perpetrator consequences that are undesirable - like noise. Yell as you run from the residence and continue to yell until you get to a place of safety.

Preventative Measures/A few tips to use (regardless of age): Don’t open the door to a stranger - regardless of their proposition. There was a case in San Diego not too long ago where a couple of individuals dressed up as water district employees to gain access to different residences’ (not one person asked to see identification). There was a case up in L.A. where an individual identified himself as a plain clothes police officer to gain access. One other mentionable case was in Spring Valley, CA where an elderly woman was abducted and locked in the trunk of a car. The criminals targeted this lady because she was elderly and lived alone - they approached her door as vacuum salesmen (with a vacuum). Luckily, the ‘perps’ were pulled over for a traffic violation and the police found her in the trunk of the car. Ask to see credentials. If someone approaches and tells you they’re the police - ask for a uniformed officer before you open the door (this is within your rights). In the case of the water district employees’ - call the water district for verification and make them wait outside. One other quick note: be vigilant before you enter your home. If something seems amiss (broken window, door ajar) - anything out of the ordinary - don’t enter the residence. Call the police. Trust me, the police would rather respond to a call like that than the alternative.

Have A Plan: As mentioned above - have a plan. One tip might be to hide a can of pepper spray (something to thwart off an attack) in the bathroom… especially if the bathroom is in the general vicinity of your bedroom. That way, if you wake up and hear somebody in the other room or downstairs you can lock yourself in the bathroom. One other issue of importance: have your cell phone close to you when you go to sleep. If you do have to lock yourself in the bathroom, grab your cell phone on the way in - also, if the bathroom is small enough - use your body to block (or wedge) against the door - and YELL! I offer the bathroom option in the case that you wake up and hear someone downstairs or in the residence and your only other option would be to confront them on your way out. Your first instinct should be to get out of the residence and get to a place of safety. With regards to children in the residence: there are so many different variables that come into play here. My suggestion: get to your child and flee the residence together. If you are confronted on your way out - tell your child to run outside. In the meantime, you’ll have to distract the perpetrator until you get an opportunity to escape, yourself (that means ‘fight’ - punch, kick, scratch, etc. - remember: go for the vulnerable, soft spots - eyes, groin, throat, etc). Does this sound like a handful? You bet! That is why you want to discuss options before anything happens. Tell your child/teenager - ‘if I say run, don’t hesitate and don’t look back… just get out.’

Don’t Show Your Vulnerability: What do I mean by this? It’s impossible to give you a 100% percent, sure fire way to avoid the attention of a predator. The hard truth is - you can use all of the preventative measures and still get targeted. However, make yourself as ‘low-profile’ as possible. Be vigilant about your surroundings - regardless of where you are (store parking lots, gym, etc.). You want to be aware and give off the impression that you are VERY aware of your surroundings. Don’t advertise that you are single or live alone. That means don’t post that up on your mailbox (single name: Jane Swanson/Ms., etc.), don’t give too much information on your voice mail; don’t leave your shades open at night to give a predator unwanted information or ‘the layout of the land’ in your residence. If possible (in the case of an apartment or condo) try to rent, buy, lease on the second floor and above. Lock your doors with a deadbolt. Some people feel that a door chain is protection enough to use when someone comes to the door. That chain will never protect you if a predator wants to get inside. Just like the movies - they’re going to kick the door in to get to you. Finally, there are peep holes you can buy that offer a 360′ degree look outside.

I hope this helps.
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