Basic Rules

• Flight (running) is better than Fight
• Use awareness to avoid conflict
• If you cannot avoid conflict, fight back with a preemptive attack
• Don't make deals with an attacker (they obviously can't be trusted to keep the deal), such as "please don't hurt me", especially in cases of rape
• Stay with the herd (other people), don't be alone
• Don't count on others around you to help you

Adrenal Dump

• Adrenaline releases are part of any conflict, and are usually mistaken as fear.
• Talk yourself through these feelings, "this is just a dump of adrenaline, which is a good thing, not fear."
• Stay calm, cool, and alert.

Prevention: Color Codes of Awareness

• Code White
  • "Switched off"
  • Unaware of environment
  • Makes for a good victim
• Code Yellow
  • "Switched on"
  • State of awareness and observation, but not paranoia
  • Aware of environment, possible danger spots (doorways, corners, people), attacker rituals, adrenal dump, etc
  • Mental commentary of everything happening around you
  • Best to be in this state at all times
• Code Orange
  • State of threat evaluation
  • You see someone crossing the road towards you
• Code Red
  • State of threat avoidance
  • Fight or flight

Four D's : Ritual of any attacker

1. Dialogue
1. Approach victim in a non-threating way (directions, cigarette, the time, spare change)
2. Get the victim's mind thinking about something besides an attack
2. Deception
1. Attacker will appear harmless to victim
2. Cause the victim to let down their guard
3. Distraction
1. The goal is to get the victim not thinking about a possible attack, letting down their guard
2. Dialogue and Deception usually cause this
4. Destruction
1. Once victim is deceived through dialogue and deception measures, attack is made

General Attacker Characteristics

• Attacker will usually utter single-syllable words immediately before an attack ("yeah", "so", "and")
• Hand concealment to hide weapon (in pockets, near thigh with palm facing backward, any other awkward hand position)
• False casualness, trying to look busy, but having nothing to do.
• Usually those showing a weapon won't use it, and usually those hiding a weapon will use it.
• Others will reach for their weapon after they've asked you a question, causing your focus to leave what their body is doing.
• Attacker will usually show the effects of their own adrenal dumps:
  • Bulging wide eyes and tunnel vision
  • Erratic eye movement
  • Pale face
  • Stern and unsmiling
  • Shaking (trying to hide adrenal shakes)
  • Nervous voice

Rituals a Professional Attacker/Mugger

1. Victim selection (code white, alone)
2. Victim stalking
3. Exploratory approach (dialogue, deception)
4. Assessment - is the victim aware of the coming attack?
5. Threatened Attack - cause an adrenal dump in the victim to freeze them
6. Actual Attack

Rituals of a Professional Rapist

• Same as those of the Attacker/Mugger, but with more focus on abduction / moving you away from the herd
• Rapists are "wolfs in sheep" clothing, usually the last person you'd suspect, appearing completely harmless
• Rapists will often try to make deals, "i won't hurt you if you keep quiet" or "if you come with me" that cannot be trusted. They will promise safety for your compliance, but will not keep the promise.
• Make sure to state out loud that "stop, this will be rape", instead of just saying "no".
• Fight back. Fighting back scares off rapists. Survival rates are the same for those who fought back, and those who didn't. Those who fight back recover much quicker emotionally.

Defending against an attack:

1. First response = Escape
2. Second response = Verbal confrontation "leave me alone!"
3. Third response = Physical confrontation
1. If attacker remains, but has not displayed a weapon, move on to a physical confrontation, a preemptive attack.
2. If attacker does have a weapon, use conversation and set the scene for an escape.
1. If escape is not possible, make a preemptive attack, and then escape.
3. Attacks must be preemptive, and must be brutal: go for the attackers most vulnerable areas: eyes, throat, etc.
4. Once you can escape, do it! Don't continue an attack unnecessarily.

Use Adrenaline to psych out your opponent:

• Turn their adrenaline on (cause them to flight):
  • Animal : Act like a madman, yelling screaming, etc.
  • Veteran : "I've been here many times before, I'm not afraid" acting.
  • Recognition : "Hey, how is your mom, I haven't seen her in a few months?" (only works in the early stages of a conflict, it will make things worse in the latter stages)
• Turn their adrenaline off (cause them to let down their guard so you can attack):
  • Feign capitulation - "don't hurt me, i'll give you whatever i want", then attack
  • Ask a question to change their minds focus, then attack

Attack Points

• Eyes
• Nose
• Jaw/Chin
• Knees
• Feet (stomp)
• Throat
• Stomach
• Groin (not the best, guys are used to defending this)

Prevention in your:

• Home
  • Install sound door and window locks, including a door safety chain. Do not leave accessible windows open, day or night.
  • Lock outside doors, and change locks if previous tenant has the keys.
  • If home is for sale, never show prospective buyer around on your own.
  • Always draw curtains after dark.
  • If you notice signs of forced entry on your house, do not enter, call police from a neighbors home.
  • Install porch light and spy hole in door.
  • Never admit stranger (telephone repairman) without checking their credentials. If not certain, call their HQ to get confirmation.
  • Put up a "beware of dog" sign, or "security alarm system" sign, even if you don't have them.
• Car
  • You are most at risk when getting into your car.
  • Locks doors/windows after getting inside.
  • Getting out of your car is another risky time.
  • Don't pick up hitchhikers.
  • Park in well-lit areas.
  • When speaking to someone outside your car, roll window down only a few inches, not all the way.
  • In case of car-jacking, drive to the nearest police station. Make an escape attempt as early as possible, the longer you wait, the harder it becomes.