self defense

[Trek420]

A stick is good. Don't forget your keys are a good weapon, lace them between your knuckles.

I prefer a mag light is .... That way I still have my keys

.... and there's a few little Aikido moves you can use with those to take someone down and hold them there.
Something to be said for a little chutzpa.

Little Aikido moves?

I've said it before, I'll probably say it again taking a self defense class is a great idea. One, two days tops.

You will learn enough that may save your or someone else's life. It's fun, empowering. I've been doing Aikido since 1980 and while out of training right now I will always do it. I would never say "oh, you can just use this".

And I have "used it" in real situations.

Take a self defense class.
The good ones boil down to this:
Keep moving hitting striking kicking scratching moving ...
Make lots of noise
Repeat steps 1 & 2 until your assailant is no longer an issue whatever you take that to mean ie either you are safe or he is no longer a problem.

The best self defense is being aware, and holding yourself up like you know you can kick everyone's @ss. Meet their eyes so they know YOU know what they look like. Walk tall & straight, you have places to be and are not to be messed with.

But this: +1,000,000.00!

I truly believe that anything and everything that we do that makes you feel strong, confident, aware is the best self defense in the world, a true martial art. Whether you bike, hike, kayak, garden or knit whatever it is that makes you feel confident that is self defense.

To those of you/us who've faced assault it is never the victims fault. But at the same time the confidence you now have and build you will never know how it saves your life. There could be someone today who thinks "nah, not her, she is too tough"

So ride on!

Edit: do you have a big dog that's well trained? I take my Shepherd mix with me sometimes, she's just an extra set of eyes. And she growls on command.

Dog and or human company would be great.

Best fight is not engaging in fight. Learn body language for sign of hostility and how to defuse it. Walk away and disengage is the best option.

You will find these idea in "Art of War" by Sun Tsu. written around 300BC. Short but very much to the point. Understanding will help you with dangerous situations. I think you can get it on kindle for free or for very cheap.

+1,000,000 again. Avoid the situation, be aware, diffuse it, walk away. The fight that does not happen is the one you win.