self defense

[jessmarimba]

I do property inspections for development and the sites are frequently undeveloped. As many as, oh, 70% of them have a homeless camp somewhere on them. I'm at these properties alone, and (fortunately) the owners of the camps are rarely around. But sometimes they are. And I've gotten to the point now where it scares the bejesus out of me when I stumble across these camps in the middle of the woods. Due to the circumstances of getting to these properties, I can't be armed (not even pepper spray). Anyone have any self defense ideas that might make me at least calm enough to do my job at these sites?

I took a rape aggression defense class in college but I've forgotten most of what they taught.

[ny biker]

My local police department offers free self-defense seminars. Maybe yours does something similar?

[limewave]

Brass knuckles?

[bmccasland]

Brass knuckles?

A walking stick might be better - that way you could stay at arm's length.

Might find self-defense classes at your local Y.

Only go during day light, be aware, wear decent shoes (ones you can run in), have an escape plan - know where there are businesses, don't carry lots of *stuff*.

[Trek420]

I dunno. I've been thinking about a walking stick because I actually am a gimp but also in an emergency they are exactly the same length, heft, weight as a jo (martial arts staff) which I know what to do with and what to do also if they grab it.

If you are thinking of self defense I've seen these classes and they are good. Quick, dirty, break their b@lls off and get yourself somewhere safe technique that works.

http://www.impactselfdefense.org/

Also why can't you go there with at lease one other person?

[VeganBikeChick]

I've heard a whistle is always good to carry.

[Irulan]

walking sticks,pepper spray etc are useless unless you get training on how to use it for defense etc. Anyone can just take it from you and use it against you if you don't have experience to prevent it from being taken and used.

Why can't you be armed? I'd say it was a perfect situation for a concealed carry permit.Also, what they don't know....

[grey]

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

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.

Do take some self defense classes. This is not a good situation. Always wear pants & shoes you can run in/kick in if needed, don't carry a purse.

If not a walking stick, add one of those little biter sticks to your keychain. Just a little extra damage, 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.

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.

[smilingcat]

The most important thing to learn in martial arts class is self confidence. If a person wants to harm you, he is going to size you up first. If you show air of confidence or calmness then he will more likely leave you alone.

Don't think for one moment that you can "hand chop" your way through a confrontation. I think good self-defense class will teach you on how to defuse the situation first or to minimize your risk and only when you have no other recourse should you try with physical force. Take a camera phone with 3G connection so you can send photos immediately. Take necessary precaution before going in. Call in to say you are at the site and going in. Check in every 5, 10, 15 minutes. Call in when you come out to say you are safely back on the road.

Much of modern culture and especially ours says to take things "squarely on", "head-on". And this generally is not a best approach when dealing with potential adversary.

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.

[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.

[grey]

LOL, a 'little' Aikido move would be the most basic hand disengagement, and it may have saved me some trouble back in college. It was nonviolent, but it showed the two drunk kids that I knew something. And then a cop conveniently walked around the corner. All was well. Lucky.
Looking for a new school. I'm picky. It's been 10 years.

And I agree. Physical confrontation is a last, last resort. Confidence saves a lot of trouble.
Don't forget to have a quick look at your car upon returning. Glance under it while at a distance away (so you don't look obvious, and are in a better position if someone is under it) and the backseat before you get in. Just be aware, aware, aware. No fumbling for keys or phone or tools.

I want to add to the meet their eyes part I said earlier. It's a glance, but a direct one that just says 'I see you.' Nothing more, because then you verge on looking threatening. For animals and people, a stare is a threat of harm, and might trigger a response rather than avoid it.

[Becky]

Jess, check with your employer about self-defense classes. When the women here voiced concern about similar issues, our HR located some county and state police officers who taught self-defense and arranged for an in-house class specifically targeted to our needs. It was fantastic, and I'd take it every year if I could.

Good luck and be safe out there!

[OakLeaf]

One tangentially related thing -

I get the impression by what you said about weaponry that you have to travel by air. If that's the case, then you don't necessarily have much choice about rental cars.

But if you get to use your own car, you might think strongly about getting one with a "smart" key. I rarely park in places where I'm uncomfortable, so for me it's usually mostly an enormous convenience. But I'm very aware that not even having to look for my key - never having to take my eyes off my surroundings or open my purse - is a big safety advantage, too.

[Irulan]

Jess, check with your employer about self-defense classes. When the women here voiced concern about similar issues, our HR located some county and state police officers who taught self-defense and arranged for an in-house class specifically targeted to our needs. It was fantastic, and I'd take it every year if I could.

Good luck and be safe out there!

This is good. If it's part of your job and you don't feel safe, HR would be a great place to start. Especially if you mention the words lawsuit because you weren't' adequately protected by company policy. Or something like that.

[Trek420]

LOL, a 'little' Aikido move would be the most basic hand disengagement, and it may have saved me some trouble back in college. It was nonviolent, but it showed the two drunk kids that I knew something. And then a cop conveniently walked around the corner. All was well. Lucky.
Looking for a new school. I'm picky. It's been 10 years.

Good work! Many of us brought up with internal voices of "don't hit, don't fight, don't punch your brother ..." and some count on the assumption that you won't react or will be slow to.

You did, instantly. Heh heh heh. Saved you and another woman because it may give them 2nd thoughts about doing that again.

Aikido is great fun and you never know when the ukemi (rolls/falls) could save you on a bike. It's helped me a couple times on that.

Find a good teacher and school here:

http://www.ai-ki-do.org/