Beware Bad Advice — Tactics Edition

Bad advice abounds on the internet. About everything! This post concentrates on the bad advice given on self defense tactics. I don’t mean to belittle anyone. The advice comes from the hearts of the people who provide it.

But I just want you to be aware that some of the advice in the internet may not be the best. And some advice is downright bad.

And, yet again, I must include this thought: I realize the irony of using the internet to warn you about advice on the internet.

“Don’t be afraid to use them [sic]nails. Claw the [expletive deleted]’s face off. Aim for the eyes. Worse comes to worst, you’ll have ample DNA evidence under your nails.”

I’ve seen this advice online so many times, I’ve lost count. Same advice; different wording…

“In cases of rape or other sexual assault, use your fingernails to gouge the attacker’s body, such as their cheek, hands and chest… collect DNA under your nails.”

The first quote mentions the eyes, but used the word “claw.” The second quote uses the right word, “gouge,” but leaves out the word “eyes.”

And finally, not all women have long nails. So “clawing” isn’t going to do anything.

If you are being attacked and you can get your hands on your attacker’s face, stick your thumbs deep into his eye sockets, starting near the bridge of his nose (imagine trying to reach his brain) and gouge out his eyes. Even if you can only gouge out one eye, it’ll still cause injury to your attacker.

Your goal is not to collect DNA. Your goal is to incapacitate your attacker… to cause him injury… to stop him from attacking so you can get away.

If you can’t reach his eyes and have no other tactic available other than using your finger nails to scratch, by all means, do so. But the minute you are able to use other techniques, go for it.

Learn some self defense tactics and techniques to defend yourself. Take some self defense classes. Don’t rely on “them nails” to save you. They probably won’t.

“What about dropping to the ground and kicking? Some women are taught to do that…”

Never go to the ground on purpose. Do whatever you need to do to stay on your feet. It’s easier to defend yourself, easier to injure your attacker, easier to run away.

If you get knocked down, immediately do whatever it takes to get back up (gouge, bite, kick, hit, smash, jab, break, rupture, tear… you get the idea).

“Vomit on attacker. Use bodily fluids. Fake a faint or seizure.”

This was on a news show that was giving advice (specifically to women) on what to do if you get attacked.

Seriously, don’t take the time to try to make yourself throw up. Use that time, instead, to fight off your attacker.

Don’t fake a seizure or pretend to faint. Both methods will make you completely vulnerable to your attacker.

And most people don’t have much control over their bodily fluids when they’re attacked. Sometimes the urine comes out whether you want it to or not.

Fight back. Go for the weak spots and cause injury to your attacker! Then get away and get help.

Found in an article about “Ways to react to a sexual assault.”

“If you believe you might get hurt defending yourself or if you’re afraid to fight back, don’t.”

“Try to discourage the attacker. Pretend to faint, cry hysterically, act mentally incapacitated or insane.”

If you ever have to defend yourself against a violent attack, you’ll get hurt. That’s a reality. So don’t let that stop you from fighting off your attacker.

Pretending to faint, as I mentioned earlier, makes you more vulnerable.

Crying hysterically actually encourages certain types of rapists and uses energy that you should be using to defend yourself.

Acting mentally incapacitated or insane? Might work. Probably won’t.

If an attacker is determined to sexually assault you, your best bet is to fight back. Focus on incapacitating the attacker so you can get away. And don’t let fear stop you from defending yourself.

As always, if you’re looking online for advice on self defense, go to sites dedicated to the subject, not Q&A sites or other sites where self defense is not their main subject.

Take self defense lessons and develop a defensive mindset. You’ll be better prepared to defend yourself.

~ Shereen

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