Beware Bad Advice -Threat Awareness

I wrote a blog post several years ago about the countless tips that can be found online about Self Defense. And how really bad some of the tips are.

Since then, I have discovered even more bad advice online. I’m sure the people giving these advice tips are trying to help. But, bless their hearts, the advice is bad.

This post is all about Bad Advice for Threat Awareness.

And, as always, I realize the irony of using the internet to warn people about bad advice on the internet. :-) With that said, here we go…

“… if you feel unsafe, call a friend or family member and talk with them until you reach your destination. This way, someone knows where you are at all times.”

Talking to someone on your phone may make you feel safer, but it does not make you safer. It makes you unaware of your surroundings. Predators look for people who appear unaware. You could end up being targeted because you are on your phone.

Someone could also simply grab your phone and run. Or they could do more nefarious things.

And honestly, how can the person you are talking to actually help you? Other than calling the police for you (and that’s assuming they know exactly where you are), they can’t do anything. And by the time the police show up, the attack will be over and the damage will have been done.

Stay off your phone when you are in public.

“Occasionally, I might put my earphones in and play loud music, or a podcast to distract myself. I know this isn’t the safest option because I am making myself more vulnerable to attacks, however it distracts me from my fear. ”

The women knows that wearing earphones is a bad idea. But she does it anyway. Why? It “distracts” her from her fear. She may feel less scared, but she’s making herself a very desirable target for predators.

Don’t wear earphones in public. You need to hear what’s going on around you. Like screeching tires, people yelling, footsteps approaching you, or anything else that can alert you of possible danger. Don’t just feel safer. Be safer.

“While walking to your car, if you see strangers in your path or guys hanging out in a car or maybe a van with darkened windows parked next to your car … Take out your cell phone and pretend to make a call. Point in the direction of your path. Point in several directions. Look like you are totally aware of all that is going on even if you are totally clueless.”

First of all, stay off your phone. Immediately go back inside the building you just left, or go into a nearby store or office. Ask security or someone of authority to escort you to your car. Or call the police for help. Don’t go to your car until you have help or until the possible danger is gone.

Don’t just look aware. Be aware. The fact that you saw the strangers or van means you were paying attention to your surroundings. And that’s a good start.

Pretending to call someone? What’s the point? Does the person who gave this advice think that might scare the guys away? It might. It might not. But it doesn’t matter. Immediately go into a safe place. Get help and/or call the police. If you’re wrong and they aren’t bad guys? Who cares? As the old saying goes, “better to be safe than sorry.”

“If I walk past someone and we make eye contact, I smile. I try to look as friendly as possible, but for the most part I am looking way ahead of me or down at the floor.”

Don’t walk past someone that makes you feel uncomfortable if you can avoid it. But, if you must walk past them, make brief eye contact to show you are aware of him.

Keep your face expressionless. Smiling and looking friendly could tell a predator that you are willing to be approached.

And do not look down at the ground in front of you (or way ahead of you). Look around. Be aware of your surroundings. The more alert and aware you look, the less likely you’ll be chosen as a target.

Be aware of bad advice. Most of the time, common sense will tell you that the advice is bad. But if you aren’t sure, do some research. Check out some actual Self Defense sites. Don’t rely on Q&A sites or “self defense” articles on random sites.

~ Shereen

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