Self Defense Class.

• Get a can of pepper spray, but make sure that it is legal to carry and that you're trained to use it. Check with the local officials and try to take a basic self-defense class designed for women. Ask the instructors about pepper spray and how you can begin carrying it. Pepper spray isn't just a mild irritant - it can seriously disable would-be attacks, so don't take carrying it lightly.
• Travel in groups as much as possible. It's not always possible to travel with someone at your side, but try to make as much use of other people as you can. For example, ask a security guard to walk you to your car. Be sure that you go out with friends. The larger your group is, the less likely it is that you'll be attacked. Don't let the need for a companion restrict you to your home, but do try and be aware that you'll be more protected with others at your side.
• When you're alone, make sure that you walk against traffic so that you can keep better track of cars. This is especially true at night when it's difficult to see people from the road. Don't assume that cars will always see you - it's up to you to stay out of harm's way.
• Remember that prevention is better than reaction. The more you can do to keep yourself out of harm's way, the better. This means thinking about threats in advance - such as the aforementioned tip of asking a security guard to walk you to your car. This also means equipping yourself with pepper spray even if you don't think you'll ever need it.
• When someone asks for your money at gun or knifepoint, give it to them. Even if you have the skills to defend yourself, it's best to remain calm and simply hand over the property. It can be replaced; your life can't.
• Inside the house, don't let anyone in unless you requested them there or you personally know them. People who say they're from a company shouldn't be granted access simply because they claim to be from somewhere; call the company first to verify their identity. Make no exceptions, even though it may seem odd to do so.

Photo Credits: adamjackson1984

Originally posted 2009-08-12 03:05:13.

Bruce Lee Statue

But many martial arts were developed back when conventional weapons and hands and fists were used to dominate other people. Today's world is drastically different. If you want to become a world-class survival artist in the modern world, you have to embrace not only martial arts, but knowing how to avoid trouble in the first place and build a secure, balanced life. Here's how you can hone your survival skills outside of the conventional martial arts.

Learn urban and rural survival skills. Sure, you may be a good martial artist, but if you're ever caught in a tough situation in an urban environment, could you survive with your wits alone? Urban survival can include different skills such as blending in with the crowd, learning how to escape a city, and using technology to your advantage. Rural survival skills are also crucial, as you never know when you might get trapped in a survival situation far from the comforts of civilization.

Learn financial survival skills. The economic crisis that the world sunk into last year is a wake-up call: today's financial world doesn't stand on stable ground, and all of the martial arts skills in the world won't help you retain your bank account should a bigger crisis hit. How protected is your financial situation? If you lose your job, will you be out of money in a hurry, or do you have emergency funds saved? Do you have all of your money in cash, or do you diversify with commodities like gold and silver?

Avoiding danger, even while traveling. It's not possible to always avoid danger, but that doesn't mean you should walk into the rough part of town simply because you have a black belt. A wise martial artist knows how to avoid danger in the first place, even if you're in places that you don't know quite as well as your home. Make sure that you generally avoid bad areas, rough situations, and, when overseas, areas where tourists are constantly targeted. Information is valuable, so ask around if you're not sure.

The modern renaissance man won't only know how to defend himself, but how to protect himself and his lifestyle. Being able to block a punch is great, but achieving more balance can help you survive other threats to your livelihood.

Photo Credits: juanma.

Originally posted 2010-01-26 03:36:15.