A practical reply, posted to Ms. We Need A Plan

One of our Yahoo e-group members suggested this:

"Create [a plan for life] for young men! Take [a plan] for women and adapt it with the help of the local PD."

And another answered:

"Now that sounds like a plan :)

Just today a friend sent me an e-mail which made me think about the reply on this group about self-protection for women, and how adapting that plan might work for our young men also.

... I am posting this in case someone needs it.

I would only add to that to use good judgment when faced with a situation that might risk your life ... there have been times when women have had to find very creative ways to stay alive."

Here is what was suggested:

TIPS FOR WOMEN ... ON STAYING ALIVE

The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do it!

If you are ever thrown in the trunk of a car kick out the back taillights stick your arm out of the hole, and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives!

Three reasons women are easy targets:

1) Lack of Awareness
You MUST know where you are, and what's going on around you.

2) Body Language
Keep your head up, swing your arms, stand straight up.

3) Wrong Place ... Wrong Time
DON'T walk alone in an alley, or drive in a bad neighborhood at night.

Getting in to your car:

AS SOON AS YOU GET IN YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE
Be aware ... look around you ... look in your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat before you get in. If you are parked next to a big van ... enter your car from the passenger door. Look at the cars parked next to you. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car ... walk back into the mall, or work, and get someone to walk back out with you. (Better paranoid than dead.)

ELEVATORS

ALWAYS take the elevator instead stairs. Do not get on an elevator if a weirdo is already on. (Of course, bad people don't always look bad.) Do not stand back in the corners of the elevator be near the front, by the doors, ready to get off or on. If you get on the elevator, and the Boogie Man gets on the next few floors ... get off when he gets on.

If the predator has a gun (and you're not under his control):

ALWAYS RUN! Police only make 4 of 10 shots, in range of 3-9 feet. This is due to stress. The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it will most likely NOT be in a vital organ. RUN ...

Tips to save your life if you've gotten into a violent situation:

REACT IMMEDIATELY

If he abducts you in a parking lot, and is taking you to an abandoned area ... DON'T LET HIM GET YOU TO THAT AREA. If you're driving ... crash your car while still going 5 mph. If he's driving ... find the right time, and stick your fingers in his eyes. He must watch the road, so choose an unsuspecting time, and gouge him. It is your ONLY defense!!! While he is in shock ... GET OUT. (This sounds gross, but the alternative is your fault if you do not act.)

RESIST

Don't go along with him ... run ... if you are able DON'T EVER GIVE UP! You DO NOT want to get to a crime scene. Always keep your distance when walking past strangers

BREAK DOWNS

Avoid breakdowns by keeping your car in good working order. If your car does break down LOCK YOUR DOORS. You better have a cell phone to call for help. If it's noon on a business day, you may want to put on your hazards, and walk to safety. GET A CELL PHONE.

Physical defenses we can use:

The EYES - these are the most vulnerable part of the body. Poke him there ... HARD. It may be your only window of opportunity.

The KNEES - everyone's knees are very vulnerable, and a swift kick in the knees will take anyone down.

A cautionary note about these things:

If you do not do these things right the first time, you are in trouble, because it will only anger the individual, and that anger will be TAKEN OUT ON YOU. I'm not saying don't attempt them (it may be your only hope), but be forceful when you do.

YELL FIRE!!!

If you are walking alone in the dark (which you shouldn't be), and you find him following/chasing you Scream, "FIRE!" not, "Help". People don't want to get involved when people yell, "help", but "fire" draws attention, because people are basically nosy.

RUN!

Find an obstacle, such as a parked car, and run around it, like Ring Around the Rosie. This may sound silly, but it's SAVED LIVES.

Our world is not as safe as we pretend, and living in our fantasy worlds WILL get us in trouble. The women who die EVERY MINUTE from violent crimes expected to go to bed tonight, and wake up tomorrow.

BE PREPARED TO ACT, AND ACT HARD ... !!!

HAVE A PLAN.

I would encourage you to pass this on to all women ... not just your friends and family ... but everybody.