Self Defense Tips Posted on Twitter

Creating self defense tips in less than 140 characters for Twitter can be tough, but I’m up to the challenge!  (Started on September 10, 2009)

Self Defense Tips 1-10

• Does someone make you uncomfortable? Don’t push aside the thought; allow yourself to question why.
• I’m visiting a town where few lock cars or houses. It’s a nice thought, but perfect 4 criminals!
• Columbine shooting & 9-11 terrorism changed self defense 4ever. Citizens can’t always wait 4 help.
• The more you learn about self defense, the better armed your mind will be 4 danger/disaster.
• Note when normal patterns change in people/situations. Danger rarely “comes out of nowhere.”
• Criminals rarely admit blame. Blame shifting & entitlement reveal their character in all they do.
• Worry & doubt sap energy. True fear mobilizes self defense & survival skills.
• Best, oldest, & truest warning alarm and protector from bad guys — a good watchdog!
• Criminals read body language in targeting victims. What is your body language saying?
• Never underestimate the power of distraction -verbal/physical/mental- in setting up your next move.

Self Defense Tips 11-20—

• When facing violent crime, toss out rules & niceness. Survive by being whatever you need to be.
• Ever startle a sleeping cat? It moves at ‘the speed of survival’ -how prepared are you for danger?
• A few lbs. of pressure breaks fingers, feet, collarbone, ribs — You’re stronger than you think!
• Perseverance, tenacity, cunning, courage, & resolve are as important in self defense as in life
• Shock from denial & lack of prep cause panicky freeze-ups. Danger doesn’t wait until U R ready.
• Kids learn from you. If you aren’t aware, don’t lock up, & take safety risks, they will do same.
• Self defense mindset is like driving: Keep the big picture; be ready 4 sudden changes; remain calm.
• Sound is powerful in self defense. Loud, deep yells are authoritative, focusing your strength & will.
• Be aware … of yourself. Body language tells criminals if you fit their victim profile or not.
• Serial killer Ted Bundy picked targets who seemed less aware of their surroundings. Relaxed wariness is a good thing!

Self Defense Tips 21-30--

• Kids learn self defense best when it is presented as a life skill like cooking, driving, & doing laundry.
• Self defense against emotional predators, users, & abusers is tough. You must face your insecurities along the way.
• If you are thinking ‘This is too good to be true’ about a person/situation, it probably is. Look closer & be wary.
• Red Flag behavior from abusers/users:  Person won’t respect your “No,” & makes you feel guilty for saying it.
• Red Flag behavior from abusers/users: Treats wait staff & clerks with disrespect or negative attention-getting.
• Red Flag behavior from abusers/users #3: Has odd mood swings that don’t seem to match the moment.
• Red Flag behavior from abuser/user, #4: Relationship seems awash in guilt, defensiveness, arrogance, & inconsistency.
• Red Flag behavior from abuser/user, #5: Uses charm & flattery to attract & groom targets. (More here.)
• Red Flag behavior from abuser/user, #6: Deflects all blame, criticism, & embarrassment like a Jedi back to others.
• Red Flag behavior from abuser/user, #7: Hates being wrong, so will lie, exaggerate, or insist your view is wrong.

Self Defense Tips 31-40-

• Red Flag behavior from abuser/user, #8: Others exist to meet their needs & they think others “deserve” that role.
• TEACH KIDS #1 Kidnapper may lure with heart-sob story of a lost pet, using photos. Kids’ helpfulness can be exploited
• TEACH KIDS #2 Kidnappers use gifts/candy/pets as lures. Kids should run & yell: ‘He’s a stranger. I don’t know him!’
• TEACH KIDS #3 Kidnappers use fear (”I’ll kill your parents”). Let kids know you – not them – will handle such threats.
• Think you’re being followed? Verify-cross the street. Last resort: Turn, eyeball ‘em & shout, “Are you following me?”
• Tough-mindedness in self defense isn’t tough-hearted or macho posturing. It’s radiating the msg. — “I can & will win.”
• Vigilance drops when we are hungry, angry, sick, & tired. Criminals see those as vulnerabilities. Don’t make them so!
• Expedient self defense weapon=common objects used as weapons: tools, sport equip., beer mug, whatever helps you survive
• If attacked, yelling FIRE! can get more attention than HELP! People want to see a fire & will pay more attention.—
• Have a Password with kids. Only people with that password get to pick them up or come in house when you aren’t there.—

Self Defense Tips 41-50-

• Personal safety is a state of mind. Israelis are always alert for suicide bombers, but they don’t let fear rule them.
• Three things that repel many criminals: being aware, displaying confidence, & acting comfortable in your own skin.
• Creepy blind date? Always have a friend call to check on you & give you an out: “Sorry, gotta go now …”
• In self defense, outrage is a good mindset to counter panic or freeze-ups: “I ain’t lettin’ this #@%$ happen!”
• Crime disrupts normal patterns. (Ex: foul odor coming from meth lab). Watch patterns change to predict & avoid crime.
• Ever had surprise party thrown for you? Remember the now-obvious clues you missed? Crime has pre-event indicators, too.
• Bad guys don’t always look bad. They can be relatives, authorities, & quiet neighbors. Safeguard w/ healthy wariness.
• Attitude, alertness, & even some audacity can help you thwart a criminal attack. A true story:  http://bit.ly/2JSFn9
• Body language is early line of defense against criminals who profile for ‘perfect victims.’ Project ease. Look capable.—
• Karate moves are cool, but an awesome self defense technique is the “Nike Defense.”  Never heard of it? It means: Run!

Self Defense Tips 51-60-

• Low crime areas aren’t immune to major crime. Weren’t Fort Hood, Columbine, &Virginia Tech fairly “low crime” areas?
• If an Active Shooter enters your building, statistics say the event will last an average of 8 min. Prepare now.
• Is assertiveness rude? Is it rude set boundaries for jerks, bullies, & bad guys? Value your safety over their egos.
• If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut, not smiles, charm, smooth talk, or unsolicited promises.
• Keep It Away game. Kids move out of way or block Nerf-like items coming at them- no catches. Aids eye-hand coordination.
• Alzheimer’s & dementia rob seniors of awareness & street smarts. You have to be their defender & keep them safe.
• Vigilance Tip #1: For just one day view life as criminals would. Mitigate vulnerable points at home/work & for children
• Vigilance Tip #2: Take time to find wk & hm exits, fire escapes, fire extinguishers, 1stAid kits, & gas/elec shutoffs.
• Vigilance Tip #3: Start using reflections in mirrors, windows, shiny objects, & car doors to see around & behind you.—
• Vigilance Tip #4: When people’s behaviors feel odd/off — pay attention & allow yourself to ask, “What’s wrong here?”

Self Defense Tips 61-70-

• Vigilance Tip #5: “Smell out danger” — Odors can warn you: Is a smoker hiding nearby? Is an odd cologne in your home?
• Vigilance Tip #6: Memorize more of your world: Who delivers mail? Who’s your work janitor? Can you name your local cop?
• Vigilance Tip #7: Listen intensely today: Who’s walking upstairs? Why is the office so quiet? Was that just the cat?
• Vigilance Tip #8: All narcissists are insecure. Your strong, graceful assertiveness repels them like a force field.
• Vigilance Tip #9: Criminals may try to act normal, but they intensely & covertly read the scene prior to the crime.
• Vigilance Tip #10: Shopping? Beware of parking lots. Don’t let kids, cell phone usage, or loaded arms hinder awareness.
• Vigilance Tip #11: “Vibes” do exists – good ones; bad ones. Allow yourself to use them to read others & situations.
• Vigilance Tip #12: Best, safest state of awareness is “the lack of an assumption that everything is safe and normal.”
• Vigilance Tip #13: More awareness by all makes criminals run. Your awareness could save a life & you wouldn’t know it.
• Vigilance Tip #14: Awareness, cunning, wariness, pattern recognition, street smarts, intuition — they are your armor.

Self Defense Tips 71-80-

• TEACH KIDS #4: Use media – movies/games/news – to help kids think through, “What would I have done in that situation?”
• TEACH KIDS #5: Teach self defense as common sense. Don’t get emotional or freaky. Kids can handle more than you think.
• TEACH KIDS #7: Kids must be empowered to say “NO!” to authority figures when appropriate. (Parents decide appropriate.)
• TEACH KIDS #8: Kids need adults to model being strong when facing fear. Your strength will encourage their courage.
• TEACH KIDS #9: Do your kids understand trust? Do they see it as valuable? Teach them the power of safe-guarding trust.
• TEACH KIDS #10: There’s fire safety educ, why not self defense? – “OK, kids, let’s talk about crime-proofing yourself.”
• TEACH KIDS #11: Memory games: “Describe the last store clerk we saw. What was his name? How tall & old was he?”
• TEACH KIDS #12: Violence is a relationship with beginning, middle & end. Focus on ways to avoid or thwart the timeline.
• TEACH KIDS #13: Body/voice/eye-contact must show total resolve & gentle strength. Even sleeping tigers are powerful.—
• TEACH KIDS #14: Talk to kids about disaster plans. Where do you all meet if separated? What about pets or who to trust?

Self Defense Tips 81-90-

• Body language & instant improvement: http://bit.ly/6xSQos — (Posture difference is made very clear at 1:20 min mark.)
• Feelings of inferiority – as in self defense – undermine our ability to fight for our rights & make healthy decisions.
• Many people want to learn self defense after being attacked. So much pain can be avoided! Make self defense a priority.
• Learn to trust your gut about people & situations. Your Inner Warrior is as real as your Inner Child.
• When fighting inner battles or external ones, it is your resolve that clears a path to victory.
• Saying “No” with resolve, authority, & a force that projects through your body language & voice is a potent weapon.
• Setting boundaries on your time, energy, money, intimacy, etc. helps protect your well-being from users & losers.
• Pickpockets create small folds at top of pocket cloth & continue until wallet rises to their reach. Watch your back!
• Pickpockets avoid front pants pockets &fastened pockets. A rubber band around wallet/money makes pickpocketing harder.—
• Body language & instant improvement: http://bit.ly/6xSQos — (Posture difference is made very clear at 1:20 min mark.)

Self Defense Tips 91-100-

• Do you know your bad guys? Rooster: bullying, cocky user. Snake: Trust betrayer. Shark: Typical criminal attacker.
• Rooster-like bad guys (bullies/users) use body language & intimidation. Don’t act insecure or unsure; just act bored.
• Snake-like bad guys (trust betrayers) use charm, manipulation & your emotions to worm their way into your confidence.
• Shark-like bad guys (stereotypical criminal attackers) allow violent words, actions, & body language to intimidate.
• Three things criminals love: Unaware people in denial about crime, those who radiate insecurity, & easy-access targets.
• Stand up for yourself via healthy anger (Enough of this!), resolve (No more of this!), wisdom (Your BS doesn’t matter.)
• Courage comes from a resolve to not let bad guys or bad situations win because you respect your well-being as a right.
• If you must fight, do so with utter determination, complete commitment, & the tenacity of a wild–but cunning–animal.
• Greatest tool in self defense–mindset. Never think “I’m a helpless victim.” Refuse to give them that kind of control.——
• You must consider yourself worth defending. If you’d fight to save your kid; then fight to save yourself.

Want to discover more on physical, mental, or emotional self defense? My most recent articles and blog posts can be found by clicking here.

Lori Hoeck

I tweet here  @LoriHoeck.