Self Defence Brisbane: Common sense awareness tips for everyday living
Here are some tips written by club member Gary for his friends, you might find them helpful things to reflect on before you find yourself in an unfortunate situation. Brisbane is by and large a friendly place to live, some simple precautions like these can help keep it so, without worrying excessively about what you see on the news
Read more on Personal protection
On the street
If you are walking alone stay close to other people
Avoid deserted shortcuts; don’t walk in dark, lonely areas
Don’t park in a deserted or lonely place to avoid paying for parking
Avoid parks & public toilets at night
Tell a friend or someone at home where you are going and what time you will be home; call when you are on your way home
Arrange to be picked up from a train or bus station late at night
Stride confidently, swing your arms with your head up; walk with purpose, as opposed to slouching or shuffling along with hands in pockets or arms folded arms
Although an I-pod can be a great companion, it tends to absorb your attention and diminish awareness of your surroundings
Walk in the centre of the footpath away from walls and parked cars
Walk on the footpath that faces the oncoming traffic so that a car cannot pull up behind you
Steer clear of darkened doorways and alleyways
Take a wide path around corners to avoid hidden surprises
Be vigilant; look around you; be aware of who is near you; look behind you
Don’t lower your head and eyes if someone looks at you; make eye contact without staring
Learn to smile and acknowledge people; it conveys confidence and makes ID easier later
Watch other people’s hands as they pass and sense their intention
Always trust your 6th sense or gut feeling; if you get a bad feeling or a sense of foreboding, RUN!
Run towards other people, shops or busy places, not away from them
Run to a shop or a house and ask the owner to call police
If in trouble, make lots of noise and do anything you can to make yourself a hard target; keep moving and look for barriers to put between you and your attacker (e.g. a post, car, letter box, rubbish bin)
Back to Personal protection
In a pub or club
Go with a friend if possible; it will add to your fun as well as your protection
Keep your wits about you; look around you
Notice if anyone is watching you
Notice if someone quickly avoids your gaze when you look at them
Limit your alcohol intake; inebriated people lose awareness quickly
Avoid ‘no-win’ arguments (e.g. whose football team is better)
Don’t do stupid things like hit on to someone’s girlfriend at the bar
If someone in front of you is being aggressive, check who’s behind you
Carry yourself confidently with your head up but not in an arrogant way
Watch other people, especially their hands as they walk by
Be confident when you pass other people; instead of looking away and lowering your head, smile and make eye contact without staring
Learn to regularly monitor the mood of the establishment; is it rowdy, calm, raised voices, laughter?
Point out a troublemaker to bar staff or security staff
If the mood changes, leave before trouble starts
Back to Personal protection
Bike tracks and walkways
Exercise with a friend if possible; take your mobile phone with you
Choose a pathway at a time when there are lots of other people
Avoid going out at twilight or after dark; your vision will be greatly reduced and the risk of being taken by surprise will increase
Avoid lonely spots; seeking solitude and exercise at the same time can be dangerous
If alone, stay close to other people
Avoid parks and other lonely places
Walk towards oncoming traffic to minimise the risk of a car pulling up behind you
Be tall, hold your head up and exercise with confidence and purpose
Being absorbed in an I-pod robs you both your hearing and your awareness; both are vital senses for your self protection
Reading or talking on your mobile phone while walking also reduces your awareness
Be vigilant and look around you; be aware of all your surroundings
Be aware of who is near you; look behind you
Take notice of people in front and behind; most attacks come from behind and often initiated by people who have just walked past you
Be confident when you pass other people; instead of looking away and lowering your head, smile and make eye contact without staring
Learn acknowledge people in a friendly manner; it conveys confidence and makes ID easier later
Watch other people’s hands as they pass and sense their intention
Take a wide path around corners; don’t allow yourself to be surprised by someone hiding around a corner or behind a tree at a bend in the path
Take extra care when passing bushes and trees close to the path; move away from them to give yourself room and lessen the chance of being taken by surprise
Look for movement and danger in nearby trees and bushes. There is always movement before an attack; see it, or better still, sense it before it arrives
Don’t allow yourself to be engaged by strangers asking for the time or directions
If a stranger does try to stop you by asking you a question, keep moving; if you do feel the need to answer don’t stop to do it; keep moving and increase your vigilance
Always trust your 6th sense or gut feeling; if you get a bad feeling or a sense of foreboding, RUN!
Run towards other people, shops or busy places, not away from them
Run to a shop or a house and ask the owner to call police
If in trouble, make lots of noise and do anything you can to make yourself a hard target; keep moving and look for barriers to put between you and your attacker (e.g. a post, car, letter box, rubbish bin)
Back to Personal protection
Going Shopping
Criminals seek weak and vulnerable targets; these include the elderly, disabled, women walking alone, not aware of their surroundings, or women distracted with shopping, small children or carry bags
Go with a partner or friend if you go to the shops at night
Always park as close as you can to the shops, but in a well lit area
It is safer to park in the open (sunny) car park than in the lonely underground car park
Be aware of where you are parking and who is around; notice if there many people or only a few
Notice the cars beside and behind you and who is in them
Be aware of the noise and movement in the car park. Does it feel right?
Get out of your car, lock it and leave; don’t get out and then put your head back through the open door with your back exposed and unprotected
Walk confidently, swing your arms with your head up; walk with purpose
Be vigilant; look around you; be aware of who is near you; look behind you
Maintain constant vigilance and awareness whilst you are in the shops
Don’t be distracted by the act of shopping; keep your wits about you
Don’t retreat into your own little shopping world; keep your head up and don’t turn your back on people walking past you
When you are finished, organise your hair, makeup, money, bags, stroller and children before you leave the shops for your car
Walk purposefully to the car; be aware of your surroundings and don’t be distracted by talking on your mobile phone
Have your car keys in your hand; don’t search for them at your car
If you feel unsafe, walk quickly back into the store and ask a security person or a shop employee to walk you to your car
As you return to your car, be aware of who’s near it and who’s in the car beside
Check the back seat of your car before you get in
Get into the habit of opening only the driver’s door, not all at once
Refuse anyone who either asks for help or offers you help, no matter how convincing; criminals will do and say anything to win your trust
If someone tries to snatch your handbag; resist the temptation to enter into a tug-o-war; circular movements and side to side movements using the hips will be much more effective; make lots of noise
If they persist, let them have it! At the end of the day keeping your life is much more valuable than keeping your handbag
Back to Personal protection
Driving your car
Always keep your car locked
Check the back seat of your car before you get in
Ensure that your doors are locked while you are in the vehicle, particularly if you are stationery
Be vigilant when you are stopped at traffic lights or at an intersection; sitting alone in an unlocked stationery car with the radio turned up loud can be a very dangerous place to be; although the chances are still slim, you are a potential target for carjackers
Don’t open your window to anyone at traffic lights, including window washers and money collectors
Listen to your 6th sense when a stranger tries to flag you down
Don’t allow anyone to force your vehicle to a stop, even if they step in front of your car; don’t run them down but keep moving steadily past them
A person standing beside a broken down vehicle waving at you to stop can be a trap for the would be good Samaritan
An attractive woman is often used as bait to persuade a male to stop; the accomplices are hidden
Never place your purse or handbag on the seat (any seat); put it on the floor. The bag snatch attack will come as a complete surprise as it comes crashing through your passenger side window
Beware of a vehicle behind you making deliberate vehicle to vehicle contact; carjackers know that you will get out of your car to exchange licence and insurance details
Drive safely and do everything possible to avoid a crash
Don’t abuse other drivers or make rude insulting gestures; your car is no protection against someone you have upset and is now after revenge
In the event of a two vehicle accident stay inside your vehicle until police arrive if you feel unsafe; call them yourself or call a friend or family member to come to your aid
In the event of a break down, always carry a mobile phone and stay locked inside your vehicle until help arrives
Minimise the chance of vehicle break down by investing in the reliability of your car; ensure regular services are carried out; ensure you regularly check and maintain water and oil as well as your battery and tyres
Your self-protection relies on your planning, vigilance, awareness, calmness and lots of common sense!
Back to Personal protection
Aikido
A modern martial art developed from the traditional Samurai class of martial arts in Japan. Aikido has no blocks or punches but instead redirects the attackers energy to throw or immobilise them. Suitable for men, women and children. With a good mix of aerobic and weight bearing training its a good way to maintain inner and outer health and pick up some handy skills as well.
Griffith Aikido
A dynamic martial arts club that has been operating on Brisbanes Southside for over 25yrs offers regular beginners courses for newcomers, classes for kids and advanced training for the old hands. Men and women of all ages enjoy training in a co-operative atmosphere under the guidance of Japan recognised instructors and benefit from regular visits by senior instructors from Japan. Start Today
