Almost everyone who has attended a self-defense class or seminar has probably heard this old saw: Grip your keys between your fingers and use them to lash the face of your attacker, be sure to aim for the eyes Its a WSD (womens self-defense) standby.
Almost everyone who has attended a self-defense class or seminar has probably heard this old saw: Grip your keys between your fingers and use them to lash the face of your attacker, be sure to aim for the eyes Its a WSD (womens self-defense) standby.
Unfortunately what many instructors fail to mention is the fallacies of this very defense. First is range. Second is target.
Lets discuss range. If you are close enough to use your keys as a weapon, you are in grappling range. It’s too late. You’re already at a severe disadvantage. Despite any absolute equality rants, a mans upper body strength is a formidable barrier. Physiologically, generally, culturally and even psychologically, men carry their strength in their upper body. (A woman’s strength is in her legs, by the way.) Strike one against a female defender. She’s in a range that is of the greatest advantage to her male attacker.
As to targeting ever try to strike a small moving object with a smaller object especially if you are adrenalized. Symptoms of an adrenaline dump into the body include tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, lack of fine motor skills, etc. And it seems people who teach this are positive any attacker is going to stand completely still and allow you to gouge at a tender organ with a metal object.
Those are just two of the problems with this commonly taught WSD defense.
The best answers to any women’s self-defense issue are too simplistic and too easy to warrant a $200 one-day class. Quite simply: Awareness, avoidance and lifestyle.
Awareness : Pay attention to your surroundings. Know where the exits are in any building. Know where the people congregate. Know where the help desk, security or storeowner can be immediately reached. Crimes occur on the fringe areas of activities, i.e., parking lots, the walkway between the mall and the car, and similar locations. Safety is where there are lights and noise and people.
A secondary part: Trust your instincts. Always. Never ignore them. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Don’t ever let pride interfere. Never believe that he wont dare! Being wrong is too costly. Move back to safety.
Avoidance : Pay attention to your surroundings. People don’t normally loiter in the parking areas. They move purposefully from the store to their cars. A quick scan of the area should alert you to a person who sets your spider senses tingling by loitering in the area, especially near the entrance. Walk calmly and with determination back to the mall or store. Find security personnel or the owner and ask for an escort to your vehicle.
Lifestyle . Psychologists have coined a term for it: risky behavior. If you knowingly choose a risky lifestyle, be equally aware of the dangers that accompany it. Running with the wrong crowd may provide thrills, but it also invites a definite set of dangers. Simply be aware that there can be consequences, and not all of them pleasant, to your choices. Dont associate with violent people, even though you are sure they will never aim their violence at you. With violent personalities, everyone gets a turn in the barrel.
Techniques and Tutorials 
Almost everyone who has attended a self-defense class or seminar has probably heard this old saw: Grip your keys between your fingers and use them to lash the face of your attacker, be sure to aim for the eyes Its a WSD (womens self-defense) standby. 
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By: Sam (Registered IP 81.179.96.234) on 25-11-2007 13:34
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