The first step is to be aware and I know this sounds so obvious, but let me explain: I treat life as a series of threat levels (and I was doing this for the last 20 years long before there was such a thing as a "Homeland Security Dept"). You can think of them like a stoplight: Green, Yellow, Red.
Green means "GO" and 99% of the population (except FREEPERS!) is stuck in this mode. They go through life with their eyes down, thinking of everything but their own safety. They wonder what's on tv; who phoned while they were out; what's for dinner; does he or she really love me; etc. Everything but what matters.
Yellow means "caution." You must be aware of your surroundings in a 360 degree perimeter for about a forty foot radius. You should be "aware" of every moving object and living thing in that area. How do you keep track of what's behind you? Well, lessee, if you're walking down a sidewalk and a car passes near you on the road, you can tell by the sound of it's tires how fast it's moving and the wind pressure against your body. Likewise, you can hear when it slows down by the engine noise and brakes. See? If you approach your car in a parking lot, be sure to not only check the back seat, but also under the car before you even get close.
Back to your moving perimeter, you are aware of things and allow your little onboard "voice" that everyone has and never listens to....to let you know something is strange. What about the guy who looks drunk and is stumbling towards you? Is he only faking being drunk, are his feet moving in a coordinated fashion but his body seems to sway and stumble? Can you see his hands? Look around. Do you see anybody reacting to your specific presence, for example some guy crosses the street to your side for no apparent reason? Let's say you glance across the street and become aware that another man seems to be moving in concert with the first. Now what?
I insert a color here to the Traffic light model----ORANGE ALERT is a heightened alert specific to a given situation. It means you are aware of a specific threat to your person. You must assess and then decide how to act and whether to raise an alrm as it were, or disengage and get the heck out of there or finally (and only if you're qualified to do so) to engage. The key is assessment! ASSESS, ASSESS, ASSESS! Look for a weapon or the possibility of a weapon. Look for backup buddies out to the wings or in a vehicle. Assess. Then...DECIDE. From the second of actual decision, you must instantly do one of two things: ENGAGE or DISENGAGE. I always recommend to disengage! Unless you're judicial meanz. Or somebody trained and experienced in this kind of action.
Finally, CONDITION RED. This is quite simply, COMBAT. Slapping leather going for the draw, whatever.
Important note, condition green invites victimization. Condition Orange can't be maintained for very long, you'll tire quickly. But Condition YELLOW can be maintained forever without effort. You can live, eat and sleep in Yellow. It's very easy to take somebody in condition green. It's nigh well impossible to take anybody in "yellow."
This is just the first step to being secure. IMHO.
Excellent post exsoldier.
Always remember the fact that when two people commit to hand to hand combat, there is a chance only one will walk away.
What I described on my previous post #496 is only for those circumstances where you are fighting for your life and you have no option to escape.
If I may add a point to your post exsoldier:
Always watch a threatening person's hands. The hands kill you. Words wont, but they can be used as a distraction to get their hands to the proper position.
Also, from what I learned in a YMCA self-defense for women class several years ago:
1) If grabbed from behind, take a deep breath and don't freeze up - this will surprise the attacker and he may loosen his grip.
2) If grabbed from behind, put your chin to your chest and throw your head back hard to either knock the wind out of him or smash his nose or throat depending on the height of you and the attacker. Use your elbows as weapons.
3) If face to face, knee to groin first. Then take the sole of your hand and smash their nose upwards and in as hard as you can. The instructor said this can actually kill someone. If keys aren't handy, two fingers in the eyes may help you get away.
4) If attacked from the side, kick the knee and run your shoe down their shin as hard as you can. Stomp as hard as you can on the top of their foot.
5) A purse can be a lethal weapon if swung really hard.
You've got one chance to get away, so give it all you've got.
Excellent excellent post. Thank you.