SAS Urban Survival Handbook (98 page)

TEETH

If you can get any part of your attacker within range—BITE! Any fleshy part will do. Don’t let go. Keep on biting. It may be important, especially in the case of rape, to mark an attacker.

FEET

An extended leg could keep an attacker away—especially if you are on the ground. If kicking, don’t draw the leg back—this announces the move you are about to make. Take all the weight on the other leg and bend it slightly. Aim the kick to the groin, knee or stomach. Make it a snap action so that the leg is withdrawn immediately. You musn’t let your attacker grab your leg and overbalance you (right).

SCREAM!

In tight situations, it helps to scream. It offers several advantages. It may summon help.

It drives the air out of your body and helps you focus your energy. It may also shock the attacker. If a real ‘bully’ finds that you are screaming and lashing out—they may run away.

KNEE

The legs are very powerful and the knee can be used to devastating effect. With practice it can become a very fast weapon. Use for a blow to the attacker’s testicles, stomach or even thigh. One advantage of using knees is that they are well below the eye level. If an attacker runs at you—raise a hand as if to defend your face.

At the last moment, raise a knee so that the attacker runs right into it at testicle height. Don’t look down or you will have ′given the game away’.

The attacker’s head may even come into range—especially if ′doubled up’ by a blow to the testicles.

HEAD

If grasped face-to-face by an attacker, quickly snap your head forward to hit the nose with your upper forehead. Shorter people can often butt a taller person in the solar plexus or stomach.

If you are grabbed from behind—snap your head back to hit the attacker in the face, preferably on the nose.

REMEMBER

Surprise is all-important. Try to recognize danger and be one step ahead. Run through likely defence techniques if you see a situation developing where you might need them – BEFORE you are required to defend yourself. Move quickly. Don’t draw back the hand or the leg to strike – the opponent will be able to see it coming.

IMPROVISED WEAPONS

Use whatever you have to defend yourself:

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  Coins from your pocket can be thrown in an attacker’s face
  
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  Wrap them up in a handkerchief and use as a club
  
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  Use your bag, purse, briefcase—aim for the head
  
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  Umbrellas and walking sticks can be used as clubs or jabbed into feet or stomach—or brought up between the legs to an attacker’s groin
  
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  Hard-soled shoes are essential to be able to kick effectively. Aim for the groin. Scrape your shoe down a shin
  
• ■
  High heels should be aimed at an attacker’s foot or hand. Putting all her weight on a thin heel means an average woman can exert a pressure of nearly three-quarters of a ton!
  
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  You cannot run in high heels. Take them off and throw them—or use them to strike the attacker
  
• ■
  A powerful flashlight may dazzle an attacker—and also could make a handy club
  
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  Grab a handful of dirt, gravel or sand and throw it into the attacker’s face
  
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  Roll up a newspaper and jab it end first into the face or stomach
  
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  Jab a credit card, comb, hairbrush, anything into the philtrum (the upper lip just below the nose)
  
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  Scrape a comb across the attacker’s face or back of the hand
  
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  Dig a pen or pencil into the attacker’s hand or face—the attacker’s impulse may be to defend the eyes
  
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  Jab or scratch with keys
  
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  Powder from a compact may temporarily blind an attacker
  
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  Perfume, hairspray or deodorant can be sprayed into an attacker’s eyes
  

REMEMBER

Disabling sprays are ILLEGAL in most countries, as are knives, clubs and guns. Even a spanner could be considered an offensive weapon if it’s not part of the tools of your trade, and could land you in court. If you’re not a plumber, builder or whatever, the inference could be that you intend to cause someone harm.

WARNING

Violence breeds violence. An incident that begins with an attacker grabbing your coat and demanding money may escalate into serious assault. If possible, attempt to deter the attacker without being the first one to use real violence. If your attacker is a lot bigger or stronger than you, they may be relying on just frightening you. Once real violence is introduced, you may be way out of your depth.

ON GUARD

To defend yourself against an attacker and use all your natural weapons to the best effect, you need a balanced position from which to fight.

Stand normally—facing the target. The distance between your feet should be about the width of your shoulders. Your favoured leg should be slightly forward and your knees should be bent slightly. Tuck your elbows in, protect your head and body by holding your hands in front of you and lower the chin to protect the throat. You MUST feel comfortable in this position. DON’T strain or stiffen up.

MOVING ON GUARD

Try to make your movements flow. Don’t move jerkily. NEVER cross the legs or your stable base is lost and you will be knocked off balance. Practise moving forwards, backwards, to the left and right. Keep the arms up at all times.

Practise with a partner. Don’t actually exchange blows. The target is the forehead. If the partner reaches out with a right hand, parry (deflect or block) with your left—and vice versa. Don’t stand still—keep moving at all times.