In Part 1 of this article we arrived at the point where it was established that you could be confronted by a desperate, violent person with no police or security guards anywhere in sight. What do you do? How can you be your own bodyguard?

As promised, I will outline some tactical responses that you can employ. Having studied karate for 35 years and run countless self-defense courses I believe I am as qualified as anybody to teach this.

Here are your options:

1. try to escape - ie run away
2. try to attract the help of others - ie call for help
3. try to outsmart your antagonist - ie trick him or her
4. try to defend yourself - ie fight back
5. succumb to the antagonist - ie give them what they want

Here, now, are my recommendations for each:

1 - If you try to run you will need to be fit. Are you keeping yourself fit? If you have a disability or are too old then this is not a viable option. Sometimes an attacker will chase you, sometimes he will not. It depends on his level of desperation and whether he is willing or capable to chase you. Where do you run? This is a serious option if you are capable but you must give due thought to the terrain, your attire, your fitness, the attacker's apparent fitness, time and location.

2 - If you try to enlist the help of others do not expect a "knight in shining armor" to arrive. Most people will just not want to help you. They don't want to "be involved." They fear for their own safety. And the way that Courts operate these days if they do fight your attacker off they will most likely have to pay the cretin compensation. If you yell "help!" nobody will come. However, if you yell "fire!" everybody will come. Nobody wants to help but everybody enjoys watching a fire - perverse, but true. Yell fire!

3 - If you try to outsmart the antagonist you might try to distract them in some way long enough for you to escape. Here is where you need to be both creative and convincing. A few ideas you might try are as follows. Pretend the police have arrived, that you have a communicable disease or that you know a friend of the person. For example, you might try saying: "Hey, aren't you John's friend?" Everybody knows somebody called John so it may work. At least it will stop the antagonist for a moment by making him wonder whom you are referring to. That moment might be all you need to escape.

4 - Unless you are skilled in a martial art like karate or boxing this option could be a problem. Even if you are skilled it could still be a problem. Never underestimate an opponent. They may have a weapon or they could have friends nearby. People who attack others are good at it because they do it so often. They know how to take all the advantages of fear. My recommended actions for an unskilled or semi-skilled person would be a finger thrust to the eyes and/or a swift kick to the shins. They are the best targets and have obvious tactical advantages for you.

5 - Succumbing to an antagonist is the last option you should consider, particularly if you are a female and the attack is sexual. These days there is a high probability that a violent offender will get what he or she wants and then enact violence on you anyway. Apart from that, if the offender is subsequently apprehended by police that person's defense lawyer will tear you to pieces in Court for not resisting. The lawyer will attempt to convince a magistrate or a jury that you condoned the act.

My final word on all of this is that you really do need to be your own bodyguard. Don't expect anybody else to protect or defend you. It won't happen. When weighing up the appropriateness of your response ALWAYS remember the three variables - time, place and circumstance. Use your experience and judgement.

For more information of self-defense please visit my website.

This article comes with reprint rights providing no changes are made and the resource box below accompanies it.

Gary Simpson

Gary Simpson lives in Perth, Western Australia.

His passions are writing (of course), reading, karate, body building, investment and growing tropical palms.

His website is devoted to helping people achieve greater success and self esteem through personal development.

Gary is a regular contributor to numerous magazines and newspapers. His articles and short stories appear in many forums. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, they are now being shared worldwide.

He has written eight books:

LARGE VOLUMES:

- "Journey,Life and Destiny" - personal development (2 vols)

- "How to Save $1000's and Increase Your Personal Net Wealth"

- "Brain Training - Affirmations to Strengthen Mind and Body"

- "Strike Back 1" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

- "Strike Back 2" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

SHORT VOLUMES:

- "The Power of Choice" (FREE e-book) - a popular story about a man looking back on his achievements from the hereafter. It is a poignant story that has received accolades from all over the world - from Iceland to Canada to Great Britain to Morocco to New Zealand to the Czech Republic to the USA - and dozens of countries in between.

The Power of Choice is a free resource and can be downloaded directly from Gary's website.

- "Using Motivation and Self Esteem to Excel in Everything You Do" (FREE e-book) - valuable resource to introduce newcomers to the wonders of personal development. This book is available on request. You can secure your copy by leaving your name and email address (no "hotmail" addresses accepted) at his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website.

Gary's unique approach has been shaped by his 35 year pursuit of karate and his 15 year study of the principles of motivation. He has two personal mottos. These are:

"Excellence of Execution."

and

"Imagination is Infinite."

You can learn a great deal about all matters regarding motivation and self esteem at his website. You will find articles, interviews with achievers, motivational messages and other material. You can even opt to receive free material by visiting the "zenspiration" page.

The Motivation and Self Esteem for Success website was constructed by Linda Caroll who Gary has called the "Kyoshi of Website Design" (In karate terminology Kyoshi means "Polished Master"). Visit Gary's website to see for yourself.

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