PERSONAL SAFETY FOR WOMEN WHO RUN/JOG/WALK

Running/jogging/walking can put any of us in vulnerable situations, male or female. You can plan ahead to reduce the chance of an assault.

AWARENESS - THE KEY AND FIRST STEP TO PERSONAL SAFETY. Always know your surroundings, where you are at and where you can run for help - have the ability to always get to a main street/road.

BUDDY SYSTEM - IF POSSIBLE, use the buddy system. Pair up with a friend/family member/neighbor to run/jog/walk with.

VISABILITY - Make yourself visible to automobiles and to the public any time just prior to sunset/dusk - deck yourself in phosphorescent yellow. I know, I know it's not the best choice of fashion but it does make you highly visible.

CELLPHONE - Always carry a cellphone with you in a holder on your hip giving you emergency access to help.

Identification - I'm not a running or jogger anymore but they make "runner ID's", get one or be sure to put your driver's license/identification into your pocket. Don't go anywhere without ID.

Communicate - tell or jot a note to someone close to you what route you will be taking and an approximate time that you should be expected back.

Senses, use them - Do not take away any of your senses. This means to leave your earbuds and iPod at home and save it for the gym. You must use your eyes, ears, nose, hearing and your awareness/intuition so that you can remain safe and aware of your surroundings at all times. Trust your intuition - if it doesn't "feel" right and your "gut" is telling you that something is off - get away from the impending danger immediately.

Verbalize - If you feel that someone is approaching you and your safety is at risk, be heard. Commit and with a stern voice state, "Don't come any closer" - you have to set your own personal boundaries and you have every right to protect that boundary. If they do not back off start to yell "Fire, Get away from me, etc." at the top of your lungs. Don't ever be afraid to draw attention to yourself in lieu of remaining safe.

FIGHT, DOING SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING! - I pray that you never will have to fight an assailant, if you do - go for the head, eyes, nose, throat, knees; groin being the last because men expect females to go there first. AND, take a personal safety course to learn realistic un-armed defense so that you will always be educated and know how to protect and defend yourself. IT'S YOUR RIGHT!

POLICE/REPORT - Every altercation or attack must be reported and you must seek proper medical attention and emotional support. Remember.........IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT, YOU DID NOT "ASK" FOR AN ATTACK TO HAPPEN. It is imperative for the person who assaults an individual to be found, if not - you won't be the last.

Take care and STAY SAFE!

Anny
A Survivor
The Realistic Female Self-Defense Company
"Raising female awareness and skills to reduce susceptibility in response to violence."
www.realisticfemaleselfdefense.com