Female Awareness and Survival Training (FAST)

Tonight, our training staff is delivering an outstanding program we call FAST. The class reminds us that many women might be reluctant or unable to take a self-defense class so we've put together a few tips to help women avoid being victimized.

The first line of defense for women is AWARENESS. That's why our class isn't called "self-defense." Real self-defense begins long before a potential attacker has the opportunity to make you a victim. Be aware of your surroundings, look people in the eye and pay attention to where you are, who is around you and what they're doing. Lots of criminals target victims who seem to not be paying attention.

Second, use that "sixth sense." When you get that funny feeling, or you have a "gut instinct" there's usually a reason. Most people get these feelings all the time, but for some reason, women seem to ignore the feeling more than men. That gut feeling is your survival instinct telling you something is wrong! Pay attention to it! If something doesn't look or feel right, get out of the situation!.

Third, be aware of your escape routes. When the lion chases the gazelle, the gazelle doesn't turn around and use some neat technique she learned in a self-defense class...she RUNS! Pay attention to where you are and how you would get away of something bad happened. Use "mental modeling" and visualization. Think to yourself: "if something bad happened right now, how would I get away?"

Finally, if all else fails, FIGHT like your life depends on it, because it does. If you are attacked and can't get away, kick, scratch, bite and do everything you possibly can to inflict as much pain on your attacker as possible. Tell yourself that you're probably going to get hurt, and you're going to feel pain, but the bad guy isn't going to win.