Cardinal Rules of Personal Safety

One cannot turn on the television or computer without being subjected to various news reports of physical harm linked to crime. Not only do we have to be mindful of our physical safety in public, but we must also be prepared to be victimized in our own homes. Home invasions have become common occurrences across the country. There will be a separate article on "Home Safety," but for today's purposes a simple bullet list of Cardinal Rules of Personal Safety should apply anywhere:

• Situational Awareness -- being keenly aware of one's surroundings


• Assessment -- being able to quickly determine threats to security/safety while planning a course of action


• Distance -- being able to keep distance between yourself and a potential attacker


• Action rather than Reaction -- reacting is a last resort and puts one at a disadvantage


• Use of an "equalizer" -- having an object to even the odds and being competent in its use


• Use of barriers -- keeping a barrier between yourself and a potential attacker


• Training with a communication device -- cell phone, air horn, etc.


• Use of Lighting -- powerful flashlight, flood lights, street lights, etc.


• Physical fitness -- consistent exercise and strength training


• Avoidance of Danger Zones -- large shrubs, large vehicles in parking lots, dimly lit areas, isolated areas, etc.


• Common Sense -- applies to all areas of self preservation

Situtional Awareness and Assessment go hand in hand. With each, one must practice skills of observation and couple them with a thought process, which will allow one to avoid becoming a victim or to plan a course of action to escape the threat.

Distance, Use of Barriers, Use of Lighting, and Avoidance of Danger Zones fall into the same categories. Each requires a behavioral element coupled with a thought process. It takes time for a human to react to a stimulus. This reaction time is exemplified by trying to catch a dollar bill between a thumb and forefinger when someone else drops it. Your brain must process the fact that the bill was dropped, then your central nervous system must communicate your response from your brain to your fingers. Although all of this takes a fraction of a second, it is long enough to cause you to miss catching the bill. Another example would be recognizing a criminal with a knife. It is a proven fact that human reaction time limits one's response time. A perpetrator with a knife can be standing as much as 21 feet away and start running at you with the knife. He can cover the entire 21 feet by the time your brain processes this fact. You must also plan an adequate reaction during this timeframe.

For this reason, distance and use of barriers are your friends. Try to keep cars, people, or other objects between you and someone you consider a threat. Walk in well lit areas and carry a powerful flashlight. Name brands such as Surefire and Streamlight make small, concealable personal defense flashlights. These are so bright you can blind your attacker by shining it in his eyes. One cannot attack what he cannot see. Many of these lights are made of hardened aircraft aluminum and contain "striking edges," with which you can hit someone during an attack. My personal favorite flashlight for this purpose is the Executive Defender made by Surefire. It is bright enough to blind an attacker and it contains sharp edges which will inflict damage if you hit someone. It is a little pricey but well worth the cost. How much is your life worth?

Use of an Equalizer and Training with a Communication Device fall into the same category because each requires the citizen to carry an item for self preservation purposes. Since people's values, level of training, and phsyical attributes all vary, there is no right answer for this category. Everyone needs to carry a cell phone and practice utilizing it under duress. For instance, how many of you have "911" programmed into your speed dial? Consider programming your phone so you can push one button and call "911." Practice calling "911" while you have a friend or family member engage in a mock attack. (Please do this without actually calling your local "911" service!) You might be able to call emergency responders immediately prior to or even during an attack if it only takes pushing one button. Some of my clients choose to purchase an air horn, which they can sound if threatened. Air horns are readily available in the marine section of your local "Supercenter" type department store. An air horn will bring attention to your location and to what is going on, and it is deafeningly loud. It has the potential of scaring the attacker off and it definitely makes others aware of your location. Again, practice, practice, practice with a friend or family member.

Examples of other equalizers include: pepper spray or mace where legal, knives, guns, sticks, chinese throwing stars, or other objects (even ones found on the scene). For example, I had enough notice prior to an attack on me, which allowed for me to arm myself with a large rock off the ground where I was standing. I placed the rock in the palm of my hand with an edge sticking out approximately an inch or so. On this occasion, I successfully fought off three attackers after striking the first one in the forehead with an overhand punch style swing. Without this equalizer, I have no doubt I would have suffered great bodily injury at the hands of these three attackers. I have also successfully used a handgun and a police style baton to subdue attackers and criminals. Although I do not recommend that everyone carry a handgun, I have no problem with someone who is properly licensed and trained doing so in concealed fashion. The key word that applies to carrying a firearm is CONCEALED. No one should ever brandish a weapon or even allow another person to know about it until it is time to use it. When considering your options for carrying an equalizing device, make sure you check your local laws and do so only in safe and legal fashion.

Physical Fitness and Common Sense apply to everyone, no matter their body type or cognitive ability. People need to practice moving and moving as quickly as their bodies allow. A daily walking or treadmill regimen will allow you to become conditioned to moving and breathing. Self defense classes are fine and a good way to keep fit, but please choose a reputable instructor and do not fall into the false sense of security that self defense training provides. Practice observation and making common sense choices when in public. Observe parking lots before you even park and when you come out of a store or other location. Keep distance between you and strangers. Groups of people are your friend. Walk near other groups if possible. Go places with a companion. Practice the use of profiling even if political correctness discourages it. Fortunately, many criminals actually look like criminals, although this is often not the case. After awhile, the practice of good common sense breeds better common sense.

Copyright 2008 KNM Security and Risk Consultants

Disclaimer: KNM is not a law firm and does not render legal advice or engage in the practice of law. KNM Consulting and its employees shall have no liability to any persons or entities with respect to any loss, liability, or damage alleged to be caused by the application of information or opinions expressed in accordance with a consulting contract, its website, blog, or via complimentary marketing survey reports (MSR’s)

If you would like to receive personalized training or to schedule a seminar or group training, please contact Ken at 256.679.7405 or by email at knmconsultinggrp@aol.com