Students in Thursday's Self Defense workshop learning how to check the attacker. Jennifer Meahan / The Current.

Basic safety tips for better protection

As much as we would like to pretend it is not, the world can be a scary place. Every time the news flashes on the television, there is a murder, rape, robbery or all of the above.

In an effort to prevent attacks on campus, the University of Missouri-St. Louis hosted a basic self-defense workshop last Thursday night. Other workshops will be available on the February 18 and 25. To keep safety in the minds of students and faculty, here are some basic tips should a situation arrive for protection.

1) Safety Stance:

The safety stance provides the base step for general self-defense. Stand with a straight posture with legs spread so the body is balanced. Balance is very important for protection in general. Place hands together with dominate hand at belly button. Using this technique emits confidence. A person is more likely to get attacked if they do not show confidence.
“Your body has to say ‘I can take care of myself, leave me alone’” Gary Clark, UM-St. Louis police officer, said.

2) “A short arm is a strong arm”: The more body given to an attacker, the more likely a victim will be hurt. As a visual, extend an arm fully and have a friend push down via that hand. Then, re-try the same, but have a friend use the upper arm to push down. It is much harder to force down the upper arm.

3) Fire!:

When someone yells suddenly out of nowhere, we are startled. Making a single clear, crisp exclamation would have the same effect on an attacker. Yell things such as “No!” or “Fire!” as a method of distraction. Plus, it allows others to hear you.

4) Checking:

Ever heard the phrase “Keeping in check?” The “check technique” does this. Keeping in safety stance, keep hands close to side. If someone gets too close, extend arms with palms open and push the attackers’ chest. Immediately step away and revert to safety stance again.

5) Redirecting:

If the assailant lunges, chances are they will be unbalanced. Redirection is what it sounds like-it redirects the attacker. Step to the side when being leaped at, and send the aggressor to a more vulnerable position. For example, if the attacker becomes unbalanced and is falling toward the ground, press down on his/her shoulder to help the attacker get to the ground faster.

6) Defensive Stance:

Similar to the safety stance, the defensive stance is more obvious that one is being attacked. The dominant leg is put forward, the recessive back, with arms up near face for protection.

7) The weakest link:

The pinky finger is the weakest finger. It cannot hold as well as the other fingers, so when pulled or turned, it weakens a persons’ hold. This comes in handy if a person grabs or chokes another.

8 ) “Fluid Shockwave”:

The body’s nerves are quite sensitive. Make a fist, thumb outside of fist, and hit the radial nerve, the spot on the inside of the forearm. After striking with force an assailant can no longer make a fist.

Self-defense is needed among men and women. Just a small portion of time could save a life.

“I think every woman needs to have safety skills,” Kris Chisolm, senior, biology, said. “I mean, walking around this campus, especially at night. It’s definitely important, especially with the way events have been happening on campus.”
As other precautions, carry a small flashlight and whistle. Do not make yourself a target, and try to travel with a friend.