If you end up on the ground and the assailant is kicking or striking you, roll into a ball and cover your head.
If someone grabs you from the front, try head-butting them in the nose with your forehead. If you’re not able to do this, punch the assailant in 1 of their armpits. This should cause them to loosen their hold.
Of course, these items are not ideal weapons to use in a fight, but they could be the difference between a couple of stitches and a serious stay in the hospital. Many people also carry pepper spray, which is a great option to use against your assailant if you’re being attacked.
While you’re fighting, try to continue making as much noise as possible. This may deter the attacker or draw other people to the area. Yell things like, “Leave me alone!” or “Get away from me!”
Hospitals often have the staff to deal with threats and attackers if they try to continue the fight.
If your attacker has already knocked you to the ground, strike at the sides of the attacker’s knees with your elbows.
Keep in mind that you’re not trying to blind your aggressor, just inflict some damage so you can escape the scene. If you have pepper spray with you, spray it into your attacker’s eyes to temporarily blind them and cause a great deal of pain. Or, try stabbing them in the eyes with your keys.
Hitting your attacker in the nose will leave them in immense pain and should give you time to quickly leave the area.
Be aware that a hard punch to the Adam’s apple could collapse someone’s airway and kill them. Unless you are literally fighting for your life, don’t hit the attacker as hard as you can in the Adam’s apple.
Keep in mind that your attacker will likely be expecting a kick in the groin and may quickly move away or block your kick. If you’re being attacked by a woman, kicking her in the groin isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but it won’t be as effective as it will against a man.
Never try to “finish” a fight. If you see that your opponent is in pain (e. g. , because of a blow to the throat, eyes, or groin), don’t wait around to see if they are ok. Run away and get to safety: your car, inside a building, or in a crowd of people where the assailant won’t be able to find you.
If a would-be attacker feels that you’d make a difficult target, they’ll leave you alone.
Even if the aggressor raises their voice or says insulting things, don’t get into a shouting match. Stay calm and try to diffuse the situation so you can leave.
Or, if an attacker asks for your wallet, credit cards, jacket, or shoes, hand the items over. It’s not worth potentially losing your life just to hang on to some money.
If they advance further, keep shouting. Yell something like, “Get out of here!” or “Leave me alone!” If you have a cell phone with you, you could pull it out and shout, “I’m calling 911 right now if you don’t back off!”
This stance will make it harder to fight you and will give you more control when you need to defend yourself. Keeping your body compact will prevent you from flailing and will make it easier to keep your balance during strikes.
