Here are 4 self-defense tips for the urban environment

When SHTF, the world is going to become a much more dangerous place for you and your family in the blink of an eye. A societal collapse will inevitably invite lawlessness, and when the rule of law no longer exists, things like theft, rape and homicides will become quite common. That being said, it is important that you learn how to defend yourself so that you can maximize the chances that you and your loved ones survive a large-scale crisis situation. The following are some of the best ways to exercise self-defense in the modern world, courtesy of DoomsdayMoose.com.

Make Noise

Contrary to popular belief, staying quiet in a SHTF scenario is not always the best choice. The fact of the matter is that making a lot of noise and even shouting commands at your attacker can be extremely effective, and may even deter the threat altogether. Practice situational awareness by using objects in your immediate area to make a lot of sound – bang them together or even knock them over to drive away a would-be attacker. You can also buy key chains that have small personal alarms connected to them, most of which emit loud sounds that can deter threats looking to do harm to you, your group or your family. (Related: Here’s how to properly defend your bugout location and stay safe when SHTF.)

Go for The Vulnerable Areas

If you are forced to make physical contact with your attacker, then it won’t be enough to simply throw your arms out and strike a random part of the attacker’s body. Instead, you should know the most vulnerable areas to gouge, poke, or attack, which may include the eyes, the nose, the neck or the groin. A strong strike to the knees can also be extremely painful for the attacker, and will likely render him or her incapacitated.

Carry a Pistol

In America, we have the Second Amendment enshrined in the Constitution for a reason – to allow us to defend ourselves from those who seek to do us harm. Getting your hands on a firearm before SHTF is a great idea, because in a real-life survival situation, it can literally mean the difference between life and death. Practice firing your pistol frequently so that you know how to use it safely and effectively when the time comes. Also, if, for whatever reason, you want to reduce the chances that you will fatally wound your attacker, know which parts of the body you should aim for. Firing a bullet into the shoulder area, for instance, is much less likely to kill the threat than a shot to the head or heart. As noted by ModernSurvivalOnline.com, some of the best pistols that you can acquire for SHTF include the .45 ACP, the .40 cal or the 9mm.

Maintain Physical Fitness

Your chances of effectively fending off an attacker are increased dramatically if you are physically fit. To prepare for potentially dangerous encounters when SHTF, it’s a good idea to weight train regularly and do other exercises to keep your muscles strong. In addition to building up your physical strength, consider working on your flexibility as well, as this will increase your chances of escaping an attacker’s grip. Furthermore, spend a significant amount of time on the treadmill (or simply running around your neighborhood if you don’t have a gym subscription) in order to maintain your stamina. (Related: Believe it or not, fitness experts say that you should not eat before hitting the gym.) Cardio workouts are great for training your body to perform for extended periods of time, which will most certainly be necessary following a disaster or societal collapse.

Sources include:

DoomsdayMoose.com

ModernSurvivalOnline.com