During a physical attack, there are several things we can do. First of all, realize this is the third phase of the attack! The other two phases are more easily handled than this third, more dangerous phase. Many people, women in particular, are afraid of hurting someone even if it means saving their own life and that can be deadly. How about an option that can work in many circumstances, comes across as nurturing, changes the game and may save your life?

Fight or Flight Syndrome

We've heard about the "fight or flight" syndrome. This is how it works. When you are startled or scared, your body produces adrenaline, which will help you think clearly, run faster and strike harder under pressure. 

Note: You must be breathing in and out for it to work. Nine out of ten people gasp and hold their breath when startled or scared. With a gasp and hold, the adrenaline has been produced but the person will actually, to their detriment, freeze up quicker and for a longer period of time. This is why so many people do nothing under pressure and during this time is when most people get hurt.

Solution for gaspers: Yell. It is strong and offensive (as opposed to screaming, which is weak and defensive). You expel all of the air you gasped, scare the attacker, call attention to your situation so others can get a description (attackers hate that) and get your adrenaline circulating to make you stronger and faster.

What to yell? "Stop, Back Off and 911!" over and over, in any order, as long and as loud as you can then repeat until you escape.

The Attacker Hug Option

When a physical attacker has a hold of you or has you trapped and is striking or attempting to strike you, there is a space between the two of you called the "danger zone." This space can be closed with a simple hug. It eliminates the danger zone because the attacker has no room to get any leverage on a strike and is completely caught off-guard because you've done something unexpected.

Change The Game To Take Control

Attackers are looking for a power fix by controlling someone else because they feel out of control of their own life. If you change the rules of their game it becomes your game with you in control?

Hugging an attacker consists of wrapping yourself around them in a way that is highly restrictive to them; inspiring them to want to escape you!

Attacker Hugs - always duck and bury your head to protect your face, HOLD ON TIGHT, glom on like an alien.

1. From the front: wrap one arm over their shoulder, the other under the opposite arm like a normal hug
2. From front or side: wrap both arms around neck and straddle with legs (this is good if they are driving a car with you in it as long as you're not going so fast you will be severely hurt in an accident)
3. From the side: wrap both arms around their waist, both legs around one of their legs and sit down (yes, they will be coming to the ground with you)
4. From the back: piggy-back rides can also be effective in the right situation

Note: There are some very interesting things you can do to the attacker in these positions to inspire them to flee.

Now you know about fight or flight and attacker hugs as options for use with physical attackers. Remember that all situations are different and only one thing is 100% reliable to help you in any situation - breathing; it is a vital safety secret!