25 TIPS TO AVOID YOUR
urban survival guide
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Watch your back Unfortunately, women travelling alone are more likely to be attacked than men. Minimize the threat by being aware of your surroundings. Stand close to a wall so no one can move up behind you unseen. Stay away from anyone loitering, especially near exits, and avoid isolating yourself in dark corners or streets. Hold on to belongings securely, wearing handbag straps across the body.
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know your escape plan
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avoid creepers Try to sit near an exit on a subway or train. Should any aggresive or intoxicated individuals enter your carriage, casually exit the train at the next stop and get into another carriage. While crowded carriages make it easier for perpetrators to hide, try to avoid empty carriages, where you might be the only target if anyone does enter it with violence in mind.
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Hide your goodies
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Try not to display valuables on public transport, especially expensive electronic devices, as you will become a magnet for muggers. When carrying a laptop, use the shoulder strap worn diagonally across the body. If you have to work on transport, give yourself enough time before your stop to stow all equipment away safely.
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equip tire chains
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stay with your vehicle
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carry extra fuel In an emergency or evacuation situation, the last thing you will want to do is stop for gas. The s tations may be c losed o r unable t o pump g as. Keep a f ull tank o f gas as much as possible and store cans of spare fuel i n a secure l ocation, n ever using these for non-emergencies.
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keep the proper equipment in trunk
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keep Warm
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keep an emergency kit
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keep first aid equipment
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Use Storage Containers
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Any foods not already in pest-resistant packaging should be transferred to p lastic o r glass containers. The c ontainers should have a n air-tight s eal to p rolong life. Pack t hem right t o the top to reduce t he a ir c ontent i nside. See-through c ontainers such a s these make much easier to identify stores of food.
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Stockpile Ordered stockpiling is imperative if you are to have a clear sense of what is in your survival larder, and if you are to ration the foods out coherently in a disaster. Keep your goods tidily organized on shelving units, and bring the items with the nearest use-by dates to the front of the shelf, replacing them as they approach (not pass) the dates.
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avoid riots
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avoid stop and searches
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During a disaster, be prepared to encounter law enforcement and security services conducting stop and search operations. Emotions can be running high at this time, so ensure that you comply with all the orders given to you, especially if the searchers are armed. In certain disaster situations (if you have adequate supplies), it might be safer to remain at home.
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know how to handle tear gas
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Don’t show fear
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When facing a threat, above all do not show fear, which is more likely to prompt rather than dissuade an attack. The man on the left here remains calm in the face of a potential attack, standing tall and not yielding. At the very least, this attitude will make the attacker think twice about continuing with any form of assault. If the attacker shows no signs of stopping or moves any closer, the defender will need to switch to a guard position in readiness to defend against any physical attack.
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cooperate with muggers If you are faced with armed muggers, as seen to the right, compliance is generally your best response. It can be a wise precaution to carry some valuables that you don’t mind losing, such as a cheap watch. Handing these over might satisfy the attackers and allow you to keep more important items.
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don’t play fair
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go for the eyes
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hit them while they’re down
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A downwards elbow strike can be delivered to the head or body of an opponent who is bent over. A good target on the body is just under the shoulder blade. Anywhere on the head will get a result; precision is not really necessary. I f necessary, t his move c ould also b e followed u p with a knee t o the head.
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Deliver a jab to the chin
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The chin jab is a rising strike under the tip of the chin, which not only transmits force to t he b rain b ut a lso snaps the opponent’s h ead violently b ack and disrupts his posture. It can be followed through w ith a n aggressive f orward movement, turning into an opportunistic takedown a gainst a somewhat dazed opponent.
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WAtch for hidden weapons Always watch an assailant’s hands, as they might contain a hidden weapon, such as this knife held in the palm. it’s always good to know what type of danger you’re in, so you can act accordingly.
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don’t be fooled
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Improvise
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