By Lydia Schoonderbeek
Street crime is on the rise with more muggings than ever taking place all over Cairo. Simply following some basic personal safety measures can reduce the chances of being attacked, or give you the upper hand should you be subjected to an attack.
WALK CONFIDENTLY
The first rule when it comes to safety on the street is to walk confidently. The truth is that most attackers will look for someone who is easily frightened and appears to be an easy target. Get into the habit of walking positively with your head tall, rather than walking with slumped shoulders and looking at the floor.
SCRAPE YOUR HEEL DOWN THE SIDE OF HIS SHIN
If you are approached from behind, one of the most effective ways to shock your attacker is to run your heel down the front of his shin (which is the prominent bone found in the lower part of the leg). This is a fine bone and even if your attacker is well built, this bone tends to stick out. Most footwear is capable of causing pain and damage, but heels are even better.
You can also aim for the knee as its vulnerable from every angle, and a well-aimed kick can inflict substantial damage.
AIM FOR THE NOSE
If your attacker grabs you from behind, another tactic is to throw your head back as far as possible and try to head butt your attacker’s nose. You should try to jerk your head back and aim for the bridge of his nose. The theory is that your attacker releases you in order to grab hold of his painful nose, providing you with vital seconds to run away.
Also using the heel of your palm, drive your hand upwards against the bottom of the attacker’s nose. If he is behind you, use your elbow, throwing your weight into it.
GO FOR THE EYE
If your attacker is heading towards you, grab his ear with your fingers and press your thumb firmly along the whole of his eye. Use a pushing action, press your thumb back into his skull. Holding your attacker’s ear means your thumb will automatically drop down to his eye level. Apart from being more painful than simply poking his eye. With any luck, your attacker will jerk backwards in an attempt to protect his eyes, giving you precious time to run.
AIM FOR THE THROAT
Self-defense experts also recommend poking your finger into your attacker’s windpipe – the part of the air passage found below the Adam’s apple. Try to press your finger – rather than your thumb – into the space between the Adam’s apple and the top of the breastbone as hard as possible. Pressing your finger into this part of the body is easier to do. This has the effect of closing the air passage making it difficult for your attacker to breathe. The idea is that he will clasp his throat in order to breathe again, allowing you the chance to escape.
KEEP YOUR KEYS HANDY
When you are walking in the street at night, get into the habit of carrying your keys in one hand and making a fist with one of your keys pushed between your middle fingers. If you are attacked, make an upward movement towards your attackers face and slash his cheek with your key. This movement could start at the mouth and finish at the ear – or the other way round if it’s easier. Even if you don’t cut his face, your attacker’s natural reaction will be to bend down and cover his cheek to soothe the pain.
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