In the previous articles, we’ve learnt to identify aggressive body language and adrenaline effects on the body.

However, what can you do to survive an assault?

There are 3 things:

• Learn to identify agressive signals and avoid such situations at the first sign of trouble
• Flee from the attacker(s) or fight when left without a choice
• Protect the vulnerable parts of your body and be beaten up if there is no escape route

Avoid At The First Sign Of Trouble

Man displaying aggressive body language

The true ninja avoids trouble. The moment you detect signs of an impending assault, remove yourself or your loved ones from the situation. It is stupid to play hero, when it can cost you your life.

Attempt to dissipate the situation by words.

Flee If You Can, Or Fight If You Have No Choice

However, when left without choice, mentally prepare yourself to defend yourself. Run away, put distance between yourself and the attacker. Have barriers between yourself and the attacker.

Use any weapon you can find or improvise from at your discretion. The weapon can be turned against you. And the laws on injuring/killing an attacker out of self-defense differs in various countries. However, if you decide to use a weapon, do not hesitate when using the weapon. Hesitation will cause any technique you use to be ineffective.

You can carry pocket weapons like the Kubotan. This weapon is innocent enough to be carried as a key chain and won’t cause permanent damage. It can be used to make your punches/strikes extremely painful and is effective even when used to enhance joint locks. If you want to buy kubotans, you can get it from W.O.N.’s store.

Ninja Style Kubotan

Normal Silver Kubotan

If Already Under Attack, Protect Vulenerable Parts Of The Body

If you are being beaten up already, use stronger parts of your body to protect vulnerable areas. In a worst case scenario, pretend to pass out or have a seizure after taking a few punches. This may prompt the attackers to stop and flee.

Whatever course of action you take, the end result must be the same. You’ve got to escape and survive.

I’ll provide you with a self-defense mini course resource shortly.

Logen L.

We have discussed the effects of adrenaline in the first article of this series. I have picked certain easy-to-identify signs to elaborate on. Please note that these body signs must be interpreted in conjuction with the attacker’s anger.

Also in this article, I will advise you on not responding in a certain way if you want to live. And will show you how to identify a particular body language that almost certainly indicates the attacker is reluctant to fight.

The Face Changes Colour (Signs of Adrenaline)

Facial colour shift from red to greyish pale, indicates adrenaline

When a person is embarrassed or moderately angry, his face would turn red. Once the red face loses its pallor to paleness, it becomes a highly dangerous situation. It indicates that the attacker’s body has released larged amount of adrenaline and non-adrenaline. Needless to say, the release of such hormones is to prepare the body to fight or flee (in the case of anger, the person would likely fight).

The Eyes Blink Faster (sign of adrenal stress)

Eyes that blink aggressively

The normal blink rate is around 20 times in 1 minute. A significant difference from the normal blink rate reflects a person’s emotional stress. A slow blink rate show calmness in emotions; a fast blink rate indicate stress.

Use your intuition to observe blink rate. It will be unwise to actually count how many times a person blinks.

Sweating In The Face (sign of adrenal stress)

The arrousal of stress causes sweat to appear on a person’s upper lip and above the eyebrows.

Pulsating Arteries (sign of adrenaline)

Look for pulsating arteries at the neck area below the earlobes, behind the lower jaw, at the cheekbones and around the lips. When arteries pulsate noticeably, it means the heart is pumping harder and faster; this is to rush more oxygen throughout the body in preparation for a fight.

The Later Indications of An Assault (aggressive body language)

The above few are early indications of an impending assault. When it gets increasingly serious, the angry person would clench his jaws and grind his teeth. This is a reflex action (the reflex to bite) from our primate ancestors. In addition, his fist would be clenched and eyes would be widened in rage. The clenched fist obviously indicates thoughts of aggression by the angered person. And the widened eyes is very much telling the ‘opponent’: I dare you to provoke me further.

What Should You NEVER Do?

The nervous grin is a habit from childhood; smiling out of fear.

When it is obvious that a situation will escalate to an assault, do not smile or grin at the person. Some people would uncounsciously smile at an angry person out of fear. The attacker will interpret your grin as you mocking or challenging him. There was a situation where a person was shot, just because he smiled a nervous grin at the attacker.

The 1 Sign You WANT To See

Of all the signs of an impending assault, this is 1 sign you would want to see because it indicates that the situation has taken a turn for the better.

Man holding bottle shrugs

When the would-be attacker shrugs, it suggests that he/she is in no mood to fight. The shrug is a display of interrelated body gestures that indicates helplessness, resignation and uncertainty. Since the body is in a defensive position when shrugging, it is highly unlikely that a person will attack.

Yet, be alert to your surrounding, especially when there may be more than 1 would-be attacker.

For more information on what you can do to survive an assaultive situation, read part 3.

Photos from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ekilby/3403438698/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonpais/177043676/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/remabulous/331869769/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/opacity/1601366074/

Logen L.