Exploring the world gives one an incredible high. With Women’s Day just around the corner, KRISHNARAJ IYENGAR offers a few suggestions for women travellers that he learnt from self-defence experts

It’s time for a holiday. A pair of loyal sneakers, a camera, a killer mini-wardrobe, a daredevil itinerary and you’re ready to go! Young women today are ever so inspired to traverse the horizons. National as well as global travel destinations offer irresistible locales, leisure activities, shopping and more. But with the exhilarating independence and the quest for discovery, one must not forget the following tips for safe travel. India’s regional director for Krav Maga Global, Elroy Vaz, sheds light on what every woman travelling within or outside the country must consider in various situations.

“While on the move, always be aware of your surroundings, be alert but not nervous. Be determined to never be the victim,” he explains, adding that women have a greater capacity to bear pain and should never underestimate their powers. Training women in saris and high heels in places like elevators, buses and nightclubs is an integral part of his self-defence training. Apart from handy safety tips, body language guidelines and other useful aspects of safe travelling, Vaz offers some simple Israeli Krav Maga techniques, in case of extreme situations or physical assault.

In a pub

Remember to go with a friend, if you have to use the restroom. Be aware of rowdy or drunk individuals or groups in a pub. Keep a safe distance, or leave if the situation gets out of hand.

On a beach

Be aware of people around you. Due to an open environment, attackers might feel they can get away with an attack. If on the ground, feel free to pick up sand and throw it in the attacker’s eyes. Avoid going off to sleep.

In public transport

While travelling in any public transport, make sure nobody gets too close to you. Be aware where your belongings are. Avoid dozing off. Carry handbags that close fully.

In an alleyway

While walking down an alley, especially those that are deserted at odd times of the day or night, be fully aware of attackers at all times, and also of those on motorbikes whilst walking on a pavement. Walk with confidence and be alert.

Camping

Always be with someone at all given times. Do not open your purse and look at or count money or valuables in open areas. Do the same in a closed environment, like a tent or within a car. Awkward, as it may sound, ask another person to accompany you when you want a comfort break.

Other safety tips

Women are gifted with a superior sense of intuition; use it to sense trouble and avoid areas that may seem unsafe, badly lit, deserted or with unfavourable people around.

Confidently talking to troublemakers with positive orders like ‘Stay away’ or ‘Go away,’ rather than saying ‘Don’t come closer,’ or ‘Don’t do this’. Your imperative tone will deter his confidence.

– Be aggressive but not hysterical or out of control. Always scan the area you find unsafe. In case of an attack, never stay on after making your defence, examine the area and then run away.

– Krav Maga does not impose rigid techniques. Feel free to strike/kick the groin, break the knee, even scratch and bite.

– Always message your rickshaw or cab number to family, friends or roommates, inform them which public bus or train you have boarded, from where and to where.

– Carry handy and useful weapons such as kajal pencils, ball pens, car keys, full water bottles, geometry compasses, credit cards etc.

– Never shout ‘chor’ or ‘bachaao’. Shout ‘fire’ to attract more people towards you.

– If you have long nails, don’t punch, as making a fist might hurt you. Use palms and other parts instead.

– Try to be more attentive in public areas. Listening to music on headphones while walking or waiting for public transport leads to being less aware of your surroundings.

In case of physical assault

Move away from an imminent threat.

Use a kick as a pre-emptive counterattack.

Release the choke with one hand striking to the throat of the attacker, and then giving further counter-strikes.

In case of a sudden attack, use the natural human response to lean away and kick the attacker on the knee.

If you are cornered with no place to exit, aggressively defend any strike from the attacker and counterattack very quickly.

When someone grabs your handbag, lean away while having a good balance, and kick the attacker on the knee or groin. Remember, your safety is of more importance, not the value of the contents of the handbag.

If someone chokes you from behind, release the choke with one hand, and strike with the other hand, followed by further counterattacks.

Often, people get attacked while entering their cars. In such a scenario, lean away while holding the car door for balance, and counterattack with a kick to the groin, followed by further attacks, and quickly drive away.

If someone grabs you through the car’s window, hook the attacker’s hand and control it immediately.

In case of an arm bar attack from behind to the throat, hook the attacker’s hand with the power of both arms and a downward pulling action.

Source: A tick for safety | The Hindu | March 4, 2016 | Chennai