Verbal self-defense, the use of your voice in a threatening situation, is an extremely important tool in protecting yourself. How? Uncommon in popular belief, criminals do not pounce on an individual when they feel like it. They attack when they see an opportunity available to them. If it’s easy, they’ll take it. They will prey on those who are weak, unaware, and an easy target. Criminals will act premeditated or stalk their victims before attacking. If you show that you are familiar with your surroundings, walk with confidence, and give the impression of strength, a criminal will not want to work to fight you.

Keep your eyes on everyone. Just because they don’t “look” like an attacker doesn’t mean a guy in a business suit can’t be one. If someone approaches you, look them in the eye, hold out your hands in front of you, and yell “Back!” or “Stop!” Most interviewed sex offenders say they will leave a woman alone if she shows that she is not someone to be messed with or that she is not afraid to stand up for herself.

It’s called setting a verbal limit or verbal self-defense. Many who have used this as part of their self-defense training say they were shocked when they stepped toward a menacing stranger and yelled “Back off!” in a strong, assertive and projected voice. And the would-be attacker did exactly that.

Using pepper sprays can work in the same way. Simply by pointing at a potential attacker and yelling “I’ve got pepper spray!” it could be a dig. That is if it is in your hand at the time.

Pepper sprays are only effective if used correctly. Telling your would-be assailant that you have pepper spray…and it’s in the bottom of your bag is not using it effectively, or any weapon or self-defense product, for that matter. Whether it’s a mace, a stun gun, or even your keys, have it readily available at your fingertips. More self defense products can be found online at this great website http://www.safetyquestproducts.com

Knowing how to use these devices also plays a very important role in protection. You must know how the device works and be familiar with it. How? Practice. Practice. Practice.

When you use mace, go outside and shoot a tree. See how pepper spray really works. See the distance it takes to reach a goal. If you are going to use your keys, plan ahead exactly where on the attacker you would poke them. The eyes and throat are fantastic targets. Tell yourself: “I will use this if I feel my life is in danger, without a doubt.” and without hesitation.

There are places that actually have computer simulated club practice rooms. They are extremely realistic. These are the same simulation rooms used by police and security officers for their own training. Check with your local police to see if they are available in your area.

This type of training helps program the mind during adrenal stress. Or another form is called a Body Alarm Reaction (BAR). You need to train your mind with a stressful situation or adrenaline response to know how it will react during a real confrontation or attack. The way you react in a BAR moment will let you know if you will hesitate in a life or death situation.

Knowing how verbal self-defense works can be an excellent safety tool for a woman to prevent her from falling prey to the approach of a stranger. Verbal self-defense is also another way to increase your self-confidence. It allows women to see the power of their voice, the protection they can have of their voice, and not feel threatened by anyone.