When a predator targets a victim, he or she has five possibilities.
The two most well-known are “fight or flight” (fighting or fleeing). Surrendering is commonly mentioned in several martial arts theories. (And “frozen” is one sort of submitting).
I’ve included two new options: outsmarting and posturing, and they’re all in compliance with FBI principles (and also clarified their clunky terminology).
Of course, it’s hard to fully predict the frantic confusion of a sudden threat that forces you to make a split-second decision among your options. Nonetheless, recognizing your options now will assist your intuition in selecting an option later.
FACTORS INVOLVING FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION
• Your apprehension: using a cell phone, headphones, or daydreaming is analogous to a lame antelope drawing a lion.
• The nature of the attacker: is he a fearful yet volatile child, a twisted lunatic, or something in between?
• The presence of a weapon or an accomplice, which may not be obvious at first.
• The setting: densely congested regions may stymie him. Is it your territory or his? Familiarity is advantageous.
• Your personality: is it possible for a passive person to be aggressive? Can an aggressive person surrender (or pretend to surrender)?
• Your ability to plan and battle.
• Your determination to fight for your life and never give up.
FIVE OPTIONS FOR THE VICTIM
Expect threatening threats and to be wounded, but most importantly, expect to survive (see Hope is Key in Stress Control – Willpower). As the scene unfolds, opportunities may present themselves. A victim must rely on her instincts to choose from the five victim options:
• First option – Posturing: portraying yourself as a difficult target. If it doesn’t work, try these:
• Second Option – The most obvious option, fleeing, may not be available. If not:
• Third Option – Outsmarting: defusing a dispute verbally and navigating toward departure. If it doesn’t work, try these:
• 4th Option – Surrender: as a precursor to an escape, possibly supported by:
• 5th Option: Fight like a mad dog in order to escape. Stun and flee.
• A review of this section.
IMPROVING YOUR OPTIONS
Keep Pepper Spray and a Personal Security Alarm (noisemaker or screamer) in plain sight to deter a predator. These sections also explain how to use them efficiently.
