This is something I see spouted over and over again.
"Just run away, they can't hurt you if you run, why would you risk your life when you can just run etc"
I think this sentiment is most commonly pushed by people who have never experienced an altercation before, in their minds avoiding danger is so easy by just running away.
The reality is it's never that simple. For one it assumes you won't be chased or you run faster than your attacker. Does everyone just think they're always faster than everyone else? Most people who are not out of shape run equally fast, but there's also the chance your attacker could even be faster than you.
The next problem is distance. If your attacker is only a few feet away and they give chase then you are not creating a lot of distance. They can reach out and shove you off balance, they can get a free hit on your back, and if you slip or fall they will be right on top of you before you can recover. So now you've traded a defensive position (facing your opponent) for the worst place to be, bottom position.
Next we need to consider where are you running? Is it possible to run? I just watched a video where a guy got stabbed on a train in Canada during a dispute and turned around and booked it. On a train. With an open floor plan. The other guy just chased him and stabbed him more. Of course no one helped.
That is a major consideration. There is not always an escape route. Even on the street you have roads full of fast moving cars, crowded sidewalks, objects and other environmental hazards that can get in your way or hurt you.
Not to mention with adrenaline and potential injuries it can be very difficult to navigate at high speeds, and its not easy to make sharp turns while sprinting to avoid danger. Many people run into the road and get hit by cars. Roads are everywhere and cut you off at the end of every city street.
If you want to turn the corner you have to slow down enough so that you don't slip, potentially giving your pursuer enough time to close the gap and tackle you. I've seen so many videos of people running from danger and falling that it makes the movie trope basically a real thing.
You also have to consider what you're wearing. Are you a woman that occasionally likes to wear high heels or bulky footwear? Well that would be a bad night to get attacked. Maybe you're feeling leisurely and wearing flip flops, or restrictive heavy clothing. Either way if you're not dressed appropriately then that could be detrimental.
And finally the last thing I want to mention is social liability. You might be with a loved one, your child, a friend, whoever. You cannot always just drop who you're with and book it. You may be leaving them to a terrible fate. Your life will never be the same. You may not even be able to cope. And lets face it, how often are you actually alone?
So as you can see there's a plethora of reasons when running may not always be the best option. This is why training and carrying a tool is so important.
That's not to say running doesn't have it's place and in many situations it is absolutely the best option. It's just about using good judgment to know when that is.
An active shooter or terrorist event, or even when you spot danger ahead of time are all good examples of when to run. You must also be training your sprints if you ever plan on using it reliably.
In any case if you use good judgment, carry a tool and practice good situational awareness and deescalation you are already more prepared than 99% of the population. Sorry for the long post, i hope this helps some people understand the nuances of running as a defensive strategy.
Submitted September 23, 2024 at 12:42PM by ForeverLitt https://ift.tt/CgsNJya
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