Five self-defense tips for seniors

Even if you've never been a martial-arts student, you need to have a clear understanding of what you'll do in the unlikely event you're attacked.  In today's blog, I'll cover five key self-defense strategies that may prove helpful.  Of course, I still believe that your best course of action is to find a senior-friendly martial-arts school.  But in the meantime, here are my five tips for seniors.
     1.  Don't be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Sure, that can happen purely by accident.  But most of the time you have control over where you are and when.  If, let's say, you're riding a subway train at 3:00 a.m., you're asking for trouble.  If you like leaving bars at 3:00 a.m., ditto.  Be sensible about where you go and about what time of day you go there.
     2.  If confronted by a possible attacker, use words to defuse the situation whenever possible.  Speak calmly, and plead if you think that might help.  This is not cowardice; this is intelligence in action.  And if you're facing an armed assailant who simply wants your wallet, give up the wallet.  Even a highly trained defender is at risk against a knife or gun.
     3.  Don't make the first move, but if attacked, be prepared to do everything in your power to save your life.  And the older you get, the likelier it is that any attack could prove deadly.  What do I mean by "everything in your power"?  Jabbing your fingers in the attacker's eyes, for instance.  It's not something you would like to do, but it may be the only way you can walk, run, or drive away from an attack.  And assailant has no right to attack you; you, on the other hand, have a right to defend yourself.
     4.  If you are attacked, DO SOMETHING.  You can't just stand there and get hit or stabbed.  Put your arms up as forcefully as you can to block the attack momentarily.  Buy yourself a little time.  And while doing it, scream for help.  Screaming for help while buying time with your defensive movements is the best way to avoid serious injury, especially if you're not in a dangerous place.  If, let's say, you're attacked in a shopping center parking lot, fending off an attacker while screaming for help will -- at least in a fair world -- bring someone to help you.
     5.  When the situation ends, call the local police and provide as much information as you can about the attacker: license plate number, description of the individual, exact time and place, and names of witnesses.  After you call the police, call a local martial-arts school, and sign up for a class.  It's never too late to begin.