S.A.F.E Self-Defence Acronym

Introduction

Self-defence is an extremely broad and complicated subject. There are various ways to defend yourself from an attacker and different methods will suit each situation, but there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Everyone is different and will have their preferred techniques, but in general, you can stick to the principles of the SAFE Self-Defence acronym: Self-Awareness, Avoid, Force, Escape.

S.A.F.E Self-Defence Acronym

The S.A.F.E Self-Defence acronym mainly focuses on awareness. It covers what to think about in your day-to-day life to avoid a confrontation in the first place, as well as things to be mindful of if an altercation is unavoidable. Whilst we don’t want people to become paranoid, keeping these principles in the back of your mind will give you the best chance of being able to protect yourself.

The acronym was designed by Talon TKD using years of martial arts and self-defence experience. We firmly believe that by far the best form of protection is prevention. Although learning martial arts and attending self-defence classes will increase your chances of emerging from an attack unscathed, no one is invincible, and more importantly, people make mistakes; even the most experienced martial artists can get overpowered. From this, we broke everything down into these 4 simple rules:

S.A.F.E Self-Defence Acronym

Self-Awareness

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Path

Always be wary of what’s around you. This doesn’t just apply to when you are in the midst of an encounter with an attacker, but all the time when you’re out and about.

One of an assailant’s most powerful weapons is the element of surprise, and catching you when you’re at your most vulnerable.

Talon TKD Tips

  • Having your hood up restricts your peripheral vision. Consider using an umbrella or wearing a hat instead. Also, having your hands in your pockets will reduce your ability to respond to a strike quickly. If it’s cold, wearing fingered gloves would be a safer option.
  • Listening to music or looking at something on your phone will make you less aware of what’s going on around you. If music is a must, use wired earbuds and only put one ear in so that you are at least somewhat aware of someone potentially coming up behind you. Also, keep in mind that having devices of any kind in view will make you more vulnerable to being targeted.
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S.A.F.E Self-Defence Acronym

Avoid

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Street

The most effective method of defending yourself is to avoid confrontation entirely. No matter how experienced you are, a single mistake could be enough to give the attacker the upper hand.

Taekwondo and the use of physical self-defence techniques are always a last resort. Your priority in any altercation should be to either de-escalate or escape.

Talon TKD Tips

  • Stay with someone. Now, this doesn’t mean that you need to have a friend or family member by your side every time you leave the house. However, being on quiet roads and alleyways will isolate you, making you an easier target. Try to remain on busier, well-lit pathways where you know there will be bystanders or passing traffic. Simply being near someone else will often be enough to deter an attacker.  
  • If you are in an environment where you feel unsafe, leave the area as soon as you are able to. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and remove yourself from the situation prematurely, rather than waiting until it’s too late.
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S.A.F.E Self-Defence Acronym

Force

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Fist

An experienced martial artist will match the aggression of their opponent. To maintain control of a situation, we must learn gradual escalation and how to appropriately respond to an attack.

Again, the use of physical self-defence techniques should not be our default reaction. It should only be used if we are given no other option.

Talon TKD Tips

  • Matching the level of force used by your opponent is important. Reacting with violence too quickly can escalate the situation and lead to further aggression. It is essential to know exactly when and which physical self-defence techniques to use in response.
  • In December 2007, the police initiated the “One Punch Can Kill” campaign to raise awareness of the grave danger to life posed by a single punch. In many instances, it is not the punch that causes harm, but rather the subsequent fall and head injury. As a martial arts practitioner, you will face more severe consequences in a court of law because you are expected to “know better” and understand your own strength.
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S.A.F.E Self-Defence Acronym

Escape

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Alleyway

If confrontation is unavoidable, you should be looking for opportunities to either flee your attacker, or end the fight quickly.

Likewise, we always need to be conscious of restricting our options for escape. Position yourself strategically to ensure you have enough space to move and avoid becoming cornered.

Talon TKD Tips

  • Be wary of your surroundings to avoid unintentionally going to ground or backing yourself into a corner. If your movement is restricted, it will limit your options.
  • In the event of a fight, it is important to conserve energy and end the altercation quickly by targeting vulnerable areas such as the groin, nose, and solar plexus. The more prolonged a fight becomes, the higher the risk of harm, so it’s crucial to finish it as quickly as possible with minimal movements.
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Whilst the SAFE Self-Defence acronym is far from a complete “how-to guide” for self-defence, it serves as a reminder that real-life situations are unpredictable and it’s impossible to anticipate every eventuality. Every decision we make both leading up to and during a confrontation can have a profound impact on the outcome.

The only certainty is that learning to prevent escalation or to avoid it entirely is the best form of self-defence. Be mindful of the SAFE Self-Defence acronym in your day-to-day life and use it to your advantage wherever you can.

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