By Carole Hawkins, [email protected]
The September kidnapping and murder of a 49-year-old Arkansas Realtor served as a horrifying reminder that a real estate agent’s job is not without risk.
Every day, Realtors deal with people and visit homes that are unfamiliar.
At the Women’s Council of Realtors’ November lunch Detective Sam Rodriguez of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office talked about common sense self-defense techniques that can deter an attacker.
His top piece of advice was turn on a warrior spirit. “The hardest thing to teach is not techniques,” he said. “It’s to be aggressive, and to turn that aggression on and off when you need it.”
If confronted, hold your hands open at shoulder level while you talk to your assailant, Rodriguez said. That way, your arms are in a good position to block an attack or to hit back.
Say whatever it takes to calm him down.
If he asks for a purse or a wallet, give it to him. But don’t hand it over –– drop it on the ground a couple of feet to the front or the side. When he reaches down, run.
“Most times they don’t want to escalate the situation, and they’ll let you go,” Rodriguez said.
Give up your things, but not yourself. If an attacker tries to take you with him, there’s more chance you’ll be hurt or even killed. In that situation, you need to decide whether you’ll fight back, Rodriguez said. If you fight, be aggressive and commit 100 percent.
Keep your fingers together and use the heels of your hands to strike at the chin and nose.
“Bite and spit, even if it seems nasty. You’ve got to be nasty,” he said. “I don’t care what your skills are — even if you look like a windmill. You fight.”
You’re going to get hurt, but there’s a better chance you’ll go home, Rodriguez said.
Panic gives you tunnel vision, Rodriguez said.
If you remain aware of your surroundings and stay in control, you’ll run faster and hit harder than an attacker.
Use the five-second rule any time you leave a building.
Stop outside and take five seconds to look at your surroundings. Locate your car in the parking lot; make sure no one suspicious is standing nearby.
Hold off from making phone calls in public places.
“The last thing you want is to be too distracted to notice a problem,” Rodriguez said.
Everything can be used as a weapon, Rodriguez said. Roll up a magazine and strike straight-on for the most impact.
Grip your credit card with the edge braced against your forefinger and it becomes a knife that can scratch an attacker in the eyes.
If you carry pepper spray, learn how it works. “You may have had it in your purse for a year and never tired it,” Rodriquez said. “It only costs like $10 to replace it.”
If an attacker pulls you or pushes you, walk forward or backward in the direction of the force. You’ll maintain your center of gravity. He’ll lose his.
As long as he’s holding you, he’ll have only one hand to fight. You’ll have two. Use them.
If your attacker stands close to you with a gun, you may be able to disable it. But only try if you feel certain you can do it, Rodriguez said.
Ask him a question like, “What are you going to do?
When he answers, grab and push the gun up as you drop down.
“It’s difficult to talk and shoot at the same time,” Rodriguez said.