THREATENED
Animals: Bulls, bears, boars, tigers, leopards, lions, wolves, dogs, and other species that may attack when surprised, cornered, rabid, or found with young. Do not turn and run. Stare at the animal and fling your coat, hat, or shoe at him. Look for a quick avenue of escape such as a tree. Show signs of being aggressive; e.g. snort, growl, or whatever is appropriate. A growling yell or scream will stop the attack of most big cats. Slowly back away if possible. If attacked, use any available weapon or chop on the animal’s nose with your fist. For dogs and wolves, wrap a belt or coat around your arm, encourage them to bite this, and then lock your other arm around the back of the neck and roll the animals head back to snap its neck. If you have a gun, make the first shot count; it may be the only one you get. Shoot for the head, neck, or heart position on the crest. In the case of big game, you must usually have a high caliber rifle to penetrate for a kill.
Attacker: a person who sets upon you violently with intent to do you harm. Scream and run away if you can. If you cannot, smile as you glance over the attacker’s shoulder as if you see help coming. Attempt to disarm your attacker if you have confidence that you can do so without harm to yourself. Pull the attacker’s arm and pivot around it so you face the back of his neck. Place your left arm in front of his throat and your right arm in back of his neck. Lock your hands right on upper left arm and left on right elbow to form a vice around the attacker’s neck, and quickly place one knee in his back. Apply pressure until the attacker passes out and goes limp. Too much pressure will break the attacker’s neck and/or back, and this will result in death. Failing the above, use any sharp or blunt object as a weapon. In high crime areas consider carrying an 18-24 inch steel chain made from a dog collar - with a half-pound steel ball or brass plumb-bob fixed to either end. Check local laws to determine legality of use. Even if legal, only use this to defend your life.
Burglar: one who breaks into and enters your home or business with intent to commit a crime. Do not enter the dwelling if you suspect a break in. The burglar may still be inside and could become violent if surprised. Call for the police or other help. If the burglar enters your bedroom thinking you are asleep, pretend to remain asleep until you can gain advantage of the situation by obtaining a weapon without the burglar’s immediate knowledge. If you are attacked, handle as an attack situation. Use preventative measures to deter future hazard; e.g. locking dead boIts, window locks, alarms, dogs, tape-recorded conversations, and so on. If you keep a gun in the house, do not load and do not keep ammunition with or near the gun. If you must keep a loaded gun, hide it in a very unusual place. The burglar’s greatest temptation to kill you is with your own weapon. Few burglar’s carry a gun because most burglar’s know that the homeowner must legally meet like force with like force killing only in seIf defense.
Civil Disorder: public unrest leading to violence and repressive police tactics. Obey curfew laws, you could get shot if you do not. Stay clear of crowds, they could become a mob. Avoid public places because terrorist bombs are often placed where they can kill many people. Do not join in or support any movement unless you are prepared to risk your life. Keep a low profile. Store water, food, fuel, and essential supplies in the event the disorder stops normal economic activity. Do not stand on roof tops or in front of open windows. Stay on lower floors or under tables if shelling occurs. Beware of snipers when on the open street. Do not allow large groups of people to gather in your home.
Drowning Person: one who is in the water and is unable to swim for whatever reason. Use a line or pole if available. Stay out of reach of the victim. Most drouining persons panic and pull rescuers under. If they do grab you, break their grip by jerking away. Get behind the victim and reach around his chest with one arm. Secure and hold the victim’s opposite wrist pulling it to his chest. You can then swim, towing the victim, with legs and free arm. If required, start artificial respiration once out of the water.
Drunk: one who is overwhelmed by some powerful stimulus or influence, usually an alcoholic beverage. Attempt to avoid. If you cannot avoid him, smile even if the drunk is fighting mad. Talk and attempt to be humorous. If these tactics do not work, punch or kick the drunk’s stomach to make him sick. Treat as an attacker only as a last resort.
Fish and Things: creatures that may attack or harm you while in the water; e.g. barracudas, swordfish, sharks, moray eels, crocodiles, alligators, water snakes, piranhas, sting rays, stonefish, waterborne parasites, and others. If at all possible, stay out of unfriendly or unknown waters. Stay clear of suspected areas. Do not thrash, splash shout, or do anything to attract attention to yourseIf. Keep quiet and reduce movement to a minimum. Use regular, smooth swimming strokes. lmprovise a spear to prepare for possible attack. When attacked, try spearing, kicking, punching, or handing off. Always face each attack. Do not attempt to swim away unless you can kill one attacker and leave it behind as bait.
Furious Driver: an individual auto, truck, or motorcycle driver who becomes provoked at you because of an acci- dent or traffic-related incident, Stay inside your car, or get inside if you are already out. Roll up your windows and lock your doors. Honk your horn and/or flash your lights. Assuming your vehicle is still operable, it may be advisable to drive away and then report the incident to the police.
Kidnapper: any person who attempts to carry you off by force and to demand a ransom or otherwise profit from your abduction. Attempt solutions recommended for the Attacker situation unless the odds are overwhelming. If the kidnap cannot be avoided, use your judgment of time, distance, directions, along with sights, smells, or sounds to determine where you are being taken. Always be looking for an opportunity for escape. Attempt to devise methods of communicating your situation to the outside world. Use words with hidden meanings known only to the recipient when sending the message the kidnappers need to prove that you are still alive. Talk to your kidnappe(s) as much as possible, and attempt to establish rapport. Stall for time and pray for rescue.
Madman: a violent person whose maniacal behavior may be permanent or temporary. Causes are drugs, actual insanity, or other factors. Run if you think you can get away. If no avenue of escape exists, try the smile, talk, and humor approach. As a last resort, treat as an attacker.
Mob: an angry or panic-stricken crowd of people. Look Jor a means of escape to avoid being involved. If you are trapped by large numbers of people, do not panic. Squirm away from solid objects and keep from being pushed down. To prevent trampling, work yourself up by using your elbows, feet, and back pressure. Attain a buoy position one to two feet off the ground using the pressure of the mob to keep you afloat.
Mugger: one who assaults another with an intent to rob. A typical street crime. The mugger usually attacks from behind or from a position of ambush. A purse snatcher is a type ot mugger who hits and runs with only one objective in mind. His assauIt is very brief and is designed to force the purse off of a woman’s shoulder or out of her hands. Elderly persons should carry a sign on their purse or person indicating that they carry no cash, credit cards, or valuables. Avoid hazardous areas such as isolated or dark streets and alleys. Crowded streets can be bad too. Avoid walking close to the curb. Do not sit near a door when riding a bus, train, or subway. Shop with a f riend, and vary your shopping routine. Have all checks deposited directly into your bank account. Do not endorse any check until you are inside the bank. Count your money at the teller’s window before going outside the bank. Visit the bank restroom and put most of your cash in your brassiere (women) or in your shorts (men). Carry a false wallet or purse with a few dollars and out dated credit cards. Handbags should be carried close to the body with clasps facing in. They should never contain more than a driver’s license, personal items, and the false purse items suggested above. Carry your house keys and car keys on a chain around your neck. Do not attach any identification to same. Beware of any distraction. This is the street criminal’s most effective weapon. If attacked, women should open their handbags and pour out the contents on the sidewalk or street. They should then sit down and shout fire. Shouting help will seldom be of value because other people do not want to become involved. You could blow a whistle, but beware because the thief might attempt to ram the whistle down your throat. A good solution for women is to have about 100 loose pennies, nickels, and dimes in the bottom of their handbag. Dump the bag as suggested above, and shout money as loud as you can. A man should keep his wallet looking very thin to avoid making himseIf a target. Keep your false wallet in an obvious location and conceal your real wallet. Tape enough change to your clothing so inat you can make an emergency telephone call. Observe who is behind you. Use the store windows as mirrors to avoid the need to constantly look back. If you are followed by a car when walking, cross the street and walk quickly in the opposite direction. If you cannot outwit the mugger, part with your money rather than to risk your life.
Peeping “Tom”: a person who peeps in windows of homes or parked cars to spy on the people inside. Turn off the inside lights after making sure the windows and doors are closed and locked. Turn on the outside lights and flash as if sending a signal. Do not make any effort to pursue the peeping tom because he could lure you into a worse situation. Stay inside. Honk the horn if you are in a car. Call the police and scream or make any loud noise that will attract attention. Let the peeper know that he has been discovered.
Pests: biting and stinging crealures such as mosquitoes, flies, ants, ticks, fleas, bees, wasps, hornets, leeches, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes. Watch where you put your hands as well as where you sit. Do not swat or wave at insects. Check your boots or shoes, and clothing belore putting them on. Do not sleep on the ground. Use repellent and antimalaria tablets when needed. Do not scatter food remains to attract insects. Avoid insect nests. Build a smoky fire. If you feel something under your clothing, do not hit it because you could encourage stinging. Remove ticks by brushing and flicking after first covering the tick with vegetable or mineral oil. Do not pull it off leaving the head under your skin. Use saIt to remove leeches. Apply iodine to bites. Wear two layers of clothing with closefitting collars and cuffs. In insect prone areas, cover exposed skin with mud. Improvise a head net. Wear leather gloves if available. Do not use scented toiletries, bright colored clothing, jewelry, or shiny buckles. Bites and stings of all but blood suckers are intended to inflict pain. Death seldom resuIts. Remove stingers with tweezers, a sterilized needle, or knife. The exception is the honeybee stinger, which should be scraped out. Pack stings with baking soda or wood ash. Add a few drops vinegar, lemon juice, or water to make it stick to the skin. In case of allergic reaction (fever, hives, painful joints, or swollen glands) the victim should receive purified venom vaccine on an immediate basis.
Rapist: one who forces another person to have sexual intercourse. Assume that the rapist may kill you to conceal his crime. Treat as an attacker and react as suggested under the Attacker section. Your initial reaction may be modified for the purpose of deception to stop or slow the traumatic physical assault on your person. An example would be laughing and telling the rapist that you are under medical treatment for V.D. One technique that has worked well is to kiss the potential rapist on the cheek saying that you will do anything to avoid physical harm. Then ask for a small favor first, one that will assist your escape or facilitate your resistance. Another approach, applicable to female victims, is to warn the rapist that you are equipped with an experimental anti-rape device that can do physical harm. A description of such a device is as follows: crossed surgical steel razor blades fixed in a plastic ring, located in the vagina and removable only by a doctor. This particular type of deception is designed to give you extra minutes to plan a counterattack, and time to escape in a situation where your life is clearly in danger. The signal beacon deception is another good option. Use anything that looks like a small (3 by 4 inch) black plastic box with a push button. Warn the rapist that you have just sent a radio alarm-locator signal to the police, and that they are on the way. Improvise to devise even better deception plans, but make sure your deceptions are related to a realistic threat. All of the above deception devices have real counterparts that have been actually used, so the deception appears to be a realistic threat to the potential rapist.
Restless Natives: primitive tribal groups who greet outsiders with suspicion or hostility. If you have knowledge of their customs, attempt to discover and stop actions that are viewed as unfriendly. Stand firm and show that you are empty handed. Do not approach groups, children, or women. Take no hostile action. Flee if threatened or attacked. If captured, smile, talk to the recognized headman, or attempt to communicate using sign language. Offer gifts if you feel your life is endangered. Do not show fear. Attempt to join in native activities to make yourseIf appear friendly. Respect local customs and manners.
Skyjacker: a person who hijacks an aircraft endangering the lives of the crew and passengers. The typical skyjacker takes over an aircraft using threats of an exploding bomb, or a shooting incident, either of which could cause the aircraft to crash. At the very least, a bullet could puncture the skin of an aircraft causing traumatic loss of internal air pressure. Knife threats against a crew member are the next most common. Do not panic or do anything to make the threat become a reality. Play along with the skyjacker and let the crew take him where he wants to go. The crew’s first objective is to get the plane safely back to the ground. It is reasonable to assume that the skyjacker will agree with this goal, and that he does not want to destroy the means to accomplish same. Once on the ground, law enforcement authorities can negotiate for the safe release of passengers. Plans can be made to trick or overwhelm the skyjacker. Talk and reason are also good weapons. There are many options including shooting-out the plane’s tires to prevent its takeoff. More often than not, the skyjacker will begin to be cooperative once he knows he is trapped. Skyjacking is becoming less popular and more difficuIt as airport security measures are increased. Fewer and fewer countries give safe haven to a skyjacker. Sophisticated devices help detect weapons and explosives, so that a potential skyjacker has some difficulty getting these aboard an aircraft. If worse comes to worse, and a skyjacking occurs with resuIting airborne damage to your plane, use the solutions under the Airplane Crash sections.
Snakes: over 2,400 different kinds of legless reptiles, about 8 percent of which are poisonous. Carry a walking stick and extend this 2-3 feet in front of you about 6 inches off the ground. Attach a small piece of white cloth to the outer end of the stick to help attract strikes. Only walk where the stick has already gone. Do not sleep on the ground. Avoid night movement in snake country. Watch where you put your bare hands. Throw your hat or clothing at aggressive snakes. Give the snake room to escape. If bitten, attempt to kill the snake so that the type of venom can be identified. Use recommended first aid practice for snake bites. See the Field Care chart.
