Dealing With Surprise Attacks

So what is the one thing that most people find shocking when then are suddenly attacked? It's the fact that they, at that moment in time, they let their fear get out of control and that they do not know what to do!

Firstly, when the emotion of fear is felt, the body's natural defence mechanism kicks in, which is to flood your blood system with adrenaline. In prehistoric times, the flooding of this energy-boosting hormone is meant to trigger a flight or fight response. However, in this this modern age, because they may not necessarily be able to fight or flight, they just freeze. This “freeze” can also be considered as a manifestation of their fear.  This “freeze” is a build-up of the adrenaline in the system that has no outlet to go. Eventually it manifests itself as either frustration or anxiety. Why is this so? Well, back in the day when we weren't at the top of the food-chain, we had to be constantly of the lookout for potential threats. This meant us having to be in control of our fears and to be able to respond accordingly when actual danger arose. However, as we evolved and began to manipulate the environment around us, we also began to become soft and complacent, and had FORGOTTEN how to manage that primal emotion of fear in the correct way. Gone were the days when we were the potential main course for a predator. Now we had to deal with the corporate or social beasts.  This relied on a whole new set of skills that weren't physical. Suddenly, the height of our fears became presenting a big speech in front of the whole school, or a huge sales pitch for a multi-million dollar contact.  We had traded our spears for a microphone and a Mont Blanc ball-point pen! Trying to physically fight ones way out of a speech, or running away from a sales pitch, may not be viewed as the most ‘socially accepted” responses in this modern age.  Our response of fight or flight has been stunted, and what we are left with is the “freeze” syndrome. We are unaccustomed to the fight or flight responses and hence, when a physical threat is upon us, we fail to execute the most effective solution at the moment.  We have forgotten how take control of our fears.

Second, is the know-how of what to do in a physical altercation. Not KNOWING what to do when one is suddenly attacked is also a major factor that increases your risk of becoming a victim of crime. I have spoken to so many people that have said to me that the will "just know" what to do if someone were to attack them! It's a ridiculous statement that quite frankly, could get them killed out there! For instance, the one man I spoke to said he was a pretty decent boxer and would smash the aggressor's face in once he was in range. I asked him what he would do if the aggressor's pulled out a knife or a gun? Or what about if he came with a half-dozen other mates? He froze and I was waiting for a reply like, "I'd punch him before he could stab me or shoot me". The reply never came as I think I made him realise that there are limitations as to what can do if one is attacked with a weapon or by multiple-opponents.  I have a saying that goes like this: “Confidence comes with competence. Competence comes with practise”.  Therefore, to “just know” what to do when you need to is a myth. Practise… that is the only way!

To conclude, dealing with surprise attacks is not impossible, but it is difficult without the relevant training. Understanding how to control that emotion of fear when (and yes, it will) it kicks in is the first step, and the second is knowing what appropriate actions to take in that situation.

Be safe out there.  Till next time.

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