How to Improve Your

Personal Safety

                                                            By JC Shegog, CLEI, CPPS, SME

 

Most people don’t know how to be safe. For most, we have been taught to depend on someone or something other than ourselves to feel safe instead of actually being safe. True personal safety begins with determination, education, and consistency.

 

What is Actual Safety?

Actual safety is not the absence of harm and danger. Actual safety is the knowledge, skills, and abilities to recognize, avoid, and if need be, defeat harm and danger. You are safe wherever you go if you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to recognize, avoid, and defeat harm and danger. It goes beyond just a feeling of security—it’s about developing the capacity to respond effectively to threats and ensuring your well-being and that of those you love. Actual safety is proactive, not reactive, and it requires ongoing learning and practice.

 

Acquiring the Tools for Personal Safety

Building your personal safety toolkit involves three critical components: recognizing harm, avoiding danger, and defending yourself when necessary. Here’s how you can start:

 

1. Recognizing Harm and Danger

• Situational Awareness: Train yourself to observe your surroundings constantly. Look for unusual behavior, environmental hazards, or anything that feels out of place. Don’t do things you would normally do in your comfort zone while you are in public (deep or engaging conversations, loosing yourself in a book, playing games, etc.)

• Behavioral Cues: Learn to identify pre-attack indicators, such as aggressive body language, aggressive verbal language, direct threats, or escalating conflicts.

• Knowledge of Local Risks: Familiarize yourself with crime trends, high-risk areas in your community, and local self-defense laws.

• Body Language Cues: Learn to read aggressive or suspicious body language, such as clenched fists, furtive glances, or sudden changes in demeanor.

• Trust Your Intuition: If something feels off, it often is. Trust your instincts and take action to protect yourself. The more you use your instincts the better you will get at using your instincts.

• Environmental Scanning: Be familiar with escape routes, exits, and potential safe spaces wherever you are.

 

 

2. Avoiding Danger

• De-escalation Techniques: Practice using calm and assertive communication to defuse potential confrontations.

• Travel Smart: Plan your routes in advance, avoid poorly lit or isolated areas, and use apps or tools that enhance travel safety.

• Establish Boundaries: Clearly communicate your personal boundaries to prevent unwanted interactions from escalating.

• De-escalation Techniques: Use calm, respectful communication to diffuse potential conflicts before they escalate.

• Smart Travel Habits: Stick to well-lit, populated areas, avoid distractions like smartphones, and vary your routines to prevent predictability.

• Boundary Setting: Be firm and assertive when expressing personal boundaries, and don’t hesitate to remove yourself from uncomfortable situations.

• Situational Planning: Anticipate potential risks and plan your actions accordingly, such as parking in safe areas or using trusted transportation.

 

3. Defeating Harm and Danger

• Self-Defense Training: Enroll in a self-defense course to learn practical techniques for physical protection.

• Confidence in Action: Build the mental resilience and confidence needed to take decisive action when faced with a threat.

• Use of Safety Tools: Carry tools like pepper spray, personal alarms, or even a tactical flashlight, and practice using them effectively.

• Mental Preparedness: Build mental resilience to stay calm under pressure and act decisively when faced with a threat.

• Physical Fitness: Maintain a level of fitness that enables you to run, fight, or defend yourself effectively if needed.

 

Becoming Proactive About Safety

Improving your personal safety is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Commit to:

• Continuous Learning: Stay updated on the latest safety strategies and tools.

• Regular Practice: Rehearse safety scenarios and skills until they become second nature.

• Community Engagement: Join safety awareness workshops or neighborhood watch programs to foster a collective sense of security.

 

Take Action Today

Don’t wait for a crisis to prioritize your safety. Take the first step toward empowerment and peace of mind. At Shegog Training and Consulting, we specialize in equipping individuals, groups, members, and employees with the tools and tactics they need to stay safe. From situational awareness to advanced self-defense techniques, our programs are designed to meet your unique needs.

Learn more about how you can improve your personal safety by contacting JC Shegog today. Empower yourself, protect your loved ones, and take control of your life.