Are you a Blocked or Unblocked Target?

Author of article: Safety Defense Coach-Amy Washington. ©2016 Brick Street Safety Academy

In our safety and training classes we use the terms “Blocked” and “Unblocked” Targets.

Blocked Targets are individuals who are alert, aware, prepared, paying attention and ready to fight for their lives when necessary. Keep in mind that Blocked Targets are not invincible targets but astute targets.

Unlike Blocked Targets, Unblocked Targets are individuals who aren’t ready, alert, aware or prepared for potential threats or dangerous situations. These types of individuals are often taken by surprise due to their lack of awareness, attentiveness  or ignoring their protective instincts. Without question, bad guys enjoy looking for Unblocked Targets because they are EASY to victimize.

Bad guys love when individuals are not paying attention, passive or not prepared to defend themselves. It makes it easy to take advantage of the person and of the situation.

Sample unblocked targets:

• Someone who walks with their head down and rarely looks up with their cellular phone in hand.

• Individuals who wear ear buds or headphones on their ears blocking out sounds of people walking behind them.

• People who are surprised when someone attacks them.

• Women who put their purses in shopping carts and do not pay attention to it.

• Someone who doesn’t look around to see if there is something odd or out of place.

• People who are in denial that potential threats couldn’t happen to them.

• Individuals who exhibits poor or weak body language and eye contact.

• Someone who is not proficient with self-defense training and so forth.

If any of these things resonate with you, then it is time to work on it! The change or changes that you may need to make will make you a stronger target not a weaker target.

A few suggestions in making changes:

• Never say Never! There is always the chance that something could happen to you. You want to be ready when or if that moment occurs.

• Take a class concerning personal protection or self-defense.

• Explore to see what personal safety devices feel comfortable for you to carry with you for protection.

• Check your posture from time to time. See if it represents strength or weakness? If you see weakness, the bad guy will see it too.

Be advised that change does not happen overnight. What it will take is time, practice and persistence. You can become a Blocked Target!

Be Alert, Aware and most definitely BE SAFE!!

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Author of article: Safety Defense Coach-Amy Washington. ©2016 Brick Street Safety Academy