Be Smart/Be Safe - Part 2 (Combatives)

The Top Ten Big Ideas to Be Smart & Be Safe

☐ 1. Practice the Three-Exit Sweep — When you enter any space, identify 3 exits within 10 seconds.
Action: Do a quick 3-exit sweep now where you are.

☐ 2. Trust Your Gut (Internal Awareness) — Notice that uneasy feeling in your body and act on it.
Action: If something feels off, move, tell someone, or leave.

☐ 3. Limit Distractions — Pocket the phone and remove one earbud when moving between places.
Action: Put phone away when walking to car / transit.

☐ 4. Carry Presence: Posture & Purpose — Stand tall, shoulders back, chin up; walk with purpose.
Action: Do a 60-second posture check in the mirror every morning.

☐ 5. Use Your Voice (Verbal Boundary) — Short, firm commands deter most threats: “Back off,” “No,” “Stop,” “Don’t touch me.”
Action: Practice saying one command with a low, firm voice.

☐ 6. Set Emotional Boundaries — Say “no” without apologizing; don’t be anchored by guilt or politeness.
Action: Rehearse a firm, friendly refusal (e.g., “No thanks, I’m good.”)

☐ 7. Protect Your Digital Footprint — Tighten privacy, remove location tags, avoid posting travel plans.
Action: Turn off location sharing on one social platform today.

☐ 8. Learn Simple Combatives (S.P.O.R.) — Stabilize, Palm-heel, Ouch (knee to groin), Run — practiced for escape.
Action: Practice actions slowly and deliberately to create “muscle memory”

☐ 9. Practice Short, Regular Drills — Consistency beats intensity: 10 minutes/day compounds into competence.
Action: Commit to one 10-minute practice this week (awareness + voice + combative drill).

☐ 10. Plan & Build Community Support — Use a buddy system, report suspicious behavior, and seek trauma-informed training if needed.
Action: Share this checklist with one friend and arrange a practice session.