[Survival Self-Defense] If the Attacker Is Right-Handed... Which Direction Should You Escape?

Active Counterattack Needed to Secure Golden Time for Escape

Editor's Note“If you’re clumsy, you’ll get stabbed dozens of times. Don’t try to imitate that... running away is the right answer.”
This is a comment from a reader on the survival self-defense series. It is absolutely true. Running away is the right answer. But what if you find yourself in a dangerous situation where you cannot escape? Would you recklessly try to run away and take a weapon attack on your body? Would you cover your face with your hands and just scream in front of a criminal wielding a weapon? Would you plead for mercy with tears? The purpose of the ‘Survival Self-Defense’ series is to help you gain time to escape by getting out of dangerous situations. To emphasize again, ‘Survival Self-Defense’ does not mean you should recklessly try to confront or subdue an attacker armed with a weapon. Every Sunday, through demonstrations by Jeon Seong-yong, head instructor of the Korea Arnis Association Self-Defense Center (Association President), and instructor Go Gyeong-a, we introduce how to properly use self-defense tools and how to protect yourself by striking and quickly escaping.

This installment covers how to use everyday bags or backpacks as shields to block and evade upper attacks from an opponent.

This is a useful survival technique to resist and defend against attacks from an assailant wielding a weapon. Even women with less physical strength can escape or evade dangerous situations through active resistance and defense against weapon attacks. It is a survival technique that uses commonly carried bags of various types to protect and defend vital organs.

1. The attacker approaches. On the left in the photo is instructor Go Gyeong-a, on the right is President Jeon Seong-yong. (If you only look at your phone or have your earphone volume too high while walking outside, you won’t be able to detect danger and are more likely to become a target of crime. To make quick decisions and escape or hide swiftly, you must stay alert and warn loudly to reduce the attacker’s intent.)

2. The attacker strikes the upper area (left neck carotid artery, airway) with a weapon. At this moment, quickly press the bag you are carrying tightly against your chest. It is good to step forward with your right foot (left foot for left-handed people) because putting weight on your arm makes defense easier.

3. When the attacker strikes the upper area, twist your waist to the right while extending both hands holding the bag strongly in a straight line. It is important to quickly straighten and bend your elbows in a straight line. If the recovery motion is not fast, the attacker may grab your bag.

4. Defend the weapon attack on the upper area with the front part of the bag. If properly defended, the weapon may slip from the attacker’s hand, preventing them from holding it firmly, giving you time to escape.

5. Quickly retract the bag that defended your face and neck toward your chest. The key point is to press the bag tightly against your chest to protect your heart and lungs.

6. After defending with the bag, take advantage of the attacker’s momentary lapse to strike their face or jaw. If you only defend, you may be hit by continuous attacks. Through active counterattacks after defense, you can secure the golden time to escape. This motion involves strongly extending the bag you are gripping in a straight line to strike the opponent’s face. At this time, your right foot should step forward to put your weight into the strike, and it is important to strongly extend both arms holding the bag and quickly retract them.

7. If your counterattack shocks the opponent, quickly escape through nearby open stores or other places to hide and seek help.

※ If the attacker wielding a weapon is right-handed, it is better to escape toward their left side. Escaping toward the side close to the weapon hand is dangerous because it shortens the distance to the weapon. All movements in survival self-defense require strength and stamina as a foundation. Regular strength and endurance training will enhance the effectiveness.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.