Four easy steps to escape a kidnapping this Christmas
US security expert Bill Stanton, a former NYPD officer, has revealed some simple manoeuvres on how you can make it out alive from four dangerous situations you may face.
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He tells the Daily Mail that a victim is supposed to know their capabilities first. "Next know your surroundings. Am I in a public place? Am I all alone?" Stanton says. He adds that if you are alone, for instance on an empty street, you should run away, but hit the cars in the street as you do.
“This is done in the hope that an alarm may be set off, in order to bring as much attention to you as possible,” he explains.
Getting out of a potentially dangerous car
Stanton advises that trust your gut and do not get into a car that does not feel right
According to him, you will be safer on the street calling another car rather than being stuck in a potentially dangerous vehicle. "Listen to that radar – that voice in your head", Stanton said. "The car doesn’t look right? The driver is giving you weird stares? Leave. You will probably never know if you were right, but you will be alive."
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Being stuck in a potentially dangerous car
How do you know that you are trapped in a dangerous car? Stanton advises that the easiest way to identify this position is realizing the driver is not following directions.
He says the first thing to do would be to ask the driver to pull over and get out. He advises that if the driver refuses to heed to your request, call for help immediately.
He also recommends the use of landmarks around where you are passing to help with a location in case you do not know where you are.
In a dangerous situation, however, Stanton advises using a sharp utensil, such as a pen, and striking the driver in the head. Such an action, he says, should cause them to put on the brakes, which should give you the time to escape the situation.
Being attacked by an assailant
In case someone grabs you from behind, use your elbow to hit them in the chest, repeatedly if needed, he advises.
Then grab their arm tight with your hands and use your arm strength and body, particularly the hips, to try and flip them off you.
However, if you are attacked front-on, use your knee to kick them in the groin. You can also use your hands alongside you knee to throw the attacker off.
Stanton advises that the best way to utilize your hands is with a palm struck to the nose, throat and/or temple.
Escaping from handcuffs
To do this, you need a bobby pin to use to pick the lock.
Stanton advises that you must straighten out the wire of the bobby pin, and then tilt the end of the pin at a slight angle.
You can now insert the head of the pin between the teeth of the handcuffs, but not into the key lock. He explains that by pressing down on the pin, the cuffs should release.
Pics credit: The Daily Mail
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