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In dangerous situations, trust your reptile brain. It's a leftover from prehistoric days when we were dangerous, razor-toothed creatures living in swamps. Our reptile brain is only concerned with one thing - survival. It's bite back or scarper. If you're not sure if a situation is dangerous or not, listen to your reptile instincts. Crocs don't worry about looking silly in front of their mates, should they get it wrong. So if that little reptile voice tells you there's danger, then scarper. You can explain to your mates later. You can't explain anything if you're dead. Don't freeze in a dangerous situation. You're not a rabbit. Use your reptile brain. Then you're as dangerous as a croc. Go wild, get angry. Anger focuses your energy. Roar from your chest, deep and loud. Then use whatever force is necessary to get away.
Use Reptile Thinking everyday to keep out of dangerous situations. Here's the rules: There's safety in numbers. Go out with a group of your trusted mates, if you can. Don't walk alone in dark or lonely places. When you walk anywhere alone, walk like you're a prince or princess, like you own the streets. Criminals and bullies go for kids whose body language shows they're nervous or confused or lost. Don't take short cuts down alleyways, carparks or parks. Never accept lifts. At all times keep your reptile brain on red alert, scanning the area for trouble. If your inner reptile tells you you're being followed then act quickly. Let the stalker know you've spotted them. Tell anyone nearby that you're being followed. Go into a shop. Knock on doors. Cross the road. Change directions. If the stalker doesn't back off and you're really freaked out or you get attacked, yell loudly and confidently FIRE! This is canny reptile thinking - people often think kids are messing around when they hear a cry of help, so they don't do anything. If you shout FIRE, people will be more likely to come over, or come out of their houses to find out where the fire is. Instead of FIRE you can shout "Call 999 now!" or "Call the Police". Then begin shouting out a description of your stalker or attacker. "A man wearing a blue jacket and jeans is trying to get a girl into a black BMW" this will make your attacker think twice about continuing, because people nearby will have a description to tell the police. Bystanders follow orders in unusual or frightening situations. So when you shout, sound like you are giving an order, not pleading. Practise at home.
The Reptile Plan for Staying Safe in the streets Don't be flash with expensive jewellery, mobile phones, clothing or large amounts of money. Carry a whistle or pepper spray when you are alone. If you haven't got either there are plenty of other objects to use to give you time to get away if you are attacked. Carry your keys in your hand. They can be used to stab at eyes, the throat or to punch at the face of an attacker. Put them between your fingers if you have to punch your attacker to get away. Pencils, Pens, Rulers can be used like keys to stab and punch at your attacker. Hairspray can be sprayed in the eyes of an attacker to give you time to run away. Throw a handful of spare change into the face of an attacker to give you time to run away. Shaking a can of pop and spraying it at an attacker can do the same. They'll instinctively put their hands in front of their faces and then you can run away. Keep your mobile phone in your hand. If you are attacked dial 999 and then drop your phone. Start shouting as loud as you can where you are, your first name and a description of your attacker. By dropping the phone your attacker will have to bend and pick it up to disconnect it. This'll give you time to start running. The average school bag packed with books could render an elephant unconscious if wielded correctly! Swing it at your attacker to knock them over. Or throw it at them to put them off balance. Or open it up and throw anything and everything at them, to buy yourself seconds as you run away.
Reptile Thinking on How not to get into Trouble Don't be a hothead. An out-of-control temper can lead to conflict and, in turn, violence. Learn to control your temper and resolve conflicts in a peaceful way--and help others do the same. Keep away from gangs. They claim to offer protection, but what they really offer is crime, violence and a serious threat to personal safety. Avoid anyone associated with a gang and areas where gangs hang out. Don't wear colours or use symbols associated with gangs - you might be considered a member. If pressured to join a gang, tell a teacher, parent, or other responsible adult. Avoid Weapons. Don't hang around with people who say they carry a weapon. Avoid Alcohol and Other Drugs. Use of alcohol and other drugs can lead to loss of control, which can lead to violence, accidents or taking unnecessary risks. Date with care. Go out on double dates or in a group. Get away from situations where alcohol or other drugs are used; they cloud people's judgment. Don't get in a car where the driver has been drinking or taking drugs. Always carry money for phone calls or a taxi. If unwanted sexual advances are made, clearly assert your position. If you feel uneasy, trust your sense of danger; leave the situation immediately; tell an adult you trust. No matter where you go, always let someone know your plans. Introduce your dates to your family. Report anything that could put you or someone else in danger.
Reptile self-defense and escape strategies if you are Attacked Never plan to fight an attacker and win; your plan is do only what it takes to get away from them. So - Stamp on an attacker's foot with your heel. Use all of your weight and stamp as hard as you can. Then get away. Keep taking deep breaths. Panic can make you hold your breath. Don't. You'll need oxygen for getting away. If the attacker is behind you, stamp on their foot and then bang the back of your head into their face as hard as possible. Lean forward as you stamp and then quickly whip backwards and smack into their face with the back of your head. Then get away. Kick them in the shins. If they are behind you, kick backwards and grind your heel down their shin bone. Gouge at their eyes with your thumbs or fingers. Push hard. Use great force. If their head is close to you because they have you pinned, scream as loudly as you can. If they've got you by the neck, put your hands inside theirs and hit out at their elbows to break the lock. If they are covering your mouth with their hand lick the palm of their hand, it might shock them into letting go. When you are free, run like the wind, screaming, yelling, shouting out what's happened. Ring doorbells, go into shops, find a place with people. Phone the police.
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