The three moves that could save your child's life: Martial arts teacher reveals the self defence tricks ALL youngsters need to know (and why they should never shout 'help')*
- Matt Fiddes reveals the three self-defense moves every child should know
- He advises that children shout fire instead of help in an emergency
- The three moves are designed to prevent child abduction
It's
every parent's worst nightmare: the thought of a predator cornering
their vulnerable offspring leaving them trapped and unable to do
anything to save themselves.
However, it turns out that children are not so helpless and it could take just three moves for them to ward off an attacker.
Martial
arts teacher Matt Fiddes, from Calne, Wiltshire, has revealed to the
MailOnline the self defence moves that can free a child from the grip of
an attacker.
Fiddes worked as Michael Jackson's bodyguard for more more than 10 years.**
With the help of
11-year-old Melissa Martial arts teacher Matt Fiddes demonstrates the
three moves that could prevent a child from being abducted
Martial arts teacher Matt
Fiddes worked as Michael Jackson's bodyguard for more than 10 years
(pictured together in 2002 alongside David Blaine)
In
the video, with the help of 11-year-old Melissa, he demonstrates the
surprisingly simple techniques that he thinks are a must for all
youngsters.
Interestingly, Matt advises that in an emergency situation children (and adults alike) should avoid yelling 'help'.
If
the worst was to happen Matt suggests shouting 'fire' as an alternative
as studies show it encourages more attention from the public.
Crystal
Castelino, program director of Abuse: Survival Stories says that this
is because people 'are more concerned with their own lives'.
But aside from knowing what to say in a dangerous situation, here Matt reveals the three simple actions a child can take.
ARM TWIST AND RELEASE
This move is required if a child has been grabbed by the wrist as it allows them to escape without an exhausting struggle.
If the attacker has hold of your wrist twist it slightly to loosen the grip.
If the attacker has grabbed a child by
the wrist they should twist their wrist to loosen the grip and then
pull away using the most slender part of their arm
Then you must pull away using the narrowest part of your wrist to break through the gap between the fingers and thumb.
FRONT CHOKE AND RELEASE
If an attacker approaches your child face on they are likely to grab them by the neck.
Although
this might seem like a near impossible situation to escape from the
front choke and release could see them free in seconds.
In the event of an attacker grabbing a child by the neck they should forcibly kick the groin of the attacker
Next the victim should bring their arms up (left) and strike their fists down onto their attackers forearms (right)
In
that position a child should make a hard kick to the groin. Next they
should bring their arms up and strike their fists down onto their
attackers forearms.
This leaves them with the opportunity to run away while calling out 'fire' for help.
BEAR HUG AND RELEASE
You
will often see the bear hug attack re-enacted in films with it
involving the attacker coming up behind their victim and holding their
arms down in a 'hug'.
In a bear hug style attack the victim will be grabbed from behind by their predator
They should stamp down on the attacker's foot causing them pain and making them loosen their grip
In
this position a small child may seem pretty helpless but Matt advises
that a hard stamp on their foot could leave them in enough pain to
loosen their grip.
As the attacker responds to the pain the victim should duck and escape by pushing back under the arm.
Once free their final move should involve a hard push from behind before turning to run.
As the attacker responds to the pain the victim should duck and escape by pushing back under the arm (pictured left and right)
Once free their final move should involve a hard push from behind before turning to run
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