When I crafted Erika Moore’s character in The Changing Earth Series, I tried to normalize her so she did not come across as a superhero sent to save the day. However, I still received feedback from women claiming that women would be little more than chattel in a disaster scenario, performing menial jobs for survival. Disheartened, I set to the task of teaching women that they can defend themselves. You don’t have to be a victim.

Your mindset is your future. You have to make a choice to train your body and mind. I always recommend that you start with basic training. Almost every community has so many quality kick boxing, taekwondo, karate, jujitsu, and mixed martial arts schools. There is no excuse for not finding one and starting your training. There you will learn the basics of fighting.

Many easy to execute techniques exist. They are easy to learn and work against even the most prominent opponents. When you are smaller, you have to think about more minor pain points and use agility to stay out of harm’s way. If you don’t train your body and stay strong, you will be severely disadvantaged. Bigger people usually pose a more significant threat. Training in a martial arts school will teach you to chop the tree down into a manageable opponent.

Tools are always good, and training with a weapon is highly recommended. I chose to fight with Escrima Sticks. These are two sticks about three feet long. I chose these weapons because they are readily available in almost any environment. Even a rolled-up magazine can substitute for a stick. I carry a small batton about the length of my hand in my everyday life that has a window breaker point on it. When I walk to and from the stores, it is ready for action, should an unwanted aggressor approach.

There are also tools like pepper spray. Personally, I like to use wasp spray. It is highly accessible, has a long-distance spray, and foams like crazy on the target. Pepper spray doesn’t do much good if the wind is not blowing in the right direction. However, something is better than nothing. Whatever you choose, know how to use it. Buy two and practice!

Firearms are a great equalizer for a person of any size or fitness level. You need to be confident with your weapon, whatever gun you choose. Understand your personal space and when you need to pull the trigger. Anyone within 20ft can advance on you quicker than you can draw your weapon and pull the trigger. You do not want your assailant to take your gun from you. If you pull out a firearm, be prepared to pull the trigger. Many male assailants will underestimate women and assume they will not follow through.

When it comes down to it, your body is your number one weapon. We all get older, and you need to maintain your conditioning. Nutrition is essential to keep your body agile. Women tend to be smaller than men, and you’ll need agility to keep moving.

Ninety-five percent of attacks on women are by a single assailant, and they want to take it to the ground as soon as possible. You will need to learn to defend yourself on the ground. Personally, it is not my favorite position to be in. However, you can turn your vulnerability into a strength once you know this skill. Every inch of your body will be taxed in this endeavor, but most people don’t possess fighting skills on the ground. If you have these skills, you will have the advantage.

Practicing your fighting skills is essential! Both stand-up fighting and ground fighting gives you an intense adrenaline rush. However, if you are in a real self-defense situation, your adrenaline will skyrocket. Your body needs muscle memory so it can take over to defend you. What will happen to you in an actual situation if you are too intimidated to spar or roll in a controlled environment?

Situational Awareness is the key to avoiding any bad situation. Never walk around staring at your phone! When you are in public, keep an eye on the door and know your exits. Pay attention to who is watching you. Did they get up and leave at the same time as you? When you want to look at your phone, get in your vehicle, lock the doors, and then look. When walking around, make eye contact with people. Villains don’t want you to recognize them. Make eye contact with people and say hello. If they know you have seen them, you are less likely to become their next victim.

Out of 1000 rapists interviewed at Folsom Prison, 99% say they chose the victim because they wore a ponytail. This hairstyle gives the assailant control of your head. Know what to do if someone grabs your ponytail!

The stakes will escalate to an entirely new level in a societal collapse. You need to keep your nutritional levels up to maintain your ability to defend yourself. Try not to travel in groups of women only. Men will see you as a potential target. Wear baggier clothes so you don’t attract attention, and your attacker can’t tell if you are muscular or not.

There is a thing called the Law of Large Numbers. No matter how trained you are, male or female, when aggressed by an overwhelming force of people, there is little that you can do. A weapon or a large community of fellow survivors might help, but you can be overwhelmed even then. Your mindset will determine your future. Will you become a victim? Is your life worth living with that? You may have some tremendous things to live for. This is an individual choice.

The bottom line is, you need to know how to survive! You need the tools both physically and mentally to do that, and you need the confidence that practice provides to accomplish that goal.