Apply these five top tips for safe parking on the street and parking lots and garages.
Upon parking, always reverse the car into the parking slot. By doing so, you are set up to quickly manoeuvre out on departure if you have to leave in a hurry with easy visibility of your driving path and other people or obstacles in the vicinity. If parking up towards a wall, edge or other barrier, you also have forward line of sight to where you’re going after leaving the vehicle and any threats or suspicious behaviour.
Upon pre-paying at a machine or returning to the payment machine, always pay attention. Check if you’re observed by anyone as you approach the machine. Are there places nearby where someone can easily hide? Do you need to check these areas? When retrieving your card or cash from your wallet or purse, do you check if anyone else is close by? Can you pay via an app on your phone form the safety of your car? If so, it may be safer to set this up if it’s a place you often visit.
When approaching the car always have your keys in your hand, key blade unfolded (open) if it is a folding key. It can be used as an effective striking weapon towards an attacker’s face if needed. That said, the keys are not a particularly effective self defence tool. Even better, get a tactical pen or torch or umbrella - and learn how to use it in a Krav Maga lesson.
Always scan the immediate area, know what is around you and keep an eye out for trouble or suspicious behaviour. Is anyone hanging around? Check for shadows. Use your surroundings e.g. reflections in your car’s body work, the windows to gain a wider overview – if some is approaching you (even if from behind) you may see their reflection.
Before leaving the car, use the ‘Banana’ scan; check in a consecutive curved fashion the following directions for a 360 degree view; driver side front window, driver side mirror, windshield, rear view mirror, passenger side mirror, passenger side front window.
Get in the car, immediately lock the doors and start the engine – only then should you put your seat belt on – and go.
Source material: Spartans Academy of Krav Maga online material and class teaching.
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