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Self-defense: If you were attacked, would you know what to do?

 BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (WKRN) – If you find yourself in a dangerous situation with someone threatening your life or your child’s, would you have the confidence to get away?

Amber Mohr is a mother of three. She said she’s often alone during the day with her youngest child, Brayden, 4.

She said she’s always mindful of their surroundings.

“I am always concerned when you’re responsible for somebody else. It’s one thing to be out in public by yourself and be responsible solely for yourself, but suddenly you have this little human who moves quickly and darts off in one direction or another, so you have to keep your eye on them and keep your eye on everything around you,” Mohr said.

Awareness is your first line of defense against an attack, but what if that’s not enough? What can you do if you’re caught off guard and attacked by someone who is bigger and stronger?

Brentwood officer Ashley Nelson said she knows what it feels like to be outmatched in her profession.

She grew up in Memphis and has been with the Brentwood Police Department for the past three years. When it comes to attacks on women, she said she knows what it takes to survive.

“There are several things you can do. The first thing? Be very vocal, be very loud. ‘Stop! Get back!’” Nelson said.

She said your chance at escape starts with a strike.

“Use your elbow and you can jab him in the side,” said Officer Nelson. “You’re bringing your elbows forward because you’re trying to figure out if you’re going to fight or flight,” Nelson said.

She said you don’t have to be strong, you don’t have to be in shape, and you don’t have to be a kick box queen to give yourself a fighting chance; you just need to strike strategically.

“The halfway mark between his knee and his foot and his ankle, that area there, because you have that lower shin, that ankle area, that is a very sensitive spot on any person,” Nelson explained.

Stay calm is advice you hear often if you’re in a life threatening situation, which is easier said than done, but Officer Nelson said that’s not necessarily the best advice. She said adrenaline is your best friend in this situation; it gives you the power to escape and evade. She said to use your adrenaline to be vocal and draw attention to yourself and the situation. If your attacker is trying to take you away to another location, at some point he will have to loosen his grip to get you to where he wants you. Don’t miss that chance to strike and escape.

Nelson said, “Remember, these are just the basics to help you protect yourself.”