With all the recent crime that has been happening locally, many people are beginning to fear that Westport isn’t the same safe bubble it used to be. However, in order to be prepared, a great way to ensure your own safety, is by taking self-defense classes.

“You need to learn how to fight back,” said Shihan Fred Sesler while teaching a free self-defense class at Freestyle Fitness, which was open to all ages. “Times are changing and you need to know how to react.”

Sesler explained that criminals are finding their way into towns like Westport, Weston, and Wilton, however a person must be prepared anywhere he or she goes.

As many seniors are graduating Staples and going off to college on their own, they need to know how to fend for themselves, and Lindsay Bernard ’12, believes self-defense is a great way to accomplish this.

“Self-defense class is so important because you can learn so many simple things that can basically save your life,” Bernard said.

Sesler had many suggestions that anyone can do in order to avoid getting themselves into dangerous situations.

One thing Sesler really stressed was something most children learn when they are very young, and that is to never stop and talk to strangers. As elementary as this sounds, people do it all the time. If someone stops you on the street to ask you what time it is, don’t stop to look at your watch, because this is just enough time for someone to get a hold of  you. Instead, check your watch and with your other hand, hold it up in front of yourself. Then, you can quickly tell the stranger the time, but keep walking.

Another thing to remember is if you are approached, and you are holding a purse, drop it, and never hold the purse over your head, because the attacker can easily use the straps to strangle you. Sesler said to let them have the bag, because your life is more important than the iPhone, wallet, and tic-tacs you have in there.

An easy thing to remember is when a child is waiting for the bus, he or she should never wear both straps of the backpack. By keeping only one strap on, there is a better chance the child can escape if a person grabs hold of the backpack.

One more trick is when you are walking and you see two men walking toward you, never walk in between them, and instead walk around them or stop at a nearby trashcan.

Really just staying alert of your surroundings can make all the difference.

“It’s really about awareness and not allowing yourself to be distracted,” said Sensei Trish Boyle, who has had about 16 years of experience with Taekwondo and martial arts.

For example, Sesler suggested that when a person is getting cash from an ATM, and someone else comes up behind them, he or she should turn and allow the camera on the ATM machine to see the person behind them, in case that person tries to take his or her money.

He also suggests that a person should hold a card in each hand, so if someone does try to attack from behind, you can use a card to slice into their neck, specifically the jugular vain, in order to protect yourself and your money.

“intensify a paper cut by a thousand…that’s how painful a cut with a credit card is,” Sesler said.

One more precaution a person can take when leaving the ATM machine is to ball up the cash in your hand so it isn’t as easy for a person to grab hold of.

Self-defense class not only teaches little tricks for survival, but also teaches a person the skills necessary to defend oneself physically. These strategies are simple and easy enough for anyone to do, if they know how to do them.

If a person tries to choke you, use your knuckles to hit their waste, because this will surprise them. Then, bring both hands up and slap them on either side of their face, and bring your elbows down on their arms to release their grip on your neck. End by hitting or kicking them in the groin or thigh so you can escape.

“The game is about how to survive, not how to win,” Sesler said, “because if you go in to win, you are going to lose.”

The moves may seem difficult, but Boyle explains that if you keep practicing the moves, your body will be able to react in panicked situations.

“It only takes 16 pounds of pressure to break a leg,” Boyle said, demonstrating a fast kick in the air. “Anyone can do it.”

Self- defense teaches what to do when you are being attacked in any situation, including being attacked with a weapon like a knife.

“ I definitely learned a lot of cool things to do in certain scenarios,” said Jack Massie ’14, who attended Sesler’s free-self defense class.

Free-style Fitness will be holding another free Self-defense class in the spring because of how important they believe it is that Westporters learn to defend themselves.

“Once you realize how special you are, you will be able to appreciate the gift of life,” Sesler said.