In our society we tend to shy away from unpleasant topics, yet we live in an increasingly dangerous time.

Everyday there are numerous cases of assaults, pick pockets, muggings, abductions, and burglaries in our nation's shopping centers. Miami-Dade County is one of the top crime areas in our country.

As you stroll the mall in quest of the perfect Valentine or Easter gift for your loved ones, beware of the criminal that could be stalking you. While you plan your shopping spree, the criminal mind is concocting his game plan.

Thieves believe in survival of the strongest, so they target the older and weaker population expecting an easy prey, since they are less likely to give chase. We literally take to heart the Boy Scout Motto: "Be prepared," the bad guys are. If you are not prepared, the bad guys can sense it and he's going to win. It's not how tough you really are, it's how tough he thinks you are. Survival in the street is 80% spirit, 20% technique.

The average person or even Martial Artist (Karate, Kung-Fu, Judo, Tae Kwon Do) is not prepared for a criminal assault. Most Martial Arts schools train you in board breaking, high fancy kicking and tournaments. Tournaments are in a controlled environment; championships do not prepare you for a violent environment.

The only trophy that matters in a street encounter is your safety and life. The safety of your family and yourself depends on how quickly you can go from a normal mindset (family Easter shopping or your Valentine's Day date) to a combative mindset.

Yet in this adjustment you can lose motor control or "freeze up." Your brain can become your most lethal weapon, but first you must learn to understand you body's response to stress!

In our EZ Defense class, which we will elaborate on in a future article, we guide our students through a scenario-based instruction that teaches them to control the Adrenaline Rush.

A common survival mechanism is tunnel vision, time distortion, auditory exclusion (can't hear), shortness of breath, increased heartbeat, knees and hands shaking. All of these are the signs the criminals are looking for in order to choose their next victim. Learning to control the adrenaline response will prevent you from giving off the signs that will attract the criminals.

A purse snatching takes 2 seconds and it's unexpected.

NEVER KEEP YOUR KEYS IN YOUR PURSE. If a set is stolen, now they have the keys to your house and car, giving them the power to steal your car and burglarize your home.

STAY ALERT! Pickpockets love crowds, the opposite of burglars and muggers. These criminals may be well dressed or look like grandmothers, cute children, or businessmen. They usually work in teams one distracts you while the partner professionally picks your pocket or walks off with your shopping bags.

ALWAYS LOCK YOUR VEHICLE AND KEEP YOUR GIFTS OUT OF SITE. Lt. Lonnie Bain, training lieutenant for the Dept. of Corrections, Police Defensive Tactics Instructor and EZ Defense Instructor at Anta's Fitness and Self Defense, believes that to protect your loved ones the best defense is AWARENESS!

Lt. Bain says, "Be aware of your surroundings, walk in groups of two or more. Ladies, when shopping try not to carry a purse. Try a small wallet in your front pocket. Don't let your children out of your sight (don't be side tracked) it only takes a second to lose a child, a purse and in some cases your life! If it doesn't feel right, don't do it!"

Awareness and avoidance may well be more important to real-world self-defense than even attaining a Black Belt.

Yet if you are destined to encounter an assault, your main objective is your safety and the safety of your family. You also have to stop the attacker and escape as soon as possible. Here are some tips on surviving an assault:

1. Preferably give them your bags/money and/or run.

2. If you have to defend yourself, it is usually better to react quickly using the element of surprise.

3. Being in good shape could augment your odds of survival. It's not necessary to be an Olympic athlete or prizefighter to defend yourself. A fit person walks with confidence and has a better chance of surviving and even foiling an attempted assault.

4. Regular practice of realistic self-defense techniques will enhance your timing and reflexes to the point that you won't have to think about it.

5. All confrontations should end in less than 5 seconds.

6. Carry a cell phone; it could be your best crime-fighting tolls. If you feel your are in danger or see a crime in progress, dial 911 (it's free)