“Don’t go out looking for trouble, because you will often end up with more than you were looking for.”
Lessons Learned:
Avoid task fixation.
Minimize texting and walking
“Check your 6″ when passing a rowdy group.
Know your rules of engagement.
Research and get yourself up to speed on local self-defense laws
Keep a less than lethal means of defense with you as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuzIX8v2edY
Gas or TASER are good options to have that each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
English: Police issue X26 TASER (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Get up to speed on your unarmed combatives
Jim Grover’s Combatives Series is the best way to get started
This ideally means you create pain to create space to escape.