# How to defend yourself

Personal defense is a series of factors:

1. It begins with [situational awareness](safety-streetsmart.md), which avoids most potential risks.
2. You should have readily-available skills beforehand (e.g., martial arts training, gun training).
3. You should have some readily-available weapons beforehand (e.g., pepper spray, a gun).
4. At the moment of an engagement, your prepared skills, tools, and awareness determine what your [creativity](mind-creativity-how.md) can use at the moment.

## Specific location

At the gas pump

- If you pull back the front part of the nozzle, you can spray gasoline on people.
- This is a little finicky, so practice beforehand at least a little.