C.O.B.R.A. was created by a former law enforcement officer in Pinellas County. What drew me to C.O.B.R.A. was the fact that they offer so many different self-defense programs. One of the most important programs is the child abduction prevention program. It teaches a child about being aware and, in the worst case, how to deal with a situation.
Special to SW FL Parent & Child
Joseph Saitta is the owner and head instructor of C.O.B.R.A. Defense Fort Myers, selfdefenseftmyers.com. He has more than 30 years of training and experience in safety and self-defense.
While we teach children physical strategies to help them escape a full-grown attacker, there are also some proactive measures parents can take to ensure a child’s safety.
1. Talk about strangers.
Children need to know who is a stranger and more importantly to stay away from them. You don’t have to scare children into thinking every stranger is a threat. We all know that most strangers don’t pose a danger. But it’s helpful to teach children to be cautious about anyone they don’t know.
2. Reconsider code words.
Some families use a secret code word that only the child and the person picking them up would know. We don’t encourage using code words to interview a possible stranger because we don’t want the child to get anywhere near any stranger.
3. Teach your child to pay attention to their surroundings.
Always teach your child to stay aware of what is going on around them, noting strangers, friends, exits and other information that might be helpful in an emergency. They need to know how to get to safety and know where that safe place may be. This is a skill that’s helpful not only with self-defense but also in the event of a fire, shooting or other emergency.
Courtesy of C.O.B.R.A. Defense Fort Myers
4. Teach your child how to call 911.
Teach them not only how to place the call but also that they should first get to a safe place to make the call. It’s also important that a child know how to describe a suspect’s appearance. Start with the head and go down the body (hair, facial features, glasses, beard, eye color, shirt color, pants or shorts, shoes, etc.).
5. Avoid identifiers.
Never put your child’s name on the outside of their clothing, backpacks, coats, the back of your vehicle. Predators can use this information to target your child and talk with your child in away that makes the stranger seem like a family friend.
6. Make noise.
If your child is ever approached by a stranger, they need to know to make noise and commotion.
7. Nothing beats supervision.
In our CAP program for ages 5-12, we tell parents children should never be unsupervised or alone while waiting for their ride or attending an event.
All these tips are to keep an abductor from getting their hands on your child. If the worst were to happen, there are anti-abduction anchor moves a child can do that make it extremely hard for someone to move a child. One simple one is the child drops and wraps their arms and legs around the abductor’s leg with their head tucked in tight against the leg. It’s not easy to walk around with a child attached to your leg. We also teach some techniques that make it difficult for an adult to get a child into a vehicle. And we encourage practicing at home. You can learn more at selfdefenseftmyers.com.
Joseph Saitta is the owner and head instructor of C.O.B.R.A. Defense Fort Myers, selfdefenseftmyers.com. He has more than 30 years of training and experience in safety and self-defense.