Featured Image Credit: @dutchintheusa/TikTok
Topics: Crime, True crime, TikTok
Emily Brown
A potentially life-saving video reveals how to protect yourself if you're attacked by someone hiding in the back seat of your car.
It might sound unlikely at first, but I've listened to enough true crime podcasts to know that anything is possible, and it's better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
Hopefully you'll never have to use it, but TikTok user @dutchintheusa has offered viewers a technique that you can squirrel away in your brain, just in case. Check it out here:
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In the clip, the TikToker demonstrated what might happen if an attacker lurking in your car pulled you back against the seat using a rope or bungee cord around your neck.
Dutchintheusa showed himself sitting facing forward as you usually would in a car, and explained that if you found yourself with a rope around your neck then the first step would be to turn to the side to help protect the front of your throat.
Once you've done that, the TikToker showed how to use your elbow against the seat as leverage, and place a hand under the rope to help loosen it from your windpipe.
Your other hand can be used to help pull the hand holding the rope, ideally providing enough space for you to duck under it and get free.
Dutchintheusa received a lot of praise from TikTok users expressing gratitude for the important demonstration, with one person commenting: "You’re freaking awesome man. Hopefully God willing we’ll never need it."
Another wrote: "You are my favourite account, thank you for all you do to keep people safe. Even if it gets one person out of a situation, you’re saving lives."
People Safe has offered further advice for attack victims, encouraging you to 'Try and remain calm to stay focused on the situation'.
The site continues: "What’s the motive? Your defence will depend on the motive of the attacker. Do they want money? Are they trying to take your belongings? Are they trying to cause harm?
"Assess the situation. Are they carrying a weapon? Is there anyone around that could possibly be alerted providing it is safe to do so?
"Don’t try to protect your belongings. Your safety is more important than the belongings that can be replaced. If the attacker is after money, throw your purse/wallet towards them and run in the opposite direction."
The site advises to 'fight back if you have to', noting you 'have the right to defend yourself' if you are physically attacked.
Hopefully it's advice you'll never need, but it's good to know it all the same.