Personal Safety Seminar Gives Lawrence Community Self-Defense Tips
With recent safety concerns around Lawrence, community members gathered Tuesday for a personal safety seminar focused on awareness, self-defense, and how to respond in uncomfortable situations.
The seminar was held at the Lawrence Public Library and led by Tammy Bartels of Red Brick Road Training and Consulting. Bartels teaches personal protection in Lawrence and the surrounding area.
Tammy Bartels leading the safety seminar at the Lawrence Public Library on Sept. 22. Photo taken by Alyx Wood.
“Being aware of your surroundings is the simple, most important thing that someone can do because you can avoid situations,” Bartels said.
Bartels said being aware can help people recognize a potential problem earlier and give them more time to react.
The seminar also covered different personal safety and self-defense tools, including the pros and cons of each. Attendees had the opportunity to see how some of the tools work in practice.
Tammy Bartels teaches a seminar attendee how to use pepper spray on Sept. 22 at the Lawrence Public Library. Photo by Alyx Wood.
Bartels encouraged the group to consider which self-defense methods would be most appropriate for them.
“It’s better to be wrong on the side that protects yourself as opposed to wrong on the side of becoming a victim,” Bartels said.
For Amy Eshelman, the seminar provided a greater sense of confidence when it comes to personal safety.
“Probably just a little bit more confidence and just awareness,” Eshelman said.
Bartels said there is not one approach to personal safety that works for everyone. She encouraged people to be realistic about what they are comfortable doing in a dangerous situation.
“I really encourage everyone to learn something, and be honest about what you can do,” she said. “Not everyone is going to be okay in their mindset to take violent actions, so take as much action or carry the tool that’s appropriate with what you are doing.”
The seminar gave attendees an opportunity to learn about different personal safety options and decide what strategies may be appropriate for them.
Watch the segment here:
