What to Do If You're Attacked By a Dog, According to a Former Navy SEAL

Hopefully, you’ll never be in a situation where you have to use these tips, but they might just come in handy to help you handle a dog attack. In this Business Insider video, a former Navy SEAL tells you what you need to know to protect yourself.

First, be very clear that the dog is really about to attack you. Use a shirt, jacket, or a purse to draw the dog’s attention from other vital body parts. If the dog pounces, most of us might reflexively put our arms in front of us to shield us from the dog. But Clint Emerson warns that you should bare only the outer part of the forearm and, if possible, wrap a shirt around your forearm for added protection. We want to protect the major arteries on the ulna and radial side at all costs.

If you need to fight back, Emerson advises literally punching the dog in the nose. The reason is, it’s a big target for you to hit. As he explains, when you’re under the threat and heightened stress of being attacked, it’s all you can manage to focus on “big movements by you to big targets on the dog.” The dog’s rib cage is also a sensitive area.

For more survival and safety tips on dog attacks, you can check out this lifehacker article.

A Navy SEAL explains what to do if you’re attacked by a dog | Business Insider