Random info that could save your life (how to escape from a car boot)

[billionzAndTrillionz]

Just a random bit of useful info from one of my son's PHCE lessons (teacher is ex-police 🙂) ...

If you're ever stuck in the boot of a car in a kidnap situation, there is usually a very visible quick-release handle inside. If not, or if the kidnapper has disabled it, you may be able to pull up the flooring of the boot and find a wire that connects the dashboard to the boot's quick release mechanism - pull it towards the driver and the boot should release.

Otherwise, find the wiring for the brake lights and pull them out, or smash them from the inside using whatever tools you can find - the car is then more likely to be stopped by police.

You just know, don't you, that now, if you're ever kidnapped and put in a boot, you'll be thinking, if only I could remember that mumsnet post about what to do if you're kidnapped and put in a boot.

A kidnapper would struggle to lift me into a car boot. I could maybe topple in if shoved though as my boobs make me a bit top heavy

@LasagneLasagne glad you have mentioned self defence. My late DF taught me to fight dirty and to do just the sort of things you describe if attacked. He recommended keys poking through fingers in a clenched fist. I still instinctively carry my keys like that. I would also say nutting and kicking in the balls if possible is useful before running away. The most important point you make Lasagne is NOISE make as much as you can. As an older woman we were often encouraged to be quiet and demure in school etc. My DF taught me and sisters to never to put up with any shit and to certainly never keep quiet about it.

@CombatLingerie I've heard that keys poking through your fingers might hurt you too, so having keys poking out of the bottom of your closed fist is better. Throwing a hefty bunch of keys in the assailants face is also good. Anything to buy you a few moments to run.
My mum was short, dainty-looking, but a pocket rocket who would never have stayed quiet (she's dead now, sadly). Some of that rubbed off on me, although I'm certainly not dainty!

I posted this earlier:
ResQme is brilliant and cheap. I give them as presents. Amazon ASIN B09BSHNMN8 gets you a multi-pack.
Don’t leave it in the car, put it on your keyring. You then have it as a coach or train passenger, or when you’re in someone else’s vehicle.

The beauty of it is it's very small and portable.

Sod's Law says you'll be stuck in a train or coach crash rather than your well equipped car. It passes airport security as well.

Obviously I realise something completely different will be the death of me. :o(

See, I’m not sure I want people on a plane that have gadgets to smash windows out 😲

Bloomin’ heck, @KoalaDrama! How terrifying.

Both our cars have window hammers as standard in the driver and passenger foot wells. It's a thing in the Netherlands where going off the road means you'll likely end up in a water-filled ditch.
DS's swimming lessons also included swimming through and around underwater obstacles and jumping fully clothed into the local river to learn about currents and weeds.

🤣🤣🤣

It’s true, you must make as much noise and chaos as possible.

Someone tried to rob me on Stroud Green Road a while ago and while I look like I am quite meek, I started howling “DONT TOUCH ME, DONT FUCKING TOUCH ME” in to this mans face and ran in to a shop. Security stepped in because of the noise I was making, and he was seen off, and all was well. I find (in my experience so far anyway) when you act like you are absolutely unhinged and making the mother of all scenes, a would be robber/attacker starts to fear for their own safety.

It would not work on a plane window.