While it's important to avoid situations that can put you in danger, sometimes the danger finds you. That's why it's important to know what to watch out for if someone is planning on attacking you. This can save your life!

1. Hands
A person’s arms and hands can be another clear indication of whether they’re threatening or not. Relaxed people
tend to have their arms by their sides, and assuming the power grid stays on, they may have one or both hands clutching a smartphone.

People who are tense or nervous, however, may have their arms crossed or shoved in their pockets, even when they’re walking. In addition, open hands tend to send a peaceful signal, while clenched hands (or clenching and unclenching) tend to telegraph violent intentions. Someone intending harm may also be concealing a weapon in his or her hands, hiding them from view in an unnatural way that can be easy to spot.

2. Stance
Observing how people stand and carry themselves is also an easy-to-spot sign of their intentions. In typical, nonthreatening conversation, most people stand squarely facing each other, their feet even with their shoulders. This is a neutral position.
Someone who is ready to attack you typically will have his or her feet set in an aggressive stance, with one foot back and the other foot forward, typically at a 45 degree angle. This position places an attacker’s strong side back to prepare for a strike or quick motion. This is called a front stance, strong stance, blading, a boxer’s stance, or a weaver stance. Also, keep in mind that an attacker will often move back the part of their body concealing a weapon.

3. Sweat
The body produces sweat when it gets overheated, but it also turns on the waterworks in high-pressure scenarios. Someone who looks unnaturally sweaty may be nervous about some sort of confrontation about to go down.

4. Pulse
Another indication that most attackers won’t be able to mask is their pulse. In anticipation of some sort of fight or flight response, most people’s heart rate will increase rapidly, and this quickening in pulse can oftentimes be seen on someone’s neck and temples. It is also a key sign of someone’s anger quickly becoming uncontrollable.

5. Mouth
A person’s mouth—and any facial expression for that matter—often moves to mirror that person’s feelings. This usually happens unbeknownst to the person, but it can be a huge advantage to anyone paying attention. When people become angry and begin losing control of their emotions, this is usually reflected in a snarl or a clenched jaw. You can spot this warning sign a mile off and prepare to deescalate the situation, fight, or run away.

6. Shoulders
The position of someone’s shoulders goes hand-in-hand with their stance. A person about to attack or run typically has their upper body poised forward, balanced over the toes, while a relaxed person may have their weight shifted back on his or her heals.

Now that you know what to look out for, you'll surely be a lot safer. It's always better to travel in groups and in the daylight. Just remember to use these skills wisely and to always be aware of your surroundings.

For more information about potential signs of threats to look out for, visit Urban Survival Site.