The Special Safety Yell: Low, Loud and Long

One of the self-protection tools offered by the Child Assault Prevention Training Center is the Special Safety Yell. While the instructions for the Yell are written for children, they can be used by anyone who needs to call for help. You might want to encourage neighborhood children to practice the Special Safety Yell as a group. This can help educate the neighborhood that this yell is a call for help.

Here's how the Yell works: The Special Safety Yell is special because it's only to be used when you are in trouble and need help. It's not something to play with. Another reason it's a Special Yell is because it has a special job -- helping to keep you safe.

LOW. It comes from your tummy, not your throat. It sounds deep, like a dog growling. But instead of making a "grrrr..." noise, you make a low "huh" sound. The Yell is different from a screech you might make while playing with a group of friends. This is a real YELL that lets adults know you need help right away.

LOUD. Take a very deep breath and let your Yell be the loudest it knows how to be. When you need help fast, you don't have to be shy or polite.

LONG. Because you take a deep breath, your Yell can last a long time. Let it last as long as your breath lasts. Then, take another deep breath, and do the Yell again while you are getting away to safety and finding someone who can help you.The Special Safety Yell says some very important things.

The Yell tells the person trying to hurt you, "I know what to do! I'm not an easy victim!" A bad guy can't afford to have anyone see what he's trying to do. He doesn't want people to have a description of him or his car and give it to the police. Sometimes the Yell by itself is enough to scare away someone who is trying to hurt you. And sometimes it surprises or shocks the bad guy for a few seconds -- that might be just long enough for you to escape and run to safety.

The Yell says to everyone within the sound of your voice, "I need help." Sometimes if just one person comes running to help you, the person trying to hurt you will run away. Sometimes other children hearing you do your Yell will do their Yell, too, and that brings even more people out to help. When someone wants to hurt you, they usually try to do it in secret, because they don't want anybody to be able to help you. Your Yell changes that.

The Yell gets you going. It's the Yell that breaks the spell. One of the easiest things to do when you are in danger and are scared is to freeze. It's also one of the worst things to do. When you take a deep breath, you are getting oxygen and energy to your brain and your muscles. That will help you think and figure out how to get away. When you hear your own Yell, it can give you courage. And don't forget you can yell and run at the same time. Try it. You can start running to safety at the same time you start your Yell. Practice your Special Safety Yell in a basement or an empty school gym, and let your neighbors know when you're practicing.