📏 Distance & Proxemics Module
Distance is your greatest safety tool. The more you understand proximity, the safer you move in every environment.
1️⃣ What is Proxemics?
Proxemics is the science of how humans use space — and how distance affects behaviour, intent, and safety.
Distance gives you time.
Time gives you options.
Options keep you safe.
2️⃣ The Four Zones of Distance
Humans operate in four predictable distance zones:
🟦 Public Zone (4–12+ metres)
- Safest zone
- Clear visibility
- Easy to change direction
🟩 Social Zone (2–4 metres)
- Conversation distance
- Behaviour clearer
- Low threat
🟧 Personal Zone (1–2 metres)
- High-risk
- Pre-contact zone
- Most attacks start here
🟥 Intimate Zone (0–1 metre)
- Extremely dangerous
- No reaction time
- Avoid it always
3️⃣ Distance Dictates Safety
Most attacks succeed because the victim didn’t manage distance early enough.
Act early — not late.
4️⃣ Maintaining Safe Distance
- Use curved movement
- Increase distance early
- Move away from people, not toward them
- Use barriers
- Keep children protected behind you
🧠 Distance & Proxemics Quiz
10 questions. Pick the safest distance-based action.
1️⃣ Someone closes distance quickly from 3 metres away. What should you do?
A) Step straight back
B) Move sideways in a curved path
C) Stand still
D) Walk directly toward them
2️⃣ Someone matches your walking direction multiple times. What should you do?
A) Ignore them
B) Change route into open space
C) Stop walking
D) Demand to know why they follow
3️⃣ Someone stands up as you approach them. What’s safest?
A) Walk past them
B) Change angle early
C) Ask what they want
D) Stop walking
4️⃣ Someone enters your personal zone unexpectedly. What do you do?
A) Stay still
B) Angle out and increase distance
C) Step straight back
D) Move closer
5️⃣ Someone shadows your movement path. What’s your action?
A) Stop moving
B) Curve outward to break alignment
C) Move toward them
D) Ask why they're doing that
6️⃣ Someone blocks your path. What’s safest?
A) Walk straight toward them
B) Move sideways into open space
C) Stand still
D) Ask them what they’re doing
7️⃣ Someone repeatedly reduces distance but avoids eye contact. What’s safest?
A) Ignore it
B) Increase distance immediately
C) Stand still
D) Confront them
8️⃣ Someone looks at your child repeatedly from mid-distance. What’s safest?
A) Sit still and keep watching them
B) Call child back and increase distance
C) Walk toward them
D) Ask them why they’re watching
9️⃣ A stranger sits extremely close on a bench. What’s the correct move?
A) Stay seated
B) Stand and move away
C) Slide a few inches away
D) Start a conversation
🔟 Two people converge from left and right. You’re in the middle. What’s safest?
A) Walk between them
B) Escape sideways out of the middle zone
C) Ask what they want
D) Stand still
