When you are unsure of how to respond in a potentially harmful situation, the best strategy for defusing it is to distract. Distraction is a non- confrontational approach that redirects attention away from the immediate conflict, helping to reduce tension and prevent escalation. By shifting focus, it allows emotions to settle and creates an opportunity for the situation to calm down or for assistance to arrive safely. This can be done through simple actions like changing the subject, making a light comment, or introducing an unrelated activity
. Distraction is especially effective because it is low-risk and does not directly challenge the individuals involved, making it a safe first step when you are uncertain about how to engage. Other strategies such as direct intervention, deactivating, or delegating may be appropriate in certain contexts, but distraction is often the safest and most effective initial response in uncertain or potentially harmful situations
. Additional helpful techniques include staying calm, using active listening, maintaining non-threatening body language, and offering choices when possible, but when unsure, distraction stands out as the best immediate strategy
