The decisions Ashley Smith made while being held hostage by courthouse shooting suspect Brian Nichols likely saved her life and possibly the lives of others.

Local self defense instructors say it’s a skill that can takes years to master, but martial arts educator Terry Newton says learning self protection doesn’t require a black belt.

“If you can poke or turn a key or squeeze, you have all your weapons in the right place.”

Though experts don’t suggest using physical contact without training, they say there is an exception.

“In a situation where someone is wanting you to go with them to another location, again, we tell people to resist that, fight that,” said Richmond County investigator Scott Peebles.

Basic self protection courses can teach you how to get loose. For instance, squeezing sensitive areas of skin under the arms, on the back and in the face can buy you time to escape.

If you’re in close proximity to the aggressor and feel comfortable enough, there are ways to disarm him, but experts say you better be ready to run.

Not every case calls for a physical reaction. When a weapon is drawn and you can’t disarm, you should comply.

Experts say once you’ve been taken hostage, do what Ashley did and get personal.

“Eye contact is important because it makes you appear human to the person, and it gives them an opportunity to see the fear. It gives them the opportunity to relate,” Peebles said.

Peebles says because there are so many different personalities, there is no one solution to getting out alive. He did say off all the hostage cases they’ve studied, Smith’s is the most unique.

But her ability to make her captor feel comfortable and trusted could be the reason she’s still alive.