Photo credit: Erika Wittlieb. Pixabay.
Mickey Z. -- World News Trust
Sept. 12, 2016
Part 3: The practical and the tactical.
(Part 1 here)
(Part 2 here)
If you haven’t read the first two parts, I hope you’ll do so now (links above). Once you have, perhaps you’d characterize my presentation as, um… discouraging? But this time around, I have some good news.
You’re left to wonder:
Q. What should we do?
A.Whatever works.
Q. How do we know what works?
A. We don’t.
(that’s obviously not the good news)
Since practiced and memorized “moves” are usually forgotten in high-stress situations, the number one choice (if possible) is GET AWAY or at least create distance -- even though almost all YouTube “self defense” videos seem based on the treacherous idea of you sticking around to kick ass. (still not the good news)
First bit of good news: Your mind and body are hard-wired for such situations. It’s called the “fight or flight” response and the physiological changes it automatically activates may save your life. Here are a few of those changes:
- Blood flow is diverted to our muscles
- Blood pressure, heart rate, fats, and blood sugars increase to supply us with more energy
- Muscles become more tense, providing us with extra speed and strength
- In advance of possible injury, our blood clotting function speeds up
So, with all that evolution on your side, please choose “flight” whenever and wherever possible. If you imagine running is dangerous or ill-advised—especially if the predator is armed -- I have more good news for you:
- Less than 5 percent of predators with a gun, fire it. Of that tiny amount, only 10 percent of those fired upon are killed (virtually all point blank). Step one: Create distance.
- Gun-wielding predators hit their target only 4 percent of the time and their aim gets worse over distance and/or with a moving target. Step one: Create distance.
- Predators wielding a knife use their weapon of choice more often (21 percent of the time) but, obviously, it’s a close range weapon. Step one: Create distance.
But what if we can’t get away and have to “fight”?
1. Create as much distance as possible.
2. Recognize your voice as your next of defense.
Speak in LOUD statements, not questions. You are not negotiating with the human excrement confronting you. No! Stop! STOP! I don’t know you and I want you to leave. I want you to leave now! Go Away! Get Back. GET BACK! I said “NO”!
He might threaten you. He might try manipulating (Calm down, relax, I’m not gonna hurt you). He might get loud. Expect the worst because that’s probably what you will get. But keep creating distance and keep staying loud.
Yet more good news: We are never unarmed. Activate your search engine -- even better, your imagination -- to conjure up a list of potential weapons improvised from everyday items. Stick-like, pointy, or sharp things -- of course. Blunt objects, liquid or powdered chemicals, and boiling water. A backpack or jacket rapidly waved in tight figure-8s is an excellent way to create all-important distance. Anything and everything that can inflict massive injury is open to you.
(Side note #1: Pepper spray. Buy it, carry it, and use it -- without warning.)
Your attacker is not looking for a fair fight so please don’t ever feel obligated to give him one. Predators are willing to commit all levels of atrocities. Therefore, in resisting them: Anything goes. There is and will never be such a thing as fighting “dirty.” Predators have earned zero respect so please -- I implore you -- act accordingly. This not only increases your chances of survival but may leave identifying marks -- bites, an earring ripped from an ear, visible scratches, damaged or gouged eyes, etc. -- that will make it more likely the predator is found should he escape your fury.
If a physical confrontation appears inevitable, a possible first step is to assume a protective stance. I’m not going to offer much how-to via an article but this one is fundamental: firm footing, constant eye contact (while using peripheral vision), and hands up in front of you in sort of a “surrender” position. This will give the (false) impression that you’re not planning to defend yourself while also keeping your hands in position to quickly block and/or strike.
(Side note #2: This would be a good time to try noticing identifying marks like tattoos, birth marks, etc.)
Again, it’s ill-advised to attempt too much instruction in an article. In my planned seminars, I’d go more into all this. For now, I’ll highlight some primary targets and strikes:
- Eyes: finger strikes or gouging motion
- Nose: palm heel, head butt (only if comfortable and familiar with such a blow)
- Throat: fingers, fist
- Kneecaps: front kick
(Side note #3: Kicks look great in movies and MMA matches but the safest choice in a street situation is to keep both feet on ground and thus maintain balance.)
In more advanced seminars, I may discuss defending against a knife. For now, some basics:
- The first choice remains: get away!
- And if you can’t get away, create distance.
- If faced with an inactive knife (held in one hand with stationary predator), you are in a position to use your voice to negotiate while surveying the scene (escape routes, possible predator accomplices, identifying marks, nearby help, etc).
- With an active knife, assume a stance something like the one described above, except more “boxer” style: hands clenched in fists with palms facing you. Reality: Be prepared to bleed.
- When striking back, always remember the primary targets.
- If you have a backpack or jacket/shirt, this is an ideal time for the figure-8s defense mentioned in the “improvised weapon” section above.
(Side note #4: Facing a non-ballistic weapon can be frightening but some weapons serve to “limit” the attacker’s psychological approach thus, his options. Weapon wielding predators often focus solely on using this singular weapon. Contemplate that advantage in advance so you can exploit it when and if necessary.)
Summary
Since self defense bares little resemblance to what we see in movies or how-to videos, please allow me to sum up the basic lessons of this three-part series:
- There are no secrets, no magic formulas, no promises.
- More often than not, pre-planned “moves” don’t work.
- Commit in advance to fighting back.
- Practice awareness of yourself and others.
- Learn as much as possible about predators.
- Our bodies are designed to resist and survive.
- Your chances of survival increase if your first choice is to get away. If you cannot get away, create distance and use your voice.
- You are never unarmed.
Mostly, I hope I’ve helped deconstruct some dangerous myths and inspired you to contemplate this crucial topic more intensely and frequently. And, of course, please remember the pledge:
I will resist and I will survive, by any means necessary.
Mickey Z. is currently writing two books, a memoir called How to Lose Friends & Influence Nobody: My Life as an “Activist,” and a novel entitled stain red. In the meantime, he can be found here.
Everything you know about self-defense is wrong (part 3) by
Mickey Z. is licensed under a
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Based on a work at
https://worldnewstrust.com/everything-you-know-about-self-defense-is-wrong-part-3-mickey-z.