Self Defense Ideas & Considerations
Particularly since 9-11-2001 there has been an increase in discussion of self defense in our country and others. Southern Delaware is wonderfully safe, secure and peaceful but there is still some discussion of self defense and self protection issues here. Our senior citizens and single people of any age are often first to feel threatened and that makes the single senior citizen the most concerned according to my experience. A few years ago I spent a year or so helping to set up and manage a couple of very large Neighborhood Watch and Community Watch groups in areas of predominantly older singles and senior citizens.
I am active in several national and international forums where professionals from all walks of life, interact and correspond. Here are some self defense ideas that are currently being discussed on a philosophy of self defense, weaponry and martial arts forum that I have been quite involved with recently. I’ve used the ideas and discussion of the forum to guide my writing but the opinions and observations here are my own, alone.
1. Let’s start with the most basic concept. The first and most important self defense tactic is to NOT BE THERE. And if one is THERE then the next most important thing is to NOT COMMUNICATE. You will find that the first two methods a top attorney uses to defend his client is to try and have an alibi for that client (showing the client was not there) and to instruct the client to not say anything but have an attorney handle all communications. There is a maxim in philosophy that there are only two crimes in the universe; being there and communicating; and that all crimes are just different mixtures of those two ingredients. In addition that same philosophical doctrine establishes that the only way out of that trap of criminality is to Be There ever more effectively and to Communicate ever more effectively as the greatest crime of all is not being anywhere (death) and not communicating at all (death again). So let’s take this philosophical position and extrapolate it toward effective self defense.
That is, stay away from or get out of dangerous neighborhoods, groups and situations if there is any possible way to do so. Only if cornered or not able to get away or if in your own home or if with a child or elderly person that eliminates the possibility of getting away — should one stand and argue, fight, use any sort of weapon or shoot.
And then, if there is no other way out and only then… fight to the death and hopefully only the death but at least FIRST the death of the attacker. Only police have the luxury of partially disabling an attacker and that is often only when the law enforcement officers heavily outnumber the person yfp-t-830 attacking SOMEONE ELSE. When a law officer is attacked by a person it is usual that the law enforcement officer acts to totally and quickly stop the attacker - that often takes the form of several lethal shots from a gun. When there are two or several police “handling” one somewhat disruptive individual, then sticks, cuffs, and holds are used. As individuals we don’ t have that luxury and it makes no intelligent sense to even consider trying to partially control an attacker - as the result will be an escalation of the attack and increased danger to you.
2. There is great importance in training. Consistent training in the method of defense will develop an automatic response that will take over in time of deadly trouble. It is important to consider that any and every attack must be considered either potentially lethal or of not enough importance to engage the attacker. Most potential attacks can be defused with a calm, certain, non-combative but UN-fearful verbal and physical retreat. If the attack is not likely to be lethal then the only sensible response is to quietly and effectively leave the situation without a comment, except perhaps a timid apology and immediate, ready to act, retreat.
3. Prepare mentally. One must mentally prepare oneself regarding a willingness to not be a victim of attack. This mental preparation is senior to all else. One must consider what to do if attacked - to punch, shoot and KILL or bite and kill or cut and kill or stab and kill or kick and kill or punch and kill or all of these things together. If one must defend oneself, it is insane to do anything other than go for the most deadly and certain points.
There should be no warning and no gradient use of force when fighting for one’s life. The counter-attack should be surprising, sudden, sequential, continuous, overwhelming, fast, furious, and with each thrust, blow, shot or kick intending to permanently end all fight in the attacker. Here we sometimes discuss the difference between the Commandment “Thou Shalt NOT murder.” And the erroneous and suicidal “Thou shalt not kill”. There is a world of difference between murder and killing; especially killing in defense of family or self. That is, and it is horrible to contemplate; one must plan and prepare to shoot for the head; punch for the nose; gouge to remove or burst the eyes, kick to break the knee and crush the groin. Fingers, keys, pens, pencils, thumbs or anything handy should be thrust into the eyes, throat, mouth, nostrils, entrails and any soft or delicate part of the body of an attacker — DEEPLY enough to gouge the organs, nerves and even the brain to as far as the finger or implement may reach — several inches deep. Yuck, we don’t like to even read this… but it is true.
And keep shooting, kicking, biting, gouging and punching until the attacker is no longer moving. If one stops, that attacker is likely to do shake off your counter-attack and commence something even more torturous and worse than he first planned or had already started. And, if another is with you, the attacker may go for the other, your child, wife, mother or friend, in order to weaken you and make you despair. One must consider what can be done and how and do all the thinking before hand so that there is an automatic mental condition to take over in case of need.
4. Make certain you have one or more of the best tools you can have and have them with you when you need them. Since you never know when you may need them, have them always with you. Here, is the place to consider training for and obtaining a license to carry a deadly weapon if you wish to defend yourself and those near and dear to you. You should study and learn how to use tools and weapons properly and be willing to use them and have them in best condition to use them. That means; muscles strong and fast, gun loaded and quickly accessible, knives razor sharp and quick to get to and open or bring to ready. Pepper spray can be handy but is the most likely to work against you as it blows
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