Each year many people become victims of violent crime. Anyone can be unfortunate enough to find him or her self in this situation but in some occupations employees are more likely to face this problem. For example police, security personnel, hospital staff and people who work in the public transportation sector. Learning about self-defense in the modern world entails more than just learning how to “kick and punch”. The modern student of self-defense needs to learn how to survive crimes such as armed robbery, serious assault, gang attacks, abductions, sexual assault, rape and more.
Self-Defense is anything you do to defend yourself against a physical attack. It can be something as simple as a tactical retreat (running away) or using punching and kicking to fend off an attacker, or perhaps using an improvised weapon (any ordinary object that can be used as a makeshift weapon) to defend yourself. Situational awareness, threat assessment and verbal deflection are all important aspects of a modern comprehensive self-defense system. These are crucial skills that hopefully will enable you to defuse a conflict before it turns physical.
Legal aspects of Self-Defense
Different countries have different laws that regulate how much force you can use to defend yourself. You do have a right to defend yourself as long as you use no more force than appears reasonable and necessary given the circumstances.
To ensure that you don’t end up in trouble please consult with legal expertise in your jurisdiction about the specifics of your local laws.
Pre-Conflict
- Be aware of your surroundings when you are out in public. Look around as you move about instead of looking at the ground. This is even more important when you are talking on your mobile (cell) phone as this makes it more difficult to hear people approach you and it also tends to make you less aware in general.
- If you have good posture and look around at eye level instead of looking down at the ground you will appear more confident. If spoken to answer in a strong and confident voice. Your body language and inflection are more important than what you actually say in a situation like this. This way the criminal will be less likely to see you as a potential victim.
- If you are approached by someone asking for the time or a cigarette or how to get somewhere keep your hands in front of your body and “talk with your hands”. If you are attacked you stand a much better chance of protecting yourself if your hands are already up. If you have your hands by your side or in your pockets you will not be able to react fast enough.
- When facing an aggressive person be firm and maintain a confident posture. Use verbal skills to de-escalate the situation.
Conflict
- If you are forced to defend yourself use simple techniques based on gross motor skills. Remember that the force you use to defend yourself should be the same level of force as the attacker is using. If the attacker is using reasonable force you cannot use deadly force to defend yourself.
- You are only allowed to defend yourself as long as the attack is ongoing. As soon as the attack stops you have to stop defending yourself.
- When facing multiple attackers use a “hit-and-run” tactic and make sure you don’t end up in a situation where the attackers surround you.
Post-Conflict
- As soon as the attack is over check to make sure the attacker has left and you are safe. Which way did the attacker run, how was he dressed, and what did he look like? Those are important questions that you need to be able to answer when you call the police.
- Because of chock you may not notice that you are injured. As soon as the attack is over check yourself for possible injuries. This is absolutely crucial if any weapons were used in the attack. If you are with family members or friends check each other for injuries.
- While you wait for the police to arrive start writing down what happened in chronological order. Make sure you include quotes of what the attacker actually said, “give me your money”, “I will kill you”, etc. This is important to the police and compelling testimony if a suspect is caught and there is a subsequent trial.
- When things have calmed down analyze what happened to you and learn from it. If you feel that you made mistakes or you found a particular weakness make sure to adjust your self-defense training accordingly.
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