TIP OF THE MONTH

DISCLAIMER:  I consider myself a serious student of self-defense and do not pretend to know everything nor do I believe my way is the only way.  What I will present here is my preferred method based on experience and what I have learned from experts.

CONFRONTATIONS

This month I’d like to spend a little time addressing confrontations.  First rule – stay away from potentially dangerous areas/situation, in other words, don’t go ice-skating where you know the ice is thin – BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

Predators generally will “test” their prey before they attack, to be sure it’s safe for them before committing to strike.  We need to recognize this “test” for what it is.  It can be in the form of a request for directions or a light for their cigarette etc.  Our response to this “test” is crucial.  When you look them in the eye, address them verbally, move out of their reach while simultaneously scanning your surroundings, it forces them to reevaluate and just might make you fail their “test”.  Predators can distinguish between deliberate actions and indecisive movements.  Clint Smiths puts it best, “If you act like food – you will be eaten”!

     Some of the most common mistakes we make when confronted are:

      1.      Failure to exit when we have the chance.

2.      Failure to scan our surroundings.

3.      Failure to “stack” threats.

4.      Failure to “free” our hands.

Let’s take a look at each of these errors:

No.1 – Because we try to be a polite society, we often stay engaged in conversation when confronted – don’t, move away and exit.

No.2 – BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.  I can’t stress this enough - in past “defensive tips” we’ve talked about using windows/doors (glass) as mirrors to aid in checking around us.  Constantly look for havens of safety in the event you are forced to defend yourself. 

No.3 – We must train ourselves to always move to a position where we are only confronting one potentially dangerous person at a time – “stack” the threats. 

No.4 – If you have something in your hands when things start to go into the toilet – drop it.  You need your hands to fight!

     One last point - life and death confrontations don’t only come from predators.  John Farnam writes “Only twenty-seven percent of murders take place during armed robberies.  The rest take place during confrontations with disgruntled/former employees, mentally ill persons and current/former wives, suitors or husbands.  Sometimes, we think that inadvertently walking into an armed robbery is the most likely time we will be confronted with deadly force, but that is not true.  Many other circumstances are just as dangerous and we must think of them as such”.  So, ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!