| Many sensible aspects of self defence involve | | | | The main thing is the intensity of your defense, which |
| avoiding those situations where you may be at risk | | | | must instantly become an attack. Make a lot of noise, |
| and also ensuring your personal environment is secure, | | | | scream and yell. Don't just flail your arms widely in |
| i.e. correct locks, movement activated lights, alarm | | | | circular motions, use straight line thrusts to the eyes, |
| systems etc. | | | | throat and face. |
| But despite your best efforts you find yourself in a | | | | If your arms are being held stomp with your feet and |
| threatening situation. This will most likely occur because | | | | thrust forward with your knees, jab with your elbows |
| someone you thought you could trust has abused that | | | | and bite! |
| trust and intends to inflict harm on you in some way. | | | | Whenever I discuss some of these aspects of |
| The question which arises is, do you or do you not | | | | defence some people cringe and think it's just too |
| defend yourself? The reality is that you won't have | | | | much. But imagine yourself being knocked to the |
| much time to ponder this question, and even a | | | | ground, kicked punched, raped. Your attacker isn't |
| moment's hesitation may see you overpowered. | | | | going to be gentle, why should you! |
| You need to make up your mind and have a plan in | | | | Fight and fight until you are exhausted and then keep |
| advance. Different circumstances will call for a | | | | fighting. So what if you are tired, so what if you can |
| different response. e.g. someone wants your purse at | | | | hardly breathe, never give up! Your adrenalin will mostly |
| a automatic teller and they are threatening you with a | | | | mask your injuries. |
| knife or a gun, just give them the purse and avoid | | | | This will certainly gross you out, but if you thrash and |
| looking at their face and run at the first opportunity. | | | | fight for your life and you reach a point of utter |
| That example is clear cut, don't be hero, even if you | | | | exhaustion then you may well vomit from the shear |
| are taking self defence classes! Just cut your losses. | | | | effort. If so don't turn from your attacker but vomit on |
| So here you have a clear policy. | | | | them. Yuk I hear you say! Survive I say! |
| But what if you encounter someone in your home or a | | | | The harsh reality is that you may do all you can and |
| pleasant date turns nasty? Here you have to make | | | | are still badly injured, raped or both, but you will know in |
| another decision, do I fight or give in to them and hope | | | | your heart you did all you could do and this knowledge |
| they don't hurt me too badly. The problem is you don't | | | | is sure to speed your physical and emotional recovery. |
| know what their intentions are. | | | | If you have already been the victim of a violent assault |
| What you do know is that a decent normal human | | | | and you didn't fight back. Don't blame yourself, don't |
| being wouldn't be doing what they are doing. If you are | | | | look back in regret, you're not weak; you just didn't |
| going to fight then you must fight with all your heart, all | | | | have a plan, you weren't prepared. |
| your resources and all your brains. | | | | In our world we shouldn't have to think about such |
| Note I didn't say with all your strength. This is because | | | | things, people should treat each other with respect, but |
| it is highly likely that your attacker will be stronger than | | | | sometimes life isn't fair! Take action attend a quality |
| you, if you try to match strength then you will tire | | | | defence class and decide to fight if heaven forbid the |
| faster than them. | | | | situation should arise again. |