| When most people think of self-defense, what usually | | | | a hundred different directions at once, can make even |
| comes to mind is protecting oneself from the physical | | | | the most disciplined meditation master open to attack |
| onslaught from a criminal attacker. And, while this is not, | | | | by a determined assailant. Add to this, all the trickery |
| in itself, a problem, it is however, only a small part of | | | | and manipulative deception used by various types of |
| being able to be safe and free from harm in Today's | | | | attackers, and you can see that it's virtually impossible |
| often dangerous world. | | | | to be aware of everything. And that sets you up for |
| The following is a list of the major key skill areas that | | | | the potential of an attack that comes seemingly "out |
| should be developed if you are truly seeking to be able | | | | of the blue." Where distance is required to effectively |
| to avoid or escape from an attacker bent on seeing | | | | escape from an impending attack, you may not have |
| you as his victim. | | | | this luxury when you suddenly realize that you're the |
| Key #1 - General Awareness | | | | target of an attacker already standing right in front of |
| It goes without saying that, if you don't believe that | | | | you. |
| danger exists in the world, or more to the point, that | | | | But, this still doesn't mean that you have to jump right |
| danger will never find you, then you will do little or | | | | to the physical aspects of self-defense. It's important |
| nothing to insure your safety. In addition, even if you do | | | | to remember that, regardless of your martial arts rank, |
| understand the dangers inherent in your world, which | | | | how many tricks you know, or even whether or not |
| can be assumed as you're reading this, it's important to | | | | you're carrying a weapon, moving directly to physically |
| not fall into the trap of believing that the police, military, | | | | fighting with your assailant provides the greatest |
| or government can and should be the ones to protect | | | | chance for something going wrong. |
| you. When push-comes-to-shove, and you're the one | | | | Instead, you can use tactics and strategies that involve |
| facing an enraged attacker directing his wrath at you, | | | | humor, feigning ignorance, or even faking a heart |
| you will be responsible for your own safety in those | | | | attack, to diffuse the situation and change a would-be |
| first few, precious, seconds. | | | | attack situation into one where the assailant becomes |
| Key #2 - Awareness of Surroundings | | | | an ally. Here, it's important to remember that we want |
| While most so-called self-defense experts tend to | | | | to avoid mentioning the possibility of an attack but |
| lump "awareness" into one category, the truth is that | | | | instead, to distract the assailant by redirecting his or |
| there are many levels to this "skill of directing the mind | | | | her attention away from you as a target. |
| where it is most needed." While Key #1 focuses our | | | | Key #5 - Dissuading |
| attention on the larger world-view of the presence of | | | | When you can't avoid, escape, or even distract the |
| danger and our personal responsibility for our own | | | | attacker and it appears that they are determined to |
| welfare, this key is directed at the details of the | | | | unleash their punishment on you, you still have one |
| moment. Here we're paying attention to "what's going | | | | more card to play before having to resort to fighting. |
| on around us." The fact is that, the better our ability to | | | | At this point, you must become very focused yourself |
| pay attention and recognize danger as it begins to | | | | and understand that this is your last chance to stop |
| take shape, the greater our ability to avoid, escape, or | | | | things from going "too-far." Here, you must be able to |
| neutralize its effect on us BEFORE it has a chance to | | | | look squarely at your antagonist and, with your words, |
| touch us at all. | | | | body language and raw determination, communicate |
| That's what Danger Prevention Tactics are all about. | | | | that you will not allow them to carry our their plan - |
| And, especially for those of us who want to avoid | | | | that you will not comply or become their victim. |
| fighting at all costs, it is the key to defending against | | | | It's important to understand that, even though there it's |
| most of the dangers that others fall victim to every | | | | estimated that there is an assault every 17 seconds in |
| day. You can read more about this powerful video and | | | | the US, that a full 70% or better of these can be |
| mastering the skills of danger avoidance at | | | | handled by Keys 1 through 5. It only stands to reason |
| Key #3 - Escaping to Safety | | | | that you should know as much as possible about |
| While awareness will not prevent danger from | | | | these important areas and make sure that you have |
| appearing in your world, what it will do is to allow you | | | | several skills in each area that will work to serve you if |
| to respond to it sooner. And this is the powerful secret | | | | and when you should ever need them. If you're looking |
| used by the professionals and experts who regularly | | | | for a good source to learn more about these |
| face danger literally every day of their lives. No, | | | | important key elements in a sound self-defense |
| awareness alone will not save you, but it will allow you | | | | strategy, as well as what you'll have to deal with from |
| to escape from the danger before it gets close | | | | your own body and mind's physio-emotional responses |
| enough to cause damage. The trick here is to develop | | | | to stress and danger, make sure you read the book, |
| multiple routes to places that you visit regularly. Also, | | | | "The Karate Myth: Why Most Martial Arts and |
| developing the ability to recognize and plan for escape | | | | Self-Defense Programs Don't Work and How to Be |
| routes out of places like traffic, restaurants, your own | | | | Safe in Today's World" |
| home, aircraft if you travel, and the like are all important | | | | Key #6 - Physically Handle the Attack |
| to your overall safety plan. Remember too to validate | | | | When all else has failed, no matter what you believe, |
| all safety information that comes your way as most of | | | | think, or wish would have or should have happened, |
| what is out there has been written, not by actual | | | | when the fists start flying - the blade comes in to bite |
| survivors, but by people who have the job of writing | | | | into and open your flesh - or the bullets start coming in |
| safety procedures. And, as any expert or survivor will | | | | your direction, it's time for effective, efficient, and |
| tell you, what sounds perfectly logical in theory, may be | | | | proper physical action. There's a saying that goes, |
| completely and totally useless in the heat of the | | | | "Survivors Live Where Others Die." It's ultimately up to |
| moment! | | | | you, and the actions you take, long before the attack |
| Key #4 - Distracting the Attacker | | | | happens as to whether you will be a "survivor" or an |
| The fact that your day is filled with demands for your | | | | "other." The choice is yours. |
| attention, distractions, confusion, and input coming from | | | | |