Category: Self-Defense

Mastering the Concrete Jungle: 8 Essential Street Survival Tactics

by Sensei Carol, posted in Self-Defense
concrete ungle
      “It’s a jungle out there!”

After dedicating countless hours to training in the dojo, you’ve honed your skills and built confidence in your abilities. Rigorous practice equipped you with formidable self-defense techniques and sculpted your physique into its peak condition.

As you step out of the safety of the dojo and into the busy streets, the true test of your training awaits in the concrete jungle where threats can emerge from unexpected corners. Are you ready to adapt your skills to the unpredictable nature of street encounters?

Know enough survival to be dangerous.

Dangerous to yourself.  It is a common occurrence.  A new student, we’ll call him James, is unsure of himself and of this art he’s learning.  Through training, his confidence grows.  He begins to wonder if this stuff really works.  With increasing confidence James comes to believe in his ability to confront the bully who sent him to karate class in the first place. Fueled by this newfound self-assurance, he feels he is ready for his bully the next time they cross paths.

It is with great joy that a sensei hears the words, “This stuff really works!”  James beams as he tells the story of how he saw the punch coming and just reached out and deflected it.  Then he punched the bully back.   “Startled,” he said, “This time the bully ran away from me!”  James was schooled in Funakoshi’s rule that “there is no first attack in karate.”  James learned his lesson well and waited for the bully to attack him first.

Karate Ni Senti Nachi for Street Survival

 

Hello Gracie - I do not fight to win but rather I fight not to lose
Hello Gracie – Gracie Jujitsu

It is drilled into your head.  Karate is a defensive art.  You wait for the attack to come to you.  Not everything you learn in the dojo fits to real life, in case you haven’t figured it out.  Training in the dojo teaches you reaction skills, to think on your feet, to act first and think later.  This comes from the rigorous repetition of techniques.  Over and over again.  How many times has your sensei said, “Again.”

Again and again.  Training muscle memory.

You’re coached to stay vigilant of your environment, using peripheral vision and minimizing distractions, like not to use your cellphone in a busy public place. Through practice, you cultivate a confident demeanor that inadvertently deters potential threats.    Though you are not confrontational, your self-assurance often discourages would-be muggers from targeting you.

But it’s a jungle out there. There is always one person who trains harder than you.  One person who is stronger than you.  Even black belts get attacked and beat up.  The belt you wear around your waist is no guarantee of success.  What happens when you come upon a group of thugs who want to knock your attitude down a notch or two?   Will you be able to “fight not to lose?”

There are rules and then there are rules.  The idea behind no first attack is to develop character and teach you different ways to deescalate a threat besides fisticuffs.  But sometimes, rules are made to be broken, and if you feel your life is in danger, there is only one rule.  You fight to not lose.

Seven Essential Street Survival Tactics

  • Unconventional Tactics: Embracing “Dirty Fighting” for Survival

When fighting for your life, you do what it takes to dissuade your attacker and remove yourself from the threat.  Use whatever is at hand to accomplish this.  Lamps, chairs, rocks, sticks.  You have no time to think, this confrontation will be over in a few seconds.  Do what you can to overcome your attacker.

  • Seizing Control: Pressing the Offensive

To press the offensive means to attack first!  Attack the attacker.  This is where you distinguish between your dojo training and your will to survive.  When someone attacks you, your very first move may or may not be a defensive move, but the goal is to do whatever it takes to get the hell out of there!

Don’t let the guy get a bear hug on you before you decide he’s a threat.  You’ve developed your perceptions – eyes in the back of your head.  Use them.  When you sense danger, react.  If someone comes up behind you, you can feel him getting close.  If you turn and see him coming at you aggressively, he hasn’t touched you yet but he’s within your boundary of a perceived threat, use this chance for a heel palm to the nose, before he knows what’s coming.

  • Targeting Vulnerabilities: Prioritizing Vital Strikes

Which brings us to target points.  There are 108 vulnerable points on the body that are easily reached.  If you have been on the receiving end of any of these, you are aware of how instantly disabling they are. When you are in a street fight, however, it is not always easy to reach some of these points.  The assailant may be wearing a heavy coat, for instance.  The following charts show you 32 of these points.  With this arsenal at hand, you know where to aim for the most vulnerable areas.

  • Tactical Advantage: Employ Surprise Attacks

You practice feinting in the dojo – fake low, go high.  Don’t forget to use this when you are in an attack situation.  Look away as though someone’s behind your assailant; double over in pain; act like a fool.  Whatever it takes.

Surprise them!  Keep them on their toes.  Musashi calls it “mountains and valleys.”  When they come in high, you go in low.  If you try a technique that doesn’t work, change it up.  Stay on top of the game and watch for openings.

  • Constant Vigilance: Never Expose Your Back

So many self-defense videos show the girl thwarting her attacker and then running away.  This is crazy.

Make sure your exit is clear so when you do run away, you encounter no other danger.  However, do not turn your back and run away.  Step back.  Keep your hands open in a defensive position and back, back away.  If you practice distancing in the dojo, closing the gap in one step, or backing away without your opponent realizing it; this is the same principle.  Try to cover ground without them noticing.  If they are down, good job on your part, but assume they could suddenly recover and come after you.  When you do run away, run backwards until you are a safe distance from the threat.

  • Knife Awareness: Understand the Dangers

Many assailants like to carry knives.  Much more efficient than a gun and easier to conceal.  Muggers like to work up close and personal, and a gun is not suited for close-in quarters.  What do you do if someone comes at you with a knife?

First of all, don’t let him get close enough to grab you and put it against your throat.  It is a little bit too late then to do anything but relent to his wishes – and hope he isn’t serious about cutting you.  You are using the skills you learned in the dojo so hopefully that won’t happen.  You are aware of your surroundings and when you see someone suspicious, you keep your eye on them.

If someone has a knife in their hand, expect to get cut.  Keep the inside of your forearms toward your body at all times.    The outside of your arm has fewer major blood vessels, and you can cover most of your chest and abdomen with a forearm.  Practice blocking a knife in the dojo.  Adapt knives as one of your weapons.  My favorite weapon is a knife.  I’ve practiced with live blades, and yes, I’ve been cut.  Guess what?  Getting cut isn’t the end of the world.  Disarm the knife from your attacker as quickly as you can.  Don’t be a hero.

  • Strategic Engagement: Managing Group Attacks with Singular Focus

Managing a group of thugs can get interesting.  But if you watch a group fight, generally the entire bunch doesn’t gang up in a dog pile.  There are only one or two brave enough to come after you, and the rest hang back.  Look for the leader.  Make eye contact.  Give him the nonverbal message that you have no desire to deal with him.  Watch his body language.  Show no fear.  Chances are he will let you pass on by.

But if not, you can only deal with one person at a time.  Use the first one to distance yourself from the others.  Put him between you and as many of his buddies as possible.  Quickly disable the first attacker and use that moment of opening to back away.  Try not to let the group surround you.

  • Emergency Response: Actions to Take in Critical Situations

The trick in getting away from any self-defense situation is to make sure you know your escape exit is clear.  There’s a big wave now of “you are what you think, and if you think bad thoughts, you will go there.”  In some cases that is true.

In the case of self-defense though, it is never “bad thoughts” to visualize situations and how you would handle them.  Defending yourself on the street is no different than learning a kata.  When doing kata, you use your imagination and see different scenes of attack and defense as they apply to the moves in that kata.

Mentally rehearsing what you would do in a situation if you were attacked is no different.  They say the martial arts is 90% mental and 10% physical.  This is what that means.  You spend 90% of your time thinking of your training, 10% in actual physical training, and >0.10 of this time defending yourself.

This is the time to believe in your training.  Now is not the time to panic.  Stay focused on the moment and rely on your instincts.

Save the nerves, the shakes, the self-doubts, the “I should haves” for after you are away from your threat.  Then as you are shaking in your shoes, trying to calm down, then is the time to review what you did and should have done, and be grateful for your excellent training.

There you have it.  Eight survival tactics you can rely on if you are caught in the concrete jungle – urban living.    But even though your chances of getting attacked are less if you live in a rural area, you never know who’s lurking behind those bushes!

Take care and be aware.

Sensei Carol

Out of Chaos a star is born

 

The Best Self-Defense Tactics for Seniors

by Sensei Carol, posted in Self-Defense

elderly woman with black eye holding a help sign on her lips

 

Are you age 60 or older? Congratulations, you are considered a senior citizen!

Aging is never a pleasant pill to swallow, but it is something we are all faced with.  Over 60 doesn’t mean you are necessarily “old.”  Many seniors live an active life – some living well beyond the average life expectancy of around 77 years, spry and clear headed.  Aging well also can lessen your chances of harm from an attacker.  Just as in your younger years, exuding confidence and having awareness of your surroundings, these same tactics will keep you safe as you age.

Here we talk about what you can do to protect yourself in this increasingly violent society.  Sometimes, though, seniors are in a position where they are at the mercy of someone who “cares” for them, better known as elder abuse.  If you are in a situation where you feel threatened, either from a loved one, an acquaintance, or a stranger, take the steps outlined below to ensure your safety.

The rising threat to a Senior’s safety

If you are a senior, you may be wondering how you could protect yourself if someone invaded your home or attacked you on the street.  The incidence of elder abuse and physical attacks are on the rise, according to the CDC:

  • Between 2008 and 2016, the rate of nonfatal assaults against adults aged 60 and older surged by approximately 53 percent.
  • As the older adult population in the U.S. continues to grow rapidly, reaching an estimated 78 million by 2035, the issue of violence against older adults is becoming increasingly significant.
  • Violence against older adults is prevalent among men. On average, men in their 60s experience the highest rates of both nonfatal assaults and homicides among older adults.  Women in their 60s and 70s generally experience lower rates of violence compared to men.
  • The estimates of nonfatal assault rates are based on injuries treated in emergency departments, which underestimate the true prevalence of violence against older adults. Many cases may go unreported or untreated, particularly those involving sexual assault or perpetrated by caregivers or other trusted individuals.
  • A significant proportion of violence against older adults is perpetrated by individuals acquainted with the victims, including caregivers, family members, or friends.

These are concerning statistics!  What can you do to make sure you are not a victim?

The probability of a Senior being attacked

Certain situations lend to vulnerability such as where you live, or your personal habits that a stalker can easily track.  Attackers prey on the weak and whether they perceive you as an easy target.  Seniors are a higher risk of certain types of crimes, such as scams, fraud, and financial exploitation, which target financial resources and exploit their trust.  How vulnerable are you?  Learn about the three types of attackers here.

  1. The area you live in. Urban areas with higher crime rates may pose a greater risk compared to suburban or rural areas with lower crime rates.
  2. Ditch the routine.  If you live in a high crime area, you might consider breaking up your routine, such as walking your dog.  Walking alone at night is never a good idea, no matter how safe you feel in your neighborhood.   Keep valuable items hidden, use a fanny pack or across-the-chest type of bag that is kept close to your body and not easily ripped from your hands.
  3. Age-related factors. Decreased mobility, diminished strength, and slower reaction times make easy targets. A perpetrator uses stereotypes such as physical weakness and diminished cognitive abilities.  Predators prey on the weak.  Do whatever you can to stay strong and healthy.

If you live in a rural area where everyone knows everyone, and feel perfectly safe, then by all means, go about your normal routine.  Only you know how safe your neighborhood is and what to watch out for.  If you live in an urban area, definitely let your radar work full time.

Awareness of your surroundings and the ability to act quickly when you sense danger are the two best tools you can use for self-defense.

You can never be too careful.  Some tips to help you stay safe.

  • Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings especially when in public.
  • Avoid risky situations or locations, especially at night.
  • Stay connected with friends, family, and neighbors.
  • Use personal safety devices or systems, such as medical alerts and home alarm systems.
  • Seek out self-defense training to practical techniques for personal protection.
  • Report suspicious activities to law enforcement.

Self-Defense tools to consider

Whatever weapon you chose to use, be sure you know how to use it.  Pick something that works for you.  It will do you no good, in fact, your weapon will be turned against you if you aren’t comfortable using it.  Some suggestions of weapons you might consider is found in Six Easy-to-Use Self Defense Weapons you Can Find almost Anywhere.

Other suggestions you might find helpful.

  1. Pepper Spray:  Even though many self-defense instructors teach the use of pepper spray, I caution you in using it.  You don’t want a weapon that can be used against you, and the very nature of pepper spray will cause you the same problems it causes your attacker.  Unless you have a jet that will stream for 30 to 40 feet, anything closer, you are taking the chance of the spray coming back into your face!  It is hard to seize the moment when you are blinded by your own device.
  2. Personal Alarms: Personal alarms emit a loud, attention-grabbing sound when activated, which can deter attackers and alert others. Many models are small, lightweight, and can be easily attached to keys or clothing for quick access.
  3. Tactical Flashlight: It is always a good idea to carry a flashlight with you if you are walking at night.
    tactical flashlight
    SureFire P1RZ-IB-DF Heavy Duty Tactical Flashlight

    A tactical flashlight with a high lumen output will temporarily blind your attacker. Some models also feature a strobe function, which is also effective in disorienting an assailant.  You want a good sturdy flashlight that allows you to strike your attacker without it breaking.  Some of the best tactical flashlights on the market.

  4. Walking Stick or Cane: A sturdy walking stick or cane can serve as both a mobility aid and a self-defense weapon. Look for models made from durable materials like aluminum or steel, with a comfortable grip.  This model from Bud K includes a knife blade, saw blade, compass, firestarter, glassbreaker, whistle, survival fork and bottle opener.  Canes have many uses as a self-defense tool and if you are serious about using one, check out a qualified instructor who can show you how to use it.

    Trail Blazer Tac-Tool Walking Cane
    Trail Blazer Tac-Tool Walking Cane
  5. Kuboton:  This is one of my favorite weapons because you can carry it around with your keys and is readily handy if you need it.  This article shows you how to use a kuboton and the most effecting striking points to disable your attacker.
  6. Whistle: A whistle may seem simple, but it can be a highly effective self-defense tool. It can attract attention and help summon assistance in an emergency situation. Plus, it requires no training to use effectively.  Carry it on a cord around your neck and it will be there when you need it.

Practice using your chosen self-defense tools regularly to so you are proficient and confident using it.   The possibilities for weapons are limited only by your imagination, look around your house and see what you can find…

The best self-defense weapon is one you don’t have to dig out of a pocket or purse.  If you want it to work for you, you must be carrying it in your hand.  This is why a whistle or a kuboton work well, because you have the whistle around your neck, and keys and kuboton and in your hand.

Other self-defense techniques:

Punching and kicking is not a good idea of you have balance problems or have lost your young-adult strength.  To punch and kick properly requires years of practice.  Remember, your hands and feet are weapons, just as if you had a gun in your hand.  Techniques must be practiced consistently which will give you muscle memory and increase your reaction time.  You want to be able to react, not think, when attacked.  You can only do that with PRACTICE!

  1. Palm Strike: A palm strike to the nose, throat, or solar plexus is quite effective in incapacitating an attacker. Use the heel of your palm to strike with force, with the thought of driving your strike out the other side of the body.  This will give you maximum power and will certainly give your attacker pause.
  2. Eye Gouge: An eye gouge involves using the fingers to jab or rake at the attacker’s eyes. This move will disorient your assailant and create an opportunity to flee.  Other areas where this gouge is useful is to the throat and the temples.
  3. Elbows. Elbows work well because of their sharp point.  You can strike most anywhere with an elbow.  Upward to the jaw, into the face, into the sternum, strike to the ribs.
  4. Escape Techniques: Learn basic escape techniques, such as breaking free from wrist grabs, bear hugs, or chokeholds from a self-defense class.  Techniques like twisting your wrist to break free of a grab, or striking with your elbow to the face can break the attacker’s grip and creates an opportunity to esape.
  5. The Yell:  Think of the kiai, or martial arts yell.  A kiai is used for distraction.  The loud yell will surprise your attacker and may distract him long enough so you can break his hold.  Practice assertive communication skills, such as firm commands to stop or back off.  Be loud and verbose.  Attract attention and summon help.Depending on the circumstances, yelling is very important.  Because yelling encourages us, we yell at such things as fires, and also at the wind and the waves.  Yells shows spirit.
    Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
  6. Prevention is key to self-defense.  This cannot be stressed enough.  Be aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated or poorly lit areas, and trust your instincts if you sense danger. Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and project confidence will deter potential attackers.
  7. Self-Defense Classes: Seniors can benefit from taking self-defense classes specifically designed for their age group. Find a classes that focus on teaching the above techniques and other practical techniques tailored to your specific physical capabilities.  A class also provides valuable opportunities for practice and reinforcement.

 

A self-defense class may last from four to six weeks, you learn a few basics, and then you are left on your own.  It is imperative that you continue to practice what you learned.  When you are in a stressful situation, you will do what you know best, and if you are not comfortable with your techniques or your weapon, you are setting yourself up for failure.

The goal of self-defense is to escape from danger safely rather than engage in prolonged physical confrontation. Seniors should prioritize their safety and well-being above all else and seek help from law enforcement or emergency services if needed.

A word about Elder Abuse

You may be perfectly safe on the street, but you may not be safe where you live.

Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts that cause harm or distress to an older adult. It can take various forms, including physical, emotional, financial, sexual abuse, neglect, and abandonment. It can occur in different places such as your home, nursing home, assisted living facility, and hospitals.

Elder abuse can occur regardless of the older person’s socio-economic status, gender, race, or cultural background. Certain factors increase the risk of elder abuse, including social isolation, physical or cognitive impairment, dependency on caregivers, financial vulnerability, and family dynamics.

Serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences may occur, leading to physical injuries, psychological trauma, diminished quality of life, loss of independence, financial hardship, and even premature death.

To prevent elder abuse, it is crucial for family members, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the community to recognize the signs and take appropriate action to address it.

If you feel you are a victim of abuse by a caregiver or family member, there are steps you can take.

  1. Ensure your safety: Your safety and well-being is top priority. If you suspect elder abuse or are a victim yourself, if possible, immediately remove yourself from the abusive situation. Contact emergency services or seek assistance from trusted individuals, such as family members or healthcare providers.
  2. Reporting: Report the abuse to the appropriate authorities such as Adult Protective Services (APS) or law enforcement.
  3. Support and Resources: This includes such things as seeking help through your doctor or your counsellor.  You may need legal assistance through advocacy services, and community-based organizations that specialize in elder abuse prevention and support. Support from trusted individuals will help you navigate the challenges associated with elder abuse and help regain control over your life.

To Summarize

In this article I provided seniors with safety tips and self-defense strategies in the case of threat of violence or elder abuse.

Briefly, we talked about effective self-defense tools like pepper spray and personal alarms and passive self-defense techniques (such as verbal assertiveness). We also addressed elder abuse. In such a case, make safety the priority, report the abuse, and seek support from trusted individuals and resources.

Self-defense for seniors is not much different than self-defense for a younger adult or a child.  Tools such as canes and whistles are easy weapons for a senior to carry around, whereas a young child most likely will not carry a cane!  Nevertheless, the techniques are the same, whether using a stick or a cane.

But most importantly, if you didn’t take anything else from this article, I cannot emphasize it enough!

Vigilance and avoiding risky situations are the two most important aspects of self-defense. 

 

Sensei Carol

Out of Chaos a star is born