Self-defense classes

[tango]

So, then, it appears that the advice that I'm getting from this thread is not to bother with the classes?

Not necessarily not to bother, but don't go to one evening a week for three months and then think you can handle any situation you find yourself in. There's nothing wrong with raising your limitations, as long as you still know your limitations.

I'm sure that there are perhaps some basic things, though, that may be able to help....at least give you an advantage. I know there are certain points on the body that, if struck, can bring a person down....like the nose, and a certain part of the throat. I'm not very good with the tricky maneuvers, which is what I think you were referring to, Frecs.

Striking someone hard on the nose will, if nothing else, probably cause their eyes to water profusely and thereby potentially give you a chance to escape. Some obvious soft targets are harder to hit than you might think (hence striking an attacker in the groin is unlikely to work)

I'm also not out to kill anyone, either, and I know that when a person's trachea is hit, that person will suffocate. is that correct?

It's possible from what I understand, although you'd have to thump it pretty hard for that to happen.

Anyhow, I think we all know that presence of mind is the best defense.

Yes, and simply being prepared. If you're wearing training shoes you have the option of running away from trouble. If you're wearing stilettos and a tight tube skirt you don't. If you park your car in a dingy dark corner of a quiet street you're more likely to find yourself in trouble than if you park in a brightly lit and busy area. There are all sorts of things you can do to avoid situations before they even develop - even if you held black belts in multiple martial arts you'd still be well advised to avoid the situation before it develops.

[Equipped_4_Love]

Not necessarily not to bother, but don't go to one evening a week for three months and then think you can handle any situation you find yourself in.

Oh, ya, well that goes without saying.

Striking someone hard on the nose will, if nothing else, probably cause their eyes to water profusely and thereby potentially give you a chance to escape.

Hmmmm.....from what I understand, if you use the heel of yourhand and hit the bottom of the nose in an upwards motion, you could do some pretty serious damage.

It's possible from what I understand, although you'd have to thump it pretty hard for that to happen.

Yep....that's why I always wore neck shields while playing hockey. There was an incident of a guy dying on the ice when a puck hit him in the throat.

Anyhow, is there any specific kind of self-defense class that you would suggest would be most effective?

[Firefighter]

The throat/neck is my favorite target.

ANY practical, straight forward, self defense will do. Since you are where you are I would check into Jeet Kune Do. It is fluid, simplistic, and absolutely brutal.

[Clavicula_Nox]

The trachea requires ~70lbs of pressure to crush. You're not likely to generate those 70lbs through a simple punch.

[kayte]

So, then, it appears that the advice that I'm getting from this thread is not to bother with the classes?

I wouldn't say don't bother, but others are right about a little information being a dangerous thing. It's one thing to work on techniques in a class where you 'imagine' danger. It's a whole other game when you are in real danger.

I'm sure that there are perhaps some basic things, though, that may be able to help....at least give you an advantage. I know there are certain points on the body that, if struck, can bring a person down....like the nose, and a certain part of the throat. I'm not very good with the tricky maneuvers, which is what I think you were referring to, Frecs.

The hope is that those things will bring someone down. If they don't, you run a very high risk of escalating the attacker and making the situation more dangerous. A lot seems to ride on what 'type' of attacker you're dealing with and what responses are best to get away alive. (All of that is pretty hard to sort out in the situation!)

Always try to be aware of your surroundings. (It's so easy to be wrapped up in our own little worlds.) Keep your head up and make eye contact with people. Before you leave a store, get your keys out and carry them in your fist with a key protruding. Make it a habit.

I'm also not out to kill anyone, either, and I know that when a person's trachea is hit, that person will suffocate. is that correct?

Anyhow, I think we all know that presence of mind is the best defense.

It's interesting that we always hear the term 'fight or flight'. In reality it should be 'fight, flight or freeze'. Freeze is what over 80% of people do. (That includes both women and men.) According to the statistic, even people that had self defense training froze when they found themselves in a dangerous situation.

The police always say that if faced with a mugger or thief, you should NOT fight. Give them whatever they want. They say this is your best chance at surviving. When it comes to rape most people seem to think the rules change and you should fight to the death. I don't get it.

[Frecs]

It's interesting that we always hear the term 'fight or flight'. In reality it should be 'fight, flight or freeze'. Freeze is what over 80% of people do. (That includes both women and men.) According to the statistic, even people that had self defense training froze when they found themselves in a dangerous situation.

The police always say that if faced with a mugger or thief, you should NOT fight. Give them whatever they want. They say this is your best chance at surviving. When it comes to rape most people seem to think the rules change and you should fight to the death. I don't get it.

Yesss...a long time ago in a place far far away....actually not so far...I had occasion to be donating my blood sweat and tears to the City of Myrtle Beach when there was a series of rapes. So, the ever faithful MB Police had a session to talk with the city's female employees about safety. Mr. Dude in uniform kept saying the same thing over and over and over --

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T HURT HIM (i.e., the attacker)



Personally, if an attacker wants my stuff he can have it. But, if he wants my STUFF I'll fight and fight hard. yes, I know that means I could get hurt worse. My goal will be to hurt him as much as he hurts me.

[Firefighter]

The trachea requires ~70lbs of pressure to crush. You're not likely to generate those 70lbs through a simple punch.

The average person punches with WAY more than 70 lbs. An average woman can generate a punch better that three times that.

[Cloudwalker]

Do remember one thing. The only reason to fight is for your life. If that is the case there is no such thing as a fair fight. Punch, bite, gouge, kick, anything you can do to get away and then run like the Devil himself is after you and get somewhere you can be safe, and remember, do not yell "rape," nobody pays attention to that. Yell "fire," everyone listens to that.

[KATMAN]

The trachea requires ~70lbs of pressure to crush. You're not likely to generate those 70lbs through a simple punch.

A wrist however only requires 12 lbs of pressure to break.When I had the oppertunity to take martial art classes at our church,I jumped at it.It was a judo class and I fell right in.Having a wrestling background,I have always found it better if I was close for a take down rather than try to kick or punch.I learned more than standard judo,I also learned ju-jitsu along with several blocking styles.With the throws and joint locks,it may not be for everybody.But I did earn a brown belt out of it.

[tango]

Oh, ya, well that goes without saying.

You'd be surprised - when I did karate it was surprising how many people seemed to think they were masters of the art the moment they passed their first grading.

[andrew_no_one]

I am not a fan of the pagan aspects of the martial arts (i.e. training of the mind, body and “spirit”). You have to remember what cultures and religions birthed these “fighting techniques”. When I was in the Army, I taught hand-to-hand combat, among other things at the USMA at West Point (for a summer). It is my belief that pure aggression wins a fight, not technique. You must simply inflict catastrophic harm on your opponent faster than they can reciprocate.
As Christians, I don’t feel that we should be concerned with harming anyone, however, if my wife/daughter/mother etcetera were in danger of immediate physical harm, you’d do well to believe as my opponent that I will do everything I am able, up-to and including sacrificing myself to protect them.
I truly feel that the Lord God is my strength and shield and he has done very well in leading me out of situations where combat would be possible or imminent.
If threatened with bodily harm, the best thing to do would be escape. Simply run away. The martial arts teach over-confidence more than anything else and far to often I have seen people comfortably drop into a “fighting stance” only to be a broken mass of blood and pain moments later.
Trust the Lord, and pray to Him that He will protect you. That is the best advice I can give you.

[Clavicula_Nox]

The average person punches with WAY more than 70 lbs. An average woman can generate a punch better that three times that.

Yes, in a controlled setting. Do you think the average person is going to deliver a full force blow when they're under assault and full of panic? I do not think so.

It is my belief that pure aggression wins a fight, not technique. You must simply inflict catastrophic harm on your opponent faster than they can reciprocate.

This.

[dljc]

I have always found the saying "the best defense is a good offense" to be the case. In bad neighborhoods the best defense is to blend in. Don't have anything that anyone would want. Seriously though, as has been expressed unless you have it in you, martial arts can be more harm than good if fear from the enemy overwhelms you before you even get started.

But the blending in thing does work! I've lived in gang territory and apartments where 20+ crack dealers were arrested in one day. Being aware of your surroundings at all times is the key. Don't let them get you in a position where you have no escape. Be aware of the tricks they might play to distract your attention such as "hey you got a cigarette?" That can be a distraction from what is about to happen. Remember, you're probably not the first victim (potential victim) they have encountered, they already know what they are going to do. And a well placed punch to the solar plexus will knock the wind out of them long enough to get away. They can't chase you if they can't breathe. Don't worry, it's only temporary. There's also the hard stomp on the top of their foot at the arch. But all of this can be avoided just by paying attention to your surroundings in these areas.

[tango]

Further to dljc's (very good) comments, one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the number of times I see women walking alone on dimly lit streets with their hood up, personal stereo playing, with their head down as they are typing a text into their cellphone.

Anyone could approach them from behind and they wouldn't know anything was wrong until it was too late - they've effectively blocked their peripheral vision with the hood, blocked their hearing with the walkman, and aren't even paying attention to what little they can see of their surroundings.

Being aware of your surroundings and also being aware if potential escape routes are limited or blocked is never a bad thing, even if it does mean you miss out on listening to some cool music.

[Dani H]

Other than the Lord Himself, prediction and prevention are probably your 2 strongest defenses.

Put a "Beware of Dog" sign in your front window. Intruders don't like messing with dogs because at the very least, the barking will alert others. So whether or not you have a dog, a sign like that will make somebody think twice.

Pepper spray in your purse. However, be prepared to use it. Also be aware that if a potential attacker gets to it before you do, you've just made it easier for them. Never carry anything that you're not prepared to use immediately and that can be used against you in a struggle.

Park in well-lit areas. Seek out the floodlights, and park right under them. Or as close to the door of a store as you can, or at least make sure you have a well-lit path to get there.

Stay out of dark alleys and unlit areas. People who are full of darkness, that's where they conduct their business. You don't want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Wear clothing that allows you to make a fast getaway if you need to. Everything is replaceable except your life. Drop the purse, and run. Don't be stupid enough to lay your life on the line for stuff that you have. Stuff can be replaced. You cannot.

If you are parked in a dark area, scan your car before getting in. Carry a small flashlight in your purse for such occasions. If you see anybody moving around in your car, book it. Fast.

Be inconspicuous about your material belongings. Don't flash them. Don't show them off. If you make an expensive purchase, break down the box it came in and bag it before tossing it in the trash. Don't deck yourself out like the proverbial Christmas tree and then be surprised if somebody wants your bling bling. To a drug addict out for cash, a flashy necklace or watch is prime target.

You basically have to pull yourself out of your own tunnel vision and quit assuming that something can't happen to you. Be mindful, alert, and aware, and make smart choices to protect yourself.