Should I Fight An Attacker or Comply?

There was quite a stir within members of our martial arts circle, including some friends, regarding an article that was written recently. I will not bother you with any details beside the essentials.

A lady wrote to a columnist stating that she and her daughter had walked into their home – surprising a burglar. The Mother immediately grabbed her 14 yr. old girl, who attacked the man and was trying to push him out. The girl wanted her Mom to join her in fighting the man – 2 on 1, but Mom pulled her away, threw her down and covered her with her own body, telling the thief to “take what he wanted.” The burglar forced them to allow him to tie them up and gag them. He then made his escape. The Mom was distraught since her daughter said she couldn’t trust her to defend herself and therefore Mom wasn’t trustworthy, or a “safe haven” anymore. She went on to tell the columnist that the local Police applauded her act and commended her for “doing the right thing”.

That’s where the s*^# hit the fan! I am not only a martial arts practitioner and teacher of 30+ yrs. – I sell self defense products like stun guns and Mace. I understand the fear and helplessness that women feel on almost a daily basis, as I speak to them on the phone and advise them on various deterrents that will meet their personal self defense needs. You name the scenario and I’ve probably talked to a woman, or many women, who have been or are involved in one exactly like it. Naturally, some people “freeze,” some are immediately “switched on” and will run or fight, in a crisis situation as I’ve described. I have no fingers to point at this lady, who fears that the lack of trust from her daughter will become permanent. Every self defense situation is different and the variables involved are unique to that event. Mom did what was natural for her at that moment she is not at fault!

The responses from high ranking martial artists was unanimous: “the woman did the wrong thing and the columnist was ignorant in her placating of the woman involved.” Now this is an easy thing to say for MALE martial artists of high levels to state that “she was wrong and should have done this and should have done that!” One went so far as to miss the whole point and start railing on what he would do to anyone who touched his daughter and another would “teach the bad guy a lesson he would never forget.” Yeah, ok – maybe and maybe not. I have seen a couple of trained fighters get their butts “handed to them” by a street tough thug in my lifetime and I can’t believe they would react this way? How much more can they NOT understand that this was not only REAL, but the victims were a 14 yr. old girl and her Mother! C’mon guys get real! All the hoopla sounds good on paper or in the armchair, but get out and do it in the street (as a woman no less) against a surprised and aggressive burglar. Your mileage may vary!

In fairness to all involved – they were expressing outrage, mostly at the columnist who placated the distraught Mom and suggested several avenues of counseling and methods of rebuilding trust with her daughter. They all felt this was bad advice and that the woman should have joined her daughter in an “all out” battle against the outnumbered burglar, rather than trusting in his mercy as they allowed him to tie them up. To a one, they all felt that the girl or both should immediately begin self defense training. My martial arts Instructor was the only one who mentioned that statistically, survival rates were much higher when women fought like hell against the assailant. He is of course, as usual, right. I do concur since you can’t argue with numbers. I do agree that any woman should try to get some type of self defense training from a reputable martial arts teacher. The sad fact is – most women don’t and don’t even consider it. That is perhaps, until they have undergone some life-threatening assault situation like I’m discussing.

I advocate women training to handle a firearm properly, learning some effective self defense techniques that they can add to their arsenal and of course – making use of self defense deterrents. A blast or three of Mace pepper gel in the face from 0 to 10 feet away will buy you all the time you need to beat a hasty retreat as will a small, high voltage stun gun. I also have to agree with them, that I would never stand for being lead anywhere, or allow myself to be restrained like a sheep waiting for slaughter. I would rather die trying to get away than be executed – but that’s me, not the female population.

If you’ve read this far, did the Mom do the right thing? Arguments aside, against the odds, they both survived unharmed and it’s hard to say that’s the wrong thing to do!

Handy Little Weapon Dishes Out The Pain!

I spent about an hour on a martial arts forum cruising around the “weapons” section. I was quite surprised to see a thread asking which is the best weapon for throwing. Anyone who’s a forum member knows how it goes: a question or opinion is thrown out and the community (or whoever within the community – who’s interested) then makes a “reply” or “comment”. These “threads” (that’s what a group of comments is called) tend to be informative, exciting, educational, humorous and just plain old “knee slapping” funny!

So it was tonight, the question garnered enough interest to have already generated three pages of comments. So what do martial artists prefer for throwing at an assailant? The first choice – “hands down” favorite was bricks – or chunks of bricks. In fact some advocated using multiple bricks. The Sai was mentioned briefly with the advice to purchase three of them (they come in pairs). One to throw straight down, through the enemies’ footgear, then their foot and pinning them to the ground while the Sai Master then dismantles his hapless attacker.

Ninja spikes, knives and needles were mentioned briefly, as substitute throwing weapons as well as the spear. All pointed weapons, true, but not really built to throw. These weapons are designed to attack or defend while holding them for blocking, thrusting and smashing an opponent back to the land of their ancestors.

After reading about throwing stones, bricks, spears, arrows, multiple bricks and stones, I became bored with the banter and began thinking of what I would want in my hands most – in an actual confrontation. It certainly took my mind off tossing bricks. I suppose a configuration of the lowly handheld Kubotan or Yawara (the forerunner of Tak Kubota’s patented “Kubotan”).

Now if you were to offer me my choice of weapons, I’d probably ask for at least two straight rattan sticks measuring between 20 and 24 inches in length. That would be my answer to avoiding a clench with the attacker or opponent. But considering the possibility of the clash reaching a “clench” position, or landing on the ground – I would probably choose the Kubotan or Yawara stick. My personal favorite is a finely pointed stick (both ends – key ring is of no consequence) checkered grip and lightweight aircraft grade aluminum.

This handy little weapon will stay doubled up in a fist and affords a natural feeling grip. It’s small size allows it to be used with maximum force and impact. Those features alone make it a hands down favorite for close quarters combat in my book. I assume that nobody would ever consider taking it into combat without an intimate knowledge of pressure points and joint locks. Many of the sales ads I’ve seen over the years, depict a wild eyed, semi-crazed female swinging her keys into some large ex-con’s face (a model or actor) and the mind is left to connect the dots – imagining the keys cutting swathes in the attackers face, putting his eyes out… whatever! Nothing could be further from the truth. You better know what you’re doing when you get rushed and then possibly clenched, by a 200+ lb. thug who may be drunk, doped up or a combination of the above. They’re not going down easy – unless you know where to strike with the kubotan and do so with speed and authority!

It isn’t my intention to instruct on the use of the kubotan in this post, only to speak my mind. So, go ahead and gather your three bricks or try and throw a Sai through my foot, to hold me down while you beat me down with stones and throwing needles. You’ll find this little boy – fascinated as always – playing with his small collection of sticks!

Small Tools and Gadgets for Self Preservation

If you’re headed for some hiking in the wild, then having the right essentials can mean the difference between life and death. The size depends on the weather and what you’ll need to survive a night outdoors. Be sure to leave enough space reserved in your pack for hobby gear such as a camera, sketchbook, binoculars or fishing gear.

What are the two essentials you’ll need besides “air” to exist – food and water. Add to that, a few snacks or energy bars. If you can’t replenish your water supply along the way, especially when it’s hot, try to pack an extra a few quarts – you’ll be happy that you humped the extra weight.

I’d also recommend a good headlamp. Be sure to test it before departing and bring extra batteries in case you end up hiking in the dark. The new LED head lamps last a long time and are very bright. They have improved “light years” over those that were available only a couple of years ago, as have the flashlights – that operate by shaking them instead of using batteries – very nice, inexpensive, and dependable too.

Don’t forget a basic first aid kit. Consider what you’ll need to patch up injuries long enough to hike back out. Start with a few bandages, some antiseptic pads, common strip bandages for wounds, plus some specialty bandages like elbow and knee size rectangles, a traditional box of gauss, and tape for customizing dressings.

For your treatment of water, a bottle of iodine tablets or other chemical treatment only adds an ounce or so to your pack, but will get you by on long days when you’re constantly refilling your containers. There are a variety of water purification pumps which also work fairly well. Pack the medical supplies, perishables (includes food, waterproof matches, magnesium fire sticks, batteries, medical supplies and water treatment compounds) in one of your waterproof bags – not in a baggie or Ziploc which are made for SANDWICHES – not transporting life sustaining gear which must remain fresh, dry and intact!

On our last hiking trip to a nearby wilderness preserve, we decided to pick up a couple of waterproof all purpose pouches from Keep It Dry Case.com. We were very happy with their performance and they kept our most precious supplies bone dry. We highly recommend one or more – plus they come in a variety of sizes. They are the perfect answer to fighting off condensation and they have a durable, “rubbery” quality to the viscosity of the material – and fully submersible. Top notch gear all the way!

Make sure you have a map, compass and a GPS if possible. Don’t take navigation for granted just because it’s only a day’s hike. Hikers have been lost as near as a mile from the main road! A gps should not replace a map and compass, but they sure are awesome to navigate with if you have one. Don’t forget an extra set of batteries. Always include a rugged knife, and if near water, some line and hooks as well.

A lightweight waterproof and breathable shell is ideal, but a poncho works and may take up less room in your pack. Allow for an extra layer if the weather is chilly and a warm hat – essential. Bring an emergency blanket, tarp, and a waterproof rain suit. For a shelter, all of these will serve you well and keep you dry and spry! Consider carrying a sleeping bag with you if night temperatures plunge low enough that they could kill you. (In this case I wouldn’t hike personally)

Now this is a real luxury pack, compared to those carried on trips taken by the adventurers on the show “Survivorman” and a couple of others that have popped up due to it’s success. I did forget an essential that I will just add here instead of reworking my article. ALWAYS – carry some kind of signaling device – and in my case make it a couple of them. An unbreakable mirror, a small air horn, and a standard, or even one of the new electronic whistles available. They’re worth a look and they’re cheap too. I consider them very cheap insurance!

This post wasn’t exactly what you’re used to – but it would be a crime to forget these essentials now that you’ve been informed. And sharing this information is well, “self defense” right? Happy Camping Nimrod!