Ten Everyday Items That You Can Use For Self-Defense

Posted on May 7, 2012 by

Knowing the legalities of carrying weapons for protection, such as knives and guns, is your responsibility. To complement your self-defense strategy you should consider carrying everyday objects with you to use as improvised weapons.

A quick, nasty act of violent thuggery, or a full-scale assault by multiple assailants? A rowdy stranger picking a fight with you in a crowded bar, or a knife held against your stomach in a frightening street robbery? With so many dangerous people out there ready to inflict misery and suffering you should consider, as part of your overall self-defense strategy, carrying seemingly harmless items with you whenever possible as an extra step to protect yourself if the need arises.

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In some circumstances you might be able to foresee an imminent attack based on types of rowdy or suspicious behavior, and react accordingly. However, terrifying and totally unforeseen assaults are far more common, and you need to be as prepared as you possibly can be if you are targeted. The best way to defend yourself is to be aware at all times and avoid potential trouble, but if you have no idea that an attack is coming there is little you can do. Self-defense training will help you think fast, make better decisions based on your environment, and possibly prevent serious injury, but it is wise to have another edge besides your trained ability to protect yourself. That is where carrying improvised weapons comes into play.

You should only use an improvised weapon if it is absolutely necessary.

Stop and think before loading your bag with that knife in case of trouble! It is important to remember that an item you use as a weapon to protect yourself when attacked could be used against you. If you are confronted by unarmed aggressors and pull a knife out of your bag, what happens if they take it from you? The situation becomes much worse for you. Aside form the physical dangers that arise when you carry a knife or gun with you, it is also your responsibility to know if it is illegal to do so. The bad guys and gals out there might not give much thought to the legalities of possessing weapons, but this does not mean you should do the same.

Improvised weapons are different because it is perfectly acceptable to carry them around, and when used correctly they be very effective to assist in your defense. You should be thinking about escaping to prevent injury, so use these objects as a surprise attack, or a distraction tactic to enable you to run away, calling for help as you go.

You must also consider the consequences of using improvised weapons like these. If you become the aggressor you must do so with the full knowledge that your actions may cause your situation to worsen if you cannot escape. Do not attack unless it is necessary, and do so only as a last resort. You can seriously damage somebody using these methods therefore try to gain an advantage and nothing more. You will be angry and frightened, but that does not mean you should lose control. Responsible self-protection to help you to escape is what you are aiming for.

1. Umbrella - A swinging or stabbing motion can do enough damage, or cause your attacker enough problems, to give you more time to get away. Walking sticks or canes are also very effective.

2. Spray – Most attackers will hesitate when facing a spray can that could blind them. This could give you vital seconds to find an escape route.

3. Newspaper – Carrying a rolled up newspaper or magazine might not be very fashionable, but when used to strike with they can cause your attacker major problems.

4. Belt - An easy-to-undo belt gives you a whip-like weapon with a dangerous heavy end. Tricky to use in a dire situation but still worth considering.

5. Coffee – Any drink you carry around in a cup could prove to make a big difference if you are attacked. The liquid rushing towards your attacker’s face could give you enough time to run and seek help.

6. Bag – Swinging a bag like a club is one of the more obvious ideas, and, depending on the type of bag you carry, it could be a very useful weapon.

7. Glass Bottle – Carrying a glass bottle means you have a very dangerous object to swing or throw. A broken bottle becomes a vicious slicing weapon which might be an excellent deterrent.

8. Flashlight – A reasonably heavy flashlight will make quite an effective weapon.

9. Keys – A set of keys can make a good projectile. Toss them towards your assailants head and run. Another idea is to fight back using your keys in a scraping or stabbing motion for added effectiveness.

10. Coins – Not many people would think that loose change could help them, but a handful of coins thrown hard towards a violent aggressor might make all the difference by giving you more time to run.

You may scoff at some of the less obvious items on the list, but the time might come when an innocuous object will save your life. A few extra moments could be all that you need to make your escape, so doing as much as you can to prepare yourself for a violent confrontation is crucial. By “arming” yourself with one or more of these everyday items, and being aware of the best ways you can use them to defend yourself, you are taking a lateral step that fits nicely alongside a good self-defense course.

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The Golden Rule Of Self-Defense – Run Away

Posted on May 6, 2012 by

You might think that any self-defense instructor who tells you to run away from a confrontational situation as soon as you can is joking, after all, nobody wants to be seen as a coward. Right? Wrong. Forget what you see and hear in the movies and on the television. Forget how boxers or cage fighters talk when promoting a fight. In fact, you can forget every single cowardly accusation that you have ever heard. Throw them all away right now, because your priority if you are being attacked is to survive, and if that means running away then you run away. It’s the very first thing you should think of.

Think about all the victims out there, the people who have been punched, kicked, assaulted, beaten, stabbed, hospitalized, or left scarred for life, or disabled, with their lives changed forever. If they could go back to their individual incidents do you think they would hesitate to run if they had an escape route? Would they stick around and take a beating, or would they happily run away to prevent the damage? The answers are obvious.
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What about the unfortunate people who have been killed because of an attack? How many times do you think the loved ones they left behind have wished for a different outcome? Being brave, as noble as the concept of bravery might seem, is often the most foolhardy thing you can be. In fact, when you consider that society’s opinion of somebody who runs from danger is so ridiculously negative, running away is from a physically threatening confrontation is not only the smartest thing to do, but it is also very brave.

If you are lucky enough to see an escape route, take it!

Human beings are hard-wired to take flight if we sense trouble, but our media-based upbringing sends a conflicting message to our brains that says we should always stand and fight. It tells us to act like a man! To give as good as you get! To take a beating as long as you nobody can accuse you of being “yellow”, or call you a “chicken”. It’s frightening to consider how many victims of assault could have avoided taking any damage at all if they had ran away.

Self defense instructors should always emphasize the importance of looking for an immediate escape route. It is, by a long way, the most effective way of preventing injury. Even if you are well trained and very capable, the chances are high that you will get hurt in some way during any altercation. When faced with a knife-wielding thug or a group of bat-waving gang members your instincts should tell you to run first, and your training should back this up.

Of course, every situation is different, and sometimes you have no choice but to use techniques you have learned to disarm and prevent your attacker from hurting you, but in the first instance try to get the hell out of there. Protecting yourself, and thus ensuring your survival, comes first, and if you have to run away to ensure you survive then so be it. Your life is far more important than what people might think of your so-called “cowardly” actions.

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Screaming for help could save your life if you are attacked

Posted on May 5, 2012 by

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If you regularly use the Internet to watch music videos and short movie clips then you have probably watched terrifying video footage of street assaults, robberies, bullying, and many other forms of victimization. Shocking clips of vicious behavior are also used by large television news networks to highlight crime. With fear for our personal safety an ever-present factor in our daily lives it is no surprise that learning self-defense is a priority for so many of us.

There are endless reasons for Joe or Jane Average to be targeted for an attack. For example, a typical bar bully is looking to boost his ego and make you feel small and weak, possibly leading to a physical confrontation that he feels confident of winning. He wants others to see his superiority to you and will usually crave an audience. In contrast, a street robber could use a shock attack that will force you to hand over something, either using violence or the threat of violence. This kind of attacker might be completely stopped simply by the fear of being seen or heard. He does not want to be watched while committing a crime.

If you are unfortunate enough to be confronted with a street attack of any kind then you should consider shouting or screaming for help. In the heat of the moment, clear thinking is critical for survival, and any self-defense training you have taken should help you think clearly and function correctly. Passers-by, or local residents, may not wish to become involved, fearful for their own safety, but if your attacker is concerned about being caught then drawing attention to your situation could scare him away.

Some advice for victims of street robbery suggests simply complying with your attacker’s demand to preserve your own safety, and this is often the best thing to do. Your life is far more important than your watch, your money, or your car, but human nature can sometimes make it difficult for us to concede defeat. We cannot tolerate the injustice of a situation without fighting for what we believe is right.

How dare you take that from me by force!

How many options do you truly have if you are facing an attack? How much time do you have to decide what to do? What if your attacker is threatening you with a knife, or a gun? What if there are two attackers, or three, or six?

Being in a confrontational situation and facing the possibility of serious injury, or even death, is a frightening experience even for a well-trained person. It is impossible to predict how you will react if you are suddenly plunged into a world of violent hatred. Self-defense lessons will allow you to feel more confident in your everyday activities, but if the moment ever comes when you are forced to use your training there may be better option.

No escape route? Make as much noise as you can!

In the heat of the moment you should always first seek an escape route. If you cannot run away then shout out help. Scream, blow a whistle, sound a personal alarm, whatever it takes to draw as much attention to yourself as possible. Do not be concerned about waking people if it is late. Do not worry about making a fool of yourself, just concentrate on your survival. Fortunately, even in our seemingly uncaring society, there are plenty of people who will respond to cries for help, and one good citizen might make a huge difference.

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Learning Self-Defense Is More Than Teaching Yourself A Few Useful Moves

Posted on May 4, 2012 by

It is essential that you do your best to make any self-defense methods you are learning second nature. However, it is your new confidence because of your training that could be your ultimate protection from an attack.

There are many, many ways in which you could be attacked. Drunken brawls, knife attacks, gang-related violence, street robbery, car-jacking, and so many more. It can be tremendously dangerous world out there, and preparation is the key to survival, hence the need for effective training in techniques to protect yourself.

How can you prepare yourself for an assault that you cannot realistically anticipate? How can you know in advance if your attacker will be carrying a knife, or a gun? How can you face multiple attackers and escape unharmed? There is no way to know what kind of attack you could be subjected to, but by learning self-defense you are putting yourself in a far better position to escape unharmed if the worst does happen.

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Something that most people do not realize is that by learning how to defend yourself you are also learning how to avoid being attacked in the first place. When an attacker picks a victim, whether it is a split-second decision based on anger, or a more measured approach based on suitability, he wants his chosen target to offer as little resistance as possible. A drunken bully is far more likely to be violent towards you if he is convinced you cannot fight back effectively. A street robber may spend some time watching people, waiting to choose somebody who appears to be an easy target before attacking them.

If you are walking through a quiet street at night then your senses and reactions, because of your training, should be working at a heightened level that will enable you to protect yourself if you are assaulted. If you are in a bar, and somebody is starting to get aggressive then you will be aware and alert, ready to act if needed. These are the types of situations that you will prepare for when you train. They are the scenarios that you picture in your mind when you think of yourself being confronted with an attack. However, violence can be thrust upon you almost anywhere, and there is no way you can be fully alert all the time.

This is where your self-defense training plays a vital role, and it’s usually without you even being aware it’s happening. The more you learn self-defense the better equipped you are to fend off an attack. Knowing that you have the ability and skills to successfully evade serious injury gives you a confidence in yourself that carries over into everyday life.

Once you are comfortable with your ability to defend yourself, knowing that you have the advantage of not being a soft target, your body language, the signs and signals that you give off, your general demeanor, will often be enough to force an attacker to move on to a different target. He wants the easiest prey possible. What he does not want is somebody who might out-think him, out-move him, or humiliate him. He does not want to be in a situation where he becomes the victim because you are well-trained and expecting his next move. He wants somebody who is off-guard and powerless to protect herself, and you will be projecting an aura that tells him that you are not that person. In a fraction of a second he will make a decision to choose somebody else, or nobody at all.

Some people are fortunate enough to already project themselves in such a way that they will never be a victim or a violent attack. For the rest of us ordinary people, who want to stay as far away from violence as possible, effective self-defense training can give us the crucial edge that means we are overlooked when an attacker decides who he will attack.

Your confidence and self-belief will rise as you learn more about how to defend yourself, and the more you train the higher that confidence will be. Preventing an attack is always a better option then having to defend one, and there is no better way to stay safe than to not be selected as a victim at all.

Click here to learn about a recommended online self-defense course that you can start learning Krav Maga techniques today.

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The Importance Of Training Partners For Self Defense

Posted on May 2, 2012 by

I’ve watched dozens of short video clips on the Internet showing me how to defend myself in nasty situations, yet I’ve never really tried any of these methods. In a bad situation, where I am confronted with an aggressor, I doubt that I would be able to do much to defend myself if all that I had ever done was watch these clips and hope my brain had stored the information. It’s not until you actually get up and start practicing the moves you’ve seen that you can really consider yourself anywhere near equipped to defend yourself. Your body needs to rehearse the movements needed over and over again. You need to program your limbs to react very quickly to your brain’s command in confrontational situations, and in a very specific way, and while most of the simple methods you can teach yourself online work very well, it is extremely important to practice as much as possible. If somebody comes at you with a knife ready to stab you, all your hard work should prevent you from freezing and putting yourself in more danger.

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One reason that I prefer to learn hand to hand combat techniques in the comfort of my own home is because I prefer having the choice between spending ten minutes teaching myself, or two hours teaching myself. That’s what works best for me. I like to be able to watch a move, learn it, and practice it over and over again until I think that I’ve got it right. Lessons at a gym or training facility of some sort would not suit my needs at all. Sure, I could get hands-on instruction that I can appreciate would probably be better, but I know that sometimes I need more time to learn, sometimes less, and sometimes I have no time at all. Training myself at home is the perfect solution and it works, but I’m sure that I can teach myself faster, and to a higher standard if I have a good training partner.

Family and friends help you perfect simple techniques

If you are learning hand to hand combat techniques for self-defense, and you are teaching yourself with the help of online guides and video demonstrations, than try grabbing a willing family member, or friend, to help you with your training. The moves you will teach yourself are far more quickly learned when you are training with somebody. The most important aspect of learning with the help of another human being is for your partner to act in the manner that a real attacker would. Do not just tell him to stand there while you go over the same techniques again and again. Instead you want him to try to attack you. Use soft, similar shaped household items to serve as knives, guns, or other weapons, and instruct your partner to try to strike you with them just as a real attacker might.

I also recommend advising your training partner to use loud, very harsh language during training, especially if you are not used to hearing curse words, or not used to being shouted at. It’s surprising how much more powerful an attacker seems when he is using foul language that matches his aggressive and threatening demeanor. Many people have froze in bad situations simply from the shock of being screamed at in this way, so prepare yourself for it. Instead of shying away from aggressive shouting you should incorporate it into your training.

Successes in training give huge confidence boosts

You cannot beat the feeling of triumph when you can successfully stop the attack over and over again because your practice has paid off and the methods you’ve taught yourself really do work. It’s a definite pat-yourself-on-the-back-moment and your confidence levels will shoot up every time.

If a training partner is not a possibility for you then try to find something that you can use to act as the aggressor. I have a friend who had no real life volunteer options so instead he used a coat stand as his training partner. He, quite cleverly I think, hung a jacket on the coat stand that he had stuffed with old clothes to simulate the attacker, and he trained himself to a good standard in this way. Use whatever method works for you. As long as you are safely practicing the moves in as realistic circumstances as you can then you’ll make progress, and progress means you will be far better equipped to survive if you are ever unfortunate enough to be in a tough spot.

If you wish to teach yourself simple but effective hand to hand combat techniques to have the ability to protect yourself at all times then get started now by clicking right here

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Training To Be One Step Ahead – Quick Thinking When Attacked

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

There is no way to predict how you will react if you are ever attacked – most people experience shock, confusion, and outrage. Clear thinking in a bad situation will have a massive impact on your ability to escape without injury.

The importance of being aware of your surroundings at all times cannot be stressed enough. Many people could have avoided an attack if they had simply stayed alert and made intelligent decisions based on their observations. Sadly, in the great rush of living, we tend to focus on ourselves far too much and fail to notice a threat approaching, or a bad situation arising. So what happens when you are faced with an aggressor? Do you freeze, becoming compliant and hoping for the best, or do you think clearly and use your self-defense training to evade, escape, or fight back?

If you are unfortunate enough to be put in a situation that requires you to defend yourself, the chances are high that you did not see an attack coming. Even if you did spot the danger, the likelihood of being able to prepare yourself for the confrontation in the moments leading up to the attack is slim. If you have been learning self-defense then your training should give you an advantage, helping you to make quick and smart decisions in the fractions of a second before things go horribly wrong. These almost-instant decisions can make a huge difference.

Your only goal if you are attacked is to survive.

People who have survived in very dangerous situations often speak of adrenaline pumping through their body, seeming to slow events down to a crawl and allowing them to think and act very fast. This is your body’s way of helping you to survive potential trauma, but sometimes an incident is all over in a few crucial seconds – seconds that move along at their normal speed, so do not expect a seemingly magical slowing down of time.

You might only have fractions of a second to make decisions that could save your life, and the first thing you should look for is a way of escaping. If you see a way out of the situation then take it without hesitation. Do not be afraid of looking silly. Silly is somebody who gets hurt because of their fear of looking silly, so run away if you can. If you cannot escape, then consider calling for help. Do not underestimate the power of the human need to help somebody in distress. Scream if you can, and shout the word, “Help”, if you can. Make noise to attract attention. You want people to know you are being attacked, and usually your attacker does not. Even a drunken thug in a bar, who thinks he will look good when people see him in aggressive action might back off fast if faced with a few others who are willing to help. There is no shame in calling for help.

Fast thinking means faster reactions.

What if, in those brief first moments, you find there is no escape route and no help? You are on your own and in an unfamiliar world of impending violence. You are going to be hit, or maybe stabbed, or even shot. Your life is in danger, and that frequently used term, “fight or flight”, comes into play. You run, or you fight back. With no way of escaping and no help coming you are forced to defend yourself. Many forms of self-defense will emphasize the importance of striking first. A knife attack could kill you with one hit. Your self-defense training, which should greatly increase your ability to make clear and quick decisions in a dangerous situation, should enable you to calculate a possible attack of your own. Your attacker will probably not be expecting you to be instantly aggressive and this might give you an advantage and allow you to escape unhurt. However, be aware that you could make the confrontation a lot worse by attacking. Every situation is different, but training in self-defense will enhance your ability to analyze and react accordingly.

Are you going out and about day after day completely unprepared for trouble, or are you as ready as you can be if a dire situation arises? From the moment you learn your first self-defense move you are more likely to avoid injury than the average person is. Think of your survival. Can you not afford to have the edge that learning to defend yourself brings?

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