The fact is that most of us claim that personal safety, home security and self defense are extremely important, yet we do nothing to help ourselves. If I can convince you to do one thing today, it would be to take a proactive approach to personal safety.

Get yourself a good self defense pepper spray product. Learn how to use it and what to expect when you do. Practice until your comfortable. Carry it with you wherever you go and make sure it is highly accessible. By doing this you just improved your chances of surviving an attack.

I realize that the “perfect self defense product” is not the same for everyone. So what works for me may not be your cup of tea and that’s fine because you will find the product that works best for you. Stun guns have become extremely popular among civilians. Technology enhancements have reduced costs while increasing dependability. The newest stun guns sport very high voltage and low amperage, coming into contact with a stun gun will make an attacker “see stars”.

If your budget allows the C2 Taser is an excellent self defense weapon. Items such as steel batons, kubotans, and personal alarms all make great self defense products. I encourage you to research the products and determine what works best for you. Once you determine the best weapon(s) for you, make a commitment to learn how to use it. That means practicing with whatever product(s) you choose. No matter what, I hope you will take action today.

The first secret to protecting yourself is to be an inconvenient target to an attacker. Of course, this means exercising street smarts, a subject we will cover soon. But sometimes street smarts are not enough. Sometimes, like it or not, you have no choice but to protect yourself. In such a situation, you must become an inconvenient target. Attackers look for easy prey. You want to be a challenge. Therefore, if somebody approaches you in a way that seems strange, you MUST be prepared to make a scene and to shock and distract your attacker. Making a scene is not hard. If someone is attacking you, you need to react quickly. You have no time to worry about how you look or whether you are making a fool out of yourself. You must be ready to scream, scratch, bite, kick, spit, and do whatever else is required to make a scene. So, when someone approaches you and seems likely to attack: 1. Take a step back and put your hands up, palms out (in the “Stop” position). This is a non-aggressive but effective defensive position.

2. Yell “Stop!” and keep yelling as long as it takes to get attention. Kids should be trained to yell a long time, starting with, “Get away from me. I don’t know you and you are not my parent. Get the heck away from me….”

3. If the attacker grabs you, shock him with a clap on the ears, scratch in the eyes, poke in the throat, toe/knee in the groin, or anything else you can do to hit them in their vulnerable areas.

4. NEVER stop struggling. It only gets harder as time passes. Keep yelling and fighting and try to get attention. If you get even a split second of time, run as fast as you can to get somewhere safer.

Bottom line: Forget what you have learned about good manners when you are attacked.

This information is too important to keep to yourself. Please absorb this material and pass it on.

In this piece, we’ll explore the difference between using muscle and relying upon a well-honed methodology. I will explain when the former works and when it can cause issues. I’ll also explain how relying upon your strength when executing moves hampers your long-term development as a karate skills student. Lastly, we’ll have a look at the biggest limitation of using strength.

Brawn Versus Strategy In Martial Arts

Most self-defense skills students have a tendency to rely on their muscle as a backup option. That is, they will use it to compensate for poor technique. For instance, imagine you are attempting to perform a takedown on your contestant in a tournament. If your execution is defective, and you are unable to take your competitor down, you may naturally use your strength to’force it’ to work. That’s a dangerous precedent to set as it occurs without thinking. Likewise, it reinforces itself as a viable option over a period of time.

Relying on your muscle can work in some circumstances. As an example, if your adversary is smaller or weaker than you, it’ll be comparatively simple to suppress him or her. On the other hand, even a smaller adversary with actual methodology (and a little aggression) can most likely beat you. That makes relying on your muscle dangerous.

Preparing For Failure

One of the most unfortunate results of using strength as a compensatory measure for poor method is that, in doing so, you’ll set yourself up for failure. Here’s why : to use your muscle as leverage against your opponent, your intelligence instinctively causes your body to hold a specific, grounded position. Mostly, that position will restrict the efficacy of whatever move you are making an attempt to perform.

If that move proves ineffectual, you will start to believe that it doesn’t work. Actually, it does work with better strategy. However the seed will have been stitched. You will either retire that move or focus on performing it with more muscle. Your consciousness will never give you the opportunity to perfect your strategy.

The Limitation Of Muscle

Above, we touched on the most important limitation of using strength while performing martial arts : your position. When you prepare to use raw force to strike, block, or take down your opponent, your mind inspires your body to find a base. Your feet will position themselves at shoulder width, you could spontaneously lower into a sophisticated crouch, and your body will flex.

In this position, you’ll lack pliability and fluidity. You’ll also lack striking range because your reach will be limited. These factors will significantly scale back your power ( not the same as strength ) and efficacy. You will be able to perform a takedown if your opponent is positioned properly within your range, but that is a lot to leave to risk.

So, is muscle significant in your martial arts training and competition? Yes, but only in a limited fashion. You could have the strength that a person your size and build would normally possess. However bear in mind that being valuable in the self-defense skills is about achieving mastery of style and technique. That needs flexibleness and range. If you’re only trying to force your moves to work by applying muscle, you will be far less successful.

Pepper Spray

The pepper spray canister should be aimed directly at the attacker’s eyes and face. The formulation of pepper spray you have chosen will affect the required accuracy of your aim. Some sprays come out in a thick stream, while others distribute the spray in a fine mist or fog across a wider area. Try to stand upwind of your attacker, and take the wind into account when aiming. A one-second burst of pepper spray is enough to disable nearly any attacker.

Stun Gun

A stun gun must be applied directly to your attacker’s body. The electrical charge of a stun gun will pass through about two inches of clothing, such as a heavy sweatshirt or jacket. You need not worry about coming into direct contact with skin.

The stun gun should be held against your attacker for as long as possible- three to five seconds should be enough to disable any assailant. It may take slightly longer if your attacker is very large or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Most experts advise to keep the stun gun pressed against the target for as long as possible, or until your attacker falls to the ground.

For the best result, aim at the torso. Not only is it the largest target area, but it will also cause a more immediate reaction than contact with the extremities, such as a hand or leg. Soft muscle groups such as the groin, neck, or kidney area can also be particularly effective. If you must contact an extremity, aim for the elbow, face, or femur, as these areas tend to have more nerve endings.

TASER Device

A TASER device is most often used at a distance, in contrast with stun guns, which are designed to be used when very close to the assailant. TASER devices use nitrogen cartridges to fire electrical probes at an attacker. Both probes must come into contact with clothing or skin. Like a stun gun, the electrical current of a TASER device can also pass through thick clothing. The best target for a TASER device is the torso, which provides you with the largest surface area.

The probes must hit the body at least four to six inches apart. This requires standing a few feet from your attacker. The two probes separate from each other more the further back you stand. The ideal range of most TASER devices is between seven and ten feet, at which point the probes should hit the body about sixteen inches apart.

If only one of the probes manages to hit your attacker, some electrical current will still flow into his body, though it probably won’t be as fast-acting as if both probes had hit their target. If you miss with both probes, the TASER can also be used up close, as a stun gun, even if you’ve already used up the nitrogen cartridge.

Actual hand to hand combat techniques were developed for one thing and one thing only: Real world combat situations. Most were developed for the reality of war, not for the competition ring or the monastery. Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Do are nearly useless when artillery is exploding around you and if the enemy is bearing down on you with a bayonet.

What does this have to do with self defense? Everything! In war, there is no time for the philosophical musings of your movements. In war, you can’t abide by the clean fighting rules of competitive styles. You have to take them down hard and fast, by whatever means, or the one going down could be you!

If you don’t think this can relate to a street fighting situation, think again. If you’re being mugged or raped, your assailants are going to use whatever advantage they can find. They might have a gun or a knife. They might outnumber you. They might be larger. The only reason you’re being targeted is that they think they have an advantage.

Your survival depends on taking the upper hand to hand combatThis is not a time for seeking Zen awareness. This is not a time to break boards. This is a time to get down and dirty and kick some butt. If you don’t fight dirty and use “unfair advantages,” it could be you in the Emergency Room, or even worse. It could be you in the Morgue.

Fear no man,

Captain Chris Pizzo 
World Leader in Self Defense 
www.closecombattraining.com

An Adrenaline Rush – You can expect that during and immediately following the assault, you will have a rush of adrenaline. This can result in a condition known as Tachypsychia, with effects such as time distortion, memory distortion, or memory loss. You will probably feel ‘wired’ and shaky as a result of the adrenaline. Your mind will still be producing fear even after the danger is over. While there’s nothing you can do to stop this rush of adrenaline or its effects, being prepared mentally can help you deal with it. Some victims of violence also find that going running to use up their adrenaline can help their body calm down following a scary confrontation.

Dealing With the Law – Even when acting in self defense, you can expect the police to become involved anytime you use a stun gun, pepper spray, TASER device, or any other self defense product. You will probably be expected to give a statement about the events. Be objective, and try to remain calm when talking to police. Using violence to defend yourself against an attack is legal, but the police will still be interested in hearing what happened, especially if the situation warrants charges against your attacker. You may also want to inquire about victims’ counseling or other programs that may be available to you as the victim of a violent assault.

Property Damage – Depending on the type of assault, you may have additional consequences in terms of damage to your property. For example, a burglar may have broken a window to get inside your house. Your purse, with your credit cards inside, may have been stolen during the attack. You’ll need to repair the damage, cancel your credit cards, and report any missing possessions to your insurance company.

Feeling Secure Again – Once you have been attacked, it can take some time to become comfortable continuing your daily routine. You may find yourself looking over your shoulder more than usual, wondering if you could be attacked again. Being attacked can make you aware of the possibilities, and that can be very scary.

Many victims of crime find themselves compelled to install additional locks and other security measures at home, or to carry pepper spray, stun guns, or other devices, especially if they did not do so before the attack. You may worry that your attacker will come back for revenge, or simply realize how unprotected and vulnerable you were. No matter the reason, taking steps to protect your safety is important, whether or not you have experienced a violent altercation.

Realtors spend a lot of time in unknown locations alone. Plus, they can lured to such areas by those who pretend to be prospective buyers. When they arrive alone to a vacant house, expecting to meet someone who’s interested in purchasing it, the prospective buyer(s) know that they have the perfect opportunity. Meeting large numbers of strangers is potentially the most dangerous aspect of a realtor’s job.

Before leaving to show a house, meet the prospective buyers at your office, and introduce them to colleagues, if possible. Then leave their personal information and the address of the home you are showing them in a location that would be clearly visible to others in your office. Drive to the home in your own car; do not offer to carpool with the prospective buyers or meet them for the first time at the house.

Even if the prospective buyers look relatively normal, you never know what could happen when you get in the house. Once inside, casually mention that another realtor should be arriving shortly, even if it’s untrue. This way they will know that another person will be there soon, and you won’t be alone long.

Always have your cell phone turned on and nearby. You may also want to work out a code word with your office so that you can call if you need assistance. Avoid wearing provocative clothing or expensive jewelry when showing a home. All realtors should carry pepper spray, a personal alarm, or a stun gun to thwart these attacks. An important self defense device for real estate agents is a pepper spray pen. This disguised pen can be kept in your pocket or purse or attached to a clipboard. It will not arouse suspicion, but can be pulled out immediately if your “prospective buyer” tries to attack you.

Before showing the house for the first time, take your own tour to understand the neighborhood and the home’s layout, paying special attention to the exits. Once in the home with a prospective buyer, position yourself so that your back is never turned, guiding them through the home in front of you. Always ask that a couple previewing a home together remain in the same room. During an open house event, always know how many people are inside at a given time.

You should keep your personal safety in mind not only when meeting clients, but also when advertising your services. Focus on your professional qualifications, not your personal information. Too many realtors advertise their home phone number or address and publish an attractive photo of themselves; these can make them vulnerable to attacks.

Too many realtors remain oblivious to the dangers associated with their chosen line of work. Being a realtor involves putting yourself in some potentially dangerous situations, and it’s important to be prepared both in your actions and by carrying a self defense device. Remember that your safety is always more important than the commission on a big real estate deal.