Personal Safety Unlimited

The media and unrealistic advice

2011-05-26T11:08:00.001-04:00

Unfortunately the local media recently released a story promoting traditional martial arts training under the guise of "women's self-defense". I attempted to post a response to the story on their website but the server would not allow me to sign in. So,I decided to send an e-mail directly to the station. You can view the actual video of the story by clicking the link above. Below is the e-mail that I sent-

"This is in response to the story "Dangerous Places for Women: How to Protect Yourself". I tried to post this as a comment to the story but for some reason the server won't allow me to sign in-

Teaching people to keep themselves and their families safe is great. I have spent half my life doing just that. However, promoting traditional martial arts techniques that don't reflect reality can actually do more harm than good. This can actually lead to false confidence which will quickly deteriorate when a real attack does not go like the mock-attack did in the calm training environment. Traditional martial arts are great for fitness, fun, and athleticism but have little value when a life is on the line. My advice would be for WSBT to do some research on real self-defense before promoting such techniques or instructors on the air."

I was presently surprised to receive an e-mail response from the station. However I wasn't surprised by the actual response itself. Unfortunately many people do not understand the difference between martial arts and self-defense. Here is the response I received from the station-

"Steve,

Thanks for watching WSBT!

The class we went to and showed on TV was a Women’s Self-Defense Class. They were not teaching martial arts. They were teaching actual, basic, self-defense moves that women can use in everyday life. Our purpose was to encourage women to take one of these classes or a RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) class to gain confidence and defense skills. Law enforcement officers have acknowledged these classes work and are recommended.

Thanks!"

Of course I responded with hopes that I could help them understand that what they had promoted was in fact traditional martial art and NOT self-defense. Here is my response-

Thanks for the response,

Actually many martial arts schools and instructors will repackage their traditional programs and promote them as self-defense programs. However, that doesn't take way from the fact that they are still traditional martial arts skills that have proven to be ineffective for dealing with potentially violent and life-threatening situations. Also, an endorsement from local law enforcement officers doesn't automatically make it a good program either. I have been involved in this field for over 20 years. I am certified to teach many law enforcement safety programs and I have trained many police officers. Unfortunately many of these officers didn't understand the difference between martial arts and reality-based self-defense unless they had previously been forced to test their skills. Remember, police officers carry firearms, batons, and other tools designed to keep themselves and other officers safe. They have options that most civilians don't and therefore don't have to rely of physical self-defense skills very often. So their knowledge of such skills is limited to what they have been taught in officer school or what they learn at local martial arts facilities.

I mean no offense to WSBT, the martial arts instructor, or the officers consulted but there is a big difference between martial arts and real self-defense. I just wanted to point that out.

Check out this youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFcU22NAlfA It's based on a program called FAST Defense that better reflects reality. While I don't teach FAST Defense, I do offer a similar program and have been teaching it for around 10 years. This is the type of training that actually prepares women and even men to better protect themselves and their families. Practicing traditional gun disarms and fancy wrist locks like those demonstrated in your news story will do nothing but get someone severely injured or worse.

Then a few hours later I decided to e-mail the station again to better elaborate on how to determine if a program is based on self-defense or traditional martial arts. here is that follow-up-

I thought it might help to follow up on my previous e-mail with some explanations to assist in defining real self-defense. When talking about this I often refer to a litmus test, a simple way to determine if a self-defense skill is based on martial arts or on natural and instinctive survival skills.

The easiest and most effective litmus test available is a series of adrenal response drills. These are simple drills that loosely replicate real attacks. During the drills the "defender" will face a padded assailant, an instructor wearing a padded protective suit. These are very simple drills that will actually invoke an adrenal response in the "defender". Physiologically the response is no different than what the person would face if placed in a real situation. This does a number of things. First of all, it let's these people feel the effects of adrenaline on the mind and body BEFORE they are forced to face it during an actual attack. They learn how to harness this natural survival tool and use it to either flee or fight. The participants also learn how adrenaline enhances speed, strength, and aggressiveness which can be used against their assailant. One of the most important things they learn is whether or not the skills they were taught during the class will work under the stress of an attack when adrenaline is flooding their bodies.

Any skill being taught for self-defense should be pressure tested in this way to see if it actually works. The key to the test is finding those skills that are natural, instinctive, and based on large gross motor movements. Those skills that are already hardwired into our nervous system seem to work the best. Skills such as instinctively extending the arms during a fall or during car accidents fit the bill nicely. These are skills that most will perform with no training, it's instinctive. We refer to these skills as flinch responses. Once participants understand this concept they can quickly learn to use it on purpose to protect themselves during an attack, both in a defensive and offensive manner. This allows people to learn real self-defense in a relatively short period of time, often only a few hours.

So, here are the questions we need to ask regarding self-defense skills...can the skills in question be used effectively for protecting a person during the stress of a real attack? Are the skills based on fine motor movements which tend to deteriorate under the adrenal response, or are they based on natural gross-motor movements that actually improve under stress? Can the skills be learned in a relatively short period of time or do they require months or even years of practice? Have the skills only been tested against cooperative training partners?

During the news story you quickly demonstrated a gun disarm technique. If I asked you to defend yourself against a replica gun that shoots safe but painful projectiles by using that same technique, do you think you could pull it off without being shot with the projectiles? Do you think that any of those other ladies could? If you knew that the gun could actually shoot you would you be as comfortable with the techniques taught in that class?

Please keep in mind that I don't work in this field to make money. I do it because I care about the safety of those that need this type of training. I also do it because there is an unfortunate need, regardless of where people live. I just want people to understand that the information they pass on can either help or hurt potential victims. While many of these instructors have good intentions they often don't do any research into the effectiveness of the information that they often pass on. I have seen people receive sever injuries and in some cases people have lost their lives while attempting skills taught in some of these classes. While there is always a risk of injury or death in such situations I prefer to limit the risks as much as possible while giving people skills that have a higher rate of success.

The point is simple....if the media is going to report on the topic of personal safety and crime prevention they should spend some time doing some research. They should find out what is being taught out there and whether or not it can actually enhance the viewers safety or make them more vulnerable. There is so much good advice out there but unfortunately the media tends to only promote the questionable.

As I have said before, don't take my word for it and especially don't listen to the media. Do the research for yourself and base your training decisions on logic and common sense.

Take care and stay safe,
Steve Zorn, ICPS

Fitness for Fighting

2011-03-27T11:37:00.001-04:00

Fitness is extremely important. Not only is it important for improving quality of life but it's important for survival. During potentially dangerous or violent situations the body goes into "fight or flight" mode. This generally causes a release of adrenaline and other stress hormones. The result is an increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, tunnel vision, decrease in motor control, diminished mental acuity and muscular quivers known as "the shakes". If a person is not physically or mentally prepared for this response it can be overwhelming. It can actually lead to a "freeze" response rather than a "fight or flight" response. In other words the mind and the body become so overwhelmed that the intended victim becomes frozen in place with fear. Even if the person is able to avoid the "freeze" response he or she may become physically unable to continue the response due to physical and/or mental fatigue. Remember, while violent altercations generally do not last long, most under 1 minute, they can still be physically and mentally draining due to the adrenal response and the violent muscular contractions that are required to fight or flee.

Keeping this in mind, we can see how important physical fitness is to our survival, especially during potentially violent altercations. We should all spend a portion of our lives striving to improve our fitness. This can be as simple as spending 15 minutes 2 or 3 times each work performing some interval drills or be as extreme as working out 2-3 hours a day, 5 days a week. Personally I prefer brief and efficient workouts only 2-3 days per week. I adhere to the philosophy that we should exercise to live not live to exercise. However, I can not stress how important some amount of physical exercise is, especially if you should be unlucky enough to find yourself in a potentially violent or life-threatening situation. Combine efficient exercise with efficient self-defense training and you will be well on your way to successfully dealing with most altercations you may run into. And, if you are lucky enough to never find yourself in such a situation you will have at least improved your overall quality of life by taking steps to improve your health and your safety.

Take care and stay safe!

PSU now offers TACTIX

2011-02-05T13:32:00.001-05:00

I am proud to be one of the first instructors in the state to offer the newest martial arts fitness program to hit the country...TACTIX.

The TACTIX method of Fitness is the perfect blend of martial arts fitness, practical self-defense skills, body weight exercises and metabolic conditioning. Classes incorporate basic strikes and kicks with fun partner drills and effective pad work.

Suitable for all fitness levels and no previous martial arts or kickboxing experience is necessary.

Classes offered locally in both small group settings, large group settings and one-on-one.

Contact PSU for details.

New Website

2011-01-15T22:03:00.000-05:00

The PSU website now has a new face. Feel free to stop by for a visit. The site is still a work in progress so check back frequently for updates.

Take care and stay safe,
Steve Zorn

Yet More Questionable Safety Advice

2010-07-16T23:55:00.003-04:00

Anyone that knows me knows that I am pretty blunt when it comes to responding to various tips, techniques, and tactics being promoted for self-defense. I am far from knowing it all and will be the first to admit this. However, based on my 20 years of training, research, and experience I do have a solid grasp of what constitutes sound advice regarding personal safety. Over the years I have heard of almost every kind of tip, technique, and tactic imaginable. Some of these are good, some are bad, and many are just plain ignorant. Take a moment to read the following e-mail (in quotes) and tell me which category you feel it falls in. I will give you a small hint...it sure isn't good. This e-mail is being passed along to many without a basic understanding of self-defense and I felt I needed to interrupt it with some common sense. Please read the e-mail which follows and then continue with my analysis-

The email in question:

"Wasp spray...who knew ???

I know some of you own GUNS, but this is something to think about...

If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you.

Did you know this? I didn't. I never really thought of it before.

I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.

Wasp Spray !!!
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up totwenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you a nd could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot
20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades.

It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out.."

Maybe even save a life.

Please share this with all the people in your life

Did you also know...wasp spray will kill a snake? And a mouse! It will!

Good to know, huh?"

My analysis:

I will admit that the use of wasp (insect) spray for self-defense sounds good in theory. However, practical application is another story.

First of all the e-mail starts off by mentioning guns. Let's get this straight...there is a huge difference between a gun and pepper spray. A gun is a lethal force tool designed for lethal force situations. On the other hand pepper spray is a non-lethal tool designed for non-lethal application in situations that do not warrant lethal force OR in those circumstances where the intended victim chose not to carry or use a firearm (lethal force tool). Now, with that said we are comparing pepper spray (a non-lethal tool) with wasp / insect spray (potentially dangerous to humans) as per this e-mail.

First of all, pepper spray is non-toxic and completely safe. It's made of high quality food-grade capsicum (edible peppers). It generally burns like hell when it contacts the skin and eyes or when it enters the respiratory system. However, it won't lead to death or damage vital tissues. In some rare cases a person may be allergic to the spray but statistically it's safe. Remember pepper spray has been used and tested in the real world for over 30 years. It's safe, endorsed by law enforcement and military personnel, and is court justifiable.

Now, let's talk about wasp (insect) spray. Have you ever read the label on this stuff? I am not going to bore you but to make it simple...wasp spray is toxic (read NOT safe). This stuff is designed to negatively effect the nervous system of insects. The problem is that humans also have nervous systems that are effected by this stuff. With that said, some of you may be thinking that I actually care about what happens to a criminal predator that intends to do us harm. Nothing could be further from the truth. What I care about is the safety of the intended victim. The concept of self-defense is to walk away from a dangerous situation with the least amount of physical and mental injuries possible. This cannot be accomplished if we choose to use stupid techniques or tools.

Anyone that has trained with or taught the use of pepper spray knows that in many (read MOST) cases the intended victim will also be contaminated in the process. The reality of chaotic violence is nothing like a safe training environment. Keeping that in mind, picture this...you know without a doubt that you are going to end up spraying yourself in the face during a violent encounter. Would you prefer to use a substance that has a proven track record of safety or would you prefer to take your chances with a product known to kill insects and damage vital human tissues? The choice is yours.

If that isn't enough to help you see the ignorance in this idea...what if a family member or friend were in the room with you? What about a child or an infant? Would you be willing to risk their lives or their eyesight to use the wasp killer? Only you can answer that.

I should also add that it's illegal to use insect spray for anything outside the label recommendations and improper use, even in justifiable self-defense can result in civil liability.

The moral of this story...don't trust your safety to any tips, tactics, or tools just because a so-called self-defense "instructor" or a police officer tells you it's THE thing to do. First use common sense before you employ these things, then do some research of your own.

Please pass this along to family and friends so they can get a better understanding of this questionable safety advice.

Take care and stay safe,

Steve Zorn, ICPS
Personal Safety Unlimited

Time for updates

2010-06-05T11:01:00.002-04:00

It's been quite a while since I have posted to this blog. I have been busy with many things and just haven't had the time.

However, I am going to try to get back into the groove and post something at least once a month, if not more.

Please check back periodically for updates.

Fraud Prevention

2008-10-26T17:59:00.001-04:00

In order to prevent fraud we must first understand what fraud is. Webster’s Dictionary defines fraud as follows - ”A deliberate and willful deception perpetrated for unlawful gain; a trick or swindle, an imposter; a cheat.”

Fraud can include lying or making exaggerated claims in order to trick people out of property, money, or other valuables.

Fraud can include the theft of identity to commit other crimes.

Fraud can include a person attempting to portray someone or something that they are
not.

In short, fraud is a crime that can be perpetrated by almost anyone and it’s a crime
that can take many forms. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t effectively protect
ourselves.

Here are just a few tips for preventing fraud -

Trust your intuition, your gut feelings: If something seems to good to be true it likely is.

Keep an eye out for strange behavior: We can’t always spot criminals by their appearance. However, their behavior may just give them away. Watch for people asking about personal information, asking questions that don’t seem appropriate, or people just acting out of the ordinary. Be particularly careful when talking to people over the phone.

Prevent access to your personal information: Properly protect you social security number, your credit card numbers, your bank account information, and other information that can be used to steal your identity or to commit crimes in your name.

Stay safe!

Unsafe Safety Tips via E-mail

2007-10-26T12:27:00.000-04:00

The following safety tips have been passed around via e-mail quite a bit. While I applaud the desire to help others, people have inadvertently passed on some misinformation. If you have received these original e-mails or e-mails like them please use caution in following the advice. When in doubt just use common sense.

E-mail #1-

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do : The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans .. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM . Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.

B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zigzag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP! It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, D O NOT open the door."He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby.. He said they have not verified it , but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----This should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.

My Response To E-mail #1:

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

Correction: While the elbow may be a strong tool it is also a tool that allows an attacker to get extremely close to you. Instead of using an elbow, use an open hand with the fingers curled forward (like holding a grapefruit) and slam it into the attacker's face, commonly referred to as a "face smash". This is a natural pushing movement that takes very little practice to effectively use. If an attacker gets inside the face smash then you can use an elbow technique aimed at the face and neck.

2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans .. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM . Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

Correction: This MAY work but a sudden movement may also get you shot or stabbed if the robber is jumpy or if he is a first-timer. I would suggest using common sense in your response to an armed robber and don't expect one strategy to work in all situations.

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

Correction: While this is possible in late-model cars from the 70's and 80's it is less likely with newer vehicles. Instead of trying the impossible in new vehicles, attempt to find the safety release which is commonly installed in new models. If no luck there, try to find a tire-iron or any other item that might be used to pry the trunk open. Lastly, and most important- don't ever let anyone put you in a trunk in the first place!

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

Correction: Statistically, elevators are just as dangerous as stairs. In fact, an elevator represents a greater danger because the attacker can push the emergency stop button and trap you inside with him. Regardless of whether you use the elevator or stairs, ALWAYS be alert to what is going on around you and ALWAYS have an emergency action plan before you find yourself facing a potentially threatening situation.

E-mail #2-

Through a Rapist's Eyes (No Joke)

This is important information for females of ALL ages

When this was sent to me, I was told to forward it to my lady friends, but I forwarded it to most everyone in my address book. My men friends have female friends and this information is too important to miss someone.

Please pass it along

A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:

1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed . They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair . Women with short hair are not common targets.

2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women whose clothing is easy to remove quickly . Many of them carry scissors around specifically to cut clothing.

3) They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard and can be easily overpowered.

4) Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5:00a.m.
and 8:30a.m.

5) The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store parking lots. Number two: i s office parking lots/garages. Number three: is public restrooms.

6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.

7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.

8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.

10) Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question , like what time is it, or make general small talk: "I can't believe it is so cold out here," "we're in for a bad winter." Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.

11) If someone is coming toward you , hold out your hands in front of you and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afra id to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.

12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes) , yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.

13) If someone grabs you , you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit) OR in the upper inner thigh VERY, VERY HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it - it hurts.

14) After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN . I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble and he's out of there.

15) When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible . The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.

16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings , take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!!

You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

My Response to E-mail #2:

1) This is false. Hairstyle has absolutely nothing to do with the selection of a target. Statistically when at attack occurs is involves grabbing the victim's clothes,arms or neck, not her hair. A rapist generally chooses his target based on the victim's body language, behavior, or lack of awareness. To prove this all we need to do is research the number of reported rapes that have occurred over the past year or two and then correlate those with the victim's hairstyle.

2) Again this is false. Clothings isn't a factor and they don't usually carry scissors around with them. In fact that tip is totally contradictory. If they chose a victim based on clothes that are easy to remove why would they need scissors?

3) This one is fairly accurate. Victims are often chosen based on their lack of awareness.

4) Statistics like that are almost never accurate. While we know that the greatest percentage of rapes occur in the nighttime and early morning hours more actually occur in nighttime hours.

5) As far as I know there is no actual research to support this one. The truth is that stranger abductions do occur but they do so far less often than acquaintance assaults. Also, a quick analysis of abductions shows us that they can happen almost anywhere to include from the victim's home, public sidewalks, from a stopped vehicle, etc.

6) This one is somewhat accurate if the attacker is looking to sexually assault the victim, or worse. There are 2 crime scene locations...Location #1 is where the initial contact takes place. Crime scene #2 is where the bad things happen. If an attacker attempts to move a person to a secondary location we know the likelihood of it escalating is great. Therefore the intended victim must be prepared to deal with the situation at the initial contact point and not allow themselves to be moved to a more secluded area. However, keep in mind that if the initial contact takes place in a secluded location like the victim's home or a dark parking lot, that would be considered the second crime scene location.

7) Rape and weapon laws vary from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction. That being the case I would never bet my life on the idea that an attacker isn't armed. The fact remains that anyone that has chosen to victimize others is breaking the law and it's a safe bet to assume they wouldn't be afraid of using any means to accomplish their objective, even using a weapon. However, with that said, statistically the majority of sexual assaults take place without the use of a weapon. This is based on the fact that attackers choose targets that are less likely to resist. In other words they choose a victim that won't fight back so they don't have to worry about using weapons. Although, that doesn't mean they aren't armed. The key is to avoid looking like an easy target!

8) Resistance is a good thing but it's no guarantee that the attacker will get discouraged and just give up. In fact, some attackers get off on women fighting back. The key is to know when, where, and how to apply resistance so that the likelihood of success is increased.

9) This one is also false. As stated targets are chosen based on body language, behaviors, and lack of awareness. If the target suits the selection process it doesn't matter what they are carrying. In fact, the more items the intended victim is carrying the easier the attack will be. In most cases even when armed with an improvised weapon like an umbrella, the person will not be mentally or physically prepared to use it as a weapon. Most times it doesn't even occur to the intended victim that they are holding a "weapon".

10) This one is applicable but depends on the situation. If the attacker has already selected you as his next target, it may not matter to him that you have seen his face. This is especially true if he doesn't plan to let you get away. It's definitely worth using but don't automatically assume it's guaranteed to work.

11) This is a basic common assertive response taught by self-defense instructors. It can be effective but also depends on the situation. If the initial contact takes place in a fairly secluded area there is a good chance it won't work.

12) Never...I repeat NEVER tell an attacker that you have pepper spray. Also, you want to avoid holding it out as a deterrent. Pepper Spray is only effective if it hits it's mark. If you warn an attacker that you have spray it provides him an opportunity to prepare himself. If you hold it out he can grab or deflect your arm, making the spray ineffective. He can protect his face with his hands or clothing as he rushes you, which reduces the effectiveness of the spray even if some of it hits his face. In some cases he may just take the shot to the face and keep coming. While pepper spray can be effective it is not guaranteed to stop an attacker. The key to making it effective is the element of surprise.

13) Please don't risk your life with the use of these lame pinching techniques. While these types of techniques work great in a controlled training environment, they tend to become ineffective when stress, adrenaline, anger, alcohol, drugs, etc become involved. The last time I checked these things are all common to real attacks. Instead focus on attacking vital areas such as the eyes or throat.

14) The groin is considered a secondary target and should not be thought of as a fight-stopping target. While there is a chance it will create a mild response in the majority of male attackers, that doesn't mean it will slow or stop them. I recommend that the groin be used in combination with the eyes and throat as mentioned previously.

15) Breaking a finger is definitely an option. However, don't be surprised if it doesn't stop or even slow the attacker. In fact, it may actually enrage him. When a finger is broken endorphins kick in and actually help to numb the injury. In other words, it may hurt for a short period but then becomes numb. If this person is intent on attacking you, it likely won't slow or stop them. The key to slowing or stopping an attack is by disrupting his computer, his brain. This can be done by attacking the eyes and throat as previously mentioned.

16) This one is right on. Awareness is the key to staying safe. If you have a solid understanding of awareness it's likely you will see an unsafe situation or person, allowing you to escape before it escalates to an actual attack.

The Groin As A Target?

2007-08-30T13:38:00.000-04:00

I recently purchased a short e-book on women's self-defense. Overall it had some good information but there is one section I found interesting..the subject was why kicking to the groin is a bad idea. While the title emphasizes the act of kicking the groin, the information that follows the title leads the reader to believe that the groin is overall a bad target.

Now before I get into this topic let me emphasize that the groin should be considered as a secondary target. In other words, it's not a fight-stopping target but does have some value which I am about to explain.

First of all I do agree that "kicking" the groin isn't a good idea. The reason is simple...kicking generally leaves the intended victim standing on only one foot, which in turn compromises balance. Given the explosive and chaotic nature of assaults, compromised balance isn't a good thing.

Now, the author of this e-book provides the following reasons for not targeting the groin-

1) small target
2) men are prepared for a strike to this area
3) generally causes a flinch protection response
4) position doesn't often allow targeting this area

To address the points-

1) In reality when targeting the groin, we not only target the testicles but the entire groin / bladder/ pelvis region. On most people, the groin / bladder / pelvis region is generally the size of a soccer ball. Personally, I consider something the size of a soccer ball to be pretty large. However, the author says it's a small target but then recommends targeting the femoral nerve on the inner thigh. While nerve strikes can be great, if they are hit properly, the problem is that we can't always hit them properly under the chaotic and stressful nature of combat. Why is that? Simple, because they are SMALL! So, in short the author actually recommends a target that is smaller then the groin. Personally, I would choose the groin. Everyone knows good and well where the groin is. It's generally pretty easy to hit, especially in close quarters and in many cases it can be hit without visual confirmation.

2) This is actually a misconception, especially in martial arts training. I remember my sister once attended a "self-defense " class conducted by a female Tae Kwon Do instructor. During the class the instructor tells the girls something to the effect of -

never kick an attacker in the groin because...he will most likely be wearing a cup!

To be blunt, that's the most absurd thing I have ever heard. Out of all of the years I spent studying sexual assaults on women I have yet to hear of one rapist wearing a cup to protect his groin. Most men who have endured wearing a cup in training know how uncomfortable and inconvenient those things are, especially for sexual situations.

Now, many instructors promote similar ideas, but as in the example above they are not realistic ideas. First off, most men aren't prepared to protect their groins because in most cases they don't believe there is a need to do so. Remember, predators choose victims that they believe won't offer resistance. That being the case, they are primarily in predator mode when they move in for an attack. In other words, defense is the last thing on their minds. Also, take into consideration that most contact sports like boxing and wrestling teach that strikes to the groin are illegal. This simply means that practitioners are conditioned to avoid targeting the groin and they are also conditioned to not worry about protecting this vital area. Also, if most attackers were prepared to protect their groins they wouldn't be so fast to expose this vital target during the act of sexual assault. So, to make this simple...most attackers are not prepared to protect their groins.

3) This is actually the point! In many cases instructors attempt to focus on the "one shot, one kill" philosophy. However, real altercations rarely go as planned and while it's possible to end an altercation with only one good shot, it's usually an exception to the norm. In other words, we should never rely on only one shot and hope that it creates a devastating effect. Instead we should attempt to overwhelm an attacker with multiple counters in order to effect them both physically and mentally, while attempting to make each counter as effective as possible.

In regards to the groin...while it's not considered a fight-stopping target it can be effective as a way to interrupt the OODA Loop, which can buy a split second to follow-up with more vicious tactics or to target more vital areas. In other words, when the attacker unconsciously flinches to protect the groin, this can create openings for other tactics. This is essentially Combat Strategy 101.

4) This may be true if we are talking about targeting the groin with kicks. However, if we think of other more sensible ways to target the groin, we quickly realize that in most real assault situations the groin is almost always within range of one of our tools. This is especially true during sexual assault situations. I have yet to hear about a sexual assault where the groin wasn't exposed in some fashion.

In closing, don't believe everything you read, even when the author claims to be an "expert". While they may have good reasons for what they promote, those reasons may not always reflect reality.

Crime escalating, but who cares...

2007-06-30T16:33:00.000-04:00

Assaults are increasing
Robberies are increasing
Rapes are increasing
Molestations are increasing
Abuse is increasing

Sounds like the typical crime rate in most large cities. The problem is, that is happening right here in my mid-sized community.

The saddest thing is that many people truly don't care. They don't care about their own safety nor do they care about the safety of their loved ones. This might be a bold statement but it's unfortunately true.

Almost 2 years ago a local pizza delivery driver was nearly beaten to death while attempting to deliver a pizza, or so he thought. The whole scenario was actually a set-up by two teens with nothing better to do. They ordered a pizza using a nearby gas-station phone and had it delivered to an unoccupied home on a not-so-well lit street. When the delivery driver got out of his unmarked vehicle one of the teens attacked him with a steel pipe, grabbed his cash and left him for dead. Later I contacted the pizza company and offered to train their delivery personnel free-of-charge. They wanted nothing to do with it.

Last year I contacted a nearby elementary school in order to offer them a no-cost child safety presentation for their children, but they just blew me off. Later this past school year a young girl was nearly abducted while leaving this very same school. The only thing that saved her was a bystander. When I contacted this school shortly after this abduction attempt, again they blew me off.

I have contacted my local community school system several times over the past couple of years and have been met with the same kind of resistance. In fact, the assistant super intendant even told me that academics were the priority and that they had no time for safety education. Recently, there was an arrest made of a man who molested two of the children that attend these local schools.

I contacted the school system approximately 30 minutes north of me earlier this year. Again, they blew me off. Last month a 16 year old girl that attended this school system was raped.

Over the past couple of years I have offered my services and programs to area realty companies, restaurants, convenience stores, mental health facilities, and even domestic violence services. To my surprise, few have had interest.

Now, some might think that I am taking this lack of interest personally because they don't accept me or my services, but that just isn't the case. Honestly, it doesn't matter to me where people get their safety education but it does matter that they do get educated somewhere. The problem with the lack of interest is that it actually leads to an increase in crime and violence, which has been pretty obvious in my community. When people don't care about their own safety or the safety of others they won't do or say anything to stop it. When no one says or does anything, what's likely to happen? You guest it...things get worse.

To quote Albert Einstein...

"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of those that do evil, but because of those who watch it and let it happen."

My question to you is where do you stand??

Child Safety Still an Issue!

2007-06-25T23:19:00.000-04:00

It's surprising that various child safety programs such as RAD Kids and similar programs are on the rise yet child safety is still a huge issue. The reason is simple, predators will continue to thrive and children will continue to go unprepared simply because many of the programs offered do not address the realities of such situations.

While safety education is of great importance we know that bad education is worse than no education at all. Simply put, these programs must be modified to reflect the realities of the world we live in so that children can be empowered with real knowledge to keep themselves safe from those who intend to do them harm.

Force-On-Force Firearms Training: Paint-Marking Rounds VS Airsoft

2007-04-08T16:22:00.000-04:00

Paint-marking rounds are a form of training ammo that is used by law enforcement, military, and security for realistic force-on-force firearm training exercises. These rounds are fired from real firearms that have temporarily been converted for such purposes. While this obviously increases the realism of the drills and exercises it also increases the risks of accidents and injuries.

Over the years there have been numerous deaths related to the use of paint-marking rounds rounds in their various forms. Most of the deaths were due to unsafe practices, such as allowing participants to bring live firearms and live rounds into the training area. In some cases participants were directly injured by the training rounds themselves. However, we know that in order for training to be street-effective it must be as real as possible while avoiding injuries and death. This is why paint-marking rounds and other similar products are so highly valued by reality-based trainers. However, there are other issues regarding the use of these types of products.

1) Paint-marking rounds are generally only available to law enforcement, military, and security personnel.
2) Paint-marking rounds can be very expensive at approximately $2 per round plus the cost of conversion kits for each firearm used.
3) Requires specialized protective gear that can also be costly.
4) Paint-marking rounds obviously involve some safety issues as mentioned above

All of these issues can be quite frustrating for the civilian trainer who wants to increase their defensive and tactical knowledge as well as their firearm handling skills. Although, thanks to modern technology we know have a solution- Airsoft.

Airsoft replicas have many advantages over paint-marking rounds and other similar products, to include:

1) Readily and easily available to everyone.
2) While the costs can vary depending on the type and quality of the gun, generally Airsoft are less expensive overall. Rounds average $3 per 500-1000 and can be used multiple times.
3) Minimal protective gear is required and it can generally be picked up at any sporting goods store that carries paintball or airsoft supplies.
4) Proper safety protocols are still a requirement for Airsoft training but are obviously minimized with the use of Airsoft replicas.

In short, Airsoft replicas now represent the safest and least expensive way to increase tactical and defensive firearm skills.

This training tool has been adopted by law enforcement and security officers around the globe. If it works so well for them, it obviously will work for the rest of us too.

Date Rape: A Serious Crime Of Power

2007-03-28T16:01:00.000-04:00

By Darlene Redinger (Kosciusko County Mental Health Association)

When you read in the news that a woman was raped, what do you think of? Do you envision a stranger in a dark alley attacking an unknown female? Well, you couldn't be further from the truth.

The truth is, 80% or more of rapes are committed by an assailant known to the victim. RAPE is not a crime of passion, it's about power, control and anger.

The actual definition of rape is NO plus SEX equals rape. It's that simple. If the female says no and the male continues with sex, that is rape and it goes the same if the male says no. Date rape or acquaintance rape is the most common form of rape. Drugs and alcohol are contributing factors in many date rapes. Having sex with someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a crime, punishable by prison time! if a person is unable to say no due to drugs or alcohol, it is always rape.

Females ages 16 to 25 are most at risk of date or acquaintance rape. Experts state date rape may account for as much as 78% of all reported rapes, although rape is a hugely underreported crime.

Unlike rape involving a stranger, date rapists typically use psychological pressure or physical strength to press for sex, instead of weapons, or threats of violence. Rape is planned, hours or even days before the attack. Rapists frequently choose their victim and "groom" them. Grooming involves paying attention to a girl he normally would not spend time with, becoming friendly and attentive, until the right moment when the rapist is ready to act.

Date rape drugs like Rohypnol (roofies) and Gamma Butyrolactone (GHB) and Ketamine (street names: Special K or Vitamin K) are easy to obtain, cost very little, and have no taste, odor, or color. Additionally, they dissolve quickly and leave no trace. it is easy to palm the drug and drop it into an open drink as it is transferred from one person to another. The victim may not even realize he or she was given drugs! Under the influence of a date rape drug, the victim will do whatever they are told to do without complaint and won't remember a thing the next day!

A major cause of date rape is lack of consideration of a woman's rights and wishes. If she says, "NO", it means NO. Some men feel if they spend money on a date, they are "entitled" to sex or, if she is sexually active, she should have sex with him.

Some men are sexually aggressive because they are basically insecure. Forcing sex on someone makes them feel in control. Rape is violence toward women. Date rape is a serious crime and it involves a betrayal of trust. It's effects can leave lifetime emotional scars. As with all rapes, it is important for the victim to remember it is not her or his fault, no one asks or deserves to be raped.

How can you protect yourself from date rape? Examine your feelings about sex and make a decision about sex before you go out. Make your feelings clear, don't give mixed messages. If things get out of hand, don't be afraid to cause a scene, scream, yell and resist if you can and the person does not have a weapon. Socialize with people who share your values, go to parties in groups and keep an eye on your friends. set boundaries and enforce them.

When you are out on a date, never accept an open drink from anyone, always keep complete control over your drink. If you leave it unattended, get a fresh one. Trust your gut instinct, if you feel the situation is dangerous, get out. Never leave without the friends you came with. Don't leave group situations, keep an eye on the friends you came with and watch out for each other. If a friend is missing, find her. If a friend tells you she was raped, believe her.

If you or a friend is raped or you think you have been raped, do not shower, change clothes, brush your teeth or hair, eat or drink anything and do go to the hospital. If you think you might have been given a date rape drug, ask for blood tests to be run. No one asks or deserves to be raped.

Article courtesy of- The Paper. Reprinted with permission, from the October 27th, 2004 issue.

Fear in the eyes?

2007-02-06T01:51:00.000-05:00

The following url is a link to an article on how fear is recognized in
the eyes. This might be another signal that predators subconsciously
use to select their victims.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6719954/

Reflex Training for Self-defense

2007-02-06T00:54:00.000-05:00

In order to learn effective self-defense skills it's important to have an understanding of motor-skill research. Essentially this helps us understand how the body responds to a given stimulus. This in turn helps us understand which techniques will most likely be effective under the stress of a real assault and which ones won't.

One aspect of motor-skill research is the understanding of reflexes, instinctive responses to an attack.

Motor-skill researcher, Richard Schmidt has broken the common reflexes down into 4 basic categories:

M1 Reflex
M2 Reflex
Triggered Reaction
M3 Reflex

M1 Reflex is the monosynaptic stretch reflex which occurs when a muscle is suddenly and unexpectedly placed under a load. This is the fastest known reflex. The knee-jerk reflex or patellar reflex(stretch reflex) is an M1 Reflex.

M2 Reflex is the polysynaptic functional stretch reflex. Because it includes more synapses and goes further up the spinal cord it's a bit slower than the M1 Reflex.

Triggered Reaction is slower than M1 & M2 Reflexes because it involves many more synapses. The cross-extensor reflex (withdrawal reflex) falls into this category. This is commonly seen when a person touches a hot stove, hits their thumb with a hammer, or stubs their toe on the door jam. Generally the stimulus is tactile in nature, such as something that causes pain. However, some sounds and some visual cues can also cause this reflex. This is seen when someone gets startled (jumps) during a loud sound or when someone sneaks up behind them and yells. It can also include someone sneaking up behind you and touching you suddenly. Generally, during a triggered reaction the hands will move toward the center of the body to instinctively protect the head and torso or they will move toward the site of the injury or away from the source of pain. Example, when touching a hot stove the burned hand moves away from the source (stove) toward the center of the body and the opposite hand meets it there while attempting to cover it (protect it). In the case of a car accident, the driver will have a tendency to convulsively lock the arms out in order to protect themselves from impacting the steering wheel, dash, or windshield. The passenger may bring the hands up to protect the head and torso or even reach for the dash or door in an effort to keep themselves from impacting the dashboard or windshield. Since most people have not been taught anything else they will usually fall back onto these general instinctive responses / reflexes.

All of the above reflexes are involuntary, meaning that occur without conscious thought. They are referred to as "simple reflexes" by some researchers.

M3 Reflex is a voluntary reaction-time reflex and is the slowest of the reflexes. This is referred to as a "conditioned reflex" by some researchers. For our purpose, this is the category that trained defensive or protective flinch responses fall into. Generally, the stimulus is visual in nature but can also be based on tactile or auditory cues. This could include seeing our car about to hit a tree or seeing another car about to crash into ours. In regards to self-defense it could include seeing a punch coming at our head or even seeing the attacker tensing his arm or making a fist prior to the attack. Essentially, we perceive the possible threat, identify it as an actual threat, and then activate a motor-program. However, in regards to self-defense this is where things get tricky. If we have tons of different motor-programs, say 10 defenses against a straight punch, 10 different defenses against a round punch, 10 different defenses against a knife attack, etc. etc. then it's going to take some extra time for us to choose the appropriate motor-program (response) for that particular attack. Also, if we have been training a bunch of unnatural blocking movements, we have the same problem. By the time the practitioner has actually chosen the appropriate blocking technique it's likely they will have already been hit by the attacker.

The key to real self-defense is to attempt to turn the M3 Reflexes into "automatic responses" which will essentially make them equivalent to Triggered Reactions. How do we do that? Simple! We train with natural gross-motor movements that are often activated during Triggered Reactions. We minimize our physical options and make those options applicable to dozens of different situations and different types of attacks. We train our brain to perceive and identify the threat sooner. Example, instead of waiting to see a punch coming at us before we respond, we should learn to identify
verbal and non-verbal cues that normally occur prior to the attack. Then we respond to those cues rather than an actual attack. We then train these basic responses over and over again through various adrenal / stress inoculation drills until they become spontaneous.

In most cases, if the skills are based on natural neuropathways they are generally easy to learn, easy to retain, and easy to use for the majority of average non- athletic individuals. Those who are athletic will have a definite advantage.

Copyright 2006 - Steve Zorn

Non-Physical Skills...Their Role In Self-Defense

2007-02-02T14:51:00.000-05:00

While it's true that "self-defense" is offered in many martial arts schools and even some fitness facilities, we must ask ourselves if it's really self-defense that's being taught. Are the students of these schools and facilities really learning to protect themselves or are they just learning simplified martial arts under the disguise of "self-defense"?

I cannot honestly answer this question as it pertains to each and every facility making such claims, but what I can do is provide simple guidelines to help you, the reader, decide if your school or facility is teaching real self-defense or some fake imitation.

As previous articles have pointed out, there is a difference between martial arts and self-defense. While there may be some similarities in the physical applications between the two, this is generally where the similarities stop. Martial arts self-defense programs, what I refer to as traditional self-defense, generally over-emphasize the physical skills while under-emphasizing or even neglecting the psychological and analytical skills needed to deal with life-threatening situations. The belief is that it's the physical skills that determine the outcome of the altercation when, in fact, it's what the student does before the situation turns physical that will determine the ultimate outcome. While physical skills are vitally important, they are the least important of all real self-defense skills.

Self-defense is about staying out of harm's way. It's about learning to detect possible violent situations and dealing with them before they turn violent. Self-defense is NOT about letting someone physically assault you so you can, in turn, defend yourself. Once this is understood, self-defense can be approached in a direct and realistic manner.

So, what does real self-defense training consist of? That's the question I intend to address. The first step to answering this question involves analyzing violent situations and then reverse-engineering them. In other words, we must take a look at how violent situations occur in the first place so that we can learn how to prevent them from escalating to a physical level. Analyzing the situations in this manner can help us understand that there are so many more things we can do prior to using last-ditch physical skills. In other words, while physical skills are necessary, they should be used last and least.

Let's start from the beginning. How can we prevent potentially violent situations? That's easy, we AVOID such situations. To AVOID situations we must be AWARE of such situations before they happen. So, the first step to dealing with violent situations is using common-sense awareness & avoidance strategies. Ultimately, awareness leads to avoidance and avoidance leads to prevention. Understanding this is the key to real self-defense. If we are aware of potentially violent situations before they happen and we avoid those situations, it's highly unlikely that we would ever have to physically protect ourselves. In short, awareness strategies should form the foundation of any realistic self-defense program that is designed to protect lives. Any program neglecting this foundational area is not based on reality.

What about other necessary skills when awareness & avoidance fails? What about methods of escape? Obviously we don't live in a perfect world. While we may have excellent awareness & avoidance skills there is still a chance that we might find ourselves in potentially violent situations. Based on this fact, we must have a solid understanding of how and when to escape.

What about verbal and non-verbal de-escalation strategies? As we know, conflict resolution is about learning effective communication skills in order to successfully deal with conflict in our lives. Wouldn't potentially violent situations be considered an extreme form of personal conflict? This being the case, doesn't it make sense that we should first attempt to resolve such conflict in a non-violent manner if at all possible?

As we can see, there are many steps that can be taken to be aware of and ultimately avoid potentially violent situations. When those situations can not be avoided, there are still steps that we can take to avoid possible physical altercations. Simply put, physical survival skills should be used only as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.

Don't be fooled by imitation "self-defense" systems that only teach physical skills and avoid or neglect the most important components of all, the non-physical skills. As I have pointed out, a system based solely on physical skills does not prepare the student for the realities of violent altercations. In fact, it does not provide the student with options and instead conditions them to rely on physical skills regardless of the level of threat.

If self-defense is truly the goal, I recommend that you search out an instructor or a system that offers a comprehensive program including an emphasis on non-physical skills. As our lives may someday depend on our training, we should make sure that our training provides us with the necessary skills to not only survive but to win!

Basics of Home Security

2007-01-23T12:07:00.000-05:00

This article addresses some of the key issues regarding home security. A careful study of this material could make a big difference in how you think about the security of your home and family.

Home security and personal safety are very important topics that you need to know about whether you are a home owner or an apartment renter. You always want your home, your family and your belongings protected. In order to do that you will need to follow some specific security steps that will allow you to prevent any possible burglary attempt or to stop the one in progress. Your budget does play an important role in the selection of various home security products. However, there are products that are available for most budget levels. If you have a lot of money to spend, you may want to install a full blown security system that consists of many different security devices. But even with little money to spend you can still install a less costly basic security system and follow basic crime preventive measures.

Let's look at some of those basic preventative measures...

First of all you should make sure that the outer perimeter of your home is free of obtrusive landscaping or other items that might provide concealment for a burglar. While privacy fences do protect your privacy from prying eyes, they also provide burglars easy access to your home while being able to avoid detection from nearby neighbors or those passing by. Trees and shrubs can also work in the burglar's favor. Be sure to keep all shrubs properly trimmed and make sure that they don't block the view of doors, windows, etc.

The next step is to make sure that your doors and windows are locked when you are away from the house or during the night. The windows and doors should be strong enough to protect your home and should be installed with care in a professional manner. Your door and window locks need to be selected very carefully and should be very hard or impossible to pick. At the very least, each outer door should include a single-cylinder deadbolt lock. Windows usually present the most danger and should consist of a very strong glass. Regular glass can be broken very easy but there is a special reinforced glass that can be used instead. This type of glass will provide you with more protection and safety. If you have any glass doors in your house, you should definitely install the reinforced type of glass. You can also purchase sheets of protective film that can actually be placed directly over your existing windows to help reinforce them against breakage. Window locks are also important. Be sure that your windows have upgraded locks and I also suggest that you install "pegs" through the window frames.

The best advice is not to offer possible burglars easy access to your house in the first place. Many people have a bad habit of hiding their spare key somewhere near the door. It doesn't matter where the key is hidden: under the door mat, in the shed or at your work desk. If a burglar finds out where the key is, he or she will have instant access to your house. There are many ways for someone to discover your secret hiding place. They can simply see where you hide your key or the burglar may use a trial and error search method. The best idea is to never hide a spare key anywhere. You should also change the locks of your home immediately if you have lost your key or had your key stolen by someone. Good electronic locks can also provide an additional level of security but require you to keep your entrance code in secret at all times.

Speak to your neighbors about participating in a neighborhood watch program or starting one if there is no current watch program already in place. The neighborhood watch program is easy to start and will provide all the participants with so much more security. Your neighbors will be looking after your house and will notify you or police officials if there is a burglary attempt. Watch programs can also be a good preventive measure. There is less chance that a thief will try to break into the house located in an area with a neighborhood watch sign. The watch program is also very good for your personal safety since you are less likely to be attacked when your neighbors are watching after you.

The next step is to protect yourself in a case of a burglary attempt. You should have your phone near you all the times so you can call the local police department if you believe that you are in any type of danger. Have a backup supply of power to make sure that your security system does not stop working if the power is lost or shut off by the intruder. Have a motion detector light in front of your house so that you can see in advance if someone is approaching your house. This will provide you time to protect yourself and to call for help. Have a contact number of a neighbor that you trust and who you can contact in a case of an emergency. Make sure you have such things as a flashlight and some type of instruments to fix some basic problems. Access to a cell phone is always a big plus.

Copyright 2006 - Steve Zorn, Personal Safety Unlimited

Statistics Regarding Child Safety

2007-01-03T01:59:00.000-05:00

A brief search of the internet will bring up the following general statistics regarding child safety...which supports the need for realistic educational safety programs.

*two-thirds of molestations and abductions are executed by people known to the children or the children's family!
*2000 children are reported missing every day!
*One child reported missing every 40 seconds!
*725,000 children reported missing every year in the U.S.!
*1 child in 42 will become missing!
*1 in 3 girls, and 1 in 7 boys will be molested at least once by age 18!
*Typical molestor will abuse 30-60 children before being convicted the first time!
*4 million child molestors reside in the U.S.!
*An average of 1 child molestor per each square residential mile!
*500,000 children are sexually abused each year!
*Youth 12-17 are two to three times more likely than adults to be the victims of an assault, robbery, or rape, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey!
*Nearly half of all rape victims are girls under the age of 18!

Don't let your children become statistics!

Steve Zorn, ICPS
Personal Safety Unlimited

Child Abduction Prevention?-A Look At Reality! (PART 2)

2006-12-29T13:38:00.000-05:00

Child abduction prevention is a serious subject that should not be taken lightly. However, I am still amazed at the number of instructors and systems, even nationally recognized systems, that continue to promote not-so-serious techniques and strategies. As mentioned in part 1 of this article, a serious abduction prevention program will not be based on punches, kicks, or other fancy martial arts techniques. The facts of my previous article remain the same, these types of skills are next to useless for children who's potential abductors generally outweigh them by 100 pounds or more. If this truly is the case, why are such techniques still being promoted by programs around the country? There are an infinite number of possible reasons for this, here are just a few-

1) The instructor wants to believe in the program so much that he/she refuses to acknowledge the weakness of said program
2) The program is based solely on martial arts knowledge and lacks research in other fields such as learning & teaching theories, motor-skill theories, survival stress reactions, etc.
3) The material presented in the program has not been pressure-tested for practicality or effectiveness
4) The program is based on a specific martial arts system and is designed to compliment the instructor's chosen system taught within the school.

Regardless of why this practice has continued, it needs to change. Every time one of these programs is offered to unsuspecting parents & children, it creates a false sense of confidence and leads these children to believe that they are prepared for something they may not be.

To illustrate the point I would like to discuss some of the martial arts techniques commonly taught in some of these programs. While these techniques and skills appear to work great in a controlled training environment, they tend to fall apart under the stress of a real abduction attempt.

PUNCHING
Most people understand the basic concept of a punch. Basically the hand is formed into a tight fist and is used to strike at various bodily targets, while using the tops of the knuckles as a striking surface. Punching is a important component of any comprehensive martial arts curriculum. However, punching is a learned skill that requires months, years, or even longer to master. It is a skill that represents the essence of the term "Martial ARTS". Punching is, in fact, an art form in and of itself. To be an effective puncher the practitioner must possess solid kinesthetic awareness, have a fair amount of muscular strength, have an understanding of body mechanics and power development, and must be in fair physical condition. Now, if all of that isn't enough to illustrate why it's an inappropriate skill for a child abduction prevention program, let's look deeper. The hands contain the most brittle bones in the human body, while the head, the most common target for punching, contains the hardest bones in the human body. Once this is understood we can see why using the fist to punch the head, doesn't make much sense. If it doesn't make much sense for adults, why would it make any more sense for a child? Then to take this even further, the study of real adult fights has proven that some adults can take brutal punches to the head and body with little to no effect. If this is the case, how can a child be expected to punch hard enough to actually inflict enough injury on an adult abductor in order to successfully escape their grasp?

CRANE-HAND STRIKE
This is a common martial arts technique often included in children's programs. If you aren't familiar with it, the technique consists of touching the fingertips of your hand together so that the hand forms the shape of a bird beak. The combined fingertips form the striking surface, which is often directed at the eyes or other soft targets. In practice, the children strike handheld pads using this odd hand configuration. In training, it works great against large handheld targets but how effective is such a technique against real-life aggressively moving humans? That's what I would like the reader to think about. If we actually analyze the hand configuration, the target area, and the skill that's necessary to acquire said target under stress, we realize how difficult such a technique can be for an adult. While keeping this mind, how much more difficult will it be for a child who has less coordination, less motor control, less athletic ability, etc.? On top of this, consider the fact that the potential abductor will likely grab the child's arms and/or torso in an effort to carry them to a nearby vehicle or some other location. During this process it will be highly unlikely the child will have the opportunity to use this martial arts strike to effectively hit a target the size of a quarter, on an aggressively moving abductor.

PALM STRIKE
This is a simple tool that consists of directing the open palm of the hand toward the desired target area. The striking surface is generally the lower edge of the palm closest to the wrist, commonly referred to as the palm heel and the target area is generally the facial area. While I agree that this can be an effective tool for adult self-defense, it is less effective and less practical for children, especially smaller ones. Why is that? Let me tell you. In order for the palm strike to be effective it must be reinforced by a certain amount of muscular strength. Like punching, a proper palm strike requires some kinesthetic awareness and some coordination, although not to the same extent. As was implied previously, the potential abductor will likely be bigger, stronger, more coordinated, and more aggressive than their chosen victim. If such is the case, how can a child be expected to strike hard enough with the palm or accurately enough to slow, deter, or stop such a predator?

KNEE STRIKE
Like the palm strike, this is another solid technique for adult self-defense. It consists of driving the knee into the groin or other nearby target area of an attacker. However, this technique is of little value to children in potential abduction situations. Like the palm strike, a proper and effective knee strike requires a certain amount of muscular strength. On top of that, it also requires a minimum height in relation to the height of an abductor. In other words, most children will be too short to effectively apply a knee strike to the most practical target area of an abductor, the groin. If that isn't enough to illustrate how inappropriate this technique is for children, consider this, men do not always fall down in agony when they are properly and effectively struck in the groin. I have seen and heard of many cases where a man takes a full power blow to the groin but keeps on coming. While facing this reality, how can we expect children to use such a technique to effectively escape an abduction attempt?

KICKS (all variations)
This is another common martial arts technique taught in various so-called child abduction prevention programs. Essentially it consists of using the legs and feet in a variety of ways to hit various targets on an attacker. Examples might include: a front kick that targets the attacker's shin or goes straight into the groin, or a round kick that targets the attacker's knee or side of the leg. In a training environment such techniques work extremely well for children. The mock abductor allows the child to perfectly kick them in the desired target and then reacts with dramatic results. However, this is nothing like the stress and chaos of a real abduction attempt. Under stress most people have difficulty standing on one leg, which is essentially what is being done while attempting kicks. If that isn't enough, we must consider that the abductor may likely be rushing in on the child giving them little opportunity to assume their proper kicking position. In a split second the abductor will have the child securely in their arms and will be carrying them off into the unknown, all while the child attempts a technique that has been found ineffective, even for adults.

FOOT STOMP
This is another martial arts technique often taught in children's programs. A foot stomp consists of driving the heel of the foot straight down onto the desired target. In most cases, the top of the abductor's feet is the primary target while in other cases it might be the abductors hands or head if they happen to end up in a prone position during the struggle. While such a technique might have validity for adults, it is another technique that is ineffective for children. Let me ask you this, how often have you tried to stomp the foot of a friend or family member while they quickly attempt to move their feet to avoid it? If you have never tried this I would suggest doing so right now. You will quickly learn just how hard it is to stomp a foot that won't stay still. What is often overlooked in the controlled training environment is the fact that the abductor is in a hurry and they won't be standing still long enough for any child to effectively stomp on the foot or toes. Not only this, but the majority of children, especially smaller ones, will not possess the strength or body mechanics to effectively use such a technique against an adult abductor, even if they are lucky enough to hit the target.

Now that we have taken a deeper look at some of these common techniques taught to children, let me make a few points for clarification. Some of these techniques may work for older children and teens depending on the several factors such as size and strength of the victim and size & strength of the abductor. However, it seems more appropriate to give children techniques that have a higher probability of success, regardless of these factors. In other words, the children need skills that are not dependant on their physical attributes or on the physical attributes of the abductor. They need skills that have a good chance of working in most situations, most of the time without having to rely on luck. In some cases, instructors use success stories of children they have trained to promote the effectiveness of some of the techniques mentioned above. However, what the instructor neglects to mention is the situation, the physical attributes of the abductor or the victim, the percentage that the skill was used effectively, etc. etc. Instead of just taking an instructor's word for it we need to analyze the situation by using as many details as possible. We need to ask questions and make no assumptions based on the instructor's word alone. For example, a 110 pound boy successfully uses a palm strike to deter a 140 pound abductor. This simply proves that given the similarities in size and strength the palm strike was effective for the boy. Does this mean that the palm strike will be just as effective for a 60 pound girl in the same situation? Absolutely not! The point is that the techniques should be universally effective for all children and should not based on physical attributes. Even if a technique is successfully used by a child it does not automatically make it a good technique. A good technique is one that has a high probability of success regardless of the child or the situation.

If you happen to be a parent looking for solid abduction prevention skills for your child, please take all of the above into consideration. Your child's safety is a serious issue and one that should not be taken lightly. Do some homework to investigate the instructor and the material that they offer. Don't assume that just because they are an instructor that they have your child's best interest in mind. Don't assume that just because a program is offered by someone of authority or is nationally recognized that it offers the best techniques or strategies available to children.

If you happen to be an instructor offering such programs to children I ask that you seriously reflect on what has been written here and that you take the children into consideration before you teach them skills that could compromise their safety.

Copyright 2005, Personal Safety Unlimited- Steve Zorn

Is Self-Defense A Morbid Fascination?

2006-12-24T02:47:00.000-05:00

I am constantly surfing the Internet looking to improve my self-defense knowledge or for ways to network with others who have a passion for keeping people safe.

During my "travels" I see all sorts of things and hear from all kinds of people. However, some of the most absurd things I periodically see are safety-related websites covered with pictures of skulls, reapers, death, and gore.

A question that immediately comes to mind is - what does all of that death and gore have to do with self-defense and personal safety?

Personally, I see self-defense, personal safety and crime prevention as means to empowering lives. It's about making people feel safe and secure, not giving them nightmares.

Can the application of physical defensive tactics be violent? You bet! Could it lead to the death of one or more of the individuals involved in the altercation? Absolutely! This all goes without saying. However, if people tend to dwell on the negative consequences of protecting themselves, they could actually be setting themselves up for a negative outcome.

In other words, if all a person thinks about is death in regards to personal safety it could lead to a couple of possible outcomes. 1) Because of negative conditioning they automatically assume the worst...that they will die if they attempt to protect themselves. They have essentially been conditioned to give up in the face of adversity. Or 2) Because of this type of condition the polar opposite could happen. The individual could develop paranoia to the point that they overreact to situations that would be non-threatening to a reasonable person. They could actually escalate situations and even end up severely injuring or killing someone because they were conditioned to see everything as a deadly-force threat, a life or death struggle.

Owners of these websites that I speak of might say that what I am saying isn't true, but here is a little experiment to prove my point...

Right now I want you to clear your mind of all thoughts and most importantly I don't want you to think about a bright apple-red sports car. Whatever you do...DON'T think about a bright red car.

Let me ask you something...what were you just thinking about? I will venture to say that you briefly thought about some kind of red sports car. How do I know this? Simple...in order for you to NOT think about something you must first think about what it is you are NOT supposed to think about. Make sense? This is just how the mind works.

Now in regards to the pictures of skulls, reapers, and gore. If I show you these pictures on a daily basis and ask you not to think about death, what do you think is going to happen? Since you are constantly being reminded of what it is you aren't supposed to think about you will obviously have a hard time NOT thinking about it. Get the point?

The reality is that while we may sometimes be forced to use violence to protect ourselves or our families, it isn't something that should be glorified.

I suspect that instructors who paste their websites with such dark images don't truly understand the consequences of their actions.

Steve

Definition of CQC (Close Quarter Combat)

2006-12-23T12:08:00.000-05:00

The terms "Close Quarter Combat" and "CQC" are often thrown around the internet by martial artists posting to various forums or even on their websites. However, what they fail to realize is that very few non-martial artists understand what the term actually means.

So, here is my basic definition of these terms:

Close Quarter Combat is a general term coined by the various militaries of the world. However, the term has now spread throughout the law enforcement, and martial arts communities. The term is pretty much self-descriptive. It is used to represent physical engagement of a threat in a close or confined environment. More simply put, it means moving in close to the threat or the attacker so that the situation can be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible.

What makes Close Quarter Combat different from the various forms of martial arts is the fact that it is designed to efficiently neutralize the threat with any and all means necessary. Practitioners of CQC care little about the origins of the techniques and tactics, but instead care about the effectiveness of said techniques and tactics. Another thing that sets CQC apart from various martial arts is it's integration of empty-hand and weapon systems. In other words, practitioners of CQC do not favor any technique, tactic, or weapon over another. They learn to use each and every tool equally so that they can adapt to the chaotic nature of combat.

Often, martial artists are taught to confine their responses to techniques, tactics, and strategies taught only within their system. However, CQC practitioners are free to pick and choose only those techniques, tactics, and strategies that have been proven to work.

In short, CQC is about the freedom to adapt to any given situation without being confined to a specific set of stylized responses.

Steve

Personal Safety for the New Year

2006-12-22T17:10:00.000-05:00

I actually created this blog a year ago but for some reason or another got sidetracked and neglected to keep it updated.

However, as we move into the new year I am making an early resolution. I intend to start adding conent to this blog at least monthly. If time allows, even more than that.

So, I ask that you check back regularly to gain an insight into my thoughts and opinions regarding the topic of personal safety, self-defense, and crime prevention.

Until then, feel free to visit my website.

Stay safe,
Steve

Pre-Assault Indicators

2006-12-22T01:59:00.000-05:00

Here is a brief list of pre-assault indicators, or clues that a person is about to attack you-

- persistence
- talking too much
- contradictions between words and body language
- triggering intuition
- erratic eye movements / target glancing
- erratic head movements
- facial color
- erratic or increased breathing
- bulging veins
- agitation / fidgeting
- poor judgement
- paranoia / defensiveness
- nervous confusion
- threatening and/or abusive language

Study them and learn to recognize these indicators before a situation becomes an actual assault.

Copyright 2005, Steve Zorn - Personal Safety Unlimited

Child Abduction Prevention?- A Look At Reality! (PART 1)

2006-01-28T00:48:00.000-05:00

There are literally hundreds of martial arts schools and instructors out there offering courses on child abduction prevention. On the surface this appears to be a good thing. However, the problem is that not all of these schools or instructors are qualified to offer such courses and their courses do not always reflect "reality". This is a fact and once we realize this we have to then determine what makes an instructor qualified to offer certain material. For one, the instructor has to have a strong desire to actually help both the parents and the children. If the instructor actually does have this desire then he or she will do everything in their power to bring the students the latest and and most advanced material in the particular field. The instructor will make absolutely sure that the material offered holds up to the "reality" of the situation, in this case it must hold up under the stress of an actual abduction attempt. If the material doesn't appear to be based on this "reality" then I would suggest finding another instructor. As an example, a martial arts instructor in a nearby town is offering so-called child abduction prevention classes. Some how this instructor cohursed the local news channel into doing a segment on his school and his classes. During the interview the instructor states that his classes are based on teaching the children how to punch and kick. He claims that punching and kicking is the key to children surviving abduction attempts. This is absolutely an absurd idea and any instructor teaching such nonsense is being negligent to their students as well as the parents and in my mind, commiting a criminal act. The majority of techniques taught in martial arts schools are absolutely useless for child abduction prevention and this includes punches and kicks. The fact is, the majority of child abductors are both larger and stronger than the children they abduct. This means that children will most likely be unable to effectively employ punches and kicks to escape such a situation. Anyone teaching such tactics to children has never had to face a violent situation where the use of force was a requirement to their survival. If they had, they would know that it's difficult for a large adult to effectively use punches and kicks in such situations. This being the case, how can they expect a child to effectively use such tactics??

The next thing that qualifies an instructor to offer "reality-based" child abduction prevention classes is the possession of a solid background in both martial arts and various areas of self-defense and security. Being a black belt instructor in one style of martial arts does not automatically qualify anyone to teach child abduction prevention, in fact it doesn't even qualify them to teach basic self-defense. The key is finding those instructors that have invested years of dedicated research into the field of child abduction prevention or have pursued instructor certification with reputable organizations who specialize in this particular area. Also It must be pointed out that there is a big difference between martial arts and self-defense and any solid self-defense program will only loosely be based upon any particular style of martial arts. To that end, child abduction prevention, which is a form of specialized self-defense, should not remotely resemble a martial arts program. If it does, find another instructor.

Lastly, financial gain should not be a priority of any credible instructor. In fact most credible instructors will be conducting such courses for free in order to agressively help the parents and children in their communities. However, it's not uncommon for an instructor to charge a small fee for their valuable time and possibly to cover the charges of various program handouts. If the instructor is charging an unreasonable amount for such a service or if it seems that finacial gain is a top priority, find another instructor.

In closing, child abduction prevention is ultimately the responsibility of parents. With this understanding they should seek out qualified instructors to help them gain a better understanding of the subject and learn how they can keep their children safe. They should also learn what to look for in a qualified instructor and choose such an instructor wisely. The end result can be either positive or negative, based upon these choices. Remember, we are talking about the safety of children here!

Copyright 2004, Personal Safety Unlimited- Steve Zorn

Modern Components of Reality-Based Self-Defense!

2006-01-01T23:43:00.000-05:00

There are literally thousands of martial arts, self-defense, and close quarter combat systems out there. All of them have their place and each offers a different perspective which essentially depends on the goal of the student. For example, if the student's interest is in cultural traditions and historical applications of a chosen style/system, they should choose a style/system which emphasizes these particular aspects. However, if the student's interest is in self-defense they should also choose a style/system accordingly.

If your primary interest is in reality-based self-defense, you should be aware that there are a few primary components which should make up such a system. If any one of these components is left out it could ultimately compromise your ability to protect yourself or your loved-ones.

There are 5 primary components of any "reality" system and a few secondary components. These components together represent a complete and comprehensive reality-based self-defense methodology. The components are as follows-

1) Mind-Set - the willingness and determination to do whatever it takes to survive a violent situation is one of the most important components of real self-defense. Before a student can successfully utilize physical skills to protect themselves they must prepare mentally. This mental preparartion is the key to reality-based self-defense.

2) Awareness - the ability to oberserve the world around us is far more important than any physical self-defense skill. By properly using awareness skills, most people can completetly avoid potentially violant situations before they happen. Awareness skills include internal awareness, external awareness, general observation skills, and common-sense strategies such as learning how to not look, act, or think like a victim.

3) Basics- this obviously includes blocks, stikes, kicks, as well foundational concepts principles, and theories. The basics include the study of weapon techniques as well as empty-hand techniques. The techniques should be based upon simple gross-motor skills which can be used effectively under the stress of combat.

Obviously, all self-defense and martial arts systems contain the basics. Although, there may be different basics taught by different systems generally they all offer some solid techniques somewhere within their curriculums. The key is to learn which basics are actually functional in life-or-death altercations and which ones are not.

4) Skill & Combat Drills- this includes simple skill developing drills which are used to build skills and attributes that can't be developed as efficiently by other means. Attributes include things such as speed, power, coordination, endurance, "flow", conditioning, sensitivity, and others.

Skill and combat drills have been a topic of debate for some "reality" instructors. Some of these instructors and systems tend to focus on basics and scenarios, claiming that drills have no place in a reality-based curriculums. However, the fact is that without drills these systems will never allow a student to develop to their maximum potential. As mentioned above, drills develop attributes that are needed to survive life-or-death altercations. Any system that neglects these attributes is simply neglecting the student, PERIOD. To put it in perspective it must be pointed out that all modern sports and modern athletes use drills to develop attributes. All modern military branches and soldiers use drills to develop attributes. All academic schools in this country use drills to develop attributes. If your so-called "reality" instructor is slamming drills or slamming those systems that teach drills, it's time to find another instructor.

5) Combat Scenarios- this includes scenarios and situations based on what really happens in the world. They can include scenarios involving robbery, rape, and other vicious physical attacks. The key to scenario training is to make it as realistic as possible while avoiding injury to yourself or your training partners. To make scenarios realistic we need to avoid the common martial arts situations and focus on what is seen out on the street. This means eliminating the commonly taught "mount" and "guard' positions taught in martial arts ground fighting because they have little functional use out on the street. We should know how to deal with them just in case but instead of training for them why not train to avoid them alltogether?

Scenarios are taught by a majority of styles and systems. However, the key to "reality" training is how those scenarios are taught and how they are used to develop the practitioner's combative skills. First, the scenarios need to be based on real-life attacks. The "traditonal" self-defense scenarios versus wrist grabs, for example, are ok to teach beginners but the truth is such scenarios do not reflect reality. Traditional ground-fighting positions do not reflect reality, traditional defenses versus karate-style straight punches do not reflect reality. To develop reality-based scenarios simply study real-life attacks and build scenarios around such attacks. The key is to progressivley increase the reality and intensity of the scenarios to the point of being as close to real-life as possible without the negative consequences such as injury or death.

The above five components should represent the foundation of any reality-based self-defense style, system, or course. Along with these foundational components we need to include physical conditioning and crime prevention.

The study of all of these components will provide the student with the knowledge and skill that's needed to survive violent situations.

Now that we have an idea as to what should be included in a reality-based self-defense curriculum let's take a look at some things which should not be present-

Uniforms- Although uniforms may have their place in a comprehensive cultural-based martial arts systems, they have no place in "reality-based" training. Simply put, to replicate reality we must train in the clothes we will most likely be wearing at the time of assault, if we are unlucky enough to be assaulted.

Punches- As mentioned, if your goal is to learn every facet of martial arts then punching skills definitely have their place. However, if the goal is to learn quick methods of street survival, pass on the punching. The reasoning is simple, punching is a learned skill that takes months, sometimes years, to master. Once mastered there are still no guarantees that the practitioner won't severly damage their hands when they need them the most, while being assaulted. Remember, the head contains the hardest bones in the human body, while the hands contain the weakest bones in the human body. Even with this common-sense understanding, it still amazes me how many "self-defense" courses emphasize punching skills over simpler and more effective techniques.

Traditional Blocks- Although the traditional blocks taught in many martial arts systems tend to work great in a controlled training environment they seem to lose their effectiveness out on the street, especially for those with less training under their belts. Chaotic assaults tend to cause a physiological response in humans. This response, refered to as the fight or flight response, tends to override some of the body mechanics learned through martial arts. In other words, some of these blocks do not respresent our natural physiological response to actual real-life assaults. This may lead to conflict between the body's natural ingrained response and the trained response found through martial arts. Simply put, this may lead to a delayed physical & mental reaction to the threat which could lead to a negative outcome for the good guy.

Traditional Kicks- These are a necessity for comprehensive martial arts training, but are next to useless for real self-defense. Under the chaos of an assault, the act of standing can become difficult enough without having to worry about balancing on one leg. Remember, the feet are the foundation for the torso, if the foundation is weak so is everything else. Does this mean that kicks should not be included in a reality-based training program? It doesn't mean that at all but it does mean that we should limit the kicks to simplest and most effective ones, which includes the knee stike, the stomp kick, maybe a low front kick, and possibly a low round kick.

Traditional Ground Fighting- As mentioned previously in this article, ground fighting is needed to become a comprehenisve martial artist. However, the need for "traditional" ground fighting in real self-defense is pretty slim. If a person finds themselves on the ground during an assault their goal should be to get back to their feet as quickly as possible in order to escape safely. The longer a person stays on the ground the greater the chances of severe injury or even death. Traditional ground fighting tactics emphasize locks, holds, submissions, and just plain wrestling, while reality-based ground tactics emphasize simple and efficient survival methods designed to enhance the ability to escape.

These are just a few of the components that are not needed in order to survive real-world assaults. If self-defense is your primary reason for seeking out a training course, be sure that self-defense is what you are getting. Discuss your needs with the potential instructor. Be sure to ask questions and make sure you get the proper answers to those questions. If the instructor gives you the run-a-round or overlooks your questions, find another instructor. If you use this article as a guideline, you can't go wrong.

Copyright© 2004- Steve Zorn, Personal Safety Unlimited

About the author: Steve Zorn has been a student of the martial arts & self-defense for 16 years. He currently travels to offer private lessons and seminars on all aspects of "reality-based" self-defense.