IMPROVISED WEAPONS FOR SELF-DEFENCE

In an interview recently, I was asked what my opinion on what improvised weapons should be used in a self-defence situation. As a broad guideline, an improvised weapon is an every-day item that can create a greater impact by being swung, thrust or thrown/projected at an aggressor.

As with any self-defence training, there are 3 aspects in using any improvised weapons:

1. Know what tool to use

2. Know what target to strike at

3. Know how to use the tools to strike at the target.

In this post, I will only focus on point 1, "know what tools to use".

When selecting a tool, anything that is around you that fits one or more of the following criteria is a valid improvised weapon:

• Items that are hard and will allow you to use at a distance (an arms-length or greater) against an aggressor. This implies you also need to be able to either lift it up or be able to move it around.

• Items that are small, but hard enough to allow you to apply pressure on it against an aggressor without breaking on impact in close-range (within an arms-length).

• Items that are easily accessible under a high-pressured situation.

Here are also some general guild lines on things to avoid using as an improvised weapon:

• Items that you will need immediately after the incident has occurred.

• Items that you do not want damaged, stolen or lost.

• Items that are hard to reach when the incident occurs.

Car key, for instance, is not an ideal choice for an improvised weapon. If you are in a remote area and get attacked whist in or walking to your car, you do not want to risk losing or damaging your car keys during the struggle with an aggressor.

Cell phones are other items to avoid. If you get injured or have to call the police or a loved one to tell them of the incident, your injuries and/or your whereabouts, you want to ensure that you have a working cell phone handy.

Of course, in the heat of the moment, you may reach for the closest items that are available to you, which may be the car keys or cell phone. If this is the case, you just need to do what is necessary to deal with the immediate threat with whatever means possible. This will mean that you may be without your car keys or phone after the situation, which may on its own be another problem. One way to mitigate this risk is to carry suitable "weapons" that can be used in a self-defence situation. It should be items that you have consciously decided that you will use on an aggressor, should the need arise. Furthermore, it should be items that you have practiced accessing and using under a pressurised situation.

One of the favourite "improvised weapons" that I have often heard and read about for women, are her high-heel shoes. Unless you are comfortable wearing and using high-heel shoes in a situation that will require you to move and kick in these shoes, I personally would not recommend removing them as an improvised weapon to strike an aggressor. Why? Well for starters, most high-heel shoes that I have seen on women have a strap on them to secure the shoes to the feet. This could take some time to remove and hence, goes against the principle of, "must be easily accessible". Furthermore, it compromises her balance as she would have to have to balance on one leg whilst trying to fend off an aggressor or even just to try and get away from the threat! Besides being prone to ankle injuries or losing her own balance and failing (which is definitely not ideal when being attacked), being off-balanced would seriously reduce her chances of being able to handle a self-defence incident.

Let’s look now at a few suggested improvised weapons that one could use in various environments. This list is by no means exhaustive, but, they do follow the guidelines above for selecting a suitable weapon:

At home:  Broom stick, umbrella, dog leash + chain, books, hard files, electric tooth brush, furniture, pot plants, dustbin, ash tray, ornaments, kettle cords, boiling water, rolled up magazine/newspaper, pepper/curry powder, pots & pans, knives, flasks, torch, garden tool, scissors, screw drivers, insecticide, etc..

While traveling in own vehicle: CD's, CD covers, fire extinguisher, cigarette lighter, traffic triangle, car jack, spanner, car tool set, steering lock, first aid kit, water bottles, etc...

Walking about in a shopping mall, to your vehicle, or using public transport: water bottle, walking stick, umbrella, jacket, belt, comb, cigarette lighter, deodorant, groceries, baby pram (minus the baby), etc.. 

An underlying theme in all of this is to have a self-defence ATTITUDE, which is basically, having the mental and emotional capabilities of using the correct tools to strike effectively at the correct targets, when the need arise.

Feel free to look around your environment and scrutinize what you carry and use every day and determine whether or not it would be a suitable tool for self-defence or not.  Furthermore, be sure also to practice accessing and using those items you find suitable - you never know when and where you might need an improvised weapon! If you are serious about your safety, I would suggest seeking out a suitable self-defence instructor that can explain the principles of self-defence to you, as well as empower you with the knowledge and skills relevant for your circumstances.

Till next time, be safe!

Get EDUCATED. Feel EMPOWERED. Live a FULLY-ENGAGED life!

FOOD FOR CRIMINALS - SURPRISE, FEAR, DOUBT, HESITATION

In Kendo (the Japanese art of swordmanship), there is a term called "shikai", or the four illnesses of the heart. These are: "kyo-ku-gi-waku", or "surprise, fear, doubt, hesitation".

In a brief analysis, I will attempt to explain the kendo concepts together with my understanding of self-defence:

SURPRISE will happen when someone breaks the other's mental or physical composure and is able to strike at them while off-guard. In self-defence, this is particularly true for people who are not aware of their surroundings and walk around with pink-tinted glasses. Criminals look for these type of potential victims, who, inevitable giving a statement to police such as, "He just appeared out of nowhere", or "It all happened so fast! I never saw what hit me!"

FEAR is when the one feels threatened by an opponent’s perceived skill or superiority. In a self-defence context, criminals will use fear to intimidate their victims in order to gain compliance. Criminals use a number of methods to induce fear, including verbal threats, physical violence, weapons such as firearms or knives or multiple attackers.

DOUBT is when one is unsure of their own ability and/or effectiveness of their technique. This can be the result of firstly, not even being aware of what to do in a self-defence situation, or secondly, from a lack of effective self-defence training. Irrespective, the outcome is that doubting ones capabilities or abilities leads to ineffective skills to be able to protect one’s self and one’s loved ones.

HESITATION is about the lack of commitment of an attack when an opportunity is presented or created. In self-defence, there sometimes might be a very small window of opportunity to be able to avoid, escape or strike a potential threat. A more proactive approach is to create these opportunities (which will be discussed in a later post). Hesitation in either case could mean one either lives or dies.

The Kendo method of countering "shikai" is by training to have "heijoshin", or "normal mind", which is a "calm, constant or unfettered mind". 

From a self-defence perspective, this "normal mind" can be cultivated through relevant education on crime-related topics, appropriate self-defence training so that one will feel empowered, and lastly, positively engaging in those activities that not only bring joy to your life, but also benefit society as a whole.

In summary, these 4 traits are among many others that a criminals looks for in a victim. The good news is that, through relevant training, one can reduce, and even eliminate these traits, thereby creating a self-defence barrier around them that will be off-putting for most criminals.

A lot can be learnt from the traditional martial arts, but the context will set the relevance of it for this modern day and age.

Get EDUCATED. Feel EMPOWERED. Live a FULLY-ENGAGED life.

Reference article: https://kendoinfo.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/the-four-sicknesses-shikai-is-there-a-cure/

For more info on Kendo in South Africa, please go to www.sakf.co.za.