By: H Joshua Warren
Article Word Count: 727
There are many so-called "rules", "principles", and other "guidelines" for self defense. To one degree or another, they are all effective and useful. However, if you ignore this "First Rule" of self protection, your ability to successfully defend yourself against a violent assault becomes degraded, if not impossible. The reason is simple: bad guys don't play by a set of rules. Neither should we.
It is unfortunate, but many of you reading this either already have been, or will be, involved in some kind of assault in which your very life is threatened or there is a threat of severe injury. For women, the likelihood is even greater. Unfortunately, there is a very good chance your assailant will be taller, heavier, stronger, and faster than you are. Worse yet, he may have a partner. Criminals always attempt to stack the deck in their favor.
To counter this, you must employ every resource at your disposal. That is why a comprehensive approach is necessary and why you must prepare now to use that approach.
When an attack occurs, the preferred outcome is that you are not harmed and that the attacker is stopped in his tracks and eventually brought to justice. However, unless you are prepared for the ugly nature of a violent attack and are willing and able to respond in kind, you are at a distinct disadvantage. So, understanding that there are no rules in self defense requires that you undergo a fundamental shift in how you think about the nature of violence itself.
Most of us think of violence as something only "bad" people do. Good people "defend" themselves. Well, that kind of thinking can get you killed. "Violence" is simply a tool, and like all tools, can be use for good or evil. When an assault is imminent, Instead of "defending" yourself, which puts you at a disadvantage, you should instead, be thinking how to violently put an end to the assault. Period. That does not make you "bad" to do so. Your goal should be to make your assailant regret choosing you as his target that day. Let's be clear about this.
There are many available options for self defense. Martial arts training, defensive tools and devices (pepper spray, stun guns, etc.), home protection equipment, (hidden cameras, alarms, etc.). Which of these is the best is a subject of fierce debate in the self defense universe. Some say, "martial arts". Others would not be without their pepper spray or a stun gun. My response? It depends on a variety of factors, but regardless of those factors, you should be competent and prepared in all areas.
Martial arts training can be very beneficial and should be a part of your overall strategy. However, you must understand that a traditional martial arts training regimen, in all likelihood, will be inadequate for your immediate self protection needs. This is because, in most arts, it generally takes several years of regular training to become proficient enough to use your skills effectively in dealing with a violent assault.
A better alternative is to seek out a self defense training program that focuses on simple to learn, easy to retain, highly effective techniques and principles for immediate use. Such a program must allow a smaller, physically weaker person to be able to fend off an attack by a stronger, more powerful assailant. Also, this training should be able to be learned in a relatively short period of time...usually no more than a week or so. Once armed with these practical skills, only then should you undertake the long-term traditional training found in most martial arts systems. Remember, the goal is to be able to defend yourself now, not years later.
There may be times and situations in which a martial arts response may be impossible or ill-advised. An example might be if you had recently sustained a debilitating injury. Or, perhaps you are facing multiple attackers. In either of these situations maybe the use of a pepper spray, a stun device, or even a personal alarm would be better.
None of these provides complete protection at all times and in all places. Yet, each of them should be a part of a comprehensive self protection strategy. A comprehensive self protection strategy is the foundational framework upon which all successful self defense must rest. Remember, "There are No Rules".
H. Joshua Warren
Precision Self Defense & Security Solutions
"Because Your Safety Matters"
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