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The Cascading Effect of Vulnerability In Self Defense

Murphy’s Law

I’m sure most of you have heard of this before, but for those of you who haven’t, Murphy’s Law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. This is especially true when it comes to self-defense and survival. In this article I want to explore what I am calling the “cascading effect of vulnerability”, why it should matter to you, and what Murphy’s Law has to do with it. But to do that we must first discuss how the typical self-defense situation unfolds on the street and why it occurs in the first place.

It All Starts With A Criminal

The criminal by definition initiates the self-defense situation. In order for an attack to happen you need at least two people, an attacker and a target. The target is chosen based on a number of factors.

Here are the typical reasons for “random” criminal attacks (this is different from a predator/stalker situation or a home invasion):

  1. Gain: The criminal is looking for something. It’s usually a financial gain. They want something of yours that they can take and pawn for cash so they can get high. It could also be to get respect from their peers by proving they are tough. Then there’s sexual assault. In all cases, the criminal wants something and to get it the victim needs to be overpowered. For the typical financial gain attack there is little we can do. Nearly all “average” Americans are going to have something valuable on their person at all times. Flaunting expensive purses or a Rolex watch only sweetens the pot. It would be prudent to leave those items at home in certain instances.
  2. Ease of Acquisition: Criminals pick easy targets. Of all the people who’ve walked down the street that day, why is one person chosen over the others? Of course there is some amount randomness involved, but at the end of the day the person who gets attacked looked like an easier target than the previous potential targets.
  3. Opportunity: You could simply say that sometimes you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Isolation is key here. If you are in an empty area, with nobody else at your side, the criminal only has to overtake you, clean and simple. There are no bystanders to intervene on your behalf and you’re probably on his home turf. He knows this secluded location better than you. It could also be a really densely populated area where the criminal knows the chaos and confusion will make his get-away possible.

Those 3 pretty much sum it up. If you have something the criminal wants (hard to avoid), look like an easy target (partially in our control), and happened to wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time (also partially in our control), you are really in for it like a fresh piece of meat dangling over the shark tank.

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The Harsh Truth

You’re probably thinking, “No person in their right mind would put themselves in that kind of danger on purpose,” and you’re right, but people find themselves in these kinds of situations every day. Some people are robbed and walk home with injured pride and anxiety they will deal with for a long time. Some are murdered in cold blood for 50 bucks or a nice looking watch. Others are sexually assaulted and carry physical and emotional scars for the rest of their lives.

The truth is, many of these situations can be prevented. There is usually a small mistake in judgement made or an accidental situation that spirals out of control.

The Cascade of Vulnerability

That’s where the cascade comes in. One small error leads to another. One problem turns into two. The simplest example of this would be running out of gas in a very bad area of town. Most people would never make this mistake, but it does a great job of illustrating the point.

So there you are, engine sputtering, looking for a place to pull off and park. It’s night time, you are out of town, and maybe you didn’t even know this was a bad area until you arrived. Any potential criminal watching you silently coast into a parking lot is already frothing at the mouth. An easy mark. You are vulnerable and he knows it. He is eyeing your vehicle and your clothing, already counting his winnings.

Why Are You Vulnerable?

You have lost your transportation. He’s going to watch very closely to see what you do next. Cars are great protection. Lock the doors and roll up the windows and a criminal really has to make a scene to hurt you, which makes you the opposite of the quick and easy target he’s looking for.

While sitting in your car, you start to call Auto Club for roadside assistance. One ring and then silence. Sh*t your phone just died. Better plug it into the charger. You dig around the console, but it’s not there. Your teenager must have snagged it. Now you’ve lost your transportation and your only method of communication. This is where things really start to snowball.

Pause For A Moment

Three small, completely unrelated mistakes were made.

  1. You let your car run out of gas (lack of planning).
  2. Your phone died (lack of planning).
  3. You don’t have your charger (lack of planning).

Seeing a pattern? Now your only choice is to leave your car and walk somewhere to ask for help. The criminal who has been watching this whole scene unfold is now ready for action. You’ve just opened your door, and he’s going to play the part of the savior.

He starts walking over, “Hey man, you need some help?”

You are a little bit wary as he approaches, but you don’t ask him to keep his distance. You’re hoping he’s going to help you out and let you use his phone. The look on your face is relief.

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Pause Again

If you had confidently ordered the approaching man to stay back and maintained control of your personal space, you would have planted the seed in the attacker’s mind that you weren’t going to go down without a fight and he would’ve started thinking twice.

But you didn’t stop him and both your posture and facial expressions are exuding vulnerability. Pretty soon he’s standing right in front of you and you are in serious danger…

Okay, okay… Enough of the overly dramatic story. You know all the very bad possibilities from that point on.

The Take Away

Here’s the take away- There were numerous mistakes made by the victim in this scenario. None of them are that big of a deal on their own, but when compounded they could become deadly. With each mistake the victim became more and more vulnerable, and once the bad situation occurred, the victim was more concerned with ending the predicament than worrying about their security.

They were overly hopeful that a kind stranger would help, and 9 times out of 10 they’d probably be right. It’s the easy thing to do. Wouldn’t it be great if we could rely on the kindness of strangers? You can if you have to, but do so cautiously and strategically, and avoid it whenever possible.

So how do your prevent the cascade of vulnerability?

First off, be prepared, especially when you are outside your daily routine or not on your home turf. If your car broke down on your way to work you’d know exactly where the next reputable business was because you’ve driven that route hundreds of times.

Take extra care to make sure you are prepared when you go to new places. Get a lay of the land. Ask about the bad areas of town. Charge your phone at every available opportunity. Never let your gas tank get down below ¼ tank. Always control your personal space, it’s your last line of defense.

The list goes on. We all know what we should do, and we’re all guilty of not doing it all the time. It’s laziness, running late, or lack of discipline that leads to these small mistakes. Most are avoidable and ultimately paying attention to all the details will probably save you time and effort in the long run. Not to mention it could save your life.

Hindsight may be 20/20, but foresight is priceless. It’s a habit anyone can develop. Quickly think of all the things that could go wrong and take the steps needed to avoid them when possible. Not all bad situations are avoidable, but most are.

You can still go to new places and do adventurous, out-of-the-ordinary things, just be prepared. Don’t be the sucker who gets targeted.

A lot of the signals that make someone a target are given off inadvertently and unknowingly by the victim. Victims never deserve to be attacked. Victim blaming is wrong and counterproductive, so don’t mistake this post as being in favor of it. But at the end of the day we are all responsible for our own security. There are bad people in every society and learning to think like a criminal allows us to avoid falling prey to their nefarious ways.

Let me know if you’ve ever experienced a “cascade of vulnerability.” How did it turn out for you? What steps did you take to make it out successfully? If it ended badly, what could you have done differently?

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198 thoughts on “The Cascading Effect of Vulnerability In Self Defense”

  1. most criminals stop at the sight of my .45 looking at them. Some even heard him speak , those who do – RUN . Never to be heard from again.

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  2. Good advice, no doubt. Awareness is key, also. See so many people at transit stops or walking down the sidewalk with their face buried in a smart phone (makes me wonder what makes them so “smart”). There is not going to be a cop or knight in shining armor to save you 24/7. So, WAKE UP and maybe you will not be the next VICTIM…

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  3. Most of the time a single attacker will have a weapon of some kind. They need to make their encounter with maximum effectiveness and speed. Normally they will pull the weapon out beyond arms reach so any martial arts one may know is not going to come into play if it’s a gun. In that scenario it’s best to just give them your valuables and both say a word. Most of the time they will take it and go away. It’s not worth your life. The few encounters I have been in has always been with two or more attackers. Their confidence comes more from numbers. They will tell you what they want and what they will do or just come up on you and start their ritual beating. Sun Tzu states you must appear strong when weak. When you get out of your car have a jacket on and make the appearance you are adjusting a gun under your armpit. Do this anyway if you have a gun. The element of surprise isn’t always the best answer if you are not trained to use that tactic. Prevention can be better. If I a folding knife I open it in my pocket and keep it out of site until I need it. K owing how to close the distance is important if you know this is a bad situation. Attack first if they ask for your valuables and you have the feeling they want to hurt you anyway. Just remember there is a strong possibility you will be arrested and taken to jail if you use a weapon of any kind even in self defense. In any case of an attack whether you walk away with or without your valuables it’s going to affect your life in a profound way. Be smart and be prepared in any surrounding and you can give yourself an advantage over an attacker.

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  4. Very good Bob, people have to think ahead! Do not put yourself into these dyer situations! Fill the tank, charge your phone, have weapon, namely a gun?! R. Ray

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  5. Thanks for the forum on the cascading vulnerability effect. It makes a great deal of sense to try to think about scenarios during which you could find yourself in a bad situation and decide what you can do to avoid them in the first place or, failing that, to decide how you will prepare yourself beforehand to survive. Do not let anyone tell you that you are paranoid for doing this. Most anyone will tell you that foresight is much better than hindsight. Use your head to stay prepared and stay safe out there!

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  6. These free items you offer me,how much would it cost to be sent to the United Kingdom?This includes the video/DVD’ s, not sure that the knives would be allowed in to my country.

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  8. The three reasons why criminals attack is good. I have always simply summed it up as “All criminals are opportunists.” They want the short-cut, the easy target. Criminals are COWARDS/bullies. They prey only on what they think is weakest/most vulnerable.

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  9. I try to be aware of everything around me. I am 66 disabled and I carry a 45 and a very good shot. and I will shoot some punk that tries to get me. I watch the self ldefense lessons some I cant do but learn from them.

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  10. Some really good points to consider, plenty to talk about & try and find solutions that these occurancies never happen, if they do solutions to stop situations getting out of control.

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  12. Criminals spot their preys by the way they look or act when stranded.Bob, just as you said thinking like a criminal yourself makes it difficult to be a victim to them. Be active and ongoing even wherever you find yourself.
    Thanks Bob, for your self defense articles.

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  15. In my younger day, when I could get around with the aid of a cane, I worked on power conditioning equipment. I got called out one night on a down unite at a hospital. Luck would have it the part that I needed was at the warehouse. That area was ok in the day time, but at night it was dark unlit area with nobody around. I came out of the warehouse heading for my truck and out of nowhere came this guy following me. I kept walking while he was talking cause I had a 38 revolver that fit in a pocket on the front of the driver seat. He was wanting some money to buy some diapers for his baby girl. Also he was carrying a brown paper bag. I got to my truck and opened the door and had my hand on my gun. I turned around to see him with his hand in that bag. A few words went back and forth and I finally decided to call his bluff cause he was getting more demanding. I told him that I didn’t know what he had in that bag but my other hand had a 38 in it, so it was time for him to call my bluff or shut up and get the hell out of here before I have to blow your ass off. He turned around and left. To this day I wonder if he had a gun and he is probably wondering the same thing.

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  16. Excellent advice. Look like you know where you are going, look angry at the world, Like you’re ready to kick butt then take names, and before all that, be prepared.

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  18. Wow! I know that you are correct and it amazes me that people are so careless. My tank is hardly ever more than 1/2 to 3/4 empty. I carry 2 phone charges in my car. I am the guy who walks out of the store at night and looks around for persons just standing around. I almost always carry my keys with one key held between my fingers and my fist clenched-makes a great impromptu weapon. I look in the back seat before I get in and always lock my doors. I guess I am the exception. My martial arts instructor and my concealed carry instructor called it “situational awareness”.

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  20. I’ve been in this exact position, albeit many years ago with cellular devices not yet developed to the scale they are now. I broke down in a rough part of town and was approached by a man who was looking for an easy victim. He did not find it in me instead he found himself face down on the street begging me to not break his arm. If I had the control back then that years of training and experience have given me, I might have let him go rather than snapping his arm after taking his knife away from him. I let him run away after and I ran the other way. Luckily there was a gas station still open and the clerk let me call my Dad. I was 17 years old and that was my first experience with a would be robber.

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  21. When in doubt I have used a booming voice
    And this will change the moment and give anyone pause. At that moment I act swiftly.

    I always have a spare bag packed in every vehicle. If I screw up my planning saves the day.
    Food, water, warm clothing, weapons, batteries, Chargers, iPhone and Android,
    Little cash, soap and a towel ( this is also a good weapon.Jumper cables and a leather man or Gerber.
    I always pack this in the girls cars.

    Myself I actually grew up in Lewiston,Me , I am a weapon…and I enjoy a little adrenaline.
    When a criminal has picked me it has ended Very bad for them.
    I am not a good choice for a bad guy.

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  22. Great article will share with others. I have learned a lot of self defense manuevers by watching your you tube videos and ordering some of your DVDs. Appreciate fight fast.com.

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  25. Wow what you have written bob is exactly right on the money and I feel that everyone should develop this strategies I always think ahead where ever I go and take the necessary things that I need just in case. It doesn’t take a lot of time to plan ahead and it is better than being dead.
    Great work as always bob Thankyou

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  26. If you feel like you’re being followed at night and you’re scared that’s fine start talking to yourself and acting a little crazy trust me they will leave you alone because I’ve heard this from criminals themselves someone they can’t predict what that person will do they will leave them alone because they want it simple fast and nasty

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  27. My Degree is in Criminal Justice. So. I can verify the information all the way. Essentially criminals are predators and like predators in nature, they try to cull out the easy mark. that means the elderly, young, women, sick, and anybody else who won’t give them too much trouble. So one either has to be a grey man or look like they won’t be an easy “kill.” I am told that despite my obesity and obvious bad health I do project the kind of genuine confidence and dangerous that even an experienced martial artist is wary of mixing it up with me.

    But planning is the key, as the author states. Remember ole Miyagi’s maxim, “the best not to get punched is no be there?” Don’t get into such a situation in the first place and if it does happen despite your efforts project the kind of confidence will make the experienced predator think twice before risking getting kicked to the curb themselves. That comes from learning how to handle oneself in a fight to win and practicing it to the point that you don’t even have to think about it. that will instill the right kind of confidence a predator will recognize.

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  28. Very interesting and I agree completely.
    I’m a large man, I usually exude confidence. The only time a criminal has tried to attack me was when I had a toothache. I probably looked distressed and potentially like a target. He actually got a punch in before, like a bear with a sore tooth, I retaliated. He got away but a call to the police got him caught mugging an old lady about 1/4 of a mile away. He got a prison term and I got £400 compensation. Paid for the dentist. Result.

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  29. Not to long ago I was in one of the worst places there is an my truck had broken down. my employer was driving by an saw me with hood up an got to where I was rolled down his window asked if he could give me a ride home, I said ahh it good I just called a wrecker an it will be about an hour, my coworker said well come on i’l give you a ride, again I said that ok I will be ok an I will see you the next day. his concern was he thought that I was crazy to not be worried about where I was, an I reassured him that all was just fine.. Well it took the wrecker almost 3 hours to get my truck. I wish for you to know that during this entire time I was out there I was being sized up from many different folks of distaste an though it may of have been the best of ideas it is the way I have been my entire life. Not once did any of these problem folk ever get within 50 feet of me, several walk around at a great distance crossed the street an then re crossed to o void me as much as possible. I never showed a bit of weakness even when some wish to have a staring contest with in a minute of one I would give them a slight grin an look just a bit away but not out of site. my co worker was surprised to see me the next day he just knew I was going to get in to some trouble.

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  30. I’m a 67-years old White gentleman. I’ve suffered strokes, have a bad cardiopulmonary condition, exacerbated COPD, on oxygen most of the time, and I’m in a power wheelchair unable to walk/use my legs.

    For some time now I’ve been preyed upon by a Black family, principally 2 sobs in their early 20s, and their monstrous mother. All three are very slow intellectually, as well as have very serious psych issues. Of course, they’re also of just plain malicious and narcissistic character. They threaten, assault, steal from me, and rob me at every turn; often in my own home.

    Your courses are nice but of zero benefit to me. I direly need somebody to personally teach me how to defend against these terrible animals, and others like them. On Social Security I don’t have money to hire a guard and soforth. A felony nearly 40-years ago in my rebellious youth, I’m unable to have a gun or any other weapon.

    Can you come help me learn to beat them off me, or know someone willing and able? You can send this to them. This is actually his spouse relaying this to you from him. I essentially handle all phone texts and stuff for him. He’s genuinely a very good gentleman, loving and kind, which seems to be a way too rare bird these days.

    Best wishes,

    Drew for Dean

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  31. I don’t have a specific example but I don’t live in a safe area and I live alone. I would take control of the situation as much as is possible without appearing over confident. I would approach the criminal, make eye contact, ask your question, (directions, etc.) and appear annoyed that you’ve got yourself in this situation (ie., car died, phone not charged, etc.). I think if you don’t act vulnerable then you have a greater chance of being safe.

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  32. Half the population lives in “condition white”, where they are so self absorbed in their phone’s screen, a text message or other device that they are completely unaware of their situation that they are effectively blind, or deaf by wearing earbuds…etc.

    99% percent of self defense is situational awareness and actively participating in adjusting the risk numbers in your favor.

    Good article. Rarely is there any one factor that causes an incident. Just like auto accidents and airplane crashes, there is usually an identifiable chain of events which ends at the crash site.

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  33. A lot of common sense very untrusted got to get a new furnace first I can,T FIND one thing in the emails or on blog that is not true I have been lucky or that guardian angel plus what you learn when I sit and think most people just freeze when it hits the fan and if you DON,t learn this stuff your screwed call me a proper I like being prepared for the worst case it’s paid of to many times and theirs times when the police can,T get to you fast and if you can,T handle multiple attackers you go down your dead learn as much as you can ,train make it reflex you just MAY have to use it better to know and not need it .

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  34. In Brighton UK cases of children luring adults by pretending to be lost, give an address and invite you in to say thank you only to find a gang waiting to rob you! These are sad bad days my friend. Brightonians have been advised that if a vulnerable looking child approaches with this, to call the police.

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  35. In today’s society it is always best to prepare for the worst and be ready for all situations. Thank you for a reminder to the care of yourself

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  36. Very informative, a guy knows most of this but is relaxed in his thinking . aw it wont happen to me I wont be gone long anyway. then BAM

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  37. Thanks. It’s all common sense but we all definitely need to be reminded of the extreme severity of possible consequences of making these few “small” mistakes. Thank you again for this exhortation.

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  39. Thanks for the great information. I know that we treat a lot of situations as routine. It’s good to be reminded of the dangers surrounding us on a daily basis. Being aware, knowledgeable and prepared is a definite plus in modern society.

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  40. Learn and follow the Cooper Color Code and always be prepared! Also, this is how I’m prepared for a self defense situation. I haven’t had to use my Self Defense Shield benefits yet and I hope I never do, but I know they’ve got my six just in case!

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  44. Great content. Keep them coming. I’m going to put this into practice straight away. I’m an old aged pensioner and would expect respect from the person trying to help. Truth is I’m an easy target.

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  45. I’ve decided to be responsible for my wife’s car always gas. She usually refills after the warning light has come on.

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  46. Drew Lee is in a classic victim situation, but not one that he can’t handle himself. Firearms provide the weak with an equaliser. As the old saying goes “God didn’t make men equal, Colonel Colt did”. There would not be a jury in the world that would come down on a man who shot two aggressive attackers from the confinement of a wheelchair, besides, prisons are not designed for handicapped access. As for being vulnerable, anyone who is not armed, with a weapon and the mindset to use it, is vulnerable. There are only two kinds of animals in the world, prey and predator, humans are animals too. The question has to be are you prey or predator, where in the food chain do you sit. I learned as a Boy Scout, many years ago to “Be Prepared”, it is a lesson I have carried with me my entire life and I encourage others to always be prepared. Keep that fuel tank half full at all times, you never know when you have to rush off to rescue a friend.

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  47. Thank you. I will be heading into a strange city at some point after my old beater gets more mechanic’s work. And while our few small cities ain’t so bad as in the states down below I know bad things can happen. Plenty of opiate addicts all around. I tend to b a planner but things can get forgot in the hassle…Thanks for the heads up and the reminder on what gets top priority.

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  48. I can honestly say I haven’t ever walked into or accidentally grew up in cub and boy scouts and everybody knows the boy scout motto always be prepared and I incorporate it into my everyday life so I’m prepared for any situation work play travel I’m always thinking in the worst case scenario so I’m not vulnerable or a victim, I have always been able to read people pretty well and it helps a lot

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