{"id":5727,"date":"2018-03-28T07:00:28","date_gmt":"2018-03-28T07:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/?p=5727"},"modified":"2021-04-05T14:41:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T14:41:35","slug":"your-best-self-defense-options-for-real-world-survival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/28\/your-best-self-defense-options-for-real-world-survival\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Best Self Defense Options for Real World Survival"},"content":{"rendered":"Let's me get right to the point, you need to know not only what your self-defense options are, but also which ones work best the best for you. You will find your answer within one or more of the three groups I am about to discuss in this article, (1) Martial Arts; (2) Non-Lethal Self Defense Weapons; (3) Lethal Weapons.<\/strong> In this article, I examine each of these categories concerning their practical advantages and disadvantages.\n\nAs an ex federal agent, retired military special agent and 35-year martial artist I will give you my honest, reliable answers because I really care about your safety and want you to be as safe as possible and I know what I am talking about from real-world experience. So, let's get started!\n

Self Defense Option #1: Martial Arts Training<\/h3>\nIn my opinion, learning some type of self-defense system is a must. No matter what you plan to add to your arsenal from the other two options, when you learn a martial art your body becomes a dependable weapon that goes with you everywhere. This will eliminate your ever being surprised without having some means to defend yourself. You may not have your firearm, TASER, knife or another weapon on you, but your self-defense skills will always be with you.\n\nRecognizing the importance of learning some sort of fighting skill raises the question, which martial art or fighting system should you choose? Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga...these are just a few of the many self-defense options available to you.\n\nMy recommendation would be Krav Maga.\n\nWhy?<\/em>\n\nBecause Krav Maga has been proven effective by the Israeli military and now other forces including the Air Force Office of Special Investigations for which I was an instructor, is teaching it. In contrast to Taekwondo (for instance), which relies a lot on kicks and moves that you may not be able to perform as you age, Krav Maga is rather easy to learn with techniques that can be performed by almost anyone.\n\nDespite all the advantages, martial arts still have some downsides. Learning most martial arts may take considerable time and effort to become highly skilled. That's why choosing one of the other self-defense options I discuss below is still necessary. You need something to defend yourself with now, not tomorrow (TRS offers some great resources for doing this<\/a>, that can really teach you some practical and easy to learn techniques that can be used almost right away, I know I have used them myself!)\n\nFurthermore, if your attacker is armed, I don't recommend trying to defend yourself unarmed unless you really have no other choice. Bruce Lee once said: \"Showing off is the fool's idea of glory.\"<\/em>\n

Self Defense Option #2: Non-Lethal Weapons<\/h3>\nSome of the non-lethal weapons I discuss here include things like TASER weapons, stun guns, pepper sprays, sticks, kubotons<\/strong>, and an assortment of others. When you use one of these to defend yourself, you may be able to effectively stop your attacker without killing him or inflicting any significant damage. I will provide a bit more information about each of these weapon choices before I give you my recommendations.\n\nA TASER is a compact, lightweight, non-lethal self-defense device similar to a firearm in shape. However, instead of firing bullets, these weapons use compressed nitrogen to shoot out two electrode barbs (each one attached to insulated conductive wires) into an attacker up to 15 feet away at a speed of 135 feet per second.\n\nThe fired barbs will attach to the attacker's skin or clothes, immediately releasing a high voltage\/low amperage electrical discharge that will affect the attacker's neuromuscular system (these self-defense weapons' energy can even penetrate up to two inches of clothing), incapacitating him\/her while you safely escape. This is definitely easier (and less dangerous) than using any self-defense technique. It is also safer than using a firearm: According to police, TASER devices have a higher instant incapacitation rate than a 9mm handgun.\n\nA second non-lethal option is a stun gun. Stun guns are designed to deliver a high voltage, low amperage electric discharge. To defend yourself using a stun gun you have to hold its electrodes directly against the attacker's body, which means you have to be much closer to your attacker (this is not recommended if your attacker is threatening you with a knife or hand-held weapon).\n\nWhen you hold the stun guns' electrodes directly against the attacker's skin or clothes, they will deliver a strong electrical discharge that will stun or even knock out your attacker. He\/she will experience disorientation, confusion, loss of balance, and inability to move efficiently for a few minutes afterward (with no significant or permanent harm done). This will give you time to escape. Please remember to keep a good battery in your stun gun or TASER.\n\nStun guns come in many different shapes. Some of them are little \"stun boxes\" (Mini Stun Guns), small enough to fit inside a cigarette package. Other come as Stun Batons, Stun Flashlights and even Cell Phone Stun Guns (designed to fool your attacker.\n\nAnother non-lethal option I will discuss for self-defense is a pepper spray. As an agent, I carried my pepper spray right next to my gun and my ASP baton. I did this so that all my weapons would be on the same side and my muscle memory would not be confused when I had to use my weapons. I have seen the effects of pepper spray on many individuals.\n\nPepper spray, also known as an OC (Oleoresin Capsicum<\/em>) spray, is a non-lethal self-defense weapon that consists of an aerosol type container. Its small enough to be carried in a pocket, purse or keychain (you can also find them in rings, lipstick cases, walking weights and other things designed to fool an attacker, adding a surprise factor). When you fire your pepper spray towards the attacker's face it will immediately expel an oily liquid (insoluble in water) up to 25 feet away (depending on the pepper spray model you choose.)\n\nBe careful, I have had many of my agents spray themselves in the face when the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and also spray their partners who were engaging the attacker. An OC pepper spray will cause 15-30 minutes of temporary blindness, 45-60 minutes of a burning sensation of the skin, 3-15 minutes of upper body spasms (which will force the attacker to bend forward), 3-15 minutes of uncontrollable coughing, and 3-15 minutes of breathing and speaking difficulties.\n\nOverall, the symptoms will last from 15-60 minutes, with decreased effects lasting for hours (I use to laugh when my special agent students would tell me they got another dose of pepper spray when they took a shower after training. All students were required to be sprayed to experience the effects of the spray.) The attacker will be unable to attack, immediately becoming vulnerable. CAUTION<\/strong> be aware that some people are not affected, or as seriously affected by OC spray.<\/u> I have personally witnessed this.)\n\nFinally, sticks and kubotons (a kubotan is a self-defense keychain weapon typically no more than 5.5 inches long and about half an inch in diameter, slightly thicker or the same size as a marker pen. The material is usually of a hard high-impact plastic and is one of the easiest self-defense weapons to use you will ever find) are effective weapons as well. The good thing is that a stick like weapon can easily be acquired. But learn to use one effectively. I laugh when I see people carrying sticks when I am out walking my dog. They probably have no idea how to use it, and it would probably be taken away by an attacker and used against them.\n\nOut of TASER devices, stun guns, pepper sprays, stick, which one would I recommend? Choose a TASER device or OC pepper sprays whenever you can. Both are really effective, even when you are dealing with drugged individuals, and you can keep a safe distance between you and your attacker. But stun guns and stick are still good enough if you see yourself involved in armed combat. In such cases, both will surely give you the necessary edge you need to survive.\n

Self Defense Option #3: Lethal Weapons<\/h3>\nWhen I speak about lethal weapons, first let me stress that I am not advocating for or recommending that you carry a lethal weapon. And if you do, do so legally. With that out of the way, included in this group are both pistols and rifles. Many people consider these as their self-defense method of choice. Is it OK to do so? Well maybe!\n\nFirearms are an effective way to defend yourself and your loved ones with, no doubt about it IF you know how to use one. Guns are designed to seriously wound or kill your attacker, not to incapacitate him or her. So be ready to deal with that. Also, if your attacker has a firearm, there will likely be a gunfight, which could put others at risk. And, you could end up in court, possibly for involuntary homicide.\n\nBe aware that unlike television often depicts, even if you hit your attacker he may still pose a threat as long as he can still fire at you. So, if you have to kill him (you might have to if he keeps pulling the trigger), you will have to legally prove that you used a \"reasonable amount\" of force to defend yourself or your loved ones (which isn't always that easy). This might mean months of emotional and economic efforts on your part.\n\nThe other lethal weapon I want to speak on is a knife. I train in an art that emphasizes the use of a knife for defense. Let me tell you, I have seen the results of knife attacks, and I fear them even more than a gun. If you decide to use one for your self-defense, I recommend you get at least some basic training. Why? Because if you don't know what you are doing, you could end up harming yourself, and your opponent may take it away from you and use it against you.\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\nSo, based on all that I have discussed in this article I have given you several things to think about and some options to choose from. Your self-defense options include martial arts training, non-lethal self-defense weapons, and lethal weapons. I would recommend being totally prepared by choosing something from all three options.\n\nHowever, if you are totally against the lethal option (be aware, the bad guy isn't though), then the first two option should be your choice. I would NEVER recommend you rely on just your body for self-defense. But should your weapon be taken away, or you don't have a weapon handy (just about anything can be turned into a weapon BTW, just check out my improvised weapons DVD) you have to be prepared to use your martial arts training to defend yourself.\n\nNo matter which self-defense option (or options) you choose, don't you ever forget that self-defense is your legal right. Protect yourself and your loved ones as best you can. Follow this advice and be prepared for potential future threats.\n\nClick here for more self defense instruction from Derek Smith<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Let’s me get right to the point, you need to know not only what your self-defense options are, but also which ones work best the best for you. You will find your answer within one or more of the three groups I am about to discuss in this article, (1) Martial Arts; (2) Non-Lethal Self Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5739,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,2,4,10,1,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5727"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5727"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5727\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12889,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5727\/revisions\/12889"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}