image by Antonio Martinez

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to prepare is to read, and if you can find books for free on survival topics, that’s even better.

The book, Dead or Alive: The Choice is Yours – The Definitive Self-Protection Handbook, by Geoff Thompson is one of those books.  It is serialized chapter-by-chapter here at FightTimes Magazine.

Why is this book applicable?  While the subject matter is unpleasant (and not recommended for direct reading by young children) it is crucial that families consider that crime could be on the rise and predators could be increasing in numbers.  Dead or Alive addresses the PREVENTION of violent incidents by using awareness and avoidance techniques.

Thompson begins by discussing Avoidance and Awareness then continues with Attackers and Attack Rituals: Lessons Learned.  Throughout the book he discusses self-defense techniques, and closes with First Aid and Self-Defense and the Law.

The book is not intended to teach us as readers to be professional fighters.  Instead, the author presents valid, and sometimes frightening, material that can be considered in the protection of a lone person or of a family.  As a husband and father myself, my intent is to present the ideas to my family at my discretion and in a way that helps us to be prepared without being afraid.  As with any manual, a reader should take the ideas from the writings and consider what is practical for them.

Many thanks to Geoff Thompson, Paladin Press, and FightTimes.com for making this information available.

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

As a single mother of a five-year-old son, I’m always aware at some level that, along with all of the typical responsibilities, household security is part of my job as a parent.

I live in Arizona, a very firearm-friendly state, but I’ve personally never felt comfortable around guns.  Even if I knew how to handle them, I wouldn’t want one in the house until my curious and rambunctious five-year-old boy is older.

Last year, I started doing some marketing consulting for TASER International, despite knowing virtually nothing about their products except for what you see in movies. Turns out I wasn’t alone, as most “civilians” (non-police) aren’t aware that we ordinary folks can, in 44 states, legally own TASER ECDs, Electronic Control Devices, as they’re known in the industry. In fact, TASER makes special models just for consumers, which are easy to use, easy to carry in a purse or glove compartment, and — best of all — legal in most states to own, conceal, and take places where you can’t take guns. No wait, actually, best of all, they come in lots of colors!

I also hadn’t realized that TASER ECDs are not simply “stun guns.” With a stun gun, you have to physically touch it to a person and it basically just hurts but doesn’t incapacitate. A TASER, on the other hand, shoots two barbs up to 15 feet, will puncture any clothing (even leather jackets) and instantly scrambles the bad guy’s neuromuscular system for 30 seconds, dropping him like a sack of potatoes while you get the hell out of Dodge.

Forget pepper spray, it doesn’t work… seen the news lately? OWS protesters swimming in the orange slurry still hold their ground. As for guns, even if I got some training and learned how not to shoot myself in the foot, I would actually just avoid the inconvenience of being thrown in the county jail for defending myself or my son while my case works its way through our speedy legal system. The great thing about “less lethal” devices like my TASER C2 is that, by virtue of the fact that I’m using it instead of a gun, my intent is clear that I’m not trying to kill anybody. I’m no lawyer, but as any fan of Law and Order will tell you, intent matters when it comes to the legal system. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem doing whatever it takes to protect my son, but I also don’t want him to see his mom hauled off in handcuffs for doing what’s right.

So let’s assume somebody attempts to attack me or threatens my son, and I pull my TASER C2 on him. With the flick of a switch, the very first thing the bad guy sees is a built-in LED flashlight pointing at them and a menacing, sniper-like laser beam with a bright red dot focused right on his chest. If he’s too stupid to realize he’s been painted with a laser sight, the next thing he knows, he’s on the ground twitching and has no control over his muscles. I place my C2 on the ground (which continues zapping the bad guy for 30 seconds), make my exit, and call the cops. TASER will even replace my C2, free of charge with a police report indicating that I used it in self-defense.

So Easy, Even I Can Do It

image by J. Star

TASER C2s come with one or more practice cartridges, depending on which package you get. I’ve fired it. It was FUN! It made a loud “pop” sound without any recoil and then the darts shot into the neat silver foil target that comes with the device. Blue-white sparks flashed between the darts for a while, and I suspect I got this glint in my eyes like somebody who’s discovered her secret superpower. I now have a way to take down anybody who decides to mess with me or my kid, in two seconds. I couldn’t wait to shoot it again. I wanted to show all of my friends. It’s kind of addictive like that… watch what I can do!

For the Man Who Has Everything… Especially Guns

Decades of use by police departments and military personnel around the world are a testament to the effectiveness of TASER ECDs. Seriously, just ask any police officer, and you’ll quickly find they love their TASER devices.

In fact, current and retired members of law enforcement are one of the biggest groups of individuals who buy civilian models like the C2, for their own personal use, their spouses, or their adult children.

A serious firearm enthusiast friend of mine says that (pre-SHTF) if he heard a disturbance coming from his front yard, he would open the door with a shotgun in one hand and his C2 in the other… and then decide which one the situation called for. (Again… the jail thing.) To paraphrase one online gun blogger reviewing the TASER C2, “It fills an important gap in anyone’s personal arsenal.” In short, you’re legally allowed to use ECDs in many situations where you can’t use guns, and most importantly, they get the job done.

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

I’ve used the Mosquito at the shooting range several times, and every time I start off loving it.  I love the ergonomic grip, the size and weight of it, and the fact that it’s a .22 and, usually, fun to shoot.  In many ways it’s the ideal. 22 pistol, and the fact that it’s a member of the Sig Sauer family is a huge plus.  But then it jams, and jams again, and I realize that maybe it’s not so perfect after all, which is a shame.

To be fair, part of the problem with the particular gun is that it’s a range loaner and doesn’t get cleaned on a regular basis.  However, “failure to feed”, FTF, has been an ongoing problem with this particular pistol, especially in the older models.  I tried using different types of ammo, and had better luck with CCI’s Velocitor .22 ammunition hollow points.  The guys at BulkAmmo sent me a couple of boxes to try out, and this particular ammo turned out to be a good match with the Mosquito (as well as the Walther P22 and Ruger III).  If you’re going to rely on a .22 for self-defense, don’t take chances with cheap ammo if you’re using this pistol.  You don’t want to risk a jam at a critical moment.

(I keep a couple of magazines loaded with CCI ammo for when I’m using a particular handgun for concealed carry, but when I’m at the range, I use cheap Walmart ammo for practice.)

One of the reasons for the popularity of the Mosquito is that it looks and feels like a “real” gun, or at least that’s what hardcore gun-nuts say!  It’s frame size is very close to the typical 9 mm or .40 caliber handgun.  It doesn’t feel like a toy, but then, as a Sig Sauer, I didn’t expect anything less.  In my experience, the slide, magazine ejector, and trigger are comfortable and easy to use.  Owners of the Mosquito report they were able to solve most or all of the FTF problems by, first, breaking in their new gun with 500-1000 rounds of CCI ammo.  Some owners claim their Mosquitos are now happy with any .22 LR ammo, even the cheap stuff.

The Mosquito weighs a comfortable 24.6 ounces, with magazine, and has a price tag of about $400.

If your purpose for choosing a .22 pistol is for cheap practice, there are less expensive choices that are just fine with cheap ammo.  If you want a handgun that has a solid feel and quality appearance, has the Sig Sauer brand name, and is good, most of the time, the Sig Mosquito is a good choice.

For more reviews, click here.

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

You can never have too much ammo.  It’s amazing how quickly one or two people can shoot through 100 rounds or more in a single target practice.

image by joanneQEscobar

A shotgun should be at or near the top of your list when it comes to firearms for home defense.  Your choices are the 12 gauge, 20 gauge and the 410.  Once you’ve made your decision, get to the range and practice, practice, practice.  When it comes to stopping power, a shotgun can’t be beat.

image by InAweOfGod'sCreation

Don’t listen to celebrities and politicians who go on hysterical anti-gun rants.  Remember, they can afford armed bodyguards and state-of-the-art home security systems.  (Interesting that it’s okay if their bodyguards are armed but they don’t think law-abiding citizens should be able to own and carry guns.)  I am my kid’s armed bodyguard.

image by roblisameehan

It’s a really good idea to keep an extra loaded magazine in your purse, the glove compartment, wherever it will be safe and easily accessible.

image by Secretly Ironic

Are there any other truths I’ve missed?

Related posts:

Review: The Flashbang Holster

Do you need a gun to garden?

Two things my kids know about guns

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by DrJimGlide

I have had my concealed carry permit for years now but I have never used it. Ankle holster? Not an option in the summer, or with skirts, or with a dress. Purse? I’m too careless with mine.  I toss it, I leave it in shopping carts a few feet from me, and I bury it inside another larger bag. Hip or pocket holster? Seriously? With the low riding pants with micro pockets women have to buy today? Not gonna happen. Shoulder holster? I have one, but it’s a no-go in summer and with a lot of outfits, and you can’t to take your jacket off at all, which might be inconvenient. You get the idea.

I also have concerns about carrying with kids. They grab my legs and waist on a regular basis, and I still carry them sometimes, so I’m afraid they’ll accidentally do Something Bad to anything I carry anywhere near my hips or waist. They are not, however, supposed to grab me anywhere near where the Flashbang holster goes, which removes that concern.

image by mikepetrucci

When Lisa posted about the Flashbang, I liked it immediately. I always wear a bra! And I rarely wear dresses.  Since I think dresses are the only thing that would make the Flashbang holster hard to access, I bought one immediately. I also bought a training (rubber) gun similar to mine so I can practice carrying with no fear of shooting anyone, including me.

My Flashbang holster came with the shortest of the three straps attached. We switched to the longest strap in just a few minutes. If you have multiple bra styles, they may not all fit with the same strap or the same snap. I know mine don’t, so I just fit it to my favorite style. If you are like me and wear different bras that fit the Flashbang holster differently, they are planning to start selling a strap that lets you select different snaps without having to use a screwdriver to move the snap.

I carried with my Flashbang this week, for at least six or seven hours per day. No one noticed at the bookstore or Costco, and my kids didn’t either. The strap can print a little bit, depending on fit and posture, but even knowing there was a holster and looking for it, I don’t think the average person would even remotely suspect a holster – unless you stretch. A big stretch can make it apparent that you are carrying. Realistically, assuming normal posture and movements, neither my husband nor I saw any evidence of printing with this holster, even under very fitted t-shirts.

image by Angela Schmiedel Randall

It feels a bit odd since I’ve never carried before, but I didn’t notice it unless I stopped and thought about it. It isn’t an irritant, although I can tell that it would make me sweat in hot weather. I can also tell that if the “muffin top” I need to exercise away was much worse, the revolver handle might bother me if I sat and slouched.

Really, I’m practicing carrying, not drawing, so I have only tried that a few times, but it was easy to do. It would also be easy to distract a guy by making him think you’re going to flash him, then flash bang instead!

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by Woody H1

How to carry a concealed handgun is a real dilemma for women.  A specially designed purse isn’t the answer because all too often that purse isn’t under our direct control.  It’s sitting in a shopping cart or in the back seat, or one of the kids is rummaging through it looking for loose change.  And, it could always be stolen. A hip holster is okay but requires you to alter your wardrobe, unless wearing jeans with a leather belt every day, along with a loose shirt, is your style.

A reader just informed me of the Flashbang holster, and this may be what you’re looking for in the holster department.  You have to see it to believe it.

The Flashbang holster was developed by the Looper company, a small family-owned company in Oklahoma City. It sells for $39.99 and can be used with a Ruger LCP .380, Ruger LCR (revolver), Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380, Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .38, Kel-Tec P3AT.P32, the SigP238, and the Smith & Wesson 2″ J-Frame.

Have you tried the Flashbang holster yourself?

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by DrJimGlide

I was at a local shop talking with the owner about carrying the DVD in his store.  He was congenial enough, but looked me right in the eye and told me “I will never need to grow food”.  I told him that you never knew what was coming and being able to grow food could be a crucial skill.  He flatly told me he would never have to grow food.  I asked him why, and he said “because I have this”, and from under the counter he pulled out a big black semi-automatic gun.

image by TheCreativePenn

Here is a short summary of the major points and useful resources I have discovered about self-defense.  One of the first things I found is gun owners are strongly opinion-ed and they rarely agree.  Most of them were very friendly and offered lots of help in my process of trying to find what weapons I might need and how to use them.  But be aware there is a lot of conflicting information out there.

image by roblisameehan

Another very common and versatile gun is the shotgun.  By far, 12 guage is the most widely available size.  If you are only going to have one gun, I have to agree with the experts recommendation of the 12 gauge shotgun with a shorter barrel as an all around weapon.  The first time I shot a 12 guage it was loaded with heavy buckshot and I almost fell over from the noise and recoil and I was afraid of them for a long time.  Later, a friend introduced me to low recoil rounds, and after some testing, I realized that even simple bird shot loads (which are fairly light) would be highly effective in home – or garden – defense scenarios.  My 11 year old son can also handle the 12 gauge with lighter loads.

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by Bon Crowder

While assembling diapers the other morning I noticed I was stacking them next to my Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun. Strangely intrigued by this, it occurred to me how similar cloth diapers are to firearms.

It provides protection.

1. Cloth diapers are amazingly absorbent. They are different from the cotton diapers many of us wore on our bums. The hemp and microfiber absorb and hold. The outer layer against the skin provides wicking so the cutie doesn’t feel so much moisture.
2. A pistol not only provides protection, but also confidence. When you walk to the parking lot with a Beretta in your mom-bag, your body language says, “Go ahead, make my day.” This is not what predators are looking for.

It is easy to use.

1. Once you learn the proper assembly of a cloth diaper, they are very easy. The new technology in cloth diapering provides for the same ease and convenience as disposables.
2. Learn how to shoot a pistol and you’ll never look back. Make sure you take a class from a firing range, though – don’t learn from a friend. The range instructors are great with instilling confidence. They teach the proper methods of shooting as well as the local laws.

It is not popular.

1. I’m the only mom in my network that uses cloth. Even my super-green friends use disposable diapers!
2. In some countries you can’t buy firearms. And even in Texas many people are anti-gun.

Every mom should carry at least one.

1. Head to the store without a diaper and you’re asking for a blowout! This applies to disposables also, but just try finding your favorite cloth diaper in your local grocery store. It is painful to have to figure out which disposable to buy when your kiddo is screaming and covered in poop.
2. Even when just running into the corner store, carry your pistol (make sure you are fully licensed first). When you least expect it, someone might go postal. So expect it!

image by simplyla

You can join an association for it.

1. In addition to a gazillion yahoo and google groups, there is also the Real Diaper Association and the National Association of Diaper Services.
2. You can join the National Rifle Association. If you are so inclined, there are many local organizations to join as well. Every state seems to have its own association, too (The Texas State Rifle Association for example). Curiously all these local and state groups are unaffiliated with the NRA.

It requires assembly.

1. Cloth diapers these days come in two or more parts, depending on the brand. There is an inside part made of hemp or micro fiber called the insert. The outside has a plastic liner, either built in or removable. In my household we call it the “out-sert.” They must be disassembled before cleaning and the reassembled before use.
2. You can buy a pistol in one piece (in fact it is recommended – they aren’t like the old PCs where you can stick them together willy-nilly). All the pieces should be regularly cleaned, so you will have to disassemble and reassemble it after every use.

It’s no good unless it is loaded.

1. When heading out, make sure you have both the out-sert and the insert. If you grab the out-sert only in a changing situation, no protection will be provided. Although all cloth diapers are cute, it isn’t for show and will end in disaster if you leave out the money part inside.
2. My rule: “If I pull the pistol, I use the pistol.” Using it for show only serves to get you in trouble. Having an unloaded weapon when you need a weapon is worse than having an unloaded diaper when you need a diaper. Although when you find yourself without a loaded diaper, you will think the opposite.

The one you choose is a personal preference.

1. We made the decision to go with gDiapers (three pieces to assemble, Velcro closures). There are many others, most of which are snap closures with only two pieces to assemble. The out-serts for these have to be washed every single time, though, so there is a trade off. The Velcro tends to curl up after a while on the g’s, but you get used to it and compensate.
2. I chose a Smith & Wesson pistol. It is a 9mm with a 17 round magazine and no safety. I picked the 9mm because I could get more rounds in the magazine. More bullets = more chances to injure the bad guy. I specifically picked the no-safety-switch route because I didn’t want to have to fiddle with figuring out if I took safety off or not. For me, the safest gun is the one that keeps me safest. When faced with a bad guy, I don’t want to give them the advantage of time while I figure out the safety. (I learned this from the Houston Police Department – they aren’t allowed safety switches on their pistols. Too many cops would get shot before they turned the safety off!)

You must be brave to use it.

image by MissMessie

1. Moms have been using disposables for so long that breaking with the popular trend is a challenge. The first few times you use them is somewhat intimidating. The first few times you wash them is more so. When you muster the courage, the pay off is great.
2. Learning to shoot can be intimidating. If you take the class from a certified instructor at a range, you’ll feel better. Your courage will grow with practice. I’ve yet to have to shoot a bad guy, but I did have four punks looking over my fence recently with a long arm (shotgun or BB gun, it was flashed so quickly I couldn’t tell). I stood at my patio door with pistol in hand ready to shoot any of them if they decided my backyard was a cool place to be. It takes bravery, but it is very empowering.

Sometimes you have to leave it behind.

1. One set of Daughter’s grandparents can’t manage with the cloth. They buy disposables for her visits. I have to let it go.
2. Some places are off limits for pistols. Know these places and leave it behind. All-carry-all-the-time is a great plan, but get caught with a pistol in an off limit place and you’re in big trouble.

A green mom can protect her family. A conservative mom can protect the environment. If it’s for you and if you can muster the courage, make the choice and stick with it. You too can be a tree-hugging, gun toting mom!

Bon Crowder is mom to 12-month-old Kate and is licensed to carry a concealed weapon. She writes for Idearella.– creative ways to look at the world differently.

© 2010, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

For the better part of half my life, I was, to a perpetrator, the perfect, unsuspecting victim. I had all the key elements for an easy take down: Though I was physically fit, I lacked situational awareness, the proper mindset and the necessary skills to defend myself in the event of an attack. Sad to say, I embodied the average woman. And I can’t even use the excuse, “I was young and stupid,” for what I know today can be taught, learned and applied at any age.

image by thivierr

If you’re fortunate enough to have been trained in the art of self defense from childhood, more power to you, but women are typically indoctrinated from youth that fighting is for men and that they lack the physical dominance and strength to defend themselves. Although this may be true to a point, personal self defense is not measured by the size of your muscles, but rather by possessing the proper mindset to perceive a threat, execute the proper skills to overcome the threat, and purpose, as much as it depends on you, to never to leave with your attacker to a “secondary crime scene”. If your mindset is such that physical strength matters more than these principles to ensure your safety, then you’ve missed the point. Personal self defense has little to do with strength.

Let’s face it gals (and guys), times are rapidly changing for the worse, and as morality and the economy continue to spiral downward, so does your security. You cannot depend on your safety to the government, your local law enforcement and, even in some cases, your own family. No matter how well meaning they might be, what if they simply are not there in time when you’re face to face with an attacker?  You must possess these self defense skills for yourself.

There are three essential principles we must adhere to in a self-defense situation if we expect to overcome the odds of being injured, or worse yet, killed.

Principle #1: First and foremost, we must possess the proper mindset to perceive a threat by maintaining situational awareness of our immediate surroundings.

image by Ed Yourdon

Most attacks are perpetrated upon easy prey. What do I mean? Try to get inside the mind of this evil person. Would he prefer someone who holds her head high with confidence, keys in hand, scanning the horizon for anything unusual, or one who obviously has her mind on other things, shuffling to her car, cell phone glued to her ear, fumbling for her keys, clueless? The first would be a fighter; the latter, a vulnerable target. See it from the perpetrator’s perspective, and don’t give him what he wants.

How do we do this practically? Train your mind to be proactive and aware. Study people as they’re approaching you; look at what they’re holding, how they carry themselves. Make eye contact (it demonstrates confidence), and try to perceive their possible intent by their response to that contact. Know what is behind you, beside you and even in front of you.  Glance under, around and inside your car before entering. Never park next to a van with tinted windows or no side windows or beside a car with suspicious passengers. Notice anything out of the ordinary. Trust your intuition. Oftentimes while driving, my husband will ask me, “Without looking, what color is the car behind you?”  Or, “What was that man wearing who just passed by us in the grocery store?” At times it seems somewhat silly or even nosy, but I believe it’s these practice drills that may one day save my life.

The late Jeff Cooper, author, president and founder of The American Pistol Institute, developed what he called the “Color Code of Readiness”. The White Zone is when someone is oblivious of his or her surroundings and immediate environment, typical of the one I described earlier. The Yellow Zone signifies someone who has situational awareness, conscious of everything within her visual reach, ready. At Orange Zone, the person is alert, perceives a threat and has already determined to act if need be, and finally, at Red Zone, the person has actually encountered a specific threat that poses immediate consequences to her personal safety. At this point, she should fight or take flight using clear, concise verbal commands and movement. If you want to dramatically increase your odds from avoiding or evading a threat all together, you must purposely be on guard at yellow, orange and red zones, depending on the severity of the threat. Never, under any circumstance, choose to live in the White Zone.  To do so could reap severe penalties.

Being situationally aware also means making wise choices and taking extra precautions even in ordinary and suspicious situations. In everyday practical living, be aware of the person watching your transactions, such as showing your driver’s license to the cashier while some shady character behind you gets a quick glance at all your personal information.

While driving or on foot, be aware of the person or car behind you. A good rule of thumb is this: If you’re being trailed behind after three consecutive right turns, there’s a good chance you are being followed. Do NOT go home at this point, lest you reveal your place of residence to this possible perpetrator. Drive to a well-lit, populated area like a large gas station, or better yet, the police department! Assuming you have a cell phone, you may even want to call 911 if you fear for your safety.

Principle #2: We must execute the proper skills to overcome the threat by honing some hands-on self defense techniques now. What good will it do for you to practice the first principle but at some point fail and find yourself pinned to the ground by your attacker with a gun to your head, or feel the icy edge of a knife at your throat from behind. Trust me, you don’t want to end up there! This is where practical personal defense training becomes critical.

image by andydr

So where do you begin? Though the mere sight of a handgun intimidates many women, it’s a good place to start. The only way to overcome the fear of the unknown is to gain a working, practical knowledge of the thing you fear. Contrary to popular belief, guns aren’t dangerous.  It’s the criminal behind them, or those who simply do not understand the basics of handgun safety, who pose a danger.

To be any earthly good in a deadly situation, you have to be comfortable with defending yourself, and this begins with practice. Get involved. Contact your local police department, like I did with my first exposure to handgun training, and inquire about any self-defense training offered. Check online or your Yellow Book pages. Many gun stores also have an indoor shooting range you can use for a nominal fee. In varying locales, there are outdoor shooting ranges and gun clubs available. With a little inquiry, you will find that you are not alone. There are many women just like you with varying interests and from all walks of life who share the same belief: We cannot depend on others for our safety in a world of increasing moral, social and economic decline. Self-defense training starts somewhere, and the practical skills of using a handgun are just one of them.

image by DrJimGlide

Though a handgun can bring a sense of security in an otherwise dangerous world, it cannot always protect you. What if you simply forget to carry it on your person or you cannot get to your weapon prior to the attack? What if your attacker is able to knock the gun out of your hand, or fear arrests you and you simply cannot maintain the collectiveness to shoot with precision? These are real questions to ponder because if they happen, you risk becoming a victim. Though handgun training is crucial, honing other self defense techniques can be a wise backup plan. Self-defense is not for the weak and winded. In order to preserve yourself in a deadly situation, your physical body must be prepared. Going to the gym, lifting weights, taking an aerobics class or running on a tread mill provides some physical stamina the body needs in order to resist exhaustion in the heat of an attack, but even that is not enough.

Imagine this scenario and try to envision yourself here. You’re walking nonchalantly toward your car thinking about the events of the day when suddenly your arm is clasped from behind and pulled forcefully downward. Your head crashes against the unforgiving concrete.  Blood gushes from your nose. Before you have a moment to think, your attacker is now on top of you, beating your face with open fists. Gasping for air from fear and excruciating pain, you scream and slap him in an aimless attempt to protect yourself, by which time he has secured your flailing arms while pressing a knife against your throat. Subdued under the weight of his body, you have nowhere else to turn. You are the next victim.

image by USACE Europe District

This is a frightening scenario and chances are you will not win unless you are prepared for it ahead of time. You do not have to be the next victim and your fate is truly up to you. Rewind the scene: what if you knew how to break the fall when landing on the ground so that you did not injure yourself? What if you knew how to defend yourself effectively on the ground with controlled breathing techniques while countering the attack to your eventual escape? This is what body conditioning and self defense training like martial arts can do for you.

If you’ve never experienced a “simulated attack,” including some of the pain involved with a real attack, then you’ll never know what to expect. In a simulated attack, you learn techniques to defend yourself against any punch, kick, grab or throw. If your attacker knows how to counter your defense, there is also a counter to his counter. These techniques are traditionally taught in many martial arts schools. Jujutsu and Judo are just two of many styles that involve grappling and ground techniques which I believe is where self-defense is most practical. Ground self-defense techniques are so important for the obvious reason that the majority of all attacks end up on the ground at some point. The key is knowing what to do when you’re there. As Master Larry Hartsook, Eagle Karate, so aptly puts it and is part of his martial arts school motto, “Look into the technique and find your way out”.

Some other self-defense techniques involve turning the tables on your attacker by giving him the opposite of what he expects. It’s called diversion. First, you fain fear and vulnerability by acting incompetent only long enough for him to let his guard down, then with ruthless aggression you divert or attack. Your action at that moment will beat his reaction. For instance, if your attacker towers in front of you with a gun or knife, spewing out words of profanity in an effort to get what he wants, you hold up your hands and plead for your life. Before he has time to blink an eye, swiftly step to the side, blocking the barrel of the gun with the outside of your wrist. Your immediate intent is a counterattack once the gun is out of his reach or escape. Another technique is attack by combination: For instance, the attacker attempts to grab you from the front, you execute a knee strike to the groin; his hands drop to protect himself while you eye gouge or throat strike him; repeat the process. Be ruthless. Be aggressive. Surprise even yourself, but never give in. Follow through.

image by The Consortium

There are many ways to prepare your body for action, but martial arts ranks highest in my opinion. It creates confidence and fosters self-esteem in one’s ability to face fear with tenacity and resolve. It also builds endurance and tolerance of pain. I’m used to bumps, bruises and broken bones, fingers and toes, mind you, but it still hurts! When faced with your attacker, don’t be afraid of pain. Though pain may seem like your enemy now, it may one day be your friend. Learn to endure it so you can easily overcome it when it really matters most.

In addition to physical training, mental preparedness is just as important, and this leads us to our third principle. Never, under any circumstance, as much as it depends on you, leave with your attacker to a “secondary crime scene”. At some point of an attack, you may be subdued and dragged against your will to a vehicle or threatened with a weapon to drive to some remote place. Your attacker has no sympathy at this point, not that he ever did, but you are almost certain to be his next victim if you ever submit.

Many of you may remember the Channon Christian/Christopher Newsom case in Knoxville, Tennessee, where this young couple was carjacked at gunpoint, bound and taken to a rundown rental house. One can only imagine the horror of being tortured, repeatedly raped and finally murdered.  In fact, the details are too heinous to even speak of.  I cannot write this and not feel immense pain for them and their families, especially when I realize these vicious, inhumane acts of violence quite possibly could have been avoided.

The point is don’t ever surrender or submit, even with a gun to your head, to leaving the premise in order to go to some other place. Your chances of survival are far greater if you run away while your perpetrator attempts to shoot you or to jump out of a moving vehicle if you find yourself already in the car with your attacker.

This happened to a young lady I met years ago who’d also taken the same self defense classes I had. Leaving the mall parking lot one evening she got into her car, ready to put the key in the ignition when she felt a knife against her throat from behind. He demanded she move to the passenger’s side while he jumped into the driver’s seat and sped away. Frightened, she somehow maintained her initial cool, but more importantly, she remembered Principle #3. Opening the door, she jumped out while the car was still moving. Though hospitalized with a few cuts and bruises, she is still alive today. Yes, leaping out of a moving vehicle may break bones, but submitting to the animal that has no intention of keeping you alive after he’s satisfied his primal urges, is playing with fire.

It may seem overwhelming to think that even you can learn and apply these three principals. First, you need to know that physical strength is secondary to overcoming the obstacles of self defense. If you become increasingly aware of your immediate surroundings while honing the necessary self-defense skills to ward off an attack, you will dramatically increase your chances of survival, and even if you are subdued, to determine now that you will never submit to your perpetrator’s attempt to take you to a secondary crime scene. Though it’s good to set realistic expectations when it comes to your personal self-defense, don’t let idleness keep you from doing nothing at all. Just make a commitment that you will start somewhere and follow through until your proficiency outweighs your feelings of inadequacy, fears and doubts.

© Copyrighted by Roxanne Griswold

© 2010, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

My husband and I are shockingly bad parents.  A year ago we made the choice to teach our children about the world of firearms, and, in the eyes of some, that qualifies us as candidates for a visit from Child Protective Services.  Of course, when we first took our kids to the range, we had no idea we were embarking on an activity that would be controversial and, at times, criticized.  We also had no idea it would become such an enriching experience.

My husband is highly trained in shooting skills, so he took both kids under his wing, and in no time at all, they became proficient in the sport and respectful of the gun.  As we’ve guided our children into the world of firearms, there have been a few surprises. 

The NRA Eddie Eagle program teaches a few basic safety rules, but our kids have learned far more.  They have learned to respect the rules, procedures and authority found on a shooting range.  No kid wants to be on the receiving end of the range officer’s whistle more than once!  Actions always have consequences, safety isn’t an option, and they’re all the wiser for these experiences.

image by schmuck-by-nature

They’ve learned that it takes patience to line up an accurate shot.  If a skill is to be mastered, it must be practiced carefully over and over again, and they have both shot hundreds of rounds with their .22 rifles.  Once the fun of shooting is over, our kids have learned the importance of keeping their firearm clean and getting it ready for the next outing.  This requires responsibility, attention to detail, and planning ahead.

Real life, practical skills are rarely taught in public schools anymore, and it’s up to parents to fill the gap with lessons in fishing, cooking, carpentry and dozens of other important, lifelong skills.  Using a firearm for hunting or target shooting falls into this category, and we’ve seen our kids’ self-confidence blossom as they’ve mastered a skill they know is valuable and meaningful.  Achieving a high score on a video game may bring a momentary thrill but never that deep satisfaction that comes from accomplishing something that matters. 

Our firearm family hobby is just one more reason for us to spend time together doing something we all enjoy.  We’ve had lots of laughs, a few tears of frustration, and brought home numerous targets to proudly display on bedroom walls.  At a time when too many families find themselves drifting apart, separated by the pursuit of individual interests, a family hobby is key to bringing everyone together.  Firearms can provide that shared focus as well as a way to develop important character traits and lifelong skills.

In retrospect, the only shocking result from our family’s venture into the world of firearms has been watching our children develop confidence, patience, responsibility and attention to detail.  They’re well on their way toward mastering a useful skill that will serve them well in the future.  Are we bad parents for leading them down this path?  Hardly!  There are few activities that yield such a rich assortment of life lessons as the world of firearms.

© 2010, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.