Self Defense As A Way Of Life
60The Scope Of The Subject
Self defense can be a controversial subject. Believe it or not, some folks out there feel you have no right to protect yourself. Clearly, we need to understand self defense just to deal with those people!
Additionally, self defense is a term that is understood differently in different circles. With that in mind, here's my broad definition used in the context of this article's content:
Self defense is the art of seeing danger coming at you in time to do something about it and then doing it.
That said, here are my personal Top Ten Tips for self defense as a way of life.
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1. Avoid the obvious places of ever-present danger whenever possible. If you're a biker, that doesn't mean you can never go to the Sturgis Rally. It does mean you might think twice before getting drunk and heading out to the Buffalo Chip Campground on Saturday night. Dark alleys, bars known for bar fighters, any inner city ghetto (unless you live there)...the possibilities are endless. It's amazing how many people don't think about that until it's too late, though.
2. Apply a touch of logic. Pam and I did not use any mystical awareness to see the financial crunch coming in Colorado in February of 2009. My take-home income had been cut, plus there were countless stories and predictions online, in the press, and on TV. It was pure self defense when we moved to Arizona before things could get worse, but analyzing the Poverty Train that was rushing our way wasn't exactly rocket science. Just don't stick your head in the sand and hope the lion will go away instead of chomping your tail feathers.
3. Study enough to be able to project a sense of confidence without faking it. A lot of self defense courses focus on countering a physical attack by another human being. That's good. It's also terribly incomplete. Studying karate or acquiring a handgun may do the trick in that case, but what if the threat comes from your boss when he's about to fire you? Then you may need a much different bit of schooling to defend yourself financially--such as a quick rundown on how to update your resume in a job market that favors the employer.
A few more examples: Studying how to build a survival shelter when money is short...how to dig a hand dug well if you have land but no water...dealing with a potentially deadly critter like the diamondback rattlesnake...the possibilities are endless and also unique to your situation.
4. Stockpiling reserves for an emergency. While this is clearly a self defense tactic of the highest order, I admit it's not been my strong suit. Finances are tighter than tight in our household right now. If I had prepared ahead of time, if we had six months' worth of canned goods on hand, it would be helpful. You don't have to mess up just because I did. At least know how you're going to get by if the power goes out and doesn't come back on for a week.
5. Always be ready to run. Yes, I know. I can see your heads shaking at that one. In all truth, more people will huddle in place and die under attack than will ever scoot out of harm's way. It could even happen to us now--we're living in the one place on Earth we truly want to be and would not give up this location easily. But we've ducked danger many times by simply loading up a U-Haul in the dead of night and driving away, usually to another state. If a volcano decided to open up shop in the middle of our acreage, we'd do it again.
6. Never underestimate a threat. Never overestimate one, either. We all know characters whose favorite thing is to bluster and threaten. It's their thing. They're not killers, and we are not likely to need to show off our fancy self defense moves by breaking their arms or whatever.
But...how do we know? Survivors of the Columbine school massacre undoubtedly still wonder about that. I've had men on the street threaten to kill me, as have anonymous phone callers. I didn't get too worried about it, but I did take precautions. I'm guessing my great-uncle Claude didn't. He wound up face down on a bed of pine needles on his Montana ranch with a bullet in his back when he was sixty.
7. Imagine the worst and mentally practice, practice, practice. This does not mean you need to be come obssessed or addicted with self defense in order to keep yourself safe. What it does mean is that numerous psychological studies have been done on survivors of "impossible" conditions. What all such remarkable individuals had in common was this: Each and every one had thought ahead and had visualized, mentally practiced, what he or she would do if the unthinkable happened. When it did happen, the needed behavior kicked in automatically. The middle of a crisis is not the place to begin thinking outside the box.
8. While practicing #7, figure out how far you're willing to go. Don't advertise your conclusions outside of your trusted inner circle; a bad guy who knows your limits also knows how to take you out. But do be as certain as possible to know your own boundaries.
Mine are clear and harsh. One example: Pull a gun on me, demand my wallet, and one of us will die. I'm not saying I'm Superman; put a .45 ACP round through my middle and I'm pretty sure I'm going down. But miss once on my way in, and you won't wake up. Over a dime, if that happens to be what I have in my pocket at the time. Most of you won't go that far, and I'm not saying you should. Maybe you're one of those people (and they do exist) who will watch your family slaughtered before your eyes before you'll take the life of another human being.
If you've read this Hub this far, however, you probably fall somewhere in the middle. Pick your spot. Know your ground. Figuring out your personal philosophy in the middle of a firefight is not a good idea.
9. Read personal self defense stories. As a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, I receive their monthly magazine, The Rifleman. Each volume contains a page of true news stories about law abiding citizens who've used their personally owned firearms to prevent or stop a crime in progress. There are other sources of inspirational true tales out there, and they're all good for letting us understand and appreciate the fact that we're not alone when it comes in believing in self defense rather than hoping police can respond in time.
10. Learn to see everything around you as a potential weapon and learn to use it. This final point needs a bit of clarification. By "everything", I really do mean everything--like, possibly, a stepfather. When a stepdaughter called in full panic mode a few years ago with the news that a major mortgage company was trying to illegally steal her home, I became her weapon of choice. In turn, I chose to use the computer, the telephone, some online research, some name dropping, and a series of carefully crafted emails to stop the evil juggernaut mortgage outfit in its tracks. All weapons, all useful.
Summary: The laws of our land guarantee us the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These laws do not promise evil forces will never try to take one of those--or all three--from us. When the horrible happens, we can be victims, or we can think in terms of self defense as a way of life.
Thanks for reading,
Ghost32
P.S. I can think of several ways to use this pretty little beetle I photographed just outside of our camp trailer yesterday...can you?
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Hubchallenge Hub #12 Pub. 07/31/09
Thanks, Smireles. I appreciate being considered a Louis L'Amour character, perhaps more than you know. I've always considered my sisters, my wife, my stepson, and me to be a bunch of Sacketts--self reliant, but pick on one, and the others will show up pretty soon to make you wish you hadn't.
Use #1 for the beetle: Distraction. Bad guy has the drop on you. You point and say, "Oo, look at the bee-yoo-tiful beetle!" Bad guy glances away. You smack 'im....
Great advice. I always make sure I have my door keys between my fingers if I get on the elevator with a strange man :) I'm sure there are harmless but better to be safe.
The NRA creates a lot of mischief in the land, in part on opposing effective gun control laws and enforcement of the laws now on the books. However, their worst sin is helping elect a bunch of ignorant flat earth Congressmen who oppose all kinds of important legislation. I say this as an owner of three guns and someone who started hunting when I was ten. Guns are greatly over rated as a means of self defense because most of the people who have them are clueless about their safe and effective use. I have no problem with legitimate hunting and target shooting guns. But we don't need to supply criminals in the U.S. and Mexico with military weapons. And there should be some way to keep weapons out of the hands of mentally ill people and children.
Uninvited, thanks for your Comment. The keys-between-the-fingers is definitely better than no self defense at all, that's for sure. I carry mine positioned slightly differently so as not to mess up my hand in certain possible situations, but you've got the right idea.
First line of defense could be intelligence, then the mouth, then the ability to walk away, if all else fails, the last line of defense in my book would be a gun. I don't have ethical reasons for my thoughts here. I find it common sense. More is the danger when weapons of destruction (guns etc) are put in the hands of stupid people who don't think.
Ralph, thanks also for your Comment. It is good to have opposing views on here--otherwise we're all "preaching to the choir". I quit hunting nearly 40 years ago and maintain my weapons strictly for self defense purposes. As to criminals in any country, they'll find the firearms anyway; it's the law abiding folks who end up obeying bans passed by governmental entities.
If extremes must be considered, I'd personally rather see EVERYONE armed rather than NO ONE. As others have stated, "An armed society is a polite society." If every criminal and mentally ill individual is packing BUT so is every willing law abiding citizen, the results fall out rather well: There are more of us than there are of them.
HOWEVER, I would like to just mention that the title of this Hub is "Self Defense", NOT "Guns" OR "the NRA"...and that the MAJORITY of my Top Ten items on the list are about things OTHER than firearms.
That said, if the Comments here begin to tilt heavily toward a debate on gun control, I will block as many Comments as necessary. I have no intention of seeing a potentially valuable Hub hijacked to become nothing but a liberal-vs.-conservative, vitriolic debate on a narrow slice of the self defense pie.
Jewels, I agree. You'll note that my mention of firearms did not come first in this Hub. I'll not directly respond to the part about stupid people--simply because I'd like to try honoring my own desire to avoid narrowing the scope of the topic of overall self defense.
Noted with coolness Ghost32.
Ghost- great hub. Self defense is not about guns vs. gun control. It's about self respect. And all of your 10 items speak to that end. When someone steps over the line - dang it - fight back. Never just sit there and take it like some spineless worm - and that includes telling our dear government to go stuff it when you have to. If everyone did that, we certainly wouldn't be in the mess we are today. To quote someone famous - "Don't tread on me".
Keep up the good work Ghost - we need more like you!
Ghost, our perspectives are different. I live near Detroit where shootings occur almost every day. Not long ago 6 or 7 teenage children were shot and wounded for no discernable reason while standing on a corner near their school waiting for a bus. I gather you live in a more sparsely populated area out west where guns drug gang killings are less common. My relatives in the Nebraska Sandhills take guns for granted, but I never heard anyone mention self defense. Their guns are used for hunting pheasants, ducks, geese, deer and an occasional coyote. And there are no military style large magazine weapons--only shotguns, .22s and .270 deer rifles. Nobody out there even had locks on their doors, let alone worrying about self defense.
Thanks, Madame X. I do try to walk the walk. When I got my first two tattoos at the age of fifty, one combined two pure bits of inspiration: The Liberty Bell with a banner floating above with New Hampshire's state motto, "Live Free or Die".
Ralph, I do know what you mean about rural areas and people who do not lock their doors. My own kid sister and her husband are lifelong ranchers who do not lock their doors very often if at all.
One point: You mention "worrying" about self defense. That term really doesn't apply in my case; like the title indicates, it's simply a Way of Life.
And like Madame X and I've indicated, guns per se are not the point. I'm reminded of a situation that occurred in Glendive, Montana, in 1982. I was driving trucks in the oilpatch for Halliburton at the time. An assault occurred between drivers--NOT including me.
A friend of mine, Ed, was visiting another man on his days off when Robert (who up until that point HAD been a friend of mine) and two other men barged in the door and beat the whooptedo out of Ed in front of the homeowner. Apparently a rumor had gone around--I've no idea if it was true or not--that Ed had been sleeping with yet another Halliburton driver's wife.
Robert told me about it the next time we saw each other, clearly expecting me to be proud of him for such a cowardly and just plain stupid act. I looked my soon-to-be-former friend in the eye and told him calmly,
"Robert, if Ed is visiting me and you decide to do this again, be ready to go through me, because you're not going around, under, or over."
He was shocked, stunned, and more than a little ticked off that I would take such a stand. We never spoke to each other again unless the job required us to do so. Robert had been a point man for his infantry platoon in the jungles of Viet Nam and would have been no mean opponent in any scuffle.
Guns were never a part of our conversation. Robert did know from that time forward, however, that if he attempted to commit a home invasion on my turf to assault a guest who was enjoying my hospitality, he would meet resistance. That, at least, he never tested.
Interesting hub. I agee with Jewels the first line of self defense is intelligenceand being aware of your environment. Contrroling you emotions ia another part.
A a martial arts practioner who grew up in an inner city, I agree self defencse is a very good idea. Learn from a more experienced person so should one of the situations arise, you are less likely to freeze.
The idea is defend not terminate. If conflict should arise to harm another is the last thing that you may want to do, however if you are forced to defend, make sure it is quick and thorough, if you could spare them, subdue them then let the proper authorities come and do their job. What ever you do will have to be justified.
My martial arts instructor is also a policeman, he would be really pissed if I took things too far because he has taugh me better.
Well put, Darrell. I do agree that death is not usually necessary as part of the process. The last time I was physically assaulted (a few years ago on a remote Montana dirt road by a self-appointed "Bully of the Mountain"), I took the first hit (yeah, I froze) but after that simply kept him at a distance with a series of low snap kicks until he got confused enough to cool off and talk about it (he was a bar fighter with no real skills, though a big 'un). We became good neighbors even somewhat friends.
The only flip side to that coin, in my thinking, is the young fellow (or gal) who thinks physical combat is a game and refuses to realize someone could die, even by accident.
In reviewing this Hub this morning, I find it interesting just how many of my 10 items listed above are being absolutely ignored in the Comments (except for the Comment by Madame X which did "blanket" them all):
1. Avoid places of danger.........No Comment.
2. Stockpile reserves.............No Comment.
5. Be ready to run................No Comment.
6. Never underestimate a threat...No Comment.
I mention this with a cocked eyebrow, noticing that most of the input so far (for which I thank all of you) focus on (a) violence and (b) how much violence is acceptable. Several remarks do address the idea of using your head, though, so perhaps that would automatically include all of the other points.
You certainly know how to be safe. Great hub....
Thanks.
Those items are good but not controversial as is "packing."
My point exactly, Ralph--that we humans (as least as represented within the HP microcosm) have a tendency to ignore the rational and logical but plunge into the emotional.
Yes, I do realize that's hardly an original thought.
Hey, Ghost. Great survival tips and, coming from you, makes the info that much more credible. I liked your definition of self defense, about knowing your surroundings--That's the same strategy I use when driving, especially in a busy highway or street where there are a lot of aggressive drivers. Knowing how to respond ahead of time at different intervals keeps you ahead of the game. Thanks again. BTW, did you know this hub made it to the front page under FEATURED HUBS? Congrats!
Thanks, Dohn. No, I hadn't realized the Hub had made it to the Featured Hubs front page, but that surely explains the sudden spike (like I've never seen before) in HP-originated traffic.
Excellent hub Ghost. I was drawn to your hub because I was involved for a while in a couple border protection/civilian anti-terror orgs. and learned that I needed to practice self defense as you describe. Regards your first comment on avoiding places of ever present danger I would add that large crowds (as opposed to small crowds) are places that have a very strong potential for danger. I make a practice of remaining aware of what's going on around me in large crowds; this includes watching for people who 'look suspicious'. Americans need to be reminded of the new dangers we face in a 9/11 world.
Hxprof, I appreciate your bringing up the subject of large crowds. We remain extra-cautious around those as you recommend. As part of that caution, I much prefer watching major sports events (such as the Super Bowl or a Presidential Inauguration) on TV rather than in person.
Our homestead is situated about a mile from the Mexican border, and some folks have remarked on how "brave" we must be to live here. No. Not at all. We remain aware and prepared, but we've felt greater "danger vibes" in many other situations and places than we do here.
I have walked the streets of Chinatown and Times Square in New York City without feeling the slightest need to raise my Awareness Radar beyond its ever-present amber status in public situations...but give me a few thousand elbow-rubbing neighbors at a concert, and I'm outa there.
One other comment and I'm done. Being ready to run is something that Floridians along with anyone living along the Gulf coast right on up the Atlantic coast to North Carolina need to do. Hurricane preparation information abounds, but relatively few take advantage of it.
Evacuations are yucky. However, if those fleeing Hurricane Rita had taken the time to familiarize themselves with secondary and side roads no one would have been stuck on the interstate.
Very true. I've never had to flee a Hurricane, but then I've never lived in hurricane country.
I really like these suggestions. I have been trying to visualize and think through different possibilities lately. Knowing multiple routs out of our valley has also been something I have been planning, and knowing what is passable what times of year. Keeping food on hand is widely practiced where I live, but keeping some readily available, if the need to run quickly should arrive is something I am still working on. We bought a gun several years ago, for use in the home, after our house was repeatedly broken into. When we were first married we had a stocker who stole the bullets out of our gun when we left it in our tent while we were out.
Knowing more about how to work legal things would be very useful, as you did with the mortgage. Thank you for the encouragement to keep studying.
PS The bug works great for faking ADHD... More than once I have talked myself out of a potentially dangerous situation by playing the flake. :)
Hm, Ivorwen, perhaps you talk to the bug? That ought to mess up an opponent's mind. I kind of think the striking pattern must actually be hieroglyphics, perhaps alien script from Arcturus if not actually Egyptian....
I've never had anyone steal the bullets and leave the gun, but my wife and I did have our "best friends" steal two of our revolvers from our Montana cabin and pawn them in 2001. We knew it had to be them because they were the only people besides the two of us who had a key and there were no signs of forced entry.
Pam got them back. She let them know straight up that she knew and that the consequences would be severe if they were not returned. Additionally, another friend of ours REALLY put the word on 'em, let them know the entire mountain community would be all over 'em like a cheap suit if they didn't make things right. They know Pam really is mentally ill, and both of us regularly put into their minds that she was crazy enough to do something...crazy.
When I emptied and abandoned the cabin a few months later, the revolvers were there...in places we had definitely searched...but not where we always kept them.
Good for Pam!
As to the bug, changing the subject frequently tends to really aggravate the non-violent bully, who won't take no for an answer. They decide getting what they want from you is hopeless, and move on to an easier victim who will take pity on them. These people ofter come in the form of acquaintances who want to 'barrow' things or have you run errands for them. Or they are the guy looking for a 'date' that follow a woman from store to store, giving compliments, despite the fact he is being ignored, she has made it clear she is married and has children -- as if the 3-5 with her weren't a deterrent...
LOL! The 3-5 children with you...maybe your "mall stalker" just figured your younguns were clear evidence you knew your way around the neighborhood in which he wanted to play.
Not that it's really all that funny. I'm sure you saw the news yesterday about the guy no girl would date, so he shot down a few ladies at random before offing himself. Except for the pregnant instructor, who survived by thinking fast and playing dead.
Forgot about playing dead as a method of self defense. There are times when the Way of the Possum is the way to go.
Great post Ghost! I have a twelve year old daughter who, like her mom, loves to play outside. Rather than keep her safe and sheltered at home, I have taught her how to defend herself if ever a grown man (or anyone stronger than her) were to try and snatch her. In addition to the physical, I like what comedian Kat Williams had to say regarding attempted child abduction: Rather than screaming, "help me! help me! Shout "I don't know you M.F!" THAT would definitely get the neighbors attention! She has my permission to use this phrase in case of emergency.
Tammy, my wife and I are sitting here chuckling in approval. I'm a Turbo Fan of comedians in general but had no knowledge of Kat Williams--I do now! Pam and I could both see authorizing that "don't know you MF!" shout; that would WORK.
Great hub, Ghost! I really like your focus here, and the takeaway is that preparedness for nearly anything is the best defense. Not to mention, being able to think on your feet can be a big help in "interesting" situations.
Jeffrey, that about sums it up. In far fewer words than I used, too. As for thinking on your feet, I got a lot of practice in high school. Had such a big mouth I was always talking myself into trouble and then had to quick-like-a-bunny talk my way back OUT of trouble or get my head handed to me on a paper plate. Later decided to abandon my trash mouth (mostly) but keep the think-fast mentality.
"Self defense is the art of seeing danger coming at you in time to do something about it and then doing it." Being mentally aware of one's surroundings. "Imagine the worst and mentally practice, practice, practice." Keep your head in the game, be aware.
Yep.
I would only add one caveat: "Imagine the worst, etc." does NOT mean freak out and quit enjoying life. Balance in all things is still a functional principle.
A very thoughtful share.
Expecting the worst possible scenario makes you calm, knowing how far you could go makes you ready and these things are very important in utilizing a precise defense.
Thanks, captainchris. I like your comment, too, with one small but (to our family, anyway) important adjustment: It's key for us (my wife and me) that we do PREPARE FOR but don't exactly EXPECT the worst possible scenario. Reason: Pam is clinically diagnosed as being paranoid-schizophrenic and has been a "worry-wart" from birth. If she really expects trouble, things can get pretty high-tension-wire around here.
On the other hand, being READY for it does indeed help her maintain calm.
And I do really appreciate your use of the term "PRECISE" defense. That's it in a nutshell.
Good hub.
Thanks. Interesting avatar! :)
I keep three weeks worth of non-perishable food in my cupboard. I am prepared to grab my trash and go live in the woods at any time. If the power goes out, I have oil lamps and lanterns. I keep flashlights on my desk, my nightstand, and in my purse. They will also keep you warm in a crisis. I have at least 2 dozen blankets and sleeping bags in my closet, which is the tornado shelter(against a dirt wall on two sides). I will not go to certain areas of town, I know four routes from my house to any other area and 8 ways out of town in any direction. I am not paranoid but my husband is.
Sounds like a logical prep level to me. Besides, like they say, if they really are after you, it's not paranoia. With the escalating and rather obvious (to those who look) efforts by bad people to bring us all into SOT (Slavery Or Termination), it's hard to challenge your husband's wisdom.
Different terrain, of course, changes the formula some. There AREN'T 8 ways out of where we live, unless you count climbing the fence into Mexico in 8 different spots. That is, if you're limited to driving.
On foot? Oh yeah. Eight and then some.
Smireles Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
Ghost, your hub shows you to be a thinker as well as a doer. You remind me of a Louis L'Amour character. That is a compliment. I have read all of his books. Anyway, I enjoyed your hub, and I can't think of any uses for the beetle! haha!