How much self-defense do you think you really need?

[MJS]

This is all fine and well so far and great replies, folks. Keep them coming!

My major area of concern is there is a fervent desire for preparedness by many of us and I worry ... occasionally ... that this can be dissuading to others wanting to step foot in the world of self-defense, especially women. It would be easy to look at people like us and call us paranoid, living in fear.

Some of us are preparing (if not prepared already) for the worst case possible scenarios in life. We see this is sensible; others may view this as neurotic.

I suppose this would now fall into the categories of people who train. Some train for SD, some train for something to do after work or school, some train to lose weight, etc. So, IMO, someone there to lose weight will probably view someone whos main goal is SD, as one of those neurotic people. Personally, while we reap the benefits of all those other things, ie: weight loss, friends, I've always felt that learning SD should be the #1 goal. For myself, I don't need the arts to lose weight...I can go to the gym or workout in my own house. I don't need the arts to make friends...I have many from outside the arts.

Now, to play devils advocate for a minute...when you said this:

My major area of concern is there is a fervent desire for preparedness by many of us and I worry ... occasionally ... that this can be dissuading to others wanting to step foot in the world of self-defense, especially women. It would be easy to look at people like us and call us paranoid, living in fear.

technically, this can dissuade people who are serious about training, from stepping on the mat, because they be working with people who are not as serious as they are.

So are you preparing for guerrilla warfare? Are you preparing for religious persecution? Nuclear warfare?

No.

 

[MJS]

OK, my problem with the super-survivalist state of mind is not that I don't believe that you should be prepared. I agree with that. It's just that if you expect the worst, you are likely to find it... or create it!

Well, speaking for myself only, I don't go out looking for or hoping that I get into trouble. I don't frequent bars or clubs, I do my best to avoid bad sections and I do my best to be aware of my surroundings. Now, if we look at the typical material that is taught in a MA class, we should see defenses for a number of attacks. I train knife defense, however, I may never have a knife pulled on me. I do the same for guns, and thankfully, I've never had one pulled on me.

Maybe I'm not quite following the underlined statement. Not quite sure how I'm going to find it or create it. Again, I don't go looking for trouble, but if one day, I do find myself facing a blade, I want to make sure that I have some solid defense to fall back on.

Mike

 

[Em MacIntosh]

I struggle with pessimism and am somewhat of a creature of extremes. Once someone has decided to get physical I assume the absolute worst and am prepared to respond with deadly force. I'm extremely reactive, tense and wound up and always feel somewhat threatened unless I'm in my apartment with the doors locked. I go from meek to psycho almost instantly because I'm TERRIFIED of what can happen, training or not, in a threatening situation. Needless to say I keep to myself when I can. The martial arts are seperate from these kind of events for me (though the muscle memory is ingrained) and the "animal rage" has saved my life before.

 

[zDom]

I have no idea of what the future holds, but I know in the past I have been stabbed on one occassion and beaten nearly to death on another. Wish I knew (and was training in) then what I know now

I believe my chances of having to defend myself in the future are low as I make better choices (because of martial arts), I look less like a victim (increased confidence, because of martial arts), and I'm older.

I know I do enjoy not living in fear of someone "imposing their will" on me as statistically there are few people who are likely to do so without a weapon or an overwhelming advantage in numbers.

I probably had all I "needed" 10 years ago. But it is nice to continue to improve my odds of coming out on top in a self-defense (or family/friends defense!) situation while I simultaneously maintain my mental and physical well being through vigorous training.

 

[lcortez]

Hello there,newbie again.My opinion is that good awareness of you surroundings is the cornerstone of good self defense.By this I mean familiarise yourself with any new neighbouhood that you may miove to,as in know where the bad areas are,where the rowdy bars are etc. Also be aware of your surroundings on a day to day basis.
Personally speaking in my youth I have been shot,stabbed,baseball batted,and even gassed, all could have been avoided by good awareness, (and losing the tough guy mentality).
I think awareness,combined with strong self confidence cover a lot of the bases, as most aggressors sem to be looking for an easy victim.
In technical terms, I dont believe you need a technique for every situation,just a strong reportoire of basic techniques.

 

[Big Don]

You don't need any self-defense to be a victim. I, like most of us here, choose not to be a victim, so I train accordingly.

 

[Rich Parsons]

Take some time and really think about how much threat you really have in daily life and ask yourself what your daily needs are.

"G", I have lots to say on this subject about myself and about the average person and about the average person I work with. You might be surprised. And then again you might not.

I think as you and most likely others have stated it will depend upon people location and occupation and income levels.

Some of us are in very dangerous areas and some of us are in the suburbs, some of us are out in public every single day, creatures of habit, others have more leisure opportunities than others ... there are many factors really.

I have worked, lived and hung out in dangerous areas. But for me today, my most exposure even at the sports bars I go to in nicer areas are not where I could get my problems. It is at work. Yes it is at work.

But what I find interesting is while there is a *strong* need by some for some on this board, I have been pondering the Urban Warrior axiom and some knock-off questions like, ...

Self Defense is portant and awareness is the first key to self defense and also to survival. But for most they can go through life unaware and still never have a problem.

can you be prepared and not lose your sense of humanity?

Yes. I actually have an over dose of humanity. I help the injured animal on the side of the road. I help those who are broke down on the side of the road. I step in when I see someone getting hurt. I am not super man nor am I trying to make a big man of myself. I just cannot stand or tolerate it when people are getting hurt and I can do something about it.

Yes, I have been hurt for it , but I also think those I helped were hurt a lot less. Now, I agree I am not in places to see it as much as I used too, but I still react. I still watch people, I still smile at the joy a child playing with a pet.

...and can you walk without fear AND without a weapon?

Without Fear? Yes. Fear is the Mind Killer. Ok, I stole that from Mr. Herbert. But I think fear leads to paranoia. Awareness is good, and just short of paranoia is good.

Can I walk without weapons. Qualified No. We have a policy at work that no weapons are allowed. A agreement to employement they can search your vehicle. But the problem I have is that I am still a weapon myself and I have a brain so every item I see and touch is also a weapon.

If a person has honestly made the decision to kill someone in thier life, then the weapon of choice it not an issue. The choice for me is what weapon is in the reach of my hands or how to I get to it or survive long enough to get what I need.

and various other fever-induced questions over the last few days.

Thanks.

I have had a fever for the last few days and I know what that can lead too.


As to my work mentioned above:

We have mechanics and union workes who have seen the occasional bar fight. Then there are those that have had some military training as well.

I have run across some of these guys who think because I am an engineer I will be a push over if they yell at me. I have had some threaten me even in a plant with a nice big pipe wrench. I ask them, if they woudl like to take this off property as the only way to loose your job straight out is violence. Being drunk or on drugs can be blamed on stress. Violence requires lots of visits to doctors and no way to make sure you get your job back.

I had one boss in a one on one start to shake and yell and he balled up his fist in anger (* not sure what he was angry at the time but he was vented it on me *). My first thought was not hit as I would kill him and given the location of the meeting room we were in there was no way I could get the body out and hide. (* My honest first thought was not that it woudl be a bad thing to kill him in self defense but that I could not gide it and that no one would believe he was being this stupid. *) the next month he started the same thing. The first thought in my brain was do not laugh as ther was no recovery form laughter. He was made about hsi job and about a recent reorganization.

Also at work we contract out our cleaning services. These services for the longest times went to the lowest bidders who hired conveicted felons. Of course they did a back ground check as required but they got to work until their paper work came back. In the mean time they knew this and would steal anything not nailed down. Picture Frames, pop cans, and even computers/lap tops. After it happened to me and I got invovled and got in securities face about their lack of real security, and that I had handed them the person with my investigation but no one would write down my statement. I was either being racist or classist. The guy was white and I am white on paper. I do not see this, other than he was a thief, and yes they did catch him after I told everyone in security about their screw up and my bosses and the directors who would call to make sure I had the latest security memo. Those directors got an earful and I am sure they were not happy with my comments. But the team was stupid. I saw them taking out multiple units with multiple people. The lead who they busted was the only one they were watching (* I guess I was not clear enough that more could be involved *) and they dropped the bags and units and walked away. So they got away with it that time. Except the lead person who did get captured.

These guys they hire now range from thsoe that walk and talk to themselves. Mostly harmless but I am not so sure, as when you try ot be polite they get angry with you. Not even a head nod or eye to eye acknowledgement is ok. Then some are out and out thugs, just not thieves. I gave the head nod to one guy and he stopped as he was not watching me but watching those around him. I stopped and smiled and said yes? He said you are not afraid of a 6'5" 400 black guy. I said nope. Why should I be. But you looked at me and recognized me as a person which means you know I could hurt someone. I laughed and told him that those around here would not notice hium as he was not part of their group. He laughed and also was thinking the same thing.

Then there is the threats from the senior mangement that yell and pound and scream. I just smile and laugh on the inside. One touch with a little pain involved and they would have a whole new look on life.


So, for me, I use self defense tactics at work everyday. Some to keep my job and life style. Others to defend myself from possible bad guys who work there and also from those who think they are bad guys as they are used to dealing with push overs.

But then again I never said I did anything normal.

 

[sgtmac_46]

I've given some thought to it, and the question 'How much self-defense do you think you really need' is a lot like asking how much health and life insurance do you think you really need?

The answer is 'As much as you can afford!'

 

[Hawke]

I train mainly for the enjoyment of training.

I also cross train in areas that I feel weak in.

I will continue to train throughout my life.

No matter how many years go by, I always learn something new.

I practice some of the techniques over and over again and every now and then see it from a different point of view (especially when cross training with someone from a different art).

We keep ourselves sharp through practice.