Preparation and Readiness
You must prepare for what may never come. But, if it does come, you need to be ready to defend yourself and your family.
Usually prior to being attacked, the assailant will give an indication that he or she is about to attack you. It is important that you watch what the attacker’s body is doing. Watch the attackers physical or body movements. This is called kinesthetic or body language. Attackers unconsciously prepare themselves to attack you. It’s up to you to recognize these nonverbal clues.
Is he/she standing flat footed or have they moved into a fighting position? What are his hands doing? Is he preparing to punch you? Has he quickened his pace toward you? Is his body in an attack mode? What are his body movements saying non-verbally?
When you feel as though you are in danger and can see the attacker, watch the person’s hands. Can you see both of his hands? Does he or she have a weapon? Look at body positioning and listen to the words being spoken. What is he doing and saying? You don’t have much time. Very quickly assess the situation and ask yourself, “What is his body saying to me and what is he about to do?” That is why it is important to keep that reactionary zone or safe space between you and the attacker. That safe space is the 4-6 feet between you and him/her. This will give you time to react when they attack.
When confronted with a potentially life-threatening situation, you will do one of the following: fight, flight, or freeze. Notice I have added freeze to the equation.
To fight, you must be mentally and physically prepared. You can’t have one and not the other. If you have trained and you are physically and mentally ready, you have just increased your chances of survival by 70% to 80%. Most bad guys do not want a confrontation. That is why they have chosen you. Their goal is to get in and out as fast as possible.
If you have received training and have confidence in your ability, you will live to fight another day. When you are confronted by an aggressive person, you will not have to think about what to do. Your training will kick in and your response to the threat will be faster than the speed of thought. It will be over and you will have to ask yourself what technique did I use to neutralize the attacker? That is how fast you will react to defend yourself.
If you are attacked and you can’t physically fight, maybe fleeing is the best option. Maybe you are injured or you are excessively overweight. If you fight, it might kill you. Retreat if you can, but survive.
Sometimes you are fighting back so you can escape. Fight to escape! This works. Once you have responded to the threat, get out of the kill or touch zone. Move away from the threat as fast as possible and call the police. Remember, distance is always your friend.
Tips
Before the Attack
1 If you have a defensive weapon (gun, knife, pepper spray), take it out.
2 Does the weapon work and have you practiced with the weapon?
3 Don’t be a hero. If you can, call the police and avoid the threat.
4 Quickly formulate a plan of action.
5 Get a winning survival mindset.
6 Take the high ground if possible.
7 If you can, maintain that reactionary gap.
8 Watch the hands of the attacker.
9 Verbalize now loud and clear: Freeze! Don’t move! Stop, get back!!
10 If threatened, react, you don’t have time to think. 11 Delay is the difference between thought and action.
12 Prepare yourself mentally and physically to be injured or killed.
13 Fight hard and be determined to win.
14 When you are attacked, become the aggressor.
During The Attack
Your senses will be screaming. Your adrenaline will have peaked.
2. Move if you can. Don’t stand in one place.
Sound and vision will become distorted under stress.
You will experience tunnel vision and you will only focus on one thing.
Keep your head moving to prevent tunnel vision.
Use your weapon if your life is in danger.
Become the attacker and not the victim.
During the fight if you get injured, don’t give up continue fighting.
Do whatever it takes to survive.
There are no rules.
If you strike, strike hard.
Disengage and get away if you can.
Never give up.
After the attack
1. Don’t relax too soon and try to breathe.
2. Continue to look around for additional attackers. 3. Call the police.
4. If you are injured, tell the police you need fire rescue.
5. If the attacker is hurt, tell the police the attacker needs fire rescue
6. Protect the crime scene and evidence that may help prove your defense.
7. When the police arrive, do exactly as you are told.
8. If the arriving police officer tells you go get on the ground, do it.
9. If you have shot and killed someone, get legal advice prior to talking to the police.
10. Tell the police officer, “I have been in a very traumatic event and I need some time to think about what happened before I give you a statement.”
Keep your head down and keep the faith,
Reno
