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My heart cries for the losses at VT. I watch the images of the wounded being carried out and see the pictures of the slain and my heart aches. I cry for the parents who have to bury their children....something no parent should ever have to do. I see the face of the shooter, twisted in hate and I want to hurt him. I hear the endless debate and accusations and one thing is clear in my mind...If someone wants something bad enough and is willing to pay the price it is almost impossible to stop them.

Having said that, I want to ask "Why did so few of the victims try to fight back"? I know what panic can do to your reasoning...I've been there a time or two when I was lost in the woods. Yes, run to escape if escape is possible...hide if there is somewhere to hide...but if escaping and hiding aren't possible and you know you most likely aren't going to survive...then go out fighting. There had to have been times while he was reloading or switching weapons that he could have been rushed. When I taught self-defense in my Karate classes, I tried to make my students understand that self-defense was a state of mind.

You have to have the right mind set to fight back against those who would do you harm. Contrary Goddess said it in her latest post "Pacifism magnifies violence".

I say to those who killed the bill to give students and employees the legal right to carry handguns on campus, What if just one person had had a handgun there on scene during his rampage? How proud now are you of your actions to make everyone on campus FEEL safe?

A State of Mind

Self-Defense…A State of Mind

The police can’t do it, the government can’t do it, your neighbor or your spouse can’t. The key word in self-defense is SELF. Only you can protect yourself. I’m not talking about the physical techniques that allow you to get away from or fight back against an assailant. I’m referring to how you feel, think, and react mentally to threats against your safety.

Even though the Police’s motto is “To Protect and Serve”, they can’t really. A full time bodyguard “might”, if they went everywhere with you 100% of the time. As a part time police officer, there has been only one time in 4 years of police work that we were in the right place at the right time to stop an assault and even then the assailant had already hurt the victim. Most of the time all the police can do is take a report and go look for the perpetrator “after the fact”.

Knowing what to do after you get into a dangerous situation is great as long as you are built like “The Rock”, or have had years of martial arts training. But having a mind set that will help keep you out of these situations is even better.

You must understand that you and you alone are ultimately responsible for your safety. That means learning how to stay out of situations, learning what to do if you should ever get into one but most of all be willing to do whatever is necessary to protect yourself.

In many of my self defense classes, I had people say “Oh, I could never do that to someone” or “that’s too much trouble to do all of that”. These are the ones who had better hope that the police are going by their house just as an assailant is breaking in.

Self-Defense for Women

WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE

SELF DEFENSE IS A STATE OF MIND

BASICS

A. Areas to Attack *= most vulnerable to attack

1. Eyes*

2. Nose

3. Throat*

4. Solar plexus

5. Joints

6. Groin*

B. Three Principles of Fighting

1. If you can't see, you can't fight.

2. If you can't breathe, you can't fight.

3. If you can't walk, you can't fight.

C. Ways to Attack

1. Punches...most effective to nose, throat, and groin.

2. Kicks...most effective to head and groin.

3. Strikes with an object to a vulnerable area.

D. Objects that can be used as weapons

1. Comb...especially one with a rat's tail.

2. Keys

3. Nail file

4. Pen or pencil

5. Any hard straight object.

DEFENSE SITUATIONS

A. Walking-Jogging

1. Self defense is a state of mind.

2. Be aware of your surroundings at all time.

3. Avoid dark areas.

4. Swing wide at corners and alleys.

5. Keep escape route in mind...run to lit areas or populated areas.

6. Avoid going alone.

7. Tell where you are going and what time to expect you back.

8. Carry possible weapon...walking stick, keys, etc.

B. Vehicles

1. Approaching your vehicle and getting into it...

a. Have keys ready. Don't waste time beside vehicle.

b. Look into back seat and floorboard.

c. Beware of vans parked beside you.

d. Lock doors ASAP.

e. If approached...get in fast, lock doors and DON'T roll down window.

2. While Driving...

a. Keep doors locked and windows rolled up.

b. You are most vulnerable at red lights and stop signs.

c. If bumped...DON'T get out, drive to a place with other people.

d. If stopped...DON'T ROLL DOWN WINDOW OR GET OUT.

c. Pocketbooks and Hip pouches

1. If it has a shoulder strap... DON'T PUT IT OVER YOUR NECK.

2. If you are chased...throw it down to see if they want it or

you...everything in it can be replaced.

3. Wear hip pouches where they can't be unbuckled.

D. Restrooms

1. Use handicapped stall...door opens out and can't be jammed against

you.

2. Don't set purse on floor...hang it up or hold it.

E. Home Alone

1. Don't open door to strangers...if they want to use phone, DON'T invite

them in, offer to make call for them.

2. If someone calls DON'T tell them you're alone.

3. If someone is breaking in...call 911 and either leave or hide.

F. Firearms

1. Use only if you are familiar with one.

2. If you aren't willing to shoot someone...don't have it out.

3. Don't let anyone get closer than 5 feet to you.

4. If you shoot...shoot to stop the threat... NOT to wound.*

5. You can't use deadly force to protect property.*

6. To use deadly force, your life or someone else's life must be in

danger.*

*=Virginia

Self-Defense for Kids

CHILDREN'S SELF-DEFENSE

Basics

A. Get away YOU CAN'T FIGHT THEM

1. Safe Areas to run to...
a. nearest adult
b. nearest house
c. occupied vehicle

2. What to do after you get away...
a. call 911
b. give description of assailant and vehicle
c. WAIT for parents or police to come

B. Tricks to watch for...

1. fake stories...your Mom, Dad, etc, sent me to get you because...
2. asking for directions, looking for certain person or place...
3. wanting you to help them do something...
4. something that will get you within grabbing distance of their vehicle...

C. Areas to attack to help you get away...

1. groin (on males only)...use kick, knee, strike, or grab
2. eyes...fingers or hard objects (eyeglasses smash them against their face)
3. throat...fingers or hard objects

Defense situations

A. Walking

1. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AT ALL TIMES
2. Beware of dark areas
3. Keep escape route in mind...run to lit areas with people
4. Swing wide at corners and alleys
5. Don't go alone
6. Tell someone where you are going and about when you will be back
7. If attacked DON"T SCREAM...YELL something like "Help he's trying to
hurt me!!"

B. Home alone

1. Don't open door to strangers
2. If they want to use the phone tell them NO
3. If someone calls...NEVER tell them you're alone
4. If they keep calling back, tell them you are expecting a call and don't want
the phone tied up.
5. If someone is breaking in call 911 and hide or go out a back way to a safe
place.