Self-Defense “Basics” Seminar
SUMMARY
In this 2 1/2 hour seminar, we cover 6 areas of self-defense to help prevent and survive a personal threat. We explore the proper defensive mindset, environment awareness, body language indicators, basic strikes to counter a threat, surviving the drive in Memphis, practical cyber habits to stay safe, and force multipliers. We also demonstrate some advanced techniques available in other classes. Each student is presented a certificate of completion at the end of the seminar.
THE SELF-DEFENSE MINDSET
Self-Defense is not just about the physical preparation to a conflict. Our mental and emotional preparation are just as important if not more important that the physical preparation we may learn. We will cover fear and how it affects us, what we call the “Southern Problem”, what is predatory behavior, Self Defense Claims, Setting and Managing boundaries, use of violence and other topics relating mental and emotion preparation to defend.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS/ANALYSIS
Situation Awareness /Analysis introduces the concepts of how to read the room or area where you happen to be. There are three questions we need to ask ourselves whenever we enter a new environment. 1. What’s going on Here? 2. What stands out? 3. What are we going to do about it? We present the concepts and the behavioral clues that are specific, and observable that can be an indicator of dangerous intent. Also, we look at the 7 techniques predators use to gain your confidence, lower your guard and create opportunity to attack.
EFFECTIVE STRIKE RESPONSES
Getting physically engaged in a confrontation is the last thing we want to do and only if we don’t have any other options. Traditional thinking on self-defense is usually associated with force-on-force activity to see who is the most powerful. We try and challenge that thinking and seek to end the confrontation as quickly as possible. This is a hands-on segment and one where we will spend a good portion of time honing our skills. We cover using our hands and legs to strike, what to do if someone grabs you by the wrist or puts your hands around your throat, where to strike and discuss what if someone presents or uses a weapon against you?
FORCE MULTIPLIERS
Force multipliers are defensive tools we may carry that multiply the impact of defensive actions beyond what the human body is capable doing alone. We cover simple every day devices we can use as improvised non-lethal weapons, to physically impairing tools we can purchase that we might use to deter someone like pepper spray and impact weapons, the use of force multipliers and we discuss why firearms are not the universal solution for self-defense. We recommend everyone carry pepper spray at a minimum, so we also include a demonstration of inert pepper spray to familiarize students on its use.
DRIVING FOR SELF-DEFENSE
We all know how crazy Memphis drivers are and we have all been guilty of doing crazy things but being aware just doesn’t stop when we get in the car. How we approach a stop light, how to control our emotions when we drive, how to spot sudden maneuvers from other drivers moments before they happen, speed differential with other cars, areas of transitions and why they are the most vulnerable places we can be and other safety concepts. We talk about how to reduce the chance of being involved in a carjacking and what to do.
ONLINE SAFETY / PUBLIC MESSAGING
What we tell people publicly about ourselves is sometimes mind boggling and in the age of social media can have exponential negative results. We present some tips for keeping your physical life disconnected (as much as practical) from the financial and physical predators that exist online. Also, we like to tell people about ourselves and what we believe by displaying stickers and messages on our cars. Reducing our public exposure and vulnerabilities is essential more than ever today.