101 ways to defend yourself without a gun: A Rebuttal
101 ways to defend yourself without a gun; by Johnny A. Jenkins. The full essay can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/2ucdc8.
Now right from the git-go I want to say that I don’t know if he wrote the essay or if his friend Sarah wrote it, so I’m not being personal here but just taking a look at the tips presented. Neither do I think this rebuttal should reflect badly on his defensive products, some of which look very useful. Just remember to check the laws of your jurisdiction to ensure legality, if you want to buy some.
Here goes:
For the last month or so, there has been an article about self defence available on the net. Its url is sufficiently like my own to show up in searches for me, so I read it when I heard about it.
My first impression was that it was a rush job, disjointed and confusing. Much editing is necessary to get all the points in each topic together in one place, for instance. This would make it easier to read and make the points easier to remember.
But impetuous writing style aside, I still must pan this article for the advice it gives. Some is confusing and some is just plain useless or dangerous.
Here is the first paragraph:
Above all you must always be aware of your surroundings. Stay in the best physical condition possible. Carry your car keys in your hand and use them as a stabbing weapon if necessary. Keep your house key and car keys separate. A swift kick to the groin is a sure way to stop a male attacker. When shopping wear good running shoes for quick escape. If attacked, fight to keep from leaving the scene with the attacker. You stand a better chance of escaping while you are at the scene.
This short paragraph contains six different ideas: stay aware, be in good condition (presumably for fighting or running), advice about keys, kicking the groin, what shoes to wear and never leave the scene of the attack with the attacker.
Let’s look at these one by one:
1. Stay aware:
What are we to be aware of? Bad guys straight from central casting? Men from a different culture or race? Long haired men? Men with tattoos? Homeless men? So we are aware of them, now what? Will our awareness save us if we don’t do anything about it? What should be done if we don’t like the look of someone? He doesn’t tell us, does he.
Presumably he means that we should avoid that person but he doesn’t say that at all. If you don’t have a plan as to how to get past the unavoidable and rough looking guy, what good is your awareness to you?
Many folks get themselves into trouble when they actually perceive danger but deny to themselves there is a problem because they don’t know what to do about it. Then, after the incident is over, they say, “I knew I should not go there, but I did anyway – why didn’t I just listen to myself?” Their awareness didn’t fail them, their lack of having a plan failed them.
The easiest thing to do is to go into the nearest business establishment and ask for someone to walk with you to your car to help ensure your safety. Or go somewhere else if you can. Your plan doesn’t have to be complicated but it must be a rehearsed plan.
2. Stay in the best condition possible:
and have your blood pressure checked twice a year and a mammogram every 12 months.
This hint suggests that you must become someone else to survive in this world; that you, as you are now, are insufficient. Therefore, you need help, lady! And now that you are aware of the dangers all around you, and how out of shape you are to deal with them, I bet you are ready to buy that help from someone just like him, aren’t you?
So you lose thirty pounds and get all toned up, real buff. Do you think you are ready to fight off a mugger now? Even if he hits you from behind as openers? Or has three friends with him?
The Fighter’s Body: An Owner’s Manual: Your Guide to Diet, Nutrition, Exercise and Excellence in the Martial Arts
Being in shape is good but your self defence plan should be based on your reality as you are living it now, not on someone else’s fantasy.
3. Have keys ready to stab:
Okaaaay, how do you hold them? Used to be that women were told to hold them in the fist with two or three sticking out between the fingers so they could be punched into the bad guy’s eyes.
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