No matter where you are or what you are doing, it is always good to be prepared for anything. This does not mean that you should live in fear or paranoia, but being aware of your surroundings and having the knowledge and capability to handle a variety of situations can be a life saving skill. Verbal self defense can only go so far, and sometimes a situation requires basic self-defense training against an attacker, in the form of hand-to-hand combat. If you are interested in taking self-defense classes and learning a form of martial arts, there are many to choose from. Karate and Tae Kwon Do are classics, but other disciplines like Krav Maga have been gaining popularity due to their usefulness in self defense situations. If you do not wish to go to a regular class, there are plenty of books and DVDs available for teaching self-defense to yourself. For those interested in Krav Maga, consider Mastering Krav Maga: Self-Defense: Volume 1. As an added bonus, practicing these forms of martial arts is also great exercise. For those who do not wish to learn a whole discipline and are just looking to learn a few moves to help in a few situations, this article will go over some of the most effective options and suggest some weapons to use in conjunction.
The basic jab is effective for both unarmed and armed contact. You should be aiming for weak spots, such as the face, neck, groin, and knees if you are on the ground. The jab is greatly augmented when incorporating a knife. If you choose to carry a knife, it should be a sturdy tactical build with a blade long enough to inflict damage and provide serious protection, while also being compact enough to conceal and take wherever you need to go. Many knives tactical knives are simple but include other features such as seatbelt cutters, glass break points, and even clips to keep them in place. Keep in mind that in some situations, such as sporting events or traveling through airports, there can be restrictions on this type of weapon. For ladies, the Femme Fatale Knives Ladies Rose Vine Titanium Coated Knife is a beautiful and stylish option. This Is a simple 3 inch blade with a clip that allows the owner to secure it wherever it is most handy.
Since knives are not always welcome, or always available, it is definitely worth practicing techniques that use a stick type weapon. This can be an actual stick, or it can also be a crow bar, bat, cane, or any other long and sturdy object. Using this type of weapon requires a good deal of force, but these weapons can also be used to block an attacker. Basic stickwork consists of attacking on an angle across the body, from the upper left to lower right and vice versa, and conversely from the lower position to the opposite upper position. This allows for the most power with the most reasonable amount of effort. One should never jab with a stick type object as they are generally blunt and will exert little force in this fashion. Depending on the situation there may be several stick-type objects around but if you would like to carry your own consider the Security Products 26-inch Expandable Metal Stick. This collapsible baton can be easily concealed and carried anywhere you might need it.
Often in a self defense situation one does not have the space or ability to rely on perfectly tuned technique and instead must resort to the basic defense of using their hands. In these situations even having something as simple as metal knuckles can help deter or fend off an attacker. When using a set of metal knuckles, the form of the weapon prevents the fingers from being driven into the palm and gives the wearer a tighter fist, which in conjunction with the hardness of the metal can do much more damage than an unarmored fist. Using a set of knuckles requires a slightly different style than throwing a non-augmented punch. If the punch connects directly you could break your fingers, so it is important to use a glancing blow instead. This both protects the fingers and also causes more damage to the attacker. Most knuckles are ridged or otherwise textured on the outside rather than smooth so that they cause more superficial damage. In an attack situation it is much more likely that any punches landed are glancing anyway, so having a set of metal knuckles on hand is an easy way to enhance whatever damage you might have done in the first place. There are many inexpensive products to choose from such as the Zactine Outdoor Self-Defense device. As noted in the item description, these can also be used to break windows so they should be kept nearby for more than just self defense purposes.
There are many potential weapons in the world and many ways to use them. For a more detailed look, check out resources like Survival Weapons: A User’s Guide to the Best Self-Defense Weapons for Surviving Any Dangerous Situation.
Regardless of the techniques or weapons you choose, there are some basic steps you can take to ensure you are most prepared in case of an emergency. Practicing often is the most obvious, but this does not just apply to moves. You should also be practicing with your weapon and get extremely familiar with it. If you are attacked you will not have time to think or the attention span for figuring out how to uncap your pepper spray or spring your knife, so these actions should be muscle memory. Your weapon also should be easy to access and as much as possible should be kept in the same location regardless of what you are wearing. You should also be practicing situational awareness. Know where your exits are and pay attention to who is around you and how they are acting. Having a well rounded self defense plan that incorporates all of this can go a long way toward getting you out of a tough situation if the need ever arises.