Self Defense in a Short Period
Original Poster: dscott
Forum: Hand to Hand Combat
Posted On: 02-05-2006, 23:18
Orginal Post: dscott: I have a friend that will be taking a 4-month trip through Europe and Asia with his girlfriend. He's mentioned to me several times that he wants to learn a quick self defense so that if something happens, he can protect himself and his girlfriend (especially her). He's leaving in about 3 months.
Is this too short of a time to learn something practical?
Post: zefff:
We all should just use the same street awareness wherever we are. Keep to the light. best technique I reckon would be keep yer mouth shut and slowly hand over your wallet. Someone mentioned a little diversion wallet with a few notes in. Thats a good idea.
There is no one quick answer to an infinite amount of unforseen threats, why is he afraid that he might have to defend himself abroad but is cushty at home?
...sorry, I'll rephrase that. Why doesnt he feel the need to know how to defend himself in his own land? :roll: :lol: The threats are the same such as mugging, bar fights etc TBH I would fear pickpocket and date rape drugs most.
Apart from that, have a great holiday!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Edit: sorry I forgot to answer your question. Is it too short a time to learn anything useful? No but he cant become flexible enough to cover a lot of situations in that time. The problem is he 'could' find himself in a situation thats out of his depth......but he doesnt know it.>
Post: dscott:
I just think he's more comfortable at home because he knows it. He knows where to go and where not to go. He knows the different customs and ways of acting here.
He's taking the Trans Siberian Railroad for a month and he's heard stories of muggings and robbery while sleeping on the train. I think his biggest thing is the fact that he'll be with his girlfriend. He's traveled all over the world by himself and he's not as worried. But, understandably, he feels the need to protect her.
It's not really the fact that he DOESN'T want to learn anything to defend himself at home. He just definitely wants to learn something for this trip.>
Post: zefff:
Well he could grow a beard. His missus might not like the chafing but people with beards always look like they shouldnt be messed with. :mrgreen:>
Post: setsu nin to:
Tell him to stay out of troubles and thats best self defense that he can have. Gold rule is: if you look for a fight you will finde it, if you dont look for a fight you wont finde it. Its 99% that he wont get in trouble, 1% is bad luck.
If he realy what to learn some techniques than show him five techniques per month and he may practice that five techniques for all month. So 3 months... its 15 techniques... well if he learn how to use them it will be enought.
Also some US turists prefere to wear Canadian marks while they are in Eu or Asia, but I dont know that someone had problems just becouse he was from US.>
Post: Sensei S. Hilaire:
Of course there are things he can learn in 3 months. A dozen techniques practiced three times a week for three months in a high stress training environment that focus on escaping, a couple basic strikes to help in escaping, a couple of easy takedowns from typical mugging type attacks, and a couple basic weapon disarms sounds like a good plan to me. Of course the man will avoid altercations, use his awareness of sticky situations, and possible assailants, and more than likely will have no problem whatsoever. But like you would prepare the correct equipment for a hike in the mountains, prepare for issues you know exist wherever you are travelling. Be really friendly, seek out other Americans, try to hang out in a group when in sketchy areas. AND - his girlfriend should train too! He is not 100% reponsible for her - she has responsibility too - for herself and her partner.>
Post: Dormath:
in 3 months in most MA he can learn qite a bit. He just need to find one more on SD then Sport is all>
Post: Tease T Tickle:
In 3 months time he can learn to work the safety, clip release and slide mechanism of a 9mm handgun. He will also have time to practice pulling out of his waistband and aim it at people.
don't tell me he can't carry a gun because criminals do it all the time. don't tell me he can't afford one because the unemployed get their hands on them all the time.
Oh, and in 3 months he can definitely learn to pull a trigger.>
Post: jlambvo:
Hmm, I think the risk of getting caught carrying a concealed firearm as a foreigner far outweighs the feeling of safety it provides. If you're going to carry any weapon especially for defense against muggers/kidnappers, you need to know how to deploy and retain it in a within-arms-reach situation (where you probably lack initiative), and know how to deal with it being turned against you.
It would probably be a good idea to learn something about gun handling, but I would think more to understand something about overcoming an assailant armed with one. Go out to the range a few times, get familiar with the most dangerous distance for pistols, and go over the safest positions to be in against an opponent holding a firearm (ie, where is it safest to gain distance versus getting inside/behind the gun's range).
The same approach could be said for knives and even unarmed fighting. Spend 3 months drilling positioning, and throw in a few very simple techniques from those positions. I think the worst thing would be to have him trying to pull off Technique 3 without getting to a safe place first. And make sure he can throw a punch without breaking his hand :)
Just my .02>
Post: BLACK PANTA:
[quote=Tease T Tickle In 3 months time he can learn to work the safety, clip release and slide mechanism of a 9mm handgun. He will also have time to practice pulling out of his waistband and aim it at people.
don't tell me he can't carry a gun because criminals do it all the time. don't tell me he can't afford one because the unemployed get their hands on them all the time.
Oh, and in 3 months he can definitely learn to pull a trigger.[/quote
Damn boy you read my mind. What I will say is tho, in 3 mths, he can learn just enough of a weapon for self defence. I would suggest Arnis. You can pick up a stick anywhere, and 3 mths of diligent training, and practice at home, he can at least begin to feel comfortable with the sticks. With Arnis, it can be easily transitioned to use blades.
"yuh cyan karate chap me han, but yuh cyan karate chap meh bullet" - my dad's friend in Trinidad.
"In the street, in most cases (bigger guys, multiple attackers) weapons are equalizers" My JKD instructor.>
Post: NeverMan:
Arnis, like Black Panta said, or I guess you could go with the gun like Destruktion said, er, I mean Tease Tickle. I would go with Arnis though. You could learn a lot in 3 months. Boxing or MT. Most of the TMA will not get you far in 3 months, along with BJJ (IMO).
If you are really worried about pickpockets, keep your wallet in your front pocket.>
Post: setsu nin to:
Wow with weapons he has to be realy careful becouse of law, even if they allowed him to have weapon with him there would be so many paper work and things like that.>
Post: Gong||Jau:
I agree. I would say that, although it's safe, a gun is more risk than it's worth. Plus, if it gets taken away you're pretty much defenseless. Honestly, I would send him to this place, but since people don't ever seem to actually go there when it's suggested, learning a weapon is probably a good idea. Consider, though, that if he actually has to use it, he's going to have to deal with the authorities in a foreign country, who are going to want to know why he was armed in the first place.>
Post: Tease T Tickle:
That is three people now who said that carrying a gun was a problem. Did I not say to not bring that up because criminals do it all of the time anyway?
Sure, there is legislation on the books saying it's a no-no. But, there are ways around getting punished or even caught, and everyone knows this is true.
If your friend can't bribe somebody, find a less secure entrance to a building, pick a lock, climb up a fire escape, etc. he should not be traveling anywhere and should stay in his little world of complete compliance to authority.>
Post: BLACK PANTA:
oh yeah about the wallet thing another thing to do is tie a couple of thick rubber bands around your wallet, so you know when that shit's comming out of your pocket. even having the wallet in your front pocket is pretty risky against a trained pick pocket.>
Post: jlambvo:
It might be one thing to smuggle a gun around in your hometown or something dude, but traveling abroad (in the current political climate), probably wanting to see museums and other secure tourist attractions :?? What if he ends up using it and has to explain himself? Or should he flee the scene? The abilities you mention might be beneficial/interesting things to pick up over your lifetime, but are usually illegal activities themselves and hardly practical to become comfortable with in 3 months. The logistics involved hardly seem productive in making them feel more at ease, and basically bring more danger than safety to the couple.
It just sounds like its looking for trouble. IF the guy gets into weapons, I would think that improvising with common everyday objects in a way that builds on bread and butter unarmed skills would be a better idea.
:wink:
cheers>
Post: Gong||Jau:
While I think it's entirely conceivable that he could make it the whole trip without having the gun confiscated, I'd be more worried about the consequences if he does use it (as jlambvo said), and the risk of having it used on him. Guns aren't the equalizer that most people perceive them as, and if he tries to use it in close quarters he could get himself and his wife killed.>
Post: Tease T Tickle:
:sigh:
Have none of you committed crimes and gotten away with them?
Just because you're breaking the law does not mean there will be punishment, and in fact, the likliehood of getting caught is related more to your intelligence than any kind of practice, experience or training.
Bottom line, you being worried about getting arrested for possession of a weapon is less of a troublesome worry than, say, being killed. And, no, the gun is not the equalizer but if you don't know how to fight, it's the easiest weapon to pick up and learn to use with any level of skill. Marksmen of the world will unite and try to refute me with claims of training and decades of experience. I'm not talking about hitting a bullseye from 100 yards with five shots in a diamond pattern, I'm talking about putting three rounds center mass on a human being no more than twenty feet away.
No skill required, less negatives than the alternatives, but people get into the realm of potentially breaking a law, they get their panties in a bunch. If this guy were really worried about self defense, he either wouldn't go to risky areas, would've been training for a lot longer than 3 months or would start packing the roscoes. Anything else is just asking for pain and suffering that can otherwise be avoided, and you all know that I am right.>
Post: dscott:
[quote=Tease T Tickle :sigh:
Have none of you committed crimes and gotten away with them?
Just because you're breaking the law does not mean there will be punishment, and in fact, the likliehood of getting caught is related more to your intelligence than any kind of practice, experience or training.
Bottom line, you being worried about getting arrested for possession of a weapon is less of a troublesome worry than, say, being killed. And, no, the gun is not the equalizer but if you don't know how to fight, it's the easiest weapon to pick up and learn to use with any level of skill. Marksmen of the world will unite and try to refute me with claims of training and decades of experience. I'm not talking about hitting a bullseye from 100 yards with five shots in a diamond pattern, I'm talking about putting three rounds center mass on a human being no more than twenty feet away.
No skill required, less negatives than the alternatives, but people get into the realm of potentially breaking a law, they get their panties in a bunch. If this guy were really worried about self defense, he either wouldn't go to risky areas, would've been training for a lot longer than 3 months or would start packing the roscoes. Anything else is just asking for pain and suffering that can otherwise be avoided, and you all know that I am right.[/quote
I can't believe some of the shit that you're saying. I have no problem with citizens owning and using guns but this is ridiculous. First of all, of course we've all committed a crime. I've gone too fast in a car. I've stolen bubble gum. But I haven't concealed a weapon, nor do I think that most of the people here have.
The one thing that you're forgetting is that he has to get from America to Europe/Asia somehow. Do you not think they'll find it in his luggage? I would imagine it might set off a metal detector. But that's just me.....an unsuspecting, naive citizen.>
Post: Tease T Tickle:
[quote=dscott I can't believe some of the shit that you're saying. I have no problem with citizens owning and using guns but this is ridiculous. [/quote
If it's fine to own and use a gun, then why is it ridiculous to own and use a gun when traveling abroad? Seems to me that typical American dude who has a gun to protect his home from burglary or to kill poor innocent deer has more need of a firearm when more or less alone in a foreign country where, sadly, his safety cannot always be certain. I'm not sure how well versed you are with crime statistics, but traveling to Europe is often more dangerous to Americans than traveling to "dangerous" American cities.
Quote: First of all, of course we've all committed a crime. I've gone too fast in a car. I've stolen bubble gum. But I haven't concealed a weapon, nor do I think that most of the people here have.
Okay, let's take speeding, since it's a shockingly good example. If you speed and no police around, you don't get busted. If you carry a pistol and no police are around, you don't get busted. If you speed, catch the eye of an officer and evade him, you don't get busted. If you carry a pistol and catch the eye of an officer, you can evade him and not get busted. If you speed and get busted, you can (sometimes) bribe the officer or otherwise get out of trouble. Same is true with getting busted for packing heat. If you get busted fair and square for speeding, you pay your fine and get on with life. If you get busted for carrying a weapon, you serve your sentence and get on with life. How are ANY of these situations worse than NOT having a gun when you need it and dying? If you can seriously tell yourself that you'd rather be dead than serve a prison bid, you have your priorities messed up and need to stop arguing with me.
Quote: The one thing that you're forgetting is that he has to get from America to Europe/Asia somehow. Do you not think they'll find it in his luggage? I would imagine it might set off a metal detector. But that's just me.....an unsuspecting, naive citizen.
Yeah, you are naive and unsuspecting. How do you think drug cartels get their dirty goods across borders? How do you think arms dealers do it? Getting from America to Europe does not require a commercial jetliner and most other methods of travel do not have the security you think they do. I can't go into more detail because that would make this site potentially libel for anyone that might want to try to smuggle a firearm across national lines, but trust me, it's A LOT easier than you may have been lead to believe.>
Post: dscott:
I'm not going to argue anymore of this. We have a difference of opinions and that's that.>
Post: Irish_Blood:
On a side note, while looking at traveling to South Africa, they allow you to get a permit in the country to bring your gun across boarders (of course it wouldn't be carry on, but in the other luggage in the plane.) Maybe the countries he's traveling to have the same.>
Post: Robert_RedBeard:
[quote=dscott I have a friend that will be taking a 4-month trip through Europe and Asia with his girlfriend. He's mentioned to me several times that he wants to learn a quick self defense so that if something happens, he can protect himself and his girlfriend (especially her). He's leaving in about 3 months.
Is this too short of a time to learn something practical?[/quote
My advice for down and dirty fast learning is Krav Maga.
Then practice practice practice.>
Post: dscott:
[quote=Robert_RedBeard
My advice for down and dirty fast learning is Krav Maga.
Then practice practice practice.[/quote
Wow.....thanks for the advice....it's only a year late :roll:>
Post: Robert_RedBeard:
Sorry, didn't look at the date.>
Post: GrappleToWin:
carry a razor or a box cutter better yet a knife lol once he arrives. if he gets jump stick them and keep sticking..... :twisted: nah but seriously i dunno a lil boxing could never hurt.>
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