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The Real World of Self Protection - Stan Brogan The Real World of Self Protection Before self defence is even considered as an instructional medium it would be advisable to study the benefits of self protection. It is a very unwise person who would take training in how to handle an intruder in his house when he did not bother to secure his premises with suitable locks and other hardware in the first instance. So it should be when giving advice or training to members of the public anxious to be able to deal with personal attacks. Simple safety precautions can be of great value in preserving ones safety. We have all heard the well worn phrases about darkened streets, self confidence, not showing expensive adornments in public places, etc. etc. but how many of us have bothered to stress the more simple precautionary measures that can greatly reduce the possibility of personal attacks. Sometimes victims of violence have received severe injuries, even death, when they stood to lose a small sum of money. If one wishes to fight for a few pounds of cash then they must have a very low opinion of the value of life. However, many persons who conduct training classes for self defence’ are more interested in getting down to the physical aspect of personal safety. All too often there is a trainer who has acquired some knowledge of a martial art,etc. over a long period and expects his pupils to perform with some expertise when attacked. What is learned in a training hail, with an instructor nearby to correct faults, working with a fellow trainee, both anxious to avoid injury is a far cry from an ugly surprise attack with the object of using violence if necessary carried out in the street where often no one nearby to assist or deter the assailant. Another attribute which the trainer has is his physical fitness. Many persons who desire training are not physically fit and do not have the confidence and agility of the trainer. Also the trainer usually adapts some martial art trick to use as a self defence measure and seems to forget how long it took him or his martial art colleagues to master the same movement. Often an assailant is armed and there are those who believe that they can turn these elderly, unfit and unknowledgeable members of the public into fighting machines able to disarm their attackers. When attacked by an armed person it takes great courage, skill and a great deal of luck to oversome the opponent and it is always advisable to do as one is told rather than risk your life. Of course there are exceptions but the majority of the criminal fraternity just want some easy pickings with no extra trouble. What then is the answer to some of these problems? An instructor should carefully consider if he has the many attributes that one expects in this type of instruction. Some of the more obvious are listed below. ¨ Good interpersonal skills and presentation ¨ A presentable standard of dress and physical appearance ¨ A good knowledge of security and self protection skills ¨ The ability to assess what areas of instruction are relevant to the trainees ¨ An awareness of the physical capabilities of the trainees ¨ Ensure that adequate and safe equipment is available if necessary ¨ The instructor should have First Aid qualifications to a reasonable standard It follows therefore that training in protection skills may vary widely according to the composition, age and specialist requirements of certain groups of trainees. A few examples illustrates this point quite clearly: Female persons may be more interested on how to deal with indecent -behaviour, obscene telephone calls, rape and indecent assaults than male persons. Elderly persons cannot be expected to take part in a physical struggle nor chase after a runaway thief. Nurses in hospital may have to deal with inebriates or drug users who may be patients or relatives and friends of a patient. Unruly persons who may be ill or injured and demand instant attention or trespassers or intruders. Door attendants or ‘bouncers’ at popular places of entertainment often have to vet the type of person seeking admission. Some may be unsuitably dressed, already banned from the premises, in possession of weapons or drugs or of a riotous or disorderly demeanour and likely to cause trouble. These are but a few of the many variances of instruction that may be demanded of the instructor and, if not suitably qualified, the instructor should stand back from such a task and thus probably save a claim of negligence with possible litigation proceedings when accidents happen. Litigious claims can be made when it is alleged that the injury was due to faulty instruction, unsafe equipment or contributory negligence whilst under instruction This is also possible when ‘instructors’ have been trained and a third party is injured because of faulty instruction in the original training. Even if the claim never reaches a court hearing, the legal fees incurred in consultation and arbitration can most costly. There is a great deal of truth in the assumption that if physical encounter is necessary then there is a good possibility that the situation may have been incorrectly dealt with in the first instance. It is therefore advisable to place much emphasis on the handling of confrontation skills, preventative measures in both the home and public places and other methods of avoiding physical contact. What then is the answer? Persons taking on the task of self protection training should assess the class and have a structured programme of instruction compatible with the group seeking instructing. It is good to know what they expect, if they have ii common problem by nature of their employment and can that problem be adequately addressed. This is very much an abridged treatise on the many critical issues facing instructors m this field and they should not be averse to seeking guidance when they feel it is necessary or advisable.. Finally, if you have some high grading in one of the martial arts or Judo, do not go into a Court and expect them to consider you as an expert in the field of personal injury negligence. The author is on the Law Society List of Expert Witnesses and is a member of the Society of Expert Witnesses and even now, after over twelve years experience is subjected to rigorous questioning by skilled barristers.
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The Kano Society |