SAS Urban Survival Handbook (95 page)

REMEMBER

You can come off worst in this sort of encounter. Using violence (an umbrella brought up between the offender’s legs, for instance) may lead to violence. Most public-place molesters rely on packed conditions and people being too timid to complain. They are usually easily embarrassed into keeping their hands to themselves.

No job should include sexual favours or sexual pressure—although attitudes towards what constitutes sexual annoyance vary enormously. Detailed notes should be kept about such pressure at work and reports given to employers.

Sometimes the result may be little more than a reprimand given to a boss or co-worker—sometimes the loss of a job, even by the victim, may result. Unfortunately civilization is not as civilized as it should be.

It’s important to find a way to deal with harassment—most people are under enough stress without the addition of petty abuse. In public—often on crowded public transport—quite a few people take advantage of cramped conditions. Some people are able to shrug off such physical contact.

THE ELDERLY

If you are reasonably fit and agile, you will obviously stand a better chance. However fit you are, a stout walking stick or umbrella should be carried at all times. Don’t assume that an attacker will necessarily be a young man. Attacks have been perpetrated by women, girls and children. They see you as easy prey—particularly if you have been to collect money. Most of the previous advice applies to you too.

You should talk to your local Crime Prevention Officer about the safety of your home. Follow all the advice (see
Attack at home
). A door chain or limiter is essential. NEVER let anyone into your home, whatever yarn they may spin to you about needing access. Any official visitor will carry identification. They WILL hand this over if requested (even through the letterbox). You CAN phone to verify credentials.

Try to keep a good relationship with your neighbours. They may be your first line of defence if they know your habits and can spot when something is wrong.

REMEMBER

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  NEVER keep savings at home. ALWAYS put them into a savings account
  
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  YOU may be able to get help in making your home secure. The Crime Prevention Officer will be able to advise you
  
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  NEVER leave your home without locking the door
  
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  DON’T believe everything you’re told—it doesn’t take two people to read an electricity meter or to check for faulty plumbing
  
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  Instal a ‘panic alarm button’. It will help if you are attacked or fall ill. Some connect to the phone and call emergency services for you
  

WARNING

If you DO admit people to your home, try to arrange a time when someone else can be with you. If you admit more than one person, one may try to distract you while the other is stealing from another room. If you are fooled and you have admitted a thief—’having a go’ may be very dangerous.

SELF-DEFENCE

You need to develop some way of defending yourself physically. Some people are naturally strong and aggressive – others, who may be softer, gentler people, need to learn a few simple ‘moves’ which can be used in a confrontation. Strength is always a major factor unfortunately – the stronger person nearly always wins.

Surprise is very important – and can often be the deciding factor in a fight, but a person who has learned and practised fighting techniques will quite often win. These techniques need to become INSTINCTIVE, if they are to be any use in a defensive situation.

Fighting fit

The fitter you are, the faster you can move, the longer you can defend yourself, the greater the power you have to defend yourself and to recover from a confrontation. Older people may not be very mobile—or have much stamina—so a confrontation MUST be kept as brief as possible. A woman may not be as strong as a male attacker—and must try to keep physical violence to a minimum.

Fear

Fear must be controlled—learning a few defence techniques can help enormously—as power, mobility and coordination may be seriously affected. If attacked, some people who are very afraid may simply ‘freeze’.

Everyone is frightened in a confrontation—this triggers the production of adrenalin which is useful for ‘fight’ or ‘flight’. Breathing correctly helps us focus our energy and take charge of our bodies. In times of great stress, adrenalin may give us extra strength—sometimes surprising strength.

MARTIAL ARTS

There is no one style of defence or fighting that fully covers the needs of the average person. All the martial arts are very effective – most ‘self-defence’ courses use techniques culled from several types of training. Most require a level of dedication and persistence. Some are more adaptable for women. Other styles may have added advantages depending on your size and weight.

The Western styles of fighting have led to formalized boxing and wrestling. The Eastern martial arts were developed in climates where people either wore minimal clothing or else loose clothing which offers good firm holds. A lot of the techniques may be ineffective because of the padding effect of layers of clothing in colder climates.

REMEMBER

Violence breeds violence. What begins as an annoyance or a threat to you, may become physical danger if YOU strike the first blow. You may cause the situation to escalate to violence – and may be sorry that you did. Be very wary of hitting, slapping or kicking someone who clearly has a physical advantage over you.

If you have knowledge of any of the formal fighting styles, you will automatically use them—boxers punch, karate experts kick, judo experts use throws. Use whatever comes naturally and develop it. Use your natural advantages.

Short stocky people are good at grappling as they have a low centre of gravity. Tall people have a longer reach. Shorter people may be able to get inside the reach of taller people and but with the head. Most techniques can be tailored to suit your size, age, build and weight.

Ju-jitsu
involves some karate-like punches and blocking techniques and many highly-effective throws and holds. Ju-jitsu forms the basis of many self-defence courses. It may take years to learn all the techniques or ‘tricks’. It does not require great strength, but can be very effective—particularly for restraining an attacker (although escape may be your first priority). Ju-jitsu is not as lethal as many other techniques.

Judo
is practised mainly as a sport, although there is no doubt that many judo techniques are very good when used for defence. It basically involves using the force employed by and the weight of your opponent against him or her. It takes a lot of practice and judgement. Ju-jitsu would probably be more useful for self-defence.

Karate
is a discipline for the mind and body—if practised correctly. It involves a lot of ritualized movements and many years of training to achieve real results. It is extremely effective—and deadly—but it is not for the person who only wants to pick up a few ideas. The high-powered kicks and strikes could be very useful—but take a lot of practice.

Kung fu
includes a variety of types of technique—some harder and more aggressive than others. It attracts many people because it looks so exciting in kung fu movies. Wing chun techniques, involving low kicks and the defence of the centre of the body—plus the speed which kung fu teaches you—could be useful, especially in close confrontations.

You should investigate locally to see if self-defence classes are available. Most teachers will let you watch a session and discuss the nature of the course. You might also investigate tae kwan do, hapkido and aikido. Kendo and Thai boxing are becoming more popular.

WARNING

Just a few lessons at a self-defence course could be very dangerous – persist! It would be easy to develop a false sense of security – discovering, when it’s too late, that you really haven’t learnt anything. Courses should be taken seriously, and followed through. Real confidence and real ability to defend yourself are worth achieving.

WARMING UP

As soon as you begin exercising, you will discover your own physical limitations. Once you become fitter your confidence will increase. It really does help to be able to run, to recover from an attack, to be flexible and have some strength – not just for self-defence (where it is essential), but also in most areas of life.

Warming up helps us loosen up in order to practise self-defence skills. It also helps to develop speed, coordination and strength. Planned exercise—whether weightlifting, running or aerobics—is good for you. Vary the routine so that you don’t become too bored. Start by jogging.

REMEMBER

Finding the ideal jogging route isn’t always easy. A busy traffic route means you get a hefty dose of smog, but a quiet park could pose a risk to personal safety. Never jog alone in empty streets or at night.

Jogging

• ◑ Keep it nice and easy and on the toes.
  
• ◑ Punch forwards with each arm at shoulder level, keeping elbows raised in time with your strides.
  
• ◑ Punch upwards from behind the neck.
  
• ◑ Turn full circle as you run—right side first.
  
• ◑ Keep turning—run backwards, always travelling in the same direction.
  
• ◑ Turn again, left side first.
  
• ◑ Run forwards again.
  

Once you settle into the rhythm, you soon find jogging easy. Push yourself by varying the rhythm. Choose a target about 50 metres (about 50 yards) in front of you and SPRING to it.

VARIATIONS

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  Hop on left leg for ten strides
  
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  Hop on right leg for ten strides
  
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  Jump with both feet together for ten strides
  
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  Take ‘giant’ strides – as far as you can – for ten strides
  
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  Sprint for ten strides
  

Interval training

Interval training is excellent for improving circulation and breathing. It helps develop ‘explosive’ techniques—sudden bursts of energy which are necessary in self-defence.

Mark three lines on the ground about five metres (about five yards) apart. Sprint out to each line in turn—returning to the base line (nearest to you) each time. As you turn, touch the ground. Don’t turn the same way each time—turn sometimes to the left and sometimes to the right.