Bukido Kai - Self Defence Advice
This page will contain various tips and advice about self defence. It is rather long but the information is very important and may save you life, so if you life is worth 10 or 15 minutes have a read, if it's not, good luck!! Come back and check this page out on and then as new information is continually posted.
Some of the information may be based on nothing more than urban legends, however it doesn't hurt to think about these things and just be a little more aware. Possible urban legends will be marked with UL, don't just ignore them, you never know.
Click on any of the links below to read a specific section, if the link is marked with ** NEW **, it means that new information and the date it was added has gone on in the last 7-14 days.
For advice about Self Defence and the Law and your rights, click here
1. Learn to develop your awareness.
Regardless of how much or how little self defence or martial art training you
have had, awareness is the key to staying safe. This is not a blatant plug, but click
here for a comprehensive awareness program designed to keep you safe in the
streets.
2. Attacker's like victims who are unaware so that they can sneak up on
them. Victim's often claim in statements "He came out of
nowhere" or "All of a sudden he was just there" RUBBISH,
they just didn't see the attacker until it was to late. WHY,
they had no awareness skills.
3.
Listen to your inner alarm if it goes off to tell you that something may be
wrong. If the little voice in your head is wrong so what, who cares, if
it's right you better care.
4.
If you frequently places where violence occurs on a regular basis I suggest
you either stop or expect something to happen one of these days.
5.
If you believe that "it won't happen to me", you may be
right. But if you're wrong, make sure you have health insurance!!
6.
Never run from danger, always run to safety.
7.
You don't need to develop a siege mentality but you should develop an aware
mentality. A potential attacker will be put off by a victim that look
alert and ready to defend themselves.
8.
If you make a habit of talking an exercise walk at night, take a walking
stick and learn out to use it for defensive purposes (of course if you are ever
questioned, it's just a walking stick for your bad knee).
9.
Two essential tools that can help you
avoid becoming a victim are a Deliberate Action Plan and
an
Immediate Action Plan
(click for details).
10.
If you get in a situation in which you
have to defend yourself, accept the situation, don't ignore it, don't hope that
it will magically go away, face the situation and get on with it. If you
have the physical skills to defend yourself do so if need be, if you don't try
and talk your way of the situation and try to escape. Remember the Immediate
Action Plan.
11.
Street confrontations such as assaults
(including sexual assault) or robberies, mugging etc have 3 stages: Stalking,
Interview & Attack.
During the Stalking Phase,
the attacker seeks out a victim, the attacker watches them to ensure that they
are a suitable victim, weak, unaware, without help or the perceived ability to
resist the attack. At this stage awareness is the key to appearing to be an
unsuitable victim.
The second stage is The Interview
during this time the attacker may make contact with the victim, asking a
seemingly innocent question, for directions for example or making a forceful
demand for money for example. At this stage you have three choices
(1)
if you are going to physically
defend yourself don't get into a discussion, just get on with it before the
attacker has the chance to attack.
(2)
Use the
Immediate Action Plan
and get to the point where you engage or escape. (3)
If you are not going to defend yourself
escape as quick as possible at this point, use distraction or a seeming
willingness to comply but get away as quick as possible
The third stage is the actual Physical
Attack, see next point.
12.
The physical attack part of the street confrontation is also made up of 3
elements:
Surprise, Speed & Savagery. Your awareness can negate
element 1
Surprise. Having a
Deliberate Action Plan and/or an
Immediate Action Plan
can slow the attacker down and stop them from launching a savage attack.
13.
Never allow yourself to be taken to a second location, especially if you are
female. What ever was going to happen to you are the first location will
be much worse at a second location. The second location is likely to be
more isolated with far less chance of escape or help. At the second
location you may find yourself confronted by addition attackers. To repeat
NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE TAKEN TO A
SECOND LOCATION.
14. Especially for females: if you are in
a car with your husband or boyfriend and you are having an argument, NEVER
demand to be let out of the vehicle NOW.
You may find yourself alone in a dark street with no way to get home and who
knows who will drive along that street next. Alway have your husband or
boyfriend drive you home, feel free to ignore him them but at least you are home
safe.
1. Always be aware of your surrounding and
who is around you especially at night.
2. Your personal space is as far as you can see in all directions.
3. If you have a routine, for example you always walk home along certain street,
ensure that you know where the escape routes are, where locations of safety are
and if there is anything along the way that could assist you if you are
attacked, for example shops and or houses, always occupied where you can find
help, weapons such as items
always left in certain garden along the way.
4. If you are walking, walk away from the roadway. Always walk toward on coming
traffic.
5. If you are walking at night, ensure that you are aware of everything thing or
person within at least 100 metres. Who cares if looking around makes you
seem paranoid.
6. If you think that you are being followed take some form of evasive action,
for example speed up, cross to the other side of the street, turn around and
walk the opposite direction and then observe what your suspected follower
does.
7. If they continue to follow you and you feel comfortable, stop and say
"Are you following me", if they say "yes" , well at least
you know. If they say "no" and then move on, remain aware and alert.
8.
If you are approached by someone and that inner alarm goes off, take evasive
action, move to the other side of the street, speed up, change direction.
9.
If you walk at night consider purchasing and carrying a Maglite
style torch. These powerful torches can be purchased at various places and even
the small ones are bright enough to stun a potential attacker when shone into
the eyes giving you enough time to escape. The larger models also double
nicely as a baton.
1.
Always lock your doors when driving. It's a myth that keeping the doors
unlocked would assist if you get in a crash.
2.
If you have keyless entry, program the remote to only open the driver's door, most
remotes can be programmed so that one press opens the driver's door and two
presses opens all the doors. If you are not sure read the manual.
3.
Always look into the rear of the car before getting in, especially at night,
open the door let the light come on and have a look in the back.
4.
When driving always leave a 2 second gap between you and the car in
front. Not only will this help to prevent you being involved in a rear end
collision, it allow you better visibility.
5.
Always leave at least 1 full car length between you and the car in front when
stopped at traffic light or in traffic congestion. This allows you some
room to move your vehicle in a car jacking situation. If you make a habit
of not stopping at light in the middle lane if 3 lanes you will also have a better
mean of escape, up the gutter or over the medium stripe if necessary.
6.
If you are signalled to pull over by an unmarked Police car at night or in a
deserted area, DO NOT STOP.
Drive to a more populated area and/or contact Police on 000 (Australia - for
other locations check the local number such as 911 for the United States) to
confirm that it is actually a Police vehicle. If it is a real Police
vehicle and you don't stop they have the ability to call for back up from a
marked Police vehicle, we suggest you stop for marked Police vehicles. If you
are not going to stop only proceed at or below the prevailing speed limit. If
you do stop, do not get out of your vehicle until you are instructed to by a
UNIFORMED Police
officer, otherwise open your window slightly and talk to the person. Do no
switch you car off until you are sure that it is a genuine Police officer.
7. If you are involved in a minor accident at night or in a deserted area you do
have to get out to exchange details. Write your information down and pass
it through a partially open window. Obtain the other driver's details the same
way, if they will not provide details, get the rego number of the car then leave
the scene if you can and use you phone to have someone come and assist you ASAP.
8. Never leave bags, lap tops, wallets or valuables on the front seat in full
view. Place large items on the floor in the back and small items in the
glove box of console.
9. If you break down at night or in deserted areas stay in your locked car, use
you phone and turn the interior light off.
10. Always ensure that you car is in the best running order, even if you're not
a mechanic, check the tires, water and oil on a regular basis.
11. Always re-fuel when you tank gets to no less than 1/4 full, if you are going
to run out of fuel it will be at the worst possible time.
12. Never leave children unattended in a car EVER,
it might only be a minute while you run into the shop, but a thief takes a lot
less time to steal a car and if they find a child in the back who knows what
they would you, it has happened (Click
here for a recent story) (or
here for another) and children have died (click
here). You would never forgive yourself.
13.
Do not leave your car running whilst you run into a shop or any other place, not
even for a minute.
14. NEVER, EVER
leave a child in an unattended and running car. I know I am repeating myself.
1. Learn to use the ATM quickly, practice
your PIN on a calculator.
2. Try to avoid using ATMs at night or in deserted locations. Plan ahead, get the
money out when it's safer.
3. Always have a good look around before using the machine, if you see someone
or something that just isn't right, listen to that little voice and get the
money out later.
4. After you have keyed in the info required look around again, the more aware
you appear the less like a victim you look.
5. When you receive your money put it in your pocket, bag etc. Don't go walking
along head down counting fifties. If you need to count the money do it in
a secure location where you can't be viewed by a potential attacker.
6. Always ensure that you retain your card and
receipt.
1. When using a service station (especially
at night) take the time to look into the shop area when you pull up. If
there is anything suspicious going on leave the area immediately.
2. If the car park is full of hoons leave and fill up another time. (see point
11 in car section).
3. Always lock your car when getting out to fill up and especially when you go
into the shop to pay, unlocked cars at service stations are easy targets.
4. Always take the time to take your children with you when you go to pay (see
point 12 in car section).
5. Ladies never leave your handbag on the roof of the car as you fill up.
6. As you fill up remain aware, look around, appear alert.
7. Don't walk across the forecourt of the service
station counting the money you intend to pay with or counting your change.
1. Alway try to park in well lit (if at
night) and non isolated areas.
2. Always lock you car.
3. When returning to your car with shopping be alert, look around the area and
inside your car before your concentration to taken up with putting kids and/or
shopping into the car.
4. If kids are with you, have them get into the car before you put the shopping
away.
5. Don't put bags or keys on the roof whilst you put the shopping into the car.
6. Remain alert at all times.
7. Lock the car when you get in.
1. In
addition to the advice above, if you are returning to your car at night hold you
keys in such as way to allow you to defend yourself with them. (NOTE: there will be
links with photos of this soon, check back next week).
2.
Make sure that you scan the area fully for any potential problems.
3.
If you see something that makes you feel uneasy take action, do not go to the
car, stay in the well lit area of the station, call someone to assist you.
Good luck finding someone who works there. Make sure you have your phone
and pre-plan. If you know that you get to the railway station at 8pm every
night have someone you can contact who can come and pick you up if need be.
4. Purchase
and carry a Maglite style
torch. These powerful torches can be purchased at various places and even the
small ones are bright enough to stun a potential attacker when shone into the
eyes giving you enough time to escape. The larger models also double
nicely as a baton.
Due to increased
security less banks are robbed these days, but that doesn't mean it never
happens.
1.
As you enter the bank have a quick look around, if anything suspicious is
happening leave immediately.
2.
Whilst waiting in line to make a deposit, keep you money in your pocket or bag,
take it out when you get to the teller window.
3.
If you make a cash withdrawal, count the money if you need to inside the bank
and put in your pocket or bag before you leave the bank.
4.
If you are making a large withdrawal, scan the other customers in the bank and
ensure that none are following you when you leave the bank, if they are take
evasive action such as returning to the bank to see what the person does
next. If in doubt speak to bank staff or call Police.
1. Don't leave your GPS unattended in your car, apparently they are easy to steal.
Possible UL
There have been
claims that people had their car broken into while they were at a football game.
Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and
specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a
garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently
mounted on the dashboard.
When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and
just about everything worth anything had been stolen.
The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the
garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The
thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game
was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the
house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its
contents.
Advice
to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your home address in it. Put a nearby
address (like a shop or petrol station) so you can still find your way home if you
need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.
1. Always
have you mobile phone charged when you go out, you never know when you might
need it.
2. Have an ICE (In Case 0f Emergency) number in your phone.
3. Do not store your home address in your phone under 'Home'.
4. Don't leave any confidential information stored
in your message inbox or sent folder or anywhere else in your phone.
Possible UL
Your mobile phone
is lost or stolen.
Later you contact your husband or wife to tell him what had happened, but he or
she says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a
little while ago.'
You rush to the bank to find that all your money has been withdrawn. The thief
had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' or 'wife' in the contact
list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the
money from their bank account.
Advice
Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact
list.
Consider avoiding using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mum, etc
and NEVER EVER send sensitive info via text without first confirming by calling.
1. When
travelling to countries with non Angelo backgrounds be aware of their customs,
for example what is acceptable behaviour in Australia may not be acceptable in
other countries.
(Click
here for an example). Take the time to familiarise yourself with the customs
of countries you visit.
2. Be aware that the legal system in many countries is very different from the
legal system in Australia. If may have few of the rights you expect here.
3. It would appear that if you get into trouble in a foreign country, the
Australian Government by way of embassies or consulates is next to useless.
4. It is a good idea to check the DFAT
web site (Australia only, other countries check with your department of Foreign
Affairs or similar) before travelling overseas, they list warning and information
about many countries.
1. Always
have your laptop password protected.
2.
Try to avoid leaving a laptop unattended in a motor vehicle, if you have to lock
it in the boot. never leave it insight in the vehicle.
3.
When travelling put your laptop on the floor in the back of the vehicle, never
on the front seat.
4.
Make sure that you have any important information backed up elsewhere just in
case.
For the most part weapons are illegal to be carried or used on the street. This section covers martial art weapons used in class and any other weapons carried on the street.
1.
If you are taking weapons to a martial art class they can only be legally
carried for that purpose, that is to say, to take to and from class for the
purpose of using them in class for educational purposes.
2.
If you are apprehended carrying martial art weapons such as sticks, Bo Staff,
Swords, Sai or any other exotic weapons outside of that to and from class
situation the weapons can be classed as offensive weapons and you can be
arrested and charged.
3. Some
weapons such as nunchaku and Tonfa (side handle baton) are prohibited by law and
mere possession of these weapons is an offence (click
here to see the full schedule of weapons prohibited in New South Wales).
In any other jurisdiction you should check on the internet or with your local
Police.
4.
knives are illegal to be carried on the street unless you have a valid reason,
for example that possession of a knife is a necessary part of your employment or
trade. (Considering yourself a self employed mugger will not suffice).
5.
Anything that you have in your possession may be considered as an offensive
weapon if when asked why you are carrying it your answer is 'for self defence'.
For example if you walk with a walking stick for self defence then it is an
offensive weapon. If your answer is that you recently sprained your ankle
then it is a walking stick.
6.
Any item used in a self defence situation is automatically classed as a weapon.
Of course you can argue that you used it in the heat of the moment and did not
intend to arm yourself in advance.
1. You
have the right to go about your life without being attacked and/or injured by
other persons.
2. You
have the right to defend yourself if you are attacked.
3. If
you have cause to use physical means such as martial art techniques and/or skills
to defend yourself of someone else you must use no more force than is reasonably
necessary to effect such defence.
For more information about your rights and
responsibilities and the Law, Click here
Your Contribution.
If you would like to make a contribution to this page please email the information to bukido@optusnet.com.au The more information on this page the better it is for all readers, even if you think it just an urban legend it's always food for thought.
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