Shocking The Senses

Ready to not be ready

// December 5th, 2011 // No Comments » // Science, Self Defense, Thoughts, Violence

Is a state of awareness regarding how unprepared you are for a situation valid?  If I’m as ready as I can possibly be to accept and react to as many possible scenarios that may come about, is that considered prepared?

Let me clarify that rambling of mine.  If you are a possible victim, as we all are, wouldn’t it be prudent for you to plan your reactions regarding different situations and the choices they may present?  If you are aware of simple things like the following:

1. Hesitation isn’t always bad, especially in potentially controllable situations.  Don’t go into a quiet parking lot by yourself at night unless you’re staying acutely aware of what and who is around you.  Better yet, tag along with someone you know or trust (or even a security guard).  We have that little nagging voice in us for a reason.  There’s no reason to feel guilty or ashamed to ask for a walking buddy.  That voice is survival speaking up, listen to it.
2. Pay attention to people.  I know you like to be in your little bubble with your little world view, thinking that if something bad happens, it won’t happen to you.  That’s just not necessarily the case.  I’ve seen videos (during this seminar) that show victims of crimes and their behavior beforehand, in some cases, is supremely introverted.
3. Stay away from people and out of situations that breed these threats.  Teen/college age students are especially guilty of this one.  Steer clear of drugs, gangs, and even parties if they start to trigger #1.
4. Educate yourself.  In most of what I’ve outlined, I’m leaning toward conflict or violence.  However, like last year when I became a father, I didn’t know what I was getting into.  However, I educated myself and became as prepared as I could possibly become pre-fatherhood.  I know first hand that it helped a lot.
5. Know that you can’t avoid every situation.

Preparing for the opportunities where you do actually get to react will help nullify panic and adrenal dumps.  Even considering potential situations, whatever they may be, could give you the fraction of a moment that equals success.

I don’t enjoy hearing people say “but I don’t want to think of that, that’s not a happy thought”.  With understanding comes contentedness.  Rest assured:

“Consider the possibilities, because they’re always considering you.”

Lookout for Psychopaths – Watching for the unexpected

// October 24th, 2011 // No Comments » // Self Defense, Thoughts

Do you ever look around in a public place and wonder how you could get your loved ones away from an armed assailant?

This past weekend, I received news that a fairly prominent member of an organization I frequent had “resigned”.  As the information rolled in and I was forced to filter out the obvious gossip from the most likely true, I learned that in fact this member had been asked to resign as a formality, and it was likely not an option at all.

I don’t know why, or how, or exactly when all of this unfolded.  I only get the impression that it was rapid and unpleasant.  In fact, I’m convinced that the circumstances were negative especially considering that multiple times during yesterday’s events, this individual’s name was mentioned.

I’m being intentionally vague in the interest of keeping anonymity for all those involved who might read this blog/know each other.

So, here’s the point.  I was sitting, listening to someone speak.  While he was going through his dialogue, I found myself thinking about our absentee.  There were in the neighborhood of 100-120 people in the room, with three large entrances/exits and two small entrances/exits that I could identify.

Cue the morbidity.  “If soandso wanders in here, armed with a loaded weapon or four, what is the most likely successful course of departure?  If I am successful in ferrying out my family, how can I double back and try to dispatch him?”

I identified the above mentioned exits.  I also noted that if 120 people panic, while that’s a relatively small amount of people, it would be difficult at best to re-enter the room.

So, should I confront this person head on?  That would be suicide.  Should I ferry my family out and let the others fend for themselves?  I have a problem with some of the moral baggage that decision carries with it.  A third option could be skirting around the seating, trying to find a clear shot for a tackle, but that’s marginally less dangerous than the first option.

Each option would result in death, pain, blood and agony.  There is no decision I could make which would save everyone from an event like that.  The only option I could conceive of which may prevent all but one death was arming myself and patrolling the perimeter of the building.  Though, I’m not a law enforcement officer and that option was unreasonable as well as unlawful.  I have to trust that the decision makers of the facility would have called in the police if the threat was possible.

I was stuck in the reality of the world I live in, and I think better (in context) for it.  I told a close family member of these thoughts and how far I took them and she simply commented “it’s unfortunate that you feel it’s necessary to think about that”.  I agree, it is.  However, considering our always developing sordid future as a country, it would be irresponsible of me to not consider these things.

I find myself inclined to think long and hard about what type of effect these situations may have moving forward in my relationship with my wife and son.  I hope other people are able to reason through these difficult thoughts instead of the unfortunate typicality of :

“Nah, that won’t happen to me.”

PS : The above picture is security footage of the boys who slaughtered so many at Columbine High School back in April, ’99.  One of the first, large scale events of its type in the U.S. that catalyzed into so many others in the past decade.

Don’t forget those innocents we lost.

I see you.

// March 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Self Defense, Thoughts

Have that tingling on the back of your neck?  Is someone watching you?

I spent this past weekend keeping an eye on people.  It is interesting the different habits individuals portrait when going through their daily routines.  Those who aren’t, you can usually pretty readily identify.

My wife and i ate at On the Border on Sunday (who by the way, have a killer chimichanga menu).  Our waitress was brand new.  She didn’t tell us this but it was noticeable.  She was sporadic at best with her service consistency, and didn’t keep the drinks refilled at first.  When she finally figured out she had forgotten us, she brought us two full glasses each of our respective drinks and apologized profusely.  In fact, she apologized during the course of the entire meal.  At one point I had to tell her “You’re doing fine, it’s all good.”

Low confidence, rare eye contact, half smiles and a rush to and from the table (there weren’t many people there yet either).  She was either a severely scatterbrained person or brand new.  When she did engage in conversation, she seemed intelligent, so this ruled out the first possibility and decided she was new.  When asked, she confirmed this suspicion at the end of the meal.

When we were in Kansas City, we were approached by a man with a tin can asking for money on the street.  He was dressed in dirty rags, gloves with holes in them and a beanie hat with a big smear of something questionable on it.  However, he was completely confident in his endeavor.  He knew his target clientele and approached them with directness.  Measured eye contact, not enough to make me feel threatened.  It seemed to me that he had been doing this for a long time.  He knew how to sell.

I imagine criminals fall much into the same frameworks (of course there are exceptions to every rule).  A first time robber may lack confidence, be aloof, unsure, inconsistent.  Whereas a long time thief will case a joint or approach you on the street without hesitation and be in/out/done before the dog sneezes.

Take this concept and extend it to violent criminals.  Those cold, calculating men who have this dangerous level of comfort with their actions are to be feared but, strangely enough, probably have a measurably larger amount of psychological “training” in how to affect victims.  They know what the presence of a weapon can do to people.  They have experienced the freeze numerous times and are skilled at inciting it in others.  Then you have the shaky fingered first time gunpoint robber who really isn’t sure what his goals in life are.  Who is more dangerous?  On what levels?  Is there even a comparison?

Drunk Uncle Bob

// March 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Self Defense, Thoughts

Many of us have encountered someone, possibly a family member, who had an altered state of mind for a period of time.  Of course, this can cause differences in the individual’s behavior, confusion, and a slurry of other attributes.

The inability to reason can be a deadly affliction (for the person in question as well as anyone around them, especially if they are allowed behind the wheel of a vehicle).  If drunk uncle Bob says something innapropriate or does something stupid to himself, that’s one thing.  However, what if drunk uncle Bob destroys property?  Takes a swing at someone?  Forces himself upon a woman?  Or worse?

Someone might need to stop drunk uncle Bob.  However, What is the appropriate level of force given the different circumstances?  What if Bob pulls a knife out of the kitchen and goes after someone?  He is threatening that person’s life, is it appropriate for one to not take that threat seriously?  Of course, if at all possible I’d like to stop him with as little harm to *anyone* as possible but hell, he’s drunk out of his mind and probably wouldn’t feel a joint lock in the same way your or I would while sober.

Again it is entirely circumstantial.  If Bob takes a swing at me, my first reaction (assuming he missed) would be to try and talk him down.  If he persists (again, unarmed) then he might get laid out.

Once he picks up a knife though… hrm…

I wonder if he’d even remember, the next day.

The Ethics of Violence Part 1 – Thoughts

// March 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // Self Defense, Thoughts

I had a chance yesterday to run the scenario past a few friends and family members.  The answers were interesting, here are a few synopses:

1) Yell at Bill to get away from my (son).  Afterward,  I’d take the opportunity to flee after him

2) Approach Bill slowly with disarming words, ultimately attempting to distract him from the family member so I can attack.

3) Yell for the family member to flee at the same time attempting to take control of Bill.

The individuals who stated #s 2 and 3 also added that they’d be willing to go as far as taking Bill’s life if necessary.  Given the circumstances, especially the notion that Bill is threatening bodily harm to your kin/friend and you have NO idea the extent at which he is capable of acting, perhaps that is not an imprudent thought.

A dramatic response?  Isn’t it a dramatic scenario?  I am beginning to understand these ideas.  I can’t begin to claim that I’d be able to react accordingly but I can indeed agree that action is absolutely necessary and that inaction would end with an unpredictable result.  An unpredictable result is unacceptable.  If you are able to accurately, exactly predict a severely angry person’s next action please email me with your secret.

A similar scenario could happen anywhere at any time to any one…  In Philadelphia back in 2008, a sleeping man on a subway was attacked with a hammer.  10 passengers were in the car with the assaulter and the victim.  No one acted.

…or for any reason.  2 dollars and a bag of chips?

…with any level of force, sometimes even foolishly… Assault with … um.

The Ethics of Violence Part 1

// March 23rd, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Self Defense, Thoughts

Do this with me… Take a breath, clear your mind.  Shake off thoughts of the day, of work.

Visualize this scenario:

An individual, whom you do not know, is threatening your family in a violent manner.  Be it your daughter, sister, mother, whoever.  We’ll call the threatening character Bill.  Bill has a weapon and Bill is gesturing very aggressively toward the family member referenced.  You’re not sure what Bill’s intentions are and all he is saying is “Don’t move!  Don’t move!  Don’t move or else!”

Bill has the means to hurt your family (the weapon) and he has the opportunity for now (he is between you and them).  Does he have the intent?  Is he mentally capable of deciding what is the morally correct action?

Lets say that you have an opportunity, whatever it may be, to disarm this situation.  Considering the use of force continuum, he has not responded to verbal or presence means, and you’re not sure that a soft attack will stop Bill if he decides to act on his seeming intent.

It is an adrenaline fused anger laden difficult scenario which only emulates one of millions of possibilities regarding a violent act.

Things to consider :

1) Bill is bigger than you
2) Bill already has a time advantage (he is closer to your loved one(s) than you are)
3) Consider your surroundings, think blanket thoughts I.E. “If there were a X I would do Y.”

What would your next action be?  How far would you go to stop Bill?  Could you think clearly enough given the stress of the situation and the likely adrenaline dump?  Are you prepared for something like this happening?

Rory Miller, Ambushes and Thugs Seminar Review

// March 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Self Defense, Thoughts

I’ve been a martial artist for years.  Tae Kwon Do, Shaolin Kung Fu, Aikido, Karate, Aikijutsu…  What does it all mean?  Why do I do it?  I know this… I was told this past weekend that I do it for the following;

Manufacturing cripples and corpses.

Yep, the crisp clear reality of it.  Even after working with Nick Guinn for years now I didn’t really truly get that part of it.  Nick has gotten me close, but it was all a matter of semantics.  The words strike a note.  I’m not training to pull my punches.  I’m not training to avoid seriously injuring an attacker.  I’m training to defend myself, my friends, my family, maybe even my neighbor.

I attended a seminar on Saturday, March 20th in Independence Kansas.  The title of the seminar was “Ambushes and Thugs”.  Little did I know that I’d enter that building with one view of the world and leave with a completely altered view.

The day started as most others, with breakfast and a chat with the buddies.  When we got to the college, I met Rory (link to his website).  He was a little shorter than I expected but had a seasoned, almost weathered look in his eyes which overshadowed any physical perception of the man.  He carried himself with confidence and even an attitude which coolly demonstrated his general outlook.  The man had a great sense of humor to boot.

I won’t go into too much detail about the seminar but I will touch on a few points…

We started with a safety lecture and were advised to remove any weaponry on our person.  People laughed (even he grinned) but I’m pretty sure Rory was dead serious.   We proceeded to start in on a few drills.  Rory presented an idea pertaining to “sparring” exchange that better emulated real life.  This idea takes into account that there are three primary attributes of an attack/defense.  Speed, power and accuracy.  Take away one of these things and the attack is far less effective.  The only one of the three that he was fairly sure wouldn’t be a problem responding with in a high intensity situation, even if you train without it, was speed.  So, train with slower speed but keep your accuracy and your level of power commitment high.  This will help you not train in a bad habit.

Interesting concept.  One of many that we covered.  We went on to add a few elements to the training regime, like using a punching mitt as a placeholder for a 2 month old baby.  Boy, that changed things.  Suddenly you go from “crush him” to “escape him” at all costs when faced with an assailant.

He lectured about the criminal mind, the “Monkey Dance” (a typically social exchange of words and light force), social and a-social behavior.

Then the videos came.  Things I haven’t ever seen before.  Real things.  Real violence.  If an image says a thousand words, these videos spoke volumes about the mind of the truly callous way people can act.  These images drew the day’s lessons together and cemented them in my head.

It is amazing yet humbling to me what a human without a moral code is capable of.  The reality is, too, that if faced with one of these individuals ever in my life, I must already have my ethical issues resolved.  Just like Sgt. Miller said, I can’t have a moral crisis when facing a man lunging at my wife.  I won’t.

All in all, a great day.  A great man.  A whole lot to digest.  I plan to add more as the thoughts come to me.  This may even be a new theme to the blog.  It is without a doubt an important topic that directly affects EVERYONE.

I want to comment on the thing in my head.  I’m going to make it fairly regular.  My plan is, over the next few weeks, pick one topic of discussion from the seminar and from my interactions with my peers/training over the time to come and try to externalize my thoughts.

God bless,

Jeremy