CHAPTER ONE: SURVIVING IN THE MODERN WORLD
box at 100 percent they can back off their attacker long enough to escape. You can do the same thing, even with a much larger opponent. Sometimes this initial, full-scale response is all you need to send your opponent fleeing. Other times, it will just be enough to get you some room to escape. Whatever, violence of action is a necessity in your defense. Show your attacker that you mean business. If he’s coming at you break off that car antennae or pick up that brick or bottle and get ready to use it. Fish out an ink pen or grab a flashlight. Get that pepper spray or other weapon in hand and ready yourself to use it. Pick a strike point for a blow and give it everything you’ve got. And be prepared to keep fighting with everything you’ve got until you can get yourself out of the situation. Turn your fear into anger. Be indignant. The criminal has no right to harm you. No right to lay a hand on you. Show him this, immediately, and you’ll turn him into the fearful one. While he’s mentally kicking himself for picking on someone as strong and resolved as you are, you can disarm him fully or make your escape. Again, the barriers between “reasonable” and “excessive” force may bother some people here. It shouldn’t. You’ve got to do everything you can to stop your attacker. If he’s armed, especially with a firearm, he’s going to be a threat as long as he’s conscious. You shouldn’t be taking any chances. Put the guy to sleep. Likewise, if it’s gun vs. gun don’t get tricky. Shoot for center of mass. If he’s about to take your life, you are allowed to respond in kind. If you’re involved in hand-to-hand, go all out. Don’t be afraid of hurting the guy. He’s already shown you he’s out for no good and ready to do what’s necessary to get his way with you. Striking him with a minor blow will only make him mad or get him thinking that you’re weak. He’ll step up his attack. That’s not what we want here.
NOTES
Rule #6: Stay Calm/Be Accurate Though you will be striking your attacker with maximum force, you must keep your cool. You can’t go out of control. You want to be thinking clearly and controlling the adrenaline dump you’ve received. Channel that adrenaline into your response but realize that you still have to keep control of yourself. How do you keep control? It was easier for us in the military because of all the experience and practice we went through. You won’t have that luxury. But you will be able to train yourself and the more training you’ve gone through, the cooler you’ll be. Likewise, if you have a plan to follow, nature will often take charge to make sure it gets completed. Concentrate on not hyperventilating. Use any calming techniques you’ve worked with. And don’t stop thinking. Reacting without thinking can sometimes cause more damage than good. Take the split second you have to assess the situation, read it and plan your response. Then proceed. Don’t let your mind go blank. Be always thinking, assessing and planning. Protect yourself during your response. Don’t wade in with your fists blazing. You can break your hand. Use a finger to the eye, if possible. It’s more devastating to the opponent and safer for you. Keeping your cool is especially important if you’re using a firearm. In a crowded area, be it on the street or at home, there are other people to worry about. If you shoot your weapon and miss, that shot’s going to find another target somewhere. Accuracy if of the utmost importance.
DELTA/SEAL CIVILIAN SECURITY & PERSONAL DEFENSE MANUAL
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