attacks and defences. I have been fortunate to train with many ‘realists’. Many of my early instructors were CQC instructors from the Special Forces, I learned not only how to defend against a knife but also how to use one. The motto being, “ to defend against a weapon, first learn its strengths and weaknesses.” I then trained with frontline staff in the bodyguard and security industry that had faced many edged weapon assaults and took on board what they had to offer. I have trained over the years with Israeli and Russian Combat experts who faced the reality of knife attacks in Wartime situations. The teachings were invaluable. I have taught edged weapon defences to many security/door staff, NHS frontline staff, police and other individuals who may face danger in the course of their travels or jobs. I have trained the techniques full contact in body armour and protective equipment to see what worked and what didn’t. The truth is a harsh and bitter lesson to learn. But I am glad I went there and did it. The bottom line is awareness and avoidance is your best weapons against a knife attack. Gathering knowledge is your best self protection plan. In this article I have tried to give you knowledge in a simple down to earth manner. What I have written has been taken from real life experience, mine and others. No theory, no myth, no bullshit!
DO NOT SKIP THIS SECTION IT CONTAINS LIFESAVING INFORMATION 1 Edged weapons are the most commonly used instruments for killing or wounding people. 2 More than 230 people were stabbed to death last year from July to September. 3 In incidents of mugging, over half of the assailants were armed with an edged weapon. 4 Although the home affairs committee has recommended a minimum 3 year sentence for youths carrying blades, the government has not yet introduced it at the time of writing this article.
What constitutes an edged weapon? ‘Any implement that can be used to slash, cut, pierce or penetrate a persons body.’ E.g. some common, others more ingenious: 1 Combat knives 2 Craft knives, box cutters, DIY knives 3 Kitchen knives 4 Lock and pocket knives 5 Scissors 6 Screwdrivers 7 Bottles 8 Glass
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Meat cleavers Tradesman’s tools Glass ashtrays Ripped soft drinks can Hair comb Syringe Pens and pencils Broken credit cards Machetes Razor blades Teeth
*This is not an exhaustive list
10 Stab wounds are normally more fatal than slash or cut wounds.
23 A small child brandishing a blade is just as dangerous as a full grown adult.
11 Knives are easily obtainable compared to firearms.
24 Knives don’t misfire or jam, they also don’t require reloading.
12 Knives are easily concealed on ones person.
25 Knives leave no ballistic clues.
13 Knives are ‘silent weapons’.
26 It takes the average person 1.28 seconds to cover 15ft. To survive an edged weapon attack, distance is crucial.
14 You need to be close to a victim to used an edged weapon. 15 Knives can be easy to get rid after an attack. 16 Humans hold more of a psychological fear of a knife attack than by a firearm.
27 Under extreme pressure of attack, we lose 70% of our peripheral vision.
17 A knife attack is up close and personal.
28 Under extreme pressure of attack we have difficulty focusing on objects within 4 feet of distance due to pupil dilation.
18 It is a criminal offence to carry any blade with the intent of using it to hurt and harm others.
29 Under extreme pressure of attack we have loss of depth perception and can misjudge the distance between us and the attacker.
19 It is a criminal offence to carry any blade over 3 inches in length.
30 Under extreme pressure of attack when our heartbeat reaches 115 BPM we lose our fine motor skills. At 145 BPM we lose complex motor skills. That is why defensive techniques must be very simple using gross motor skills.
20 You must have a lawful and justified reason for carrying any type of knife even a penknife or folding knife. 21 The penalty for posession of an edged weapon ranges from a £50 fine up to 4 years imprisonment. 22 If you defend yourself against an edged weapon there is a high probability you will get cut.
31 30ft is probably the safest distance between you and an armed assailant to start taking sound defensive tactics. 32 The best knife defence is awareness and avoidance.
5 More than 3 times as many people are killed with a knife as with a gun in the UK. 6 Many teenagers carry a knife as a matter of course. 7 Increases in stabbings are consistent with the rise of death rates from homicide in young man. 8 For someone to die from irreversible shock from blood loss, they would need lose to lose 40% of their total blood supply. Men 5 to 6 litres and woman 4 to 5 litres. 9 To be incapacitated or lapse into unconsciousness, a person would need to lose one and a half litres of blood.
Reherse your techniques again and again so that they become instinctive
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