The why of this blog

Tagging this a self defense blog may, in hindsight, be a bit of a misnomer. It may have been more accurate to call it an “awareness” blog as it is predominantly focused on what happens before a violent attack takes place. Looking at the lead up to a violent attack enables you to avoid a potentially violent encounter thereby negating the need to have extensive training in physical combat, an activity that most are not inclined to participate in for numerous reasons.  

While most may believe that the majority of crimes, especially crimes against the person, are sudden the reality is that such sudden attacks are rare and that the majority of attacks have some form of build up. What we must uncover and bring into the light are the tell tale signs that lead up to an attack? It must be remembered that nothing happens in a vacuum. It is analogous to lighting a fire. In order for a fire to be lit a number of things must happen prior to the final ignition of the flame. Imagine for a moment you are out camping and you need to light a fire. You first have to gather kindling and dry firewood. You must then build the pyre and carefully cupping your hand against any breeze strike a match and place into the kindling. If the wind is strong or the kindling damp the flame may not take. You may have to get new kindling; you may have to strike multiple matches until finally you get the fire to start.

The same applies to the majority of violent acts; a number of things must happen prior the actual ignition of the attack. While spontaneous attacks do happen they are far rarer than you might imagine. By understanding and recognizing the cues that lead to a violent encounter you can prevent the flame from being lit by simply by removing one of the vital elements needed in any attack, namely yourself. A large portion of the book is focused on this area is it is my contention that the best and most sensible action is to avoid conflict if it is at all possible.

Just go to Google and type in “Self Defense”. you’ll get back some 21 million hits! Now just explore the first page and you’ll notice that the common theme is their focus on teaching you what to do when the fight is on!Most self defense provided today focuses on the point of conflict, the point of ignition of violence. In my humble opinion this is too late. Teaching someone how to defend themselves from the point of conflict neglects to teach the student about all the precursors to an attack thereby making the need to know how to fight moot. I am not saying that you should not learn to defend yourself, however, I do content that it should be the very last resort not the first and as such should be addressed in this manner.

As the father of two young children I worried about the type of world they were growing up in, one where the predators in our society seem more prevalent than ever. Whenever I see a story of a rape, the abduction of a young child or girl, the murder or assault on the innocent it makes my heart bleed. I also despair at the disconnect between the self defense on offer to people and the reality of violence against the individual in society. My wife had suggested that I share my view, my take on what real self defense should be about. As a result I decided to create this blog in the hope that those who chance across it will learn something new and maybe just maybe one day it might help them to avert a potential attack. I hope that you are never the victim of a violent attack and that the information provided in this blog helps you in some way to live a life that is a little safer.

I welcome comments and would love to hear the stories of triumph of others as I know it would empower others, who to date, do not believe they can defend themselves against these monsters who roam our society.

Stay Safe. Stay Alert.

P