All about self-defense

Every person can find themselves in a dangerous situation in life in which they must cope alone. In such cases, a person often acts impulsively, which is why it is important to know how to prevent such situations and how to handle them correctly. In this article, we will talk about over-the-counter self-defense tools, the laws related to self-defense, and combat systems and sports that will give you an advantage in life-threatening situations.

To begin, let me start with a few facts. Most people convince themselves that in the event of a crisis - danger, they will figure something out. We may gain our knowledge and skills throughout our whole life, but most of it remains locked deep in our brain in the event of impending danger. Trauma or injury only deepens this deficit.

Of what you knew before the crisis, your brain will forget 80% of the knowledge, and from the rest you will be able to use about 5% of previously learned and automatic processes. There is a solution to every problem, however. But expect it to be uncomfortable, painful, and that you will reach your limits. 

„If you are going through hell, keep going.“ – W. Churchill
 

What happens to our body when it senses approaching danger?

Under stress, all our perceptions are distorted. The body reacts to a crisis automatically, and differently in each person. Evolution has equipped us with mechanisms that are supposed to help us survive, and we cannot influence them. Common sense is pushed into the background and mainly the small „reptilian“ brain, in charge of animal instincts, starts to work. 

Our blood pressure rises, some senses improve, and blood moves to vital organs. The body thus prepares for increased physical exertion. Breathing quickens, and the bloodstream is flooded with as much oxygen as possible. However, it is one thing when the situation escalates and you enter this state gradually. It is another thing when it is a sudden shock, occurring within a few seconds.

We can encounter three reactions. Fight, flee or freeze. That means we either start fighting for our life, try to leave the dangerous situation headlong, or freeze due to shock and are not capable of any reaction. These reactions can, however, change during the course of the situation.
 

Laws you should know in relation to self-defense

„Only a state in which everyone is equal before the law can be truly strong."

If you are dealing with personal protection, it is necessary that you know at least the basic legal framework. I often come across the opinion that if someone attacks you, you can do anything to them. But that is not how it actually works, and such an attitude will only secure you a bed in some prison. Ignorance of the law simply does not excuse you.

Extreme necessity § 28 of the Criminal Code

In general, this means that in extreme necessity you are averting any imminent danger. If the act is done in extreme necessity, in accordance with the law, you will not be held responsible for the consequences that you cause by such an act. It does not matter whether you neutralized the danger with a knife or with a scaffolding pipe. There is, however, one important „but“. You may use this method of defense only if the danger could not be averted in any other way. Otherwise, you are asking for serious trouble.

Dogs are the best example. There is a big difference between killing a dog because it is tearing someone's thigh to pieces before your eyes, and killing someone's pug because it is pulling on your pants.

Expect that every action you take in the case of extreme necessity and necessary defense will be examined down to the last detail with an investigator. The consequence of extreme necessity must not be as serious or more serious than the one that was directly threatening.

Necessary defense § 29 of the Criminal Code

Necessary defense differs from extreme necessity. In practice, however, you can use both paragraphs. The fundamental difference is that in necessary defense, we defend ourselves against another person. Necessary defense can also be applied to a dog. This is the case if the owner sets their dog on you and effectively used it as a weapon. Basically, you are defending yourself against the attack of a person, the dog is regarded as a tool of the attack. To repel the attack, it is necessary to use the same or greater force than the attacker exerts. 

Keep in mind that attackers choose the easiest possible victims. In necessary defense, it is also possible to use objects whose force safely averts the attack. These can be self-defense tools, which we will discuss later, or improvised weapons. 

Your primary task is to neutralize the attacker while the attack continues or still threatens. You must not continue attacking the attacker once his attack has ended and clearly will not repeat. For example, if he is choking, disoriented after being hit with a defense spray, or lying unconscious on the ground. Since in such a state he no longer poses a danger to you. The intensity of your counterattack must be proportionate. You must never provoke the attack under any circumstances.
 

How to prevent an impending danger

„The greatest victory is a victory without battle“. - Sun Tzu

For your safety, situational awareness and prevention are important. Thanks to them, you can avoid problems without getting into danger. Pay attention to suspicious people who look at you too often. People who loiter in the area without an obvious purpose. If it is an insufficiently lit place, you can carry a flashlight or, which I would recommend more, a defense spray with an LED light. 

• watch your surroundings and assess potential threats
• avoid conflict-prone places and people
• anticipate and prepare for potential conflict
• plan ahead
• if possible, try to „talk your way out“ of the conflict to avoid a more aggressive confrontation

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, everything fails and you are forced to fight. Tired from work, or with a head full of everyday worries, we are not able to stay constantly on guard. Attackers seek out exactly such victims, unless they are drug addicts or alcoholics, who act mostly on instinct. It is even possible that you will know the attacker or that he belongs to your close circle.

An assault often happens suddenly and without warning. Statistically, most attacks are carried out from ambush, and victims did not see the attacker before the first blows. They were attacked from the side or from behind, and the attack was not preceded by any confrontation. It is a different matter if you are confronted face to face with the attacker from the very first moment. These are mostly situations of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or bullying.
 

Our body can also be an effective means of defense

You will not always have self-defense tools with you. That is why close combat, using only your own body, is important.

Let's talk about martial arts, combat sports, and self-defense systems. Each of these groups brings certain advantages and has its own merits. However, not all of them are suitable for self-defense. Why? The difference is often not in the specific techniques but in the approach itself. Let's break them down a bit.

The art of medieval warriors

Among the most well-known martial arts, we can mention Jiu jitsu, Karate or Muay Thai, which many of you have surely already encountered.

Advantages:

• they teach discipline, self-control and increase your self-confidence

• they improve fitness, speed and strength

• they teach the basics of strikes, kicks and grips and new knowledge about the human body 

Despite all of this, I do not consider martial arts to be suitable for modern self-defense. 

• Most of the techniques used come from the Middle Ages, so during training you will not experience dangerous situations from everyday life.

• You train in a prescribed uniform, not in ordinary clothes you would wear to work or to a shop.

• Every movement you learn must always be perfect and you must not change it. In reality, however, things work differently and you will be forced to improvise.

• During a simulated fight, your opponent helps you and does not offer active resistance.

• They do not teach real defense against knives and firearms.

• Aesthetics and adherence to tradition are more important than the functionality of techniques in real conditions.

If someone tells you that what they teach is self-defense, you should not believe them right away. Be skeptical and do not blindly follow every claim just because it looks flashy. It is not a game. Assaults or rape are brutal and merciless situations.

You always return home from the gym to your family, and nothing more serious needs to happen.  The world outside, however, works differently, and discovering that you have fallen for the illusion that someone taught you to fight can cost you a lifetime of trauma or even your life. Therefore, approach this seriously. 

Martial arts have their own beauty, philosophy and sense of personal development. However, one should not confuse performances for an audience and medieval techniques that worked 500 years ago with self-defense. It is too dangerous an illusion.
 

The ring is not the street

Combat sports, such as boxing or MMA (mixed martial arts), have their own advantages, similar to martial arts.

• they teach discipline, self-control and increase self-confidence

• they improve fitness, speed and strength

• through competitions, you learn to think ahead and plan

• they teach the basics of strikes, kicks and grips
   

However, we also cannot call them self-defense. Let's summarize the main reasons why:

• You fight only in a controlled environment such as a ring, and there are precisely set rules.

• You have a precisely determined type of clothing, which you mostly do not wear outside.

• You wear protective gear and there is a referee with a doctor present, nothing that would be natural for your everyday life.

• You know your opponent in advance. You are in the same age and weight category.

• There is always only one opponent, and they are unarmed and must fight according to the rules. 

Našli ste tam niečo podobné s lúpežou alebo znásilneným? Ja tiež nie. Preto ani bojové športy nemôžeme považovať za sebaobranu.
 

Self-defense systems can help

The most important group in the mentioned trio are self-defense systems. This is a concept built purely on personal protection. Their foundation is simulations and testing techniques in a real environment. 

Advantages:

• They don't blindly stick to old rules, they adapt to current needs. 
• Techniques are as simple as possible. One technique usable for multiple situations.
• They increase your strength, speed, resistance to stress, and improve your reflexes.
• They teach you to think tactically and use situational awareness. 
• Training takes place in places such as parks, building staircases, cars, or train wagons.
• You also train in clothing that you wear every day to work or shopping

You will learn to defend yourself against multiple attackers, defense against a knife, a firearm, and use improvised tools such as a chair or an umbrella.

Despite the effectiveness of self-defense systems, they also have disadvantages:

• They are physically as demanding as a top-level sport.
• Many techniques are brutal and conducted under great stress. Not everyone can handle that pressure. 
• Simulations try to imitate crimes from everyday life. If you have previously been a victim of an assault or rape, it is better to first consult a psychologist so as not to deepen your trauma.
• They are not suitable for children. Some schools also have children's courses, but these are mostly oriented toward bullying or prevention of abduction and improving physical condition.

Let's look at 3 concepts that have shown the greatest potential.

Krav Maga

It is primarily intended for armed forces, but it also has a form for civilian users. It was created as a response to violence committed by the Nazi SS and Slovak Hlinka Guards in Jewish communities in the 1930s. Its founder is Imi Sde Or (originally Imrich Lichtenfeld).

It uses attacks on sensitive spots on the human body such as the throat or groin. Its techniques also draw from martial arts, mainly kicks and strikes. It also includes defense against a knife, a pistol, and multiple attackers.

Advantages:

• If you have experience in martial arts, it is easy to learn.
• There are many different schools, each teaching a different form of Krav Maga. You can thus choose from a large number of clubs.
• You will learn the most basic strikes, kicks, and grips relatively quickly.

Disadvantages:

• It has become a commercial matter. Many clubs therefore have low-quality training and are more interested in selling club T-shirts and collecting membership fees. It is better to also try another school besides the one closest to you.
• Some techniques don't work in a real situation. This mostly concerns the knife and the pistol.
   

Urban Combatives – experiences of London nightclub security guards that could save your life

Urban Combatives was founded by Englishman Lee Morrison. Emphasis is placed on avoiding conflicts, attention, recognizing a threat in its early stages, and a confident posture. 

All of this is complemented by hard striking techniques based on gross motor skills. Chosen so that they can be easily used in stressful situations. The entire training is conducted under stress. We already mentioned stress. It is one of the most important factors in crisis situations.

Advantages:

• Simplicity of techniques. There are few of them and they are adapted so that they can be used under great stress.

• You will learn to recognize threats and prevent them.

• It first addresses situations with a psychological approach and leaves physical contact only as a necessity.

• You will learn to use your explosiveness and aggression to your advantage.

Disadvantages:

• The techniques are based on strength and aggression. This is essentially a positive, but not everyone has the temperament for such behavior.

• You train under great stress, including important details such as slaps or vulgarisms. More sensitive natures may not be able to handle it.
   

KALAH System - born in combat and chaos. A way to turn your body into an impregnable fortress

,,We are not masters, only those who survived,, - Idan Abolnik

Its author is Idan Abolnik, originally from Israel. Its foundation is realism, training under maximum physical and psychological stress, simplicity of basic techniques, built on gaining the greatest possible control over the attacker's body and quickly gaining an advantage over him. 

Vulgarisms, slaps, shouting, biting or blows to the stomach, while someone holds a knife to your throat or a gun to your head, are a common part of the training. These are exactly the important details that prepare you for threats outside the training ground.

To some, it may seem brutal and stressful. However, a fight for life will not be any different. So far, it is the pinnacle of what I have encountered in self-defense for the average person. It is fascinating how much an individual learns about themselves when fighting for bare survival, even if only in the form of a simulation.

Advantages:

• Simple basic techniques, built on controlling the attacker's body and gaining an advantage. 

• Excellent mastery of defense against a knife, a gun and multiple opponents.

• You will learn to time your aggression for the most suitable moment.

• Techniques tested in real situations.

• In advanced courses you will learn to fight with a knife or use short and long firearms in real combat situations such as protecting a home, shooting in and around a car, or protecting a loved one.

Disadvantages:

• The Kalah system will push you to your physical and psychological limit. Not everyone may be able to handle it

• The training is based on simulating real situations. It is therefore not suitable for more sensitive natures 

Self-defense tools, available from 18 years of age 

We cannot all be athletes and have experience with close combat. However, there are tools that can help us. Let's take a closer look at them. 

Defense sprays, pepper sprays

Advantages:

• They are small, easy to conceal and simple to use.

• The irritant substance (mainly capsaicin from chili peppers) acts quickly, on average within 3 seconds.

• It can be used at an average distance of 3-7 meters.

• A fog spray is ideal for defense against animals. 

Disadvantages:

• They are limited by wind direction and cannot be used against the wind or in strong crosswinds.

• It is an aerosol and must not be used in small spaces. You would affect everyone around you, including yourself.

• The propellant gas is flammable. Be careful with electricity, fire and temperatures above 50 degrees. It must not be left in a car in summer.

• It has an average expiration period of 2-3 years.

With defense sprays, the nozzle shape and spray pattern are important.

Fog sprays

They create a cloud of irritant substance visually similar to a household air freshener. They have a wider spread and do not require precise aiming. This makes them more suitable for defense against animals.

Jet sprays

They are more suitable for defense against people, with a greater range that, depending on the model, ranges from 4 to 7 m. They are less susceptible to crosswinds than fog sprays. You can picture them as a thin stream of liquid.

Gel sprays

They are basically very similar to jet sprays, but the irritant substance has the form of a thinner gel. It is stronger and difficult to wash off.

With refills, you may encounter various abbreviations denoting the irritant substance:

•  OC (oleoresin capsicum) – extracts from chili and cayenne pepper
•  CN (alpha – chloroacetophenone) – a synthetic compound,
•  CS (orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile) – a synthetic compound
•  CR/CP (dibenzoxazepine) – a synthetic compound

The effects of using a spray are intense skin burning, blurred vision, in extreme cases temporary blindness and severe breathing problems accompanied by sharp pain. The duration of the effects varies and everyone reacts differently. On average, the effects last from 30 minutes to 5 hours after being hit.

Stun guns

A stun gun is a portable, battery-powered device that, once switched on, creates an electric arc between the anode and the cathode. When it hits an attacker, it causes paralysis, intense pain, unconsciousness, disorientation and surface burns at the point of contact. In certain cases, it can also cause fibrillation or cardiac arrest.

Advantages: 

• Ideal for scaring off animals. Dogs have a panic fear of the sound of the electric arc from a stun gun.
• It is a good tool for security services. Despite its size, it can be comfortably carried on a belt or a tactical vest.

Negatives:

• It is a contact device. You must be at least 0.5 meters from the attacker.

• It is ineffective against thick clothing or people under the influence of drugs.

• You must monitor the battery status. 

Knuckle dusters

They can be two, three or four-fingered. The offer includes metal ones and ones made of hard ABS plastic. 

Advantages:

• It evens out the physical and strength disadvantage against a larger and stronger opponent.

• It multiplies the destructive effect on impact. 

Disadvantages:

• The defender must have a certain amount of dexterity and know the basics of striking.

• It is only usable within the range of the defender's arm.

Kubotans and tactical pens

A kubotan has the form of a small cylinder, sometimes with a blunt point on one end. The basic principle of the kubotan is to reinforce the fist during strikes and to use both of its ends for strikes and pressure on sensitive points on the body.

It is simple physics. The greater the force applied to the smallest possible point, the greater the destructive consequences. Today it has its modern successor - tactical pen.

Both the kubotan and the tactical pen are great for attacks on sensitive pressure points on the human body, where applying pressure causes sharp pain. These techniques are useful in close-quarters combat or on the ground, where you do not have the option of greater movement. On the other end, it often has a point for breaking glass. 

Telescopic baton

You will encounter plastic and metal versions. Avoid plastic versions for self-defense, but they are ideal for training. Metal versions are made of untempered and tempered steel. Tempered ones are most suitable for defense.

Advantages:

• They are simple to use. Handling one is not motor-wise different from using a hammer or playing tennis.

• They are foldable and easy to conceal. 

• The defender's strength is not important when using them. They therefore even out the physical disadvantage between you and the attacker.

• They can also be used in emergencies as a lever, to break glass, and to break off hanging locks.

Disadvantages:

• Some people are not able to defend themselves with an object in hand, even if their life is at stake. 

• Batons made of plastic and untempered steel are unsuitable for defense. They easily deform on impact.

Final tips

• Do not rely unnecessarily on others, you can only rely on yourself. Instead of helping, many people would rather film your misfortune on their phone and post it on social media. 

• Think carefully about which type of close combat you want to focus on. Feel free to write down the pros and cons of each one on paper, and do not be afraid to try several of them. 

• Always carry self-defense tools concealed. This is so that you can surprise an attacker who won't know what you might use against him, and it is also required by law.

• Carry at least two defense items, kept in two different places. For example, I recommend a combination of a defense spray in the left pocket of your jacket plus a telescopic baton on your belt on the right side, or you can also add a tactical pen in your trouser pocket. 

• If possible, try to "talk your way out" of a problem first, to avoid a violent confrontation. You would be surprised how many things can be resolved with drunks through humor and flattery :-) . 

• Personal protection does not have to cost much. It is not worth saving money on it. The 10€ you save could be outweighed by an injury 100 times greater, a lifelong trauma, or the loss of life.

• Practice with them regularly, so that you can use them automatically even under stress. 

I hope this more extensive article has helped you. Your safety is always in your own hands. Be brave, confident and open to new possibilities. This way you will discover new horizons and push your limits a bit further.

Sources: ubransa.sk, kalah.co.uk, Urban Combatives Netherlands