Personal Security for the Novice

Back!

2016-04-13T02:32:00.002-04:00

Welcome back everyone! I have been gone for almost 2 years and there is a reason. In those two years I have changed careers twice and moved two times. I am now a law enforcement officer and hopefully for me and the family I should be here for awhile. This fall I will be on the department for two years and feel as if I'm finally getting the hang of things. What I would like to do is go back through my older posts and update them, checking the links to see if they are still working and update any content that may have changed. Once I finish with that I will begin writing newer content. Thanks for your patience and I hope this blog is still useful to some.

Regards.

A "Safe" Decision

2014-02-06T21:50:00.002-05:00

You may notice that this blog does not contain any ads. I do have an amazon link as it is nice to sometimes get an idea of a product that I am referring to, but I will never resort to splashing ads all over my page because the endstate of this project is not to make money. What I will do is endorse a company or product that I feel strongly about and you will notice that I have done so a few times throughout my blog. Today I would like to tell you about Authority Safes.
Authority Safes is an e-commerce safe supplier based out of Elkhart, Indiana.  They have been in business for only 5 years yet have received numerous awards, including a constant "A" rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for each of the 4 years they have been a member.  Their customer service is impeccable and the level of company transparency they present, especially for being an e-commerce store, is a rarity. They have a by-name listing of their team, some with photos, posted on their website as well as a Live Chat option. The biggest concern I usually have about an e-commerce company is trust, and as with any product or company I mention in this blog, I would not be endorsing them if I didn't trust them. Their BBB rating, along with their openness and commitment to customer service, has put me at ease. But what's great customer service without a great product?
Authority Safes has a wide variety of safes for a wide variety of needs, including safes for your home and your business.  If you are in the market for any type of safe begin your search with Authority Safes.

Having said that, lets talk about why we need safes in the first place.

It's pretty obvious that we purchase safes because we want to protect something of value.  And as we know different people consider different things valuable. It is a subjective term.  So the first question you need to answer is what is it you want to protect? Do you want to protect your jewelry from theft, or your kids from your firearms?  In staying with the spirit of this blog, I am going to talk about safes and how they relate to personal security. If you want advice on the different kinds of safes, their ratings, and which one is right for you, contact Authority Safes.

When you have something in your home of value, the first thing you need to know is that it could potentially make you a target.  This is where we digress back into risk mitigation, and this is where safes come into play. They should be part of your security plan to mitigate the risk of somebody taking, or attempting to take, whatever it is you are trying to protect.
A safe in and of itself is not enough. If I take a safe, put it outside in an empty lot, it is probably not going to last very long. Regardless of how heavy it is. You can Google plenty of videos of people wrapping chains around ATM machines and driving off with them. Get the thought out of your head that a safe is the end all be all. You still need to be smart.
So the next thing you need to be aware of, and try to minimize, is who knows about what you have in your home or office.  Understand that when you wear your collection of Tiffany jewelry, people are going to take notice. If you host house parties, know who your guests are and be aware of the unaccompanied access they have to your house.  Be aware that some of your guests may have family members or friends that you personally would never let into your home, but because your guest couldn't stop talking about all of the cool guns you had you have now become a target to his drug addicted son. Once you have begun to implement that simple step, your next step is to choose a safe.
When choosing a safe, you need to identify the personal value of what it is that you are protecting. This will help you establish the kind of safe you need. I don't really care about my passports, so I have a relatively cheap fireproof safe that I keep them in. Now, if one those passports held a memory that I cherished I may want to protect it better. The value of the item(s) only you can decide.  A professional can help you with finding the right safe in order to properly protect that item(s).
While choosing a home security safe, keep in mind our discussion about minimizing who is aware of what you have. What I mean by that is the presence of a safe usually signals the presence of something valuable. If I can see your giant gun safe in your living room from the street you are advertising to everyone who passes by that you probably have some delicious guns in there.  Hide it! And if you do need a big ol' gun safe, consider spending a little bit more and make a closet type room specifically to hide your safe. That way, when your kids' friends come over they aren't telling everyone that Jimmy's daddy has a bunch of guns in his huge vault downstairs. It will just be another room in the house with a locked door.
Once you have chosen a safe, and if you do not already have one, you should discuss with a security professional on your need for a home security system.  Those passports I spoke of probably do not rate a $50 a month alarm monitoring fee. But a vault full of guns, that may be a different story. Every situation is different and each case needs to be looked at individually. Just ensure that you do at least consider it.
The one thing I will go into a little more detail on right now is the small gun safes designed to be accessed quickly. These usually hold one pistol, open quickly, and are fairly portable. If you have kids it's a no brainer. You need the safe to store your weapon while you sleep. However, if you plan on putting the gun you are going to use to protect you and your family into a locked box, you need to ensure you keep it near you and that you practice opening it. And I don't mean while you are watching your favorite t.v. show. I mean setting an alarm for 0243, and as soon as that alarm goes off you attempt to access your gun as fast as you can. Do it until it is second nature. I have three small kids of my own and pretty soon I will need to securely store my loaded firearm at night as well. I have already begun looking and will be contacting Authority Safes when I feel my current plan is no longer viable.  There is a much higher chance of my kids getting ahold of my gun than someone breaking in to my home.

In conclusion, if you have something you need to protect or secure look into getting a safe. And when you look into getting a safe, start with Authority Safes. They are professionals, friendly, and can guide you in the right direction. They carry a wide variety of brands, including Mesa Safes which is a great manufacturer and has a full line of safes for any need.  Not only does Authority Safes carry over a dozen brands, they are an authorized dealer for each one which means better and faster solutions. Simple and straight forward.

If you have any questions or comments, as always, let me know.

Security for Couples/Families

2014-01-16T22:51:00.001-05:00

This may seem like an odd topic, but when you are living with another person(s) you should both/all be on the same page when it comes to security. This is a struggle in my home as there is one certain individual, I won't mention any names, who prefers to believe that bad things do not happen in her world. I respect her way of thinking and I actually believe that this world needs those kinds of people, but it makes my job a little more difficult.
I will begin with the home environment first. Let's say that you are the husband or wife who chooses to take your families security serious. You take some self-defense courses, maybe you even send yourself to a high speed shooting school. You start what-if'ing different scenarios for the home and certain locations around the city you habitually frequent and develop some decent plans in case things go wrong...but then you have to throw the other members of your family into the equation. I am not going to go into every possible scenario that could happen, there just isn't the time or space. But you do have to plan for at least the most probable possibilities as you see them.
Some things you need to take into consideration are:

Layout of your house and bedroom relative to entry points
Layout of your house relative to your bedroom vs. your kids
The age of your kids and their most probable reaction to a home invasion
Your spouse's most probable reaction to a home invasion
A realistic evaluation of your pet's reaction
If possible, learn the appearance of your family members silhouette's
Size of your house
Chosen personal protection weapon

Layout of your house and bedroom relative to entry points:
You need to be aware of all of your most probably entry points and how you are going to protect your family depending on which one is breached.

Layout of your house relative to your bedroom vs. your kids:
If you are lucky and all of your bedrooms are upstairs, that's an easy one. You call the police and defend the stairs. If your bedrooms are spread throughout the house, or have a kid in the basement or vice versa, you need a different plan.

The age of your kids and their most probable reaction to a home invasion:
If they are young are they going to run out to the noise to see what is going on? Are they going to scream and cry and run to your room, giving away your position as well as possibly making themselves an easy target by running through an area the intruders are already in? Are they teenagers. Did they sneak out and are now sneaking back in? Will they roam about the house causing you to hesitate if you are utilizing a firearm?

Your spouse's most probable reaction to a home invasion:
Will he/she run to the kids room. Will he/she wake up and turn on the lights, alerting the bad to your location, letting them know you are awake hence taking away your chance of surprise, and ruining your night vision?

A realistic evaluation to your pet's reaction:
A short 4 years ago, your dog may have been a formidable opponent when someone came crashing through the door. Now, maybe she doesn't even get up when someone knocks.

If possible, learn the appearance of your families silhouette's:
This is accomplished simply by hanging out with your family at night. After spending enough time with people in the dark, it becomes easy to tell who they are just by their silhouette, which may come in handy in a dark house where you are unsure of your families location.

Size of your house:
This should be obvious. A small house and everything is more compact. You need to react quicker as the baddies can get to you faster. A big house, and things are more spread out. You may have more time to react. However, if you do not have an alarm there may be the possibility that the bad guys can enter your home without you even hearing them.

Chosen personal protection weapon:
I've covered most of this in my Weapons post, but I want to reiterate that when speaking of firearms, over-penetration is your biggest concern. Do your research and pick the best weapon/ammunition for your house size and location. The only weapon I recommend for home protection is a firearm. If you are not going to use a firearm, spend the money creating a safe room, a citadel, that you and your family can retreat to until the police arrive.

These are just a few of the many things you need to think about when you throw variables (people) into your emergency plan of action.

Outside of the home, there are many scenarios that can play out. If you are serious about your families security you should be what-if'ing everywhere you go. I've said it before, but once you get it down it will become natural. I do it all the time and it doesn't interfere whatsoever. When walking through the parking garage I what-if. When my car is warming up in the drive-way I what-if. When my wife and I are walking through the streets downtown I what-if, even while we are talking.

The biggest take-away from this is to understand you have variables you need to plan as much as possible for. You need to sit down with your family and talk about the what-ifs as it relates to your home, and even outside of it. I tell my wife where she should set up and show her why. I talk to her about the probable reactions of the kids. Her running into the rooms of the kids will do the opposite of helping. It can be a hard conversation and my wife cried when I was going over all the possible what-ifs that go through my mind constantly. It scared her. But the potential benefits of having the conversation may one day far outweigh the drawbacks of not having it.

As always, any questions please let me know.

Security for the Seasoned Individual

2012-05-16T23:34:00.000-04:00

All right, getting back into it. I have some down time before I head back overseas so lets see if I can knock out a few topics!

Our next item (getting back to the agenda...sort of) deals with the seasoned individual and the challenges they may face. Now, when I say seasoned I'm talking 50 and above...and before I get a backlash I realize that 50 is not old! But late 40's and early 50's is when health problems start to manifest themselves for a lot of people so I feel this is where we should start since your health definitely effects the tools you have available with which to protect yourself. I was originally going to break this up into male and female, but as I started writing I realized there wasn't much difference between the two so I combined them.

First and foremost, be honest with yourself! What is wrong with you right now that will limit your ability to protect yourself? (Keep in mind, your answers to this question may also directly relate to your ability to use deadly force. You are justified to use deadly force when you feel that your life is in danger, and in your 20's, you may have been able to take a beating. But now, you may have a heart condition or you may be suffering from Osteoporosis which would turn a robbery into a homicide...with YOU being the victim). If you carry a firearm, are you still able to see the sights of your weapon? You may have carried it for 40 years but now, due to your need for bifocals, you may need to change the tactics with which you employ your weapon. Above we mentioned conditions of the body that may increase the effects of a violent assault or an extremely stressful situation. Some companies and agencies require that a stress test be done on any employees deploying to a high threat environment to ensure that they are not at an elevated risk of a heart attack when placed in an abnormally stressful situation. Arthritis? How effective will your struggles be? Can you manipulate a weapon such as a pistol or knife or even Mace effectively when arthritis has hampered your ability to even make a fist? Again, be honest. The tools you used to rely on (strength, weapons, reaction time, quick thinking) may not be as sharp or accessible as they once were and by not admitting it you may be setting yourself up for serious injury or even death.
Another aspect of personal safety that needs to be addressed is accidents. We spoke of Osteoporosis above. If you are home alone and fall and are unable to reach a phone, how will you get help? Joking about old people and breaking hips may seem funny, but a broken hip is no laughing matter. In the military, a pelvic strike is considered deadly force because of the potential for serious bodily harm and/or death. A major artery, the femoral, is found on the inside of your thighs about an inch or two above where your leg meets your genital area, if you follow the natural vee. Sever one of these and you have maybe a few minutes to live. Not only that, but your hips support your whole body. We train to shoot the pelvic area in order to cause death and immediate disabling, so you can imagine you won't be doing much walking or even standing with a broken hip.
Hopefully we've got you thinking by now. There are many more examples of bad things that can happen, whether it be by direct assault or by accident, but lets now focus on how to prevent, avoid, or at least mitigate the effects such an episode will have on you.
By far, the best defense you have against any crime or accident is situational awareness. Remain cognizant of what is going on around you! Secondly, have a plan. I have already gone in depth in previous posts concerning such things as mindset, principles of security, and weapons so if you think that this post is lacking please read back.
Ok, let's talk situational awareness. If you know that you are at risk for an accident, you must remain aware of your surroundings. Set yourself up for success. Make sure that the floor is clear of debris, make sure steps are clearly marked and hand railings have been installed. Do you have a small dog or cat that runs beneath your feet? Over time, you may have amassed a little wealth and enjoy nice cars and jewelry. Realize that a thief may identify you as a soft (easy) target because of your age or your inability to fight back, and giving off the appearance of having money may not be such a wise choice depending upon your environment. Also, be aware of possible scams. Door-to-door salesman should be immediately and firmly sent on their way, bearing in mind that you do NOT have to open the door to talk to them. At best they are selling needless products, at worst, they are criminals casing your house. This is in no way a complete list, but the point is to get you thinking. The internet is another area in which you need to be aware. I strongly suggest you do some major reading, talk to a family member or friend who is active on the internet, or take an internet course (go through a reputable source, such as a tech college or some other accredited organization) because you could compromise a lot of your personal information, as well as others, if you do not adhere to good internet practices and have at least some idea of the threats out there, including internet scams.
Having a plan is essential in order to effectively deal with situations that will inevitably arise. Earlier, we asked the question of how you would get help if you fell. There are such tools out there like LifeAlert and ADT's Personal Emergency Response System that you should consider. Keep in mind that these tools are not confined to medical emergencies. If you feel threatened, whether inside or outside of your home, you may utilize these tools. It may not be the most effective response but at least somebody will be on the way to help you. Cell phones. Cell phones these days are almost a necessity. You don't have to have some fancy phone, just something that you can use anywhere to call for help. A home security system is always a good idea. If you can't move very quickly and you have a fire in your house, how will you get out? Are you on the first or second floor? Should you install more smoke detectors? A sprinkler system? Modify your bedroom window in order to make it easier to get out of?
The above should be a good start to an effective plan. I'm going to keep stressing that this post is intended to get you thinking as opposed to cover all contingencies. As we get older, our bodies do become weaker and we have to accept that and plan for it, regardless of how much it hurts our pride.
I hope this has helped in some way, and as always, if you have any questions do not hesitate!

Child Safety

2012-02-04T18:56:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long delay...life!
It has recently come to my attention that a friend of mine is having issues with an ex-wife and her new boyfriend and the interaction between her new beau and his little girl. That story is neither here nor there, but it brought up a situation I'm sure a lot of divorced parents with children have unfortunately experienced. Picture yourself with kids, boys or girls, it doesn't matter. Your ex takes the kids for the weekend and takes them to her new boyfriend/girlfriends house. Being a nasty divorce, the ex is less then forthcoming on any information concerning anything, especially contact information on his/her new fling. So off they go, your kids going into the unknown. Are they safe? Who is this guy? Where does he live? Then, to make it worse, your little girl/boy comes home and tells you that mommy/daddy's new boyfriend/girlfriend gives them the creeps. Unless the new friend has actually done something to the child, there is, unfortunately, little anyone can do. (I know laws are different in some states concerning who children can spend the night with if they aren't relatives but I'm generalizing.)
One legal thing that you as the parent can do that is totally legal and will also make your child feel a little safer is the Amber Alert GPS. It does cost a monthly fee, but I believe it is well worth it. Some of its features are Predator Alert, alerting you when the child is within 500ft of a sex offenders residence. There is a panic button, speed alert if your child is going too fast, a safe zone you can establish that will alert you if your child leaves the virtual boundary, and also Smart phone tracking among other things. This is not a cheap piece of gear, but considering what the alternative could be, it may be the best thing you ever bought.
This isn't going to be a long post, I just wanted to throw that out there while I was thinking about it. I will try to get back on task in a few weeks but we shall see...

On-Line Predators

2011-10-06T15:04:00.005-04:00

If you have read my agenda, you will notice that I am deviating from my intended order a bit simply because I feel that this topic is important and shouldn't wait.

I will go into computer security (or rather common sense) at a later date, but right now I want to address the issue of on-line predators. Beginning in 2008, after watching an episode of “To Catch a Predator”, I realized that I had no clue about on-line predators. I didn’t know who they were, how they chose their victims, how they communicated, where they could be found in the on-line world. I was dumb to a threat that (with kids) I would need to be wary of in several years’ time. So, I began researching. I knew that these guys were finding people in chat rooms, and I had a Yahoo account, so that is where I began. What I found there were mostly gay men, men looking for girls, and girls pretending to chat with you and then telling you to click on a link…which either they got money for or sent you to a porn website that you had to pay to view. No “predators” to my knowledge. That’s when I discovered Yahoo! 360. Yahoo! 360 allowed you to create an on-line profile and basically share anything you wanted to with the world. I created a profile and began perusing other users. I started messaging several users who had young sounding names such as “volleyball_16” or “15yrs_amy” and didn’t receive very many responses. But the responses I did receive and the chats I had turned out to be men pretending to be girls. It took me quite a while to figure that out but very few 16 year olds I know make small talk and then want a picture of my feet or start talking about how their dad used to molest them and they liked it. So that is what gave me the idea to create a profile pretending to be a 14 year old girl. It took maybe a day and I had over 50 requests to be friends, numerous messages on chat, and a bunch of emails. Most, like me, were guys pretending to be girls but they thought or wanted to believe I was a girl. One of the more sinister chats I had was with a young “girl” who asked me if I thought my parents would let me go to Spain, as the girl said she knew someone who could get me into modeling. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one “she” had made that offer to. I then created various profiles of different genders and different ages and by far the most “attractive” profile was the female aged between 13 and 16. Yahoo! 360 wasn’t the only place I found this kind of thing. Virtually every social site I went to had some form of predatory aspect to it. Flickr, Yahoo, Windows Live, Yahoo games, MySpace, Facebook, (though with the right privacy settings Facebook does a good job of protecting its users) and a myriad of other chat rooms and social sites. I have also seen young teens with their own webcams putting themselves out there voluntarily. The threat is there, it is real, and it is just a few clicks away. Regardless of whether they are male or female, as long as you are their legal guardian you NEED TO MONITOR YOUR CHILDREN! If you are not monitoring what your children are doing on-line you are wrong, plain and simple. If you need some help on this matter, I will throw out a few tips. And if you want some more info, by all means message me. I have spent a lot of late nights researching this and I wouldn’t recommend everyone trying their hand at it, but it is a serious threat that I feel needs to be addressed. I am confident that I can spot a fake within ten minutes of a conversation and out of the numerous conversations I have had over the past three years with people claiming to be a certain type of person, not one has been real. Not one! Which is a good thing and bad. It’s good because that means there are more fake than legit preteens and teens chatting, but it is bad because I have seen videos and live cams of teens and preteens doing things they shouldn’t which means those kids are out there and they don’t stand a chance against a grown adult who knows how to manipulate a child’s feelings. Also, there is a whole T.V. show and volunteer group dedicated to catching on-line predators as well so that should give this post some credibility to even the most skeptical.

I can’t address every situation, but below are a few tips to help keep your kids off pedophiles radar. Again, if you have a situation you need advice on or just want some more information let me know, I can’t cover everything here.

Let me start by saying that parents do need to trust their kids, and kids need to make their own mistakes in order to learn. But the internet is one area where kids MUST be monitored; at least until you as the adult are certain that they are using it responsibly. One great program to help with this is SniperSpy spyware. It will record everything they do, it will record their passwords, pictures they post, emails they receive, and you can set times when they can and cannot access the internet (if you’re not home), among a ton of other things. Are you spying on your kids…yes. But do you think your kids are really going to give you access to their REAL email or Facebook account, especially if they are doing something they know they shouldn’t?

Be cognizant of what is in the pictures they post. It does no good to teach them about not sharing where they live or telephone number or email when they post a public picture of them wearing a school sweatshirt. All one has to do is Google that school and they will come up with a short list of where that child goes to school. Or, a person could look at your child’s friend list and even though the predator can’t access their profile, maybe they have an outfit on that proclaims what school they go to and it’s an easy assumption from there that your child goes to the same school. A lot of kids like to post track/volleyball/baseball pictures showing where they play as well. Once the predator knows what school your child goes to, it is easy pickings from there. I’m not saying that this kind of stalking is happening all of the time, but the potential is there and the risks of not mentoring your children far outweigh the hassle it will be to lend a firm, yet guiding hand.

With the amount of kids with cellphones these days, hardly anyone chats on a messenger service anymore unless the y have friends that live out of the country. Why would they with the convenience of texting? So if your child is chatting you need to find out with whom. Webcams are another issue. These items should be controlled by the parent and the child should have to ask for it. And if it’s a weekend and he/she is having a sleepover I wouldn’t recommend letting them play. Or if you do let them, make sure you monitor it by checking on them and checking what websites they have open, not just what is on the screen. I have seen that exact scenario play out countless of times on sites like JustinTV and Stickam. If you don't believe me go to videarn.com and you won't even have to click on the videos to see what I am talking about. Not only are the teens usually pushing the decency boundary in a sort of truth-or-dare like way (there is nothing but guys asking the girls to show their bodies or do things with each other), but identifiable information is almost always shown in what they are wearing, in the background, or what they say. On top of that, there are programs that allow people to record webcams, so even if your child does something inappropriate and gets kicked off the site there is a good chance his/her picture will still wind up on the internet.

I thought this was going to be a lengthy post but there is not much more to be said. The internet is like a door to your house, a door that can let any kind of person in the WORLD in. That kind of access is something that needs to be guarded and no child should have the power to make the decision of who should be let in. They are too vulnerable and easily manipulated at that age. Personally, I would talk to my child about internet safety but then secretly monitor them (key word is secret because if they know they are being watched you won’t get an honest assessment) until I am sure they are being responsible. Some of you will cringe at the thought of spying on your kids but that is the only way to ensure their safety (and yours) without damaging your relationship with them at this sensitive time in their lives by openly invading their privacy.

Best of luck.

More to come soon, I apologize for the delay but I have made a job change and have moved across the country so please bear with me in my absence!

2011-08-20T23:55:00.001-04:00

Security for the Teen Male

2011-03-10T19:31:00.002-05:00

Sorry for my long absence, with the holidays and work things have been a bit hectic. Staying with the short posts for now, let’s discuss security for the teen male.

Teen males have a bit of a different security issue to deal with than females. Males in their teens generally fall into one or two of three categories; they can be the leader, follower, or a loner. And to clarify, being a loner is not necessarily a bad thing. They can be the kind of loner that all of you may be thinking of, the kind that doesn’t fit in and may have anger and self-esteem issues. But there are also those that are just quiet. They get good grades, have a high self esteem, but for whatever reason don’t socialize according to the “norm”.

Leaders: Leaders can also fall into two separate categories; they can either be the alpha male jocks that others look up to in a positive way (for the most part) or they can be the bully that others look up to in a negative way. This class may have the highest security issues due to the very nature of their personality and their attempt to maintain their popularity. Because of their personality everyone takes notice of them, both the good and the bad elements. For example, let’s say that Johnny is the most popular kid at school and he is going to throw a party…who is going to come? That’s right! EVERYONE. From my own personal experiences, mass parties usually teeter on the brink of chaos and there is no way that one guy can regulate all of those people. Things will be broken and stolen and fights will most probably break out, especially if alcohol is involved. Also, because of his popularity he will probably have more face time with more people which could lead to more anger direct towards him. Think of the less popular kid, who doesn’t have such an alluring personality, watching his girlfriend flirt and make ga ga eyes at Johnny. I’ve seen it happen plenty of times. Common sense tells us to drop the girl and find someone who really cares about you. But almost all teens lack common sense at this age, especially when females are involved. Now Johnny may have become a target and he doesn’t even know it. The bully, on the other hand, makes enemies more directly. But due to his confidence and perceived invincibility from those whom he torments may feel as if there will never be any ramifications for his actions. Bullying has seen a decline in recent years after the many high profile suicides and shootings shown on national television resulted in sweeping reforms throughout the U.S., mostly in the educational arena. Many schools now have a “no tolerance” policy towards bullying, harsher punishments specifically for bullying, and workshops for the teachers on how to recognize bullying and how to stop it starting at the elementary level.

While the first line of defense for these “leaders” continues to be and has to be themselves, parents, peers, and role models come in a close second. At this stage in life, many teens feel 10ft. tall and bullet proof and think nothing bad can ever happen to them. It is up to the adults who care for the individual to discuss potential dangers with him and ensure that they are at least aware of the negative consequences that could come from being on “top”. Parents also need to be mindful of the fact that their property could become collateral damage in any dispute their son may currently be involved in, even if he doesn’t know he is in a dispute (yard jobs, house or cars being egged, house being toilet papered, broken windows, keyed cars…).

Followers: The main concern with followers is that they can be loose cannons. Leaders set the pace with their actions and personalities and a lot of followers try to imitate them and bask in the residuals they get just by being around them. Some followers, however, feel the need to be recognized by the leader or outshine him in order to steal some of the spotlight and to that end will go above and beyond what their leader, who is already pushing the boundaries, would do. Consider the leader who, at a party, decides to drag race his car down the street for a bit to the whistles and applause from the audience. Seeing his chance, the follower does the same thing but needs to go faster and drive more recklessly in order to show that he can be better than the leader. Or in the case of the bully, imagine the follower one-upping his leader and instead of throwing eggs at a car decides to throw rocks to show he has “balls”. I mention these scenarios because I have seen them, and more, first hand.

Again, in order to minimize the security threat the same recommendation I gave for the leader can also apply to follower.

Loner: The bad loner, the one everyone thinks of when you mention loner, can potentially be a real threat to himself and others. The fact that he is a loner isn’t the issue, it is the why? Early intervention from the key players mentioned above is critical. There are a lot of reasons one could be a loner but more than likely, as a teen, he will see some negative responses because of it from his peers. The good loner is usually the “safest” of the bunch due to his self esteem and low profile. Most people leave him alone because they don’t really know he is there or he is easily forgettable, and those that do pick on him are immediately confronted either by the individual or those around him that feel the need to protect him, or he tells someone who can help.

You may notice that this post has differed from the female version in that the female version I identified specific threats towards the girls that they may face. In this post I gave an overview of the categories teen males typically fall into and what kind of security issues they may face because of it. Males have it easy in the sense that if they keep to themselves, stay out of other people’s business, and ensure that their actions only affect themselves or others in a positive way they can expect to remain relatively safe except for the occasional random act of violence. The problem is that we are males. We don’t keep to ourselves a lot of the times, we put our nose in other people’s business for whatever reason, and have an “it’s a free country so sorry if your feelings are hurt by my actions” type attitude. And males, as my wife constantly points out, differ from females in that we usually can’t put on a happy face for those that we don’t get along with like women can. When men piss each other off, most of the time we take care of it on the spot and that is the end of it….usually. That kind of conflict resolution makes it almost impossible to sit here and write contingencies for every situation that pops up, which is why I generalized it. The important take-away here is to know your teen, know what he’s about, and guide him through the rollercoaster ride until he finds himself. Be a parent, be a mentor, and be a role model.

Security for the Teen Female

2010-12-12T09:47:00.002-05:00

I have been getting feedback that I should shorten my posts so they are not so time consuming to read. I will try it with this post but would like more feedback on if I should continue this way or go back to including all relevant information. Thanks!

I have split up the categories such as teen female and teen male because each are unique in their circumstance. Males have a different set of worries than females so they should be discussed separately in order to maximize safety. Teens, regardless of gender, are at their most vulnerable during this stage in life. They are trying to find out who they are and tend to either be a pack leader or follower. As parents know, either path can lead to problems. I am speaking strictly from an American point of few as many different countries have different views concerning girls and women and other countries also have a higher rate of sex crimes such as prostitution and trafficking that I am not qualified to comment or give advice on

The main issue with girls at this age deals with sex. Hormones on both sides are raging, they finally have the freedom to act on their emotions, and they want to feel in control of their lives. I’m not making a case for abstinence; I’m simply saying that a lot of safety concerns for teen girls are of a sexual nature. Not only are boys of the same age taking an interest, but men with much more experience in manipulation are unfortunately also taking an interest. You the female need to be aware of this and on your guard.

First and foremost, you need to be upfront with males. They can’t process subtleties when their hormones are raging. If you want a guy to leave you alone you have to draw a clear line. I know it is not in most girls’ nature to be “rude” and tell a guy to stop calling but it needs to happen. Ignoring their phone calls or blowing them off when they talk to you will not make them “get the hint”. The guy will merely think that he needs to try harder. If the situation persists, tell somebody. Make it known. Tell your parents, tell your girlfriends, tell your other guy friends, or tell your teachers. Whoever you feel comfortable with. You should definitely tell someone if an adult man is interested in you, regardless if he is pestering you or not. Tread carefully and listen to your friends and your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t.

Know who you are getting involved with. If you like a guy that you don’t know very well, guard your personal information closely. Don’t let him drop you off at home, don’t befriend him on Facebook or MySpace or any other social site where you have a lot of personal information available, and don’t give out your home telephone number. Also, don’t allow yourself to be alone with him in a private setting until you are sure of his intentions. Do your own research. See if you can find him on Facebook. Go through his pictures and wall posts if you are able and get a feel for what kind of friends this guy has and what he likes to do.

I will hit internet security pretty hard in another post but for now I will throw out these few tips: Do not add your home phone number to the white pages listing. While there are other ways to find out your address or phone number through the internet, don’t make it too easy. Ensure that you make everything private or “friends only” on your social sites, and then only add people you know. Facebook has added a new application that allows you to post your current location, and also allows others to post your current location. If you need help disabling that let me know. Stay away from chat rooms and web cams.

Watch your drinks at parties, and if you go to the bathroom make sure somebody else is watching it. I’m a grown man and I still have someone watch my drink.

Always have a way out at parties, ensure that there is someone available and reliable who can come and pick you up regardless of the time or place.

If you are going out with a guy, ensure somebody knows where you are going and when you should be back.

You need to make a decision about sex before you and your guy are naked rolling around on the bed or wherever. Most men see a “making out” session as a prelude to sex, while the girl simply views it as a wonderful time being together. If you are not willing to go all the way, keep the “making out” and fondling limited to someplace at least semi-public and again, set clear boundaries. Every guy should respect a girl’s wish when she says no, but what if he doesn’t? You can’t walk into a known bad neighborhood and then be surprised when you get mugged or assaulted. You have to take some ownership for your actions and decisions, you have to be smart.

Lastly, be aware of your surroundings. I’ve covered how to do this in previous posts so if you haven’t read it go back and do so. It will go a long way in keeping you out of trouble!

Again, this is the first time I’ve attempted to write a shorter post while maintaining the blog’s integrity. If you like it and it still helps, please let me know. If you think more sustenance is helpful tell me.

Either way I hope you learned something.

Canines for Security

2010-11-05T16:41:00.005-04:00

Using canines to augment your security plan can be a great idea depending on your circumstances. In this post I will cover a few things to think about when deciding if a dog is right for you, and I will also touch on a few breeds to help get you started.

When owning any pet, it is important that you ensure that you have the time, money, and ability to tend to its needs. I suggest that after deciding on a particular dog, you check with your vet BEFORE you purchase it in order to find out all the ins and outs associating with your choice. They will be able to tell you approximately how much you will have to spend yearly in vet bills for shots, check-ups, and preventative medicine (heartworm, flea and tick). They will also be able to tell you any problems usually associated with your chosen breed (which you should already know from doing research) such as hip dysplasia. You should also check with a few local dog training companies to see how much classes cost if you find that your pet needs some additional, professional guidance when it comes to behavior.

Instead of re-inventing the wheel, the majority of the information that follows has been cited from http://www.homesecurityguru.com/recommended-watchdog-breeds. It covers basically the same information I intended to but I will add an “Employment” section at the end in order to cover some tips in actually employing your guard/watch dog.

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"Throughout history one of the most popular ways to enhance home security has been through the usage of trained dogs. However, in choosing which to dog to guard your family or property you should way different options carefully, depending on your particular circumstances.

Family Watchdogs vs. Guard Dogs

One of the common misconceptions among dog owners is that watchdog is simply another name for guard dog. In essence, a watch dog acts as an alert, barking to warn occupants of approaching strangers. Many breeds of dogs, including miniatures such as Chihuahuas, may fit this role.

A guard dog, on the other hand, possesses the physical capability to render a would-be assailant incapable of harming the dog's owner either through restraint or injury.

Recommend Breeds as Guard Dogs

People wishing to adopt watch dogs or guard dogs should examine a number of factors before deciding which breed is best for them. Various breeds of dog naturally show different characteristics. These include:

A sense of the dog's territory

Aggressiveness

Strength

Courage

Resistance to counterattack

Tendency to protect the dog's adoptive family

Propensity to be properly trained

Aloofness to strangers is also regarded as a virtue because as aloof dogs are not swayed by superficial attempts at friendship. Although the dogs generally enjoy their role of protecting the entire property, a lone dog is also susceptible to attack from an armed intruder. The owner should note that a dog guards the family best within the house during hours when intrusion is most likely.

If a burglar is able to break into a house in an area which the guard dog outside cannot reach, the protection is moot.

Bull Mastiff - Many regard the Bull Mastiff as the ideal guard dog. These dogs are very strong, possessing a heavy amount of bulk and muscle. It is also an intelligent breed and highly alert, as well as very courageous. Despite its physical gifts and lack of fear, it is docile within a family environment, making it a good pet.

Doberman Pinscher - The Doberman Pinscher makes another fine guard dog. Like the bull mastiff, they are also strong, intelligent, alert, and fearless. However, they are also loyal and obedient to family. They are also quite fast runners and this characteristic may be advantageous for homeowners with large lots who need a guard dog that is able to reach a possible security breach quickly. Female Dobermans are thought to be more protective of family and more obedient, while males are more adept as finding solutions to problems.

Rottweiller - Rottweilers also serve well as guard dogs, possessing a combination of strength, confidence, and courage. They also show loyalty and a tendency to protect members of their adoptive families. Rottweillers tend to be aloof to strangers and are not swayed by superficial attempts at friendship.

Komodor - Not as well known as the other breeds, but another dog effective at providing guard duty is the Komodor. This dog is also powerfully built and courageous and was bred to guard flocks of sheep. It is loyal and faithful to its owner.

Puli - Pulis are very vigorous, active dogs originally bred as sheep dogs in Hungary. They make also good watchdogs as they have a suspicious nature.

Giant Schnauzer - The Giant Schnauzer is another strong and hardy dog that is also intelligent, alert, and courageous. They also adapt easily to training and are loyal. Thus, they also make good family pets.

German Shepherd - This breed retains a calm demeanor but is able to act when situations call for firmness or assistance, i.e., a good seeing-eye dog. It also retains a detached attitude that allows it to resist being swayed by superficial attempts at befriending.

Rhodesian Ridgeback - Rhodesian ridgebacks are strong and sturdy, fast dogs with even temperament. They are loyal to their owners but aloof to strangers.

Kuvasz - The Kuvasz represents another example of dogs fit for guard duty. It is a strongly muscled dog but also intelligent, loyal, and aloof to strangers. It is especially courageous and is even prone to self-sacrifice.

American Staffordshire Terrior - These dogs are strong and agile, as well as very courageous.

Chow Chow - Also strong and highly intelligent. The Chow Chow also does not automatically befriend strangers.

Belgian Sheepdog - These dogs are also strong, intelligent, courageous, alert, and devoted to their owners.

Belgian Malinois - The Belgian Malinois is strong and agile. It is typically aloof with strangers, but affectionate with its adoptive family.

Belgian Teruven - These dogs are also strong and agile. They are intelligent, courageous, and alert. They are protective of their owners.

Dogo Argentino - The Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff) is another strong, intelligent, and even-tempered breed with exceptionally powerful jaws. They also often make good family pets, but can be aggressive towards other dogs.

Tosa Inu - The Tosa Inu will fiercely guard family members, however it rarely barks and therefore does not present a proactive deterrent.

South-African Boerboel - This breed is also large and strong as well as intelligent and obedient. It is noted as a breed that will guard the home without fail, but will only become aggressive when necessary.

Neapolitan Mastiff and Bulldog - These dogs are also very large and strong, as well as imposing. It is loyal to its owner and even-tempered. It is aggressive when necessary.

Cane Corso - Also strong and intelligent as well as brave and loyal, the Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) also makes an excellent pet for the entire family.

Bouvier des Flandres - This dog is not as large as the mastiff or bulldog, but it is strong, intelligent, and alert, as well as even-tempered.

Thai Ridgebacks - The Thai Ridgeback is alert and attentive to its owner. However, it can be difficult to train and needs strong oversight from its owner.

Beauceron - The Beauceron is also strong, intelligent, couageous, and obedient although some will display a degree of independence.

Other dogs noted as suitable for guard duty include the Ca de Bou, Akita Inu, Fila Brasileiro, Ovcharka, and the Dogue de Bordeaux. Other factors that potential dog owners may wish to consider include gender and color. As a general rule, females of many breeds may be less aggressive, however more protective of family members.

Although a dog's color has no direct correlation to its physical gifts or temperament, a darker dog, especially a black one, appears more menacing to would-be intruders. Also if a room or yard is very dark, a dark-colored dog may be difficult for an intruder to discern and make the intruder more hesitant.

Some dogs, such as many kinds of Pit Bull Terrier and the Presa de Canario have been used extensively as guard dogs. However, controversy surrounding these dogs have led many to distance themselves from them. Some jurisdictions have banned the ownership of these dogs altogether.

It is important to note that dog attacks are not a common occurrence and much of the source of aggression in dogs stems from abuse and mistraining by the dogs' owners.

Recommended Breeds as Watchdogs

As stated above, watchdogs and guard dogs differ in that watch dogs only alert their owners when they see a stranger approaching. They neither attack nor attempt to restrain or injure would-be assailants or burglars.

Therefore, the list of recommended watchdogs includes many small breeds that bark liberally but afford no physical protection. They also compensate for a lack of physical prowess with excellent hearing.

Nevertheless, some guard dogs such as Rottweilers and German Shepherds also serve as good watchdogs and should be included in this list (Please reference text for these breeds in the Recommended Guard Dogs section above).Since it is mostly their barking ability that suits them as watchdogs, further explanations of their temperament are beyond the scope of this article.

Recommended breeds include

Scottish Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

Miniature Schnauzer

Yorkshire Terrier

Cairn Terrier

Chihuahua

Airedale Terrier

Poodle (standard/miniature)

Boston Terrier

Shih Tzu

Dachshund

Silky Terrier

Smooth Fox Terrier

Wire Fox Terrier

Miniature Pinscher

Less likely, but possibly inclined to bark include the Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Welsh Corgi, Shetland Sheepdog, Lhasa Apso, Akita, Maltese Terrier, Pekingese, Boxer, Samoyed, English Springer Spaniel, Dalmatian, and Irish Setter.

Dogs to Avoid as Watch Dogs

Some of these dogs may very well make good pets, but their lack of inclination to bark makes them unfit for use as watchdogs. These include the Bloodhound, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Basset Hound, Bulldog, Old English Sheepdog, Clumber Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deerhound, Pug, Siberian Husky, and Alaskan Malamute.

Care for Your Dog

The realization that you will be responsible for maintaining the well-being of your dog is an important factor when deciding to adopt one. It is important to remember that unlike other security measures such as lighting and fences, a dog is a living, breathing, feeling individual and thus requires and deserves attentive, serious care from its owner.

In addition, like any other investment, the care for your dog will ensure that it will provide you longer lasting security for you and your family.Also your dog will require special needs such as flea treatments and veterinary visits. Their size, demeanor, and disposition notwithstanding, almost every breed of dog requires companionship and love.

Most dogs require companionship and affection from the families and are eager to return it. Dogs not receiving such attention may be prone to psychological trauma. Like children, dogs do not come with instruction manuals. Prospective dog owners should consult experts on the care and well-being of their new dogs. They should also be aware that behavior for puppies will be different from that of full-grown dogs.

Fences are a concern for many dog owners. Those wishing to keep dogs on their property should erect fences high enough to disallow escape. When considering which kind of fence to buy consumers should remember that fences with high visual penetration allow outsiders to taunt dogs located inside the fence."

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Employment

As stated above, if your dog can not get to an area in which an intruder has invaded then it is reduced to a simple watch dog, regardless of the breed. Crating a puppy at night and while you are gone is common when training it, but if you are still crating it as an adult you have done nothing to enhance your security. You must make your dog part of the family, giving it free rein of the house if it is to be effective. Also, keeping your dog fenced in outside will not deter an intruder who wants to enter your home.

If you are utilizing motion sensors in your home security system, keep in mind that you may have to decide on whether you want your alarm system protecting your house while you are away or your dog. Most dogs over 40lbs. will trigger motion detectors. One option may be to crate or restrict your dog’s movement while you are away, leaving your motion sensors on, then turning them off at night and allowing your dog to do the work. It’s a personal choice.

Never rely solely on your dog to protect your home. Use it to warn you of an intruder and stall (if it is a guard dog) him/them while you gather your wits about you and implement your security plan. Those added seconds could mean the difference.

p.s. One breed left out that I feel should be added is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Kavkazskaïa Ovtcharka). These are huge Molossers that are fiercely loyal and protective. They tend to be more at home in the country or on land where they have freedom of movement. Ideal for estate protection without groundskeepers unless the dog has been well socialized or knows the groundskeepers. Below is a description:
"Caucasian Shepherds are typically assertive, brave, alert, strong, hardy and courageous to a fault. They are truly second to none in their bellicosity towards strangers. Unless properly socialized, they may exhibit unmanageable tendencies. They seldom have time for strangers (but will greet family friends warmly) and have extremely powerful guarding instincts. Everything and everyone who belongs to the family, including other dogs will be regarded by this dog as part of its family and as such will fall under its guardianship. Owing to their size and nature these dogs should not be left alone with children. Aggression toward unknown dogs should be expected unless the animal has been extensively socialized at an early age and even then some unwanted behaviors may occur." (Wikipedia)

Weapons of Opportunity

2010-10-26T23:27:00.006-04:00

Our next topic is one of my favorites! I enjoy this subject because, at its core, it embodies man’s animalistic instincts. As a society, we have been taught that killing is wrong, that we should be nice to people and help them whenever we can. We frown upon children watching violent television and hand out punishment for aggressive behavior. This is all needed and justified in order for us to continue to live in a relatively safe environment, but everyone must admit that good times always come to an end. I’m not even talking about world war, think of something as recent as hurricane Katrina. Notice how fast the rule of law disappeared and what atrocities took place as a result. While we should all strive to maintain order by obeying the laws of our society, we should not forget that our very lives may depend on how quickly we can transform ourselves from law abiding citizens to instinct driven animals.

I am not posting a disclaimer because weapons of opportunity (WOO) would not necessarily be considered weapons at all. They can be anything that might be laying around that could help you win the fight. I will go over a few items at the end of this post to help get your mind going but I will focus more on trying to change your way of thinking in everyday life so that you the reader can prepare yourself for any situation regardless of where a moment of violence may happen to find you.

In order to become skilled at identifying WOO, try thinking of it as a game; wherever you are ask yourself "what could I use to protect myself and how?" Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that 100% of the time your mind should be focused on finding weapons, that would be stupid and unrealistic. I maybe do it three to four times a day, more if I'm not already carrying a weapon. Not even 20 minutes ago I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom and saw my wife's eyeliner pencil on the sink. I automatically logged it into my brain as a potential weapon and then continued brushing my teeth. It wasn't a eureka moment, it didn't interrupt what I was doing, it was a simple observation that was noted. That is the way it should be. Take note of what's available and how you would use it and then move on. I am not going to go into scenario after scenario, just think about it and give it a shot. The more you do it, the more you think about it, the less you will have to think about it. It will just come naturally.

This is going to be a short post because WOO is self explanatory; it just takes practice from you the reader.
As promised, I will list a few things that I usually take notice of and keep in the back of my mind:

Wal-Mart - Wal-Mart and stores like Wal-Mart usually use a big metal peg board type design to hang a lot of their items on. Think of the toy section with 6 of the same items hanging from a thin metal bar on the aisle. Usually has the price right above it. If you haven't noticed, those bars can come out and could work great as a stabbing tool, especially if your attacker is not expecting it. Look next time.

Restaurant - Ketchup! I don't know if you have ever gotten ketchup in your eyes but it burns...

Coffee - A cup of hot coffee is always ready to be thrown in someone's face.

Highway - Don't laugh, but I actually walked from Norfolk to Virginia Beach using the highway one time. I was going to sleep on the beach but by the time I got there the sun was already up so I just ended up calling a cab to go home. (Was there alcohol involved...?) But the point of this is is that I felt vulnerable walking along the highway so I had the presence of mind to stop and pick up two decent sized rocks I could do some bashing with if need be.

Home - You should be the master of your own home. I know of a lot of things I could use as a weapon in every room if I needed it. So should you.

Pens/Pencils - You've seen them used in movies and they are sometimes easy to forget about, but these items do make good stabbing tools.

Hopefully I got you thinking a little bit. Even though I love this topic I don't want to drive it into the dirt. If you have any questions or need help getting started let me know and I will do what I can.

Firearms and Knives

2010-09-13T22:11:00.018-04:00

*Every weapon is designed to harm or in some way incapacitate a subject. They do not know right from wrong and they do not take sides. It is up to you the user to develop the mindset needed to employ that weapon, learn its functions, and learn how to care for and clean it. You will need to know the local laws concerning the carrying and employment of your weapon, and you must be ready to accept the physical and mental consequences of using your weapon, regardless of whether it was a justified action or not. Only then, when you’ve done all that, should you learn how to properly use it. *

On this topic, let me start off by saying that you should never, ever, ever, ever, carry a gun or knife for self-defense if you do not know how to use it or do not think you will be able to use it. Electing to carry these items can cause a host of problems but can also be the only thing that saves your life. It is strictly a personal decision.
The “host of problems” mentioned above mainly stems from users not knowing or understanding their local laws. Get to know them…and if you are still unsure tell a cop about how you intend to carry your weapon and see if you would be breaking any laws. You may not be allowed into some places while armed, especially bars. You’ll have to ensure that your kids can not get to your weapon. Just owning a gun could make you a target for thieves, whether it is in your house or car. Carrying it can be annoying and a mood killer. A dependable gun is expensive, and a good knife isn’t far behind. Speaking of cost, you should be forking over several hundred dollars for a gun (unless you get a deal) and you should also be spending about a hundred dollars a year for practice ammo in order to maintain your proficiency. Both of these items require initial training as well as sustainment training. I could go on but I think you get the point. Now on the flip side, a gun (especially at home), could be the only thing that keeps you or your family alive. Nothing says “go away” like the sound of a shotgun!

Firearms:
When talking firearms for self-defense, we will cover a few weapons to use while your at home and while you are out and about.

1. Home
The absolute best weapon for home defense is the shotgun. Now, if you have visions of yourself clearing your house with a pistol or semi-automatic rifle as per Jack Bauer or James Bond, put them aside and listen to what I have to say for a sec. I’m going to run through the pro’s and con’s of a pistol, rifle, and shotgun in the home environment and show you why you should consider a shotgun first before any other firearm. If you cannot for whatever reason get a shotgun, I will cover the best method for utilizing the other two tools as well.

     a. Pistol
     b. Rifle
     c. Shotgun

Pistol:
Pro’s – Pistol’s are relatively light and small. You can maneuver around corners and in tight spaces a lot easier and safer with a pistol than you can a rifle or shotgun. You can carry your pistol on you or stage several pistols throughout your house if you feel the need without them being intrusive.

Con’s – Pistols are fairly expensive. A quality one is going to set you back around $500 depending on where you get it. Due to the shorter barrel, it takes more skill to hit your target. You may be the best shot while at the range but during a high stress situation even the most highly trained military and police shooters have missed their targets with a pistol. Over-penetration can be an issue depending on the caliber and type of ammo you choose. Over-penetration is when your bullet travels further than what you want it to, such as when you miss your target and the round goes through the wall and into your child’s room. Due to the fact that there are many readers from different countries on here, I cannot make one recommendation on ammo type or caliber that would meet everyone’s needs, so instead I’m going to leave it up to you. Do your own research, it is definitely worth it.

If you absolutely must use a pistol, a .45 loaded with hollow points is your best option. In saying that, I also know that some men and women (my wife included) have smaller hands and would not be able to properly grip a .45 caliber pistol. That is just a starting point, work your way down from there until you find a pistol and caliber that you can effectively utilize and will still stop your attacker. I would not recommend going lower than a .38, and even then that is pushing it. During a home invasion your attacker will more than likely only be a few feet away from you if you need to engage, and when you shoot you have to be relatively certain that he will be immediately incapacitated. If not, he may continue his attack and end up wounding or killing you or a member of your family even though he has been shot. Stopping power is the main argument for a .45 caliber (most direct action units use .45's for that purpose rather than the standard 9mm...even though it holds half the rounds). Shot placement is also key.  Obviously somebody shot in the chest will more than likely go down a lot faster than somebody shot in the hand. This is also connected to over-penetration which we hit on above. If you have kids in the house, you need to make sure you have a plan in case of a home invasion. Where will you position yourself to protect your family? From that position, is there a possibility your round or the attackers round may enter your children's bedroom or yours? Where will you tell your kids to be? On the floor? In the closet? Under the bed? Make sure you prep your mind for the fact that your child may not stay put and he/she may run directly into your room. DON'T SHOOT! Easy to say, but add loads of adrenaline and a muddled brain and... I will cover more of that kind of stuff in a later post, just ensure that the pistol you choose is reliable (Smith&Wesson, Glock, HK...) and has a rail on the front so that you can attach a pistol light. You have to be able to see your target. A laser is recommended but optional. For a novice I would stick to a weapon mounted light, but as you progress you can start playing around. There are a lot of fun things you can do with a light that isn't mounted. For now though, your pistol light would be giving your attacker a target to shoot at but that is better than missing your target because you don't know how to shoot with a hand-held flashlight or shooting your child because you can't see.
I could write a book on all the ins-and-outs of using a pistol for self-defense but this blog is not the place. You came here for quick, effective, and easy to read information and that is what I try to give. Just remember that if you are going to use a pistol for self-defense in the home or anywhere else, make sure you get some professional training that includes classroom time and range time. Without it you are more of a danger than a saviour. Do some reading, ask your local law enforcement, or give me a buzz if you have any questions. It would take forever to make this post broad enough to fit everyone's needs, but I would be happy to answer targeted questions.
The next weapon we will discuss is the assault rifle. I am purposely omitting hunting rifles because those should only be used as a last resort and all the same rules from an assault rifle apply to a hunting type rifle.

Assault Rifles:
(AK’s, M-4’s, MP-5 style, Galil’s etc…)

Pro’s – Assault rifles look cool and you can attach all kinds of high-speed gizmos to them with the right hardware. Weapons lights, pressure pads, lasers, scopes, aiming points, double magazine carriers and more can all be outfitted on most assault rifles. They can hold a lot of ammunition (usually 30 rounds or more) and they fire as fast as you can pull the trigger.

Con’s – Unless you live in a mansion or way out in the country, the main issue with assault rifles is over-penetration. The max range on 5.56 ammunition (for an M-4/M16 style weapon that the U.S. military uses) is around 3600m. Most of that ammunition will easily penetrate household walls, glass, 2x4’s, car doors, and a myriad of other common building materials. This holds true for other assault rifle ammunition as well except for the 9mm of the MP-5 style. I will touch on that in a second. If you live in an urban or suburban environment, imagine the outcome of you shooting at an assailant and having half of your rounds exit your house and enter your neighbor’s homes. More than likely, even if you did prevent your family from being harmed, you will still find yourself in jail and have made enemies of your neighbors. It is not worth it. A good assault rifle is going to set you back almost $1000 and the other options you have available to you for a quarter of the cost would make it so you wouldn’t have a leg to stand on in court. DO NOT USE AN ASSAULT RIFLE FOR HOME DEFENSE unless it is legal and practical, such as your home is located in a place like Iraq. Now, for the ammo, there are such things as frangible rounds. These rounds are designed to break apart when they hit something more solid than themselves. When using this ammo in your home, if your attacker is behind a wall there is a good possibility that your rounds will not penetrate. These rounds are mainly used by law enforcement and military for training and for protecting assets such as nuclear facilities and ships where over penetration or ricochets are highly undesirable. As for 9mm ammunition, H&K makes assault rifles that take this size round, and Intratec made machine pistols of this caliber but they are no longer in business. Since this is standard pistol ammo you will still be dealing with the same over penetration issues that we discussed with pistols but anything with a longer barrel and a stock will give you more accuracy than a handgun. Another issue with assault rifles, and we already touched on it a little bit, is the aftermath. Unfortunately, even though the person you shot broke into your home and threatened you or your family, they or their families can still sue you and win! Welcome to the American legal system. It is asinine but the average American looks on guns with fear and disdain and after hearing testimony from sobbing relatives and “expert” witnesses, the jury may look at you like YOU are the bad guy. Apparently only criminals can have assault rifles and if you own one and use it, that makes you a criminal in the eyes of a lot of Americans.

Now, let’s talk about shotguns.

Shotguns:
Pro’s – Shotguns are relatively easy to use and maintain. They have few working parts so there is less that can go wrong. You can mount lights and aiming points on them just like a rifle. Here is a link that will show you all you a lot you can do with a shotgun. When using buckshot, you don’t have to be an expert marksman. A general rule of thumb is the shorter the barrel or the further the shot travels, the larger the spread. In saying that, different ammo spreads differently so you need to shoot the ammo you will be using at varied distances to gauge the spread accurately. Here is a link to give you an idea of shotgun spread.
A good shotgun is cheap, only costing around $250, and you can walk out of the store with it that day in most states. Also, owning a shotgun is legal in a lot of cities that have a low tolerance for weapons such as Chicago. You can buy different gauges that better suit your stature. If you are a small woman a 12 gauge is probably a little too big. You can get a 20 or .410 gauge; it still packs punch and will not dislocate your shoulder or make you drop the gun.

Con’s – Shotguns can be relatively heavy and cumbersome. Most don’t come ready for home defense so you have to buy the attachments pictured above in order to shorten its length and make it better suited for protecting your home. When used at close range, a shotgun will make a mess of the person you shot so mentally prepare yourself for the aftermath, especially if you achieved a headshot. Repainting, replacing carpet, and fixing drywall will probably be on the list as well.

When talking ammo, buckshot is usually best. All buckshot is is a bunch of little steel balls, kind of like ball bearings, packed into a shell that disperse when shot. They do make slugs that come in handy for going through walls but they require you to aim which requires a little more skill. For a novice I would simply stick with buckshot. When talking over penetration, there is a chance with buckshot but the shot will usually be stopped by the wood in your walls and slowed down quite a bit when it enters and exits the dry wall. Same with most hollow interior doors. I still wouldn’t aim it directly at your kid’s rooms but the likelihood of your shot passing through an assailant is slim, unlike an assault rifles round. This all has to do with ballistics, the shape of the round, muzzle velocity, and a bunch of other factors. For the novice, just keep in mind that you should always be aware of your target and WHAT LIES BEYOND, but in a life or death situation buckshot is going to be your best choice. If you would like more guidance on this drop me a line and I will try to make things a little more clearer.

This concludes this section on firearms for your home. Next, we will discuss firearms for self-defense while you are out and about. Hopefully I can get it done quicker than I did with this post.

Here it is, def. a lot faster than last time.

2. Out and About
There is only one practical type of firearm to consider while you are on the go and that is the pistol…so that is all that will be discussed.

You must take carrying a concealed firearm for self defense in public serious. As previously discussed, if you are not ready to take someone’s life or do not know how to use your weapon then you SHOULD NOT BE CARRYING IT. Since you are out in public, if you miss with a firearm or have a negligent discharge (your weapon goes off without you intending it to) then you will be putting more than your family in danger. And God forbid if you accidentally shoot an innocent person, regardless if you were trying to defend yourself or not, because you will have a hard time staying out of prison. Not to mention the psychological burden you may carry around for the rest of your life. Some states like Indiana simply require you to undergo a background check and provide money for an application fee in order for you to legally carry a concealed weapon, and others require you to attend formal training (under a licensed firearms instructor with class time and range time) to receive a permit. If you are new to firearms, I strongly urge you to take a course before you carry even if you live in a state that does not require it. If you don’t know where to start, google something like “basic pistol course Indiana” or whatever state you live in and check out the results. The NRA usually has instructors in every state, you can visit their website at http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/index.asp to get started. Not only do you need to know how to use your firearm, but you also need to know how to legally carry it. This again is where formal classes come in handy.

Formal classes usually cover all the laws pertaining to your state in-depth so that you will be set up for success. And while some states have easy to read laws posted on their government website, others do not. Remember, ignorance is no excuse! If you need any help pertaining to this subject please let me know.

Now that we have discussed the preliminaries, let’s get on with it shall we?

When we talk of a concealed weapon, I mean if somebody where to look at you 360, while standing or walking, they would not know that you are armed. If you are carrying to satisfy your ego please leave and don’t come back, I’m writing for beginners serious about their safety not amateurs who lack self-esteem.

When choosing a pistol to carry you should consider its actual weight, stopping power, comfort, and ease of use. Never decide on a firearm without first trying it out. Lots of gun stores with indoor ranges have pistols that you can rent, and though they may not have the exact one you are looking at, they may have one similar that will allow you to make a better decision.

Weight is important because more than likely you will be carry your pistol on your body. I carried around a Ruger P90 for a long time (it was all I could afford) and it was a big, heavy gun. It left marks on my hip and was very difficult to keep concealed. I ended up having to decide on whether to carry it or not depending on what I was going to be doing that day. Don’t let this be you. This goes for females especially who don’t normally wear pants that can hold up a heavy pistol.

Stopping power usually relates directly to the weight of the pistol simply because a bigger caliber means heavier ammunition, a larger magazine and magazine well to hold the rounds, and a larger barrel. Unlike home defense, it is my opinion that your level of potential threat should decide your caliber and number of magazines (mags). In the home, someone has made a conscious effort to enter your house and to me that automatically elevates an assailant’s dedication and will to inflict harm, so the largest caliber you can handle should be used in order to immediately incapacitate the person. On the street, however, you need to assess your potential for conflict. If you live in an area where crime is rampant and you can’t walk down the street without passing several drug dealers and gang bangers then I would recommend a larger caliber pistol (again, a caliber that you can effectively use) with at least two extra mags in case you needed to defend yourself from several armed assailants. Remember, two is one and one is none. Meaning that having two mags is like having one, since if one mag malfunctions you have another one to use. If you just have one mag, you are screwed. The same holds true if you are a potential target for robbery or someone with elite access to sensitive areas, such as a jewelry store owner, bank manager, or something of that sort. If you are ever attacked it will more than likely be by several individuals who have formulated a plan and have a strong will to complete their mission, so simply waving a pistol will probably not do the trick. On the flip side, if you live in an area with a relatively low crime rate and offer nothing that would elevate your risk of being attacked above another, then a smaller caliber pistol with only one extra mag (or load if you are using a revolver) could be right for you. Your attacker will most likely be alone or with only a few friends, be disorganized, and easily scared off when their “easy” prey turns out to be better prepared and more confident than what they are used to. When speaking of calibers, I would consider .22, .38, and 9mm as small calibers, and .357, .40 and .45 as larger calibers. I would not recommend carrying a .50 caliber pistol such as the Desert Eagle simply because of its sheer size, weight, and difficulty in handling. As discussed above, hollow points are preferred except while driving. I usually carry a mag of ball ammunition in my pistol while driving in case I have to shoot through the car window. Hollow points are made to mushroom when they connect which is good in the body, but bad when you are trying to penetrate a hard surface. Think of getting carjacked. You are inside your vehicle and a man with a gun runs up and demands you get out. If you have hollow points your first couple of rounds may only break the glass, allowing the assailant time to fire his own weapon straight into your car. With ball ammunition, you have a better chance of your first round going through the glass and into the perpetrator.

Comfort will tie in with how you carry your pistol (we will get into holsters a little later), your physical size, and the size and weight of your gun. This will be a personal decision but don’t expect to find a gun that feels as if it is not there. Most guns will always be felt by their wearers, and that is a good thing as you won’t forget that it is there. But you also shouldn’t purchase a gun that you will never wear because it is too cumbersome or painful.

Ease of use is another important factor. Why buy a gun that you can’t operate successfully in the heat of the moment, or one that you feel you may discharge negligently. This all goes back to practicing with your choice before you buy. Some guns have safeties that you need to manipulate in order to fire. Single action pistols require the hammer to be cocked in order to fire meaning that it takes less pressure on the trigger. Other pistols have no safety or, like the Glock, have internal safeties that keep the weapon from accidentally going off if it is dropped or thrown around a car during an accident, but will still fire just by pulling the trigger.

Ease of use also extends into the construction of the gun. A lot of gun manufacturers sell guns specifically made for concealed carry that are more sleek in design and have had all the sharp edges taken off so that they won’t get caught on your clothing or other objects when drawing. Do your research! Here is an article that goes a little more in-depth.

Now let’s talk about holsters. Back in my “gangster” days (pre 20’s) I used to carry a little 5 shot .38 everywhere. I had no holster for it nor did I need one because I was a “gangster” and gangsters tuck it into their waistbands. One night, while eating with a bunch of friends at Outback, we had all finished our meals (luckily) and were getting ready to leave. I was at the end of the table and as I stood up the pistol fell out of my waist, down the inside of my pants, hit my foot and the momentum carried it across the floor. As bad as that was, we were right by the door and it was a busy Friday night. All the hostesses saw it as well as the customers waiting to be seated. I quickly picked the shiny silver pistol up off the floor and virtually fled out the door, hoping no one (read cop) could react. It was immature, embarrassing, and reckless all tied into one. Don’t let that be you. Get a good holster that will secure your pistol. Fobus makes good holsters for all different types of pistols and carries. I prefer my pistol and mags on my hip so that they are readily accessible but different environments, dress, and places call for different holsters. For normal wear, with pants or shorts, shirt un-tucked, I would go with your pistol on your waist. You can draw it quickly and have better control over it. Fobus makes hard plastic holsters that are secured on the outside of your waistband by your belt, or Uncle Mike's (their website appears to be down, but I know you can get their products still from local gun stores) make soft, felt-like holster that go inside your pants with a clip that slips over your belt to hold it in place. Don’t make the same mistake I did and think that the soft holster is supposed to go on the outside and then wonder why your gun always falls out. Bellyband also makes a holster; you may try that if you wish. In movies you see G-men using shoulder harnesses for their weapons, I would not recommend these as the harness is cumbersome and doesn’t really conceal much more than a holster on your waist would. It also takes 2 hands to reholster which is a pain in the butt when your non-firing hand is wounded or otherwise preoccupied. Ankle holsters are good for smaller pistols when you are in formal wear or have your shirt tucked in. They are relatively unobtrusive but you may have to constantly adjust it back into position as the day or night wears on. Gravity and the repetitive motion of walking may cause it to slip down.

When you are in a vehicle, you should consider a different type of holster. You still want to secure your pistol in case of an accident but you also need to be able to get to it. Wearing it on your waist or leg makes it extremely difficult to get to so I would recommend something like a fanny pack. I carried a Blackhawk fanny pack for my Glock 19 in Iraq and it worked wonderfully. Securely held my pistol but I could draw it immediately when needed. Eagle also makes one but it is a little more bulky than the Blackhawk and less efficient.

This concludes the firearms portion of this post. If you have any questions at all please let me know. For some idle reading check out this link . It was a study done in the ‘70’s and published in 1981 so it is dated but it has a lot of good information on the emergence of proper firearms training for law enforcement and stats on shootings during that time that still apply today.

Knives:
Our discussion of knives will finish up this monster of a post, and it should go fairly quickly as there is not a whole lot to say.

In terms of home defense, knives should not be considered as your primary weapon; rather, it should be a weapon of opportunity (which we will discuss in a later post) that you use only as a last resort. The reason being, knives are relatively short which means you have to let your attacker get close to you in order to begin your attack. Also, you have probably heard the saying “never bring a knife to a gunfight” because obviously the intruder need only pull the trigger outside of your reach to kill you. Stick with firearms when protecting your home.

Outside of your home is a different story. If you can legally and competently carry a firearm then do it. If not, a knife could be your next best choice, though check with your local laws on what is considered a concealed weapon. The blade length, or whether it is a fixed blade or not, may factor in. Like all weapons though, there are limitations. I will begin by talking about the pros of carrying a knife, the cons, and then end with general guidelines.

Pros - Knives are relatively inexpensive. A good one should cost around $100. They are small and unobtrusive and are allowed in most places that otherwise ban firearms (again, check with local laws). They are easy for beginners to use (there are more advanced techniques that can raise your level of confidence and effectiveness), sturdy, and can be effective even if you miss vital areas of the body. A cut on the forehead will cause blood to run into your assailant’s eyes. Cuts on the arms may cause blood to run onto your attacker’s hands, affecting his grip. Cut tendons on the hands can affect movement and grip as well. Knives can be deployed quickly and one can carry it around (folder) unnoticed in the palm of the hand.

Cons - In order to effectively use a knife, you have to be close enough to your attacker to reach him. ..which means he can also reach you. Knives will not be allowed on airplanes or in federal buildings. You have a good chance of cutting yourself while using your knife to fend off an attack. The psychological effect of cutting into another human being may be too much for you to handle, causing you to hesitate. A knife doesn’t do well against a gun.

The knife you choose to carry will be a personal decision but do not think you are going to be walking around with a giant Bowie type knife attached to your hip. It is extremely difficult to conceal and will let everyone know that yes, you are armed but only with a knife, allowing your attackers to plan accordingly.

Knives are best used as a surprise against your attacker. Pulling your knife too early will give away your planned defense and though it could scare away a potential assailant, it may simply make his attack more effective and lessen your chance of prevailing. If you have been paying attention throughout this blog, in most cases you shouldn’t have to take the extra time to draw your knife because you have identified the threat or potential threatening situation and have your knife in hand. A pistol would not allow you to do this as it is unacceptable to be walking in public gripping a pistol. I recommend surprising your attacker because he has more than likely labeled you as a soft target. He is expecting you to resist but not attack so when he all of a sudden gets stabbed or cut it may create enough hesitation on his part for you to gain the upper hand or get away.

As I said, your choice of knife is a personal decision but I will toss out a few recommendations that I prefer.

a.) Gerber Applegate Fairbairn Combat Knife – My personal favorite. It comes with a pocket clip that allows for an easy and silent draw. The handle is long enough to be comfortable for most any sized hands. The blade is an inch and a quarter longer than most pocket knives and is made by a reputable company with law enforcement and military in mind.

b.) Cold Steel Safe Keeper II – Another favorite of mine. I carried this constantly while operating and contracting; I called it my tri-mary weapon and kept it on my thigh rig right next to my pistol. Due to its short blade, double edge, and design I have chosen the Gerber for protection while in the States. The blade length is a no brainer, the double edge combined with the way you use this particular knife elevates the risk of cutting yourself when struggling with an attacker in close quarters. Overseas it works well as a sentry removal tool or in close quarters when your pistol runs dry and you need to continue pressing the attack. That is an unlikely scenario here in the states.

c.) Novelty – There are other blades out there that masquerade as common items:
Ink Pen
Belt Buckle
Comb
Necklace
Lipstick

This concludes this posts. There is a lot of information contained in here and a lot of information kept out, so if you have any questions, comments, or need some guidance please let me know.
Cheers!

International Burn-a-Quran Day

2010-09-08T20:39:00.002-04:00

This blog is about personal security, but I feel this current event should be addressed since in a way it could affect you just because you are American or your country is positively affiliated with America.
Most citizens of democratic countries enjoy the safety that stability has brought, only dealing with security issues when they are chosen as a random target for violence or they have somehow stood out as a target. Actions like the public burning of another religion’s holy book could change that. You could become a target simply by being from a certain country. American’s have witnessed that through incidences such as the attacks on 9-11 and the kidnapping and beheadings of security contractors and aid workers in Iraq. So far, those kinds of attacks have been either few and far between or have been outside of America’s borders.

For those of you unaware of what I am talking about, Reverend Terry Jones at the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida has decided to host an International Burn-a-Quran Day in which he will burn Qurans. There has been a massive international public outcry against his intent yet he still plans on going through with it. I will post a link and let you read the news clippings for yourself, but I would like to comment on a few quotes taken from an associated press writer:

“The Quran, according to Jones, is "evil" because it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behavior among Muslims.”
If I remember correctly, wasn’t there a time in the history of Christianity that the bible incited radical, violent behavior? Anyone remember the Crusades? Or how about the Medieval Inquisition, Spanish Inquisition, Portuguese Inquisition, and the Roman Inquisition? Just some food for thought.

The next quote:

"It is the duty of Muslims to react," said Mohammad Mukhtar, a cleric and candidate for the Afghan parliament in the Sept. 18 election. "When their holy book Quran gets burned in public, then there is nothing left. If this happens, I think the first and most important reaction will be that wherever Americans are seen, they will be killed. No matter where they will be in the world they will be killed."
Anyone catch the fact that this guy is a candidate for the Afghan parliament?

And another quote:

“Kabul resident, Rajab Ali said, "If this (burning of the Quran) happens there will be chaos in Afghanistan and being a Muslim, if we don't defend the Quran then what else we can do?"

Burning the Quran will result in American deaths both at home and abroad, I can assure you that. I try to keep my opinions to myself but if you think that what this “reverend” is doing is justified I would first ask that you take the time to learn about the Muslim religion and what it is about. Then learn about radical Islamists and their terrorist organizations; how they got started, why people join, and who they target and why. Until you do that how can you intelligently defend your opinion? I have been targeted by Muslims. I’ve been shot at, mortared, IED’d, and had friends get killed by Muslims yet I do not hate the Muslim religion or its people.
If the Rev. Terry Jones goes through with his plan, attacks could become more frequent both inside and outside of America’s borders and her allies. Military personnel will not be the only target; it will be the average citizen at a night club, shopping mall, or sitting in traffic.

http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=13117609

Self-Defense Courses

2010-09-07T15:38:00.010-04:00

In this post I will be talking about both self-defense courses and martial arts.  I do not want to get into a large debate on which martial art discipline is the best, I am simply going to state some aspects a good self-defense course or martial arts program should include in order for you to get the most for your money when you need it in real life.

When choosing a program, you need to first consider what you are looking for. Do you want a short period of instruction (1-5 days) teaching basic self-defense techniques, or are you looking for a long-term commitment that could span years or a lifetime? You need to decide that first (don't worry, you can change your mind later) because that will usually be the deciding factor on whether you go with a self-defense course or enroll in a martial arts program.

Self-Defense Courses:
Self-defense courses generally run from 1-5 days, can be very expensive, and usually it's a crap shoot whether the instruction is going to be worth what you paid for. On the flip side, they are focused solely on self-defense which means everything you learn should be useful the day you learn it and you are not making a long-term commitment. When choosing a good self-defense course, my best advice would be to ask somebody within your local law enforcement. They are very active in your community and know what businesses are out there, and since they have had ample training themselves in self-defense, they know a good course from a bad one. Regardless of how you do it, you should never spend a large sum of money on a self-defense program that you haven't thoroughly researched. Don't just read reviews on the website, read other information that may be available independently on the net. See if there is anyone in your area that has taken the course, contact the Better Business Bureau, and you could also ask the administrators if they would let you watch an hour or so of the class before making your decision. The personality of the instructors do not matter as much in this short of a course, just as long as they can effectively teach.

Good self-defense courses should teach a basic type course that covers generic grabs, holds, and the appropriate defense for each. It should also include simple yet effective strikes against targets such as the eyes and throat. If you have good instructors, they should explain each move, demonstrate it, make you imitate it, and then allow you to practice it. Practicing should first be at a controlled speed until you have the move down correctly, and then you should execute close to full force if not at full force. They should then give you scenarios that make you apply everything you have learned in order to build your confidence in your new found skills.
Some courses may offer advanced classes that build on the techniques you learned in the basic course, such as how to control your opponent once you have incapacitated them or how to escape from an attacker when they are on top of you. They may also run separate courses that teach you how to use tasers, stun guns, key chain tools, and self-defense sprays. Most importantly, if they are not teaching the basics we discussed, or are not teaching them appropriately, you should really consider another course.
As far as the money is concerned, there is really no way to pinpoint an appropriate cost. It will depend on the instructors skill level and background, what they are offering to teach, and how good their equipment and facilities are. It will be up to you to do the research and then ultimately answer the question “is it worth it or not”.

Martial Arts Programs:
If you are looking to achieve your self-defense goals with a long-term commitment and possible change in lifestyle, then a good martial arts program is something you should consider. This is where we may have some debate as most people who have vested a massive amount of time, effort, money, and energy into their martial art of choice naturally like to think that theirs is the best. Again, I do not want to get into a debate but if you have questions concerning why I chose a particular martial art over another I would be happy to explain.
I will start this topic off by recounting my own experiences with martial arts and then go from there.

When I was 15 I had a steady job, no bills, and wanted to take karate. My parents and I found the closest school, I attended a few classes, and since it was my money my parents let me make the choice on whether to continue with it or not. I was all eager beaver to begin so I signed up for the $1,100 Black Belt Club that guaranteed me the opportunity to reach black belt regardless of how long it took or how many courses I had to go to. I achieved the rank of yellow belt with some colored stripes before I succumbed to the 16 year old lifestyle of hanging out with friends and driving my car anywhere and everywhere. I continued to pay off my debt but never again went to another class.
Now that I am older and wiser and have actually trained with professionals, I can see that the instructors I had were egotistical amateurs, even though they were black belts. They belittled the students, made comments such as “I’ve had to use that move before” in order to make themselves appear to be a bad ass, and talked to us with an air of unworthiness. This is a trend I have seen in other instructors from other disciplines as well and it is something you need to be very careful of. You yourself would not want to be influenced by these individuals and you certainly would not want your kids to pick up these traits. I will argue that your best bet is with an ex-military or law-enforcement instructor simply because they know what is important. They have dealt with life or death scenarios and don’t (usually) have to prove to you or anyone else that they are a “bad ass”. They are focused on teaching the content and getting results as opposed to fueling their ego. Be wary, and if you are unsure drop me a line and describe their behavior and I will do what I can to ensure you are making the right decision.

As far as martial arts programs are concerned, all disciplines technically teach self-defense but there are some out there that are better suited than others when your goal is ending a fight quickly with anything that you have available. The most inhibiting factor will be location. What martial arts schools are around you that you could realistically attend on a daily or weekly basis? Those living in a major city will inevitably have more options than those living in the suburbs or in the country. You need to first find out what is around you and then decide which discipline (if any are available) you want to pursue.

Historically, the Marine Corps has taught a fighting “system” known as line training that incorporated different offensive and defensive moves for a Marine to use in combat. These moves were few and didn’t allow much room for interpretation.
A few years back, the Marine Corps got smart and started developing the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). They realized that you had to give Marines tools to help them succeed in both a war time and peacekeeping environment. If you only teach a Marine how to kill, what does he do when he is merely trying to detain someone? In this era of conflict, Marines need to be able to employ both deadly force and less-than-lethal force. To that end, the Marine Corps took several high ranking Marines who had been studying various martial arts for a long period of time and tasked them with designing a course specifically tailored for the Marine Corps mission. The men chose moves from a broad range of martial arts disciplines that would help in accomplishing their goal, put it together in an easy to understand, progressive system, and then added some warrior ethos and values to it. The result is the MCMAP we have today. The reason I bring this up is because the Marine Corps, with all their money, war-fighting experience, and required testing of new programs, didn’t decide on just one particular martial art. Why? Because one particular martial art form that had everything the Marine Corps needed didn’t exist. The same is true for those wanting to learn self-defense. Some martial art forms focus on kicks and strikes, while others focus on take-downs and grappling. Karate, Tae-Kwon-Do, Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, and even wrestling and boxing all have some useful aspects but lack in one area or another. You need a discipline that has taken a little bit from every form, shed the non-essentials, and put it together in an easy to understand and applicable manner. I will talk about two forms that do this, one because of its’ popularity and the other because of its’ effectiveness: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Krav Maga.

MMA gained popularity in the mid ‘90’s through the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Those of you who are true fans remember the days when there were no gloves and the 180 pound Brazilian Jiu Jitsu guy could fight a 220 pound Pancrase practitioner. Ninjitsu fought street fighter, Muay Thai vs. Sumo wrestler, and boxing vs. Karate. Over time, the contestants realized that you had to have both a good stand-up and ground game so they began truly learning mixed martial arts. In fact, that is what it is called today.  I included MMA because it is the popular and "cool" thing right now...but it isn't necessarily the best choice when it comes to self-defense. This style of fighting is geared towards the MMA sport which obviously does not allow eye gouging, strikes to the throat, small joint manipulation like breaking fingers, and a multitude of other extremely harmful moves that would degrade the sport but would be a life saver during an attack. Krav Maga on the other hand, is a different story.

Krav Maga was developed to do exactly what we would like to achieve today: end a fight as quickly and efficiently as possible.  I will let you the reader do your own research on its history and progression, (and I suggest you do it because you may find it interesting) and I will stick to discussing the pros and cons as I see them.
As I mentioned above, Krav Maga is a brutal and effective method of fighting and can be practiced by virtually anyone.  It does not require you to break boards, do flying jump kicks through the air, or waste a lot of money buying uniform items. You will learn the quickest way to defend against an attack and neutralize your opponent. And since there is less "fluff" involved in Krav Maga, you will be able to take the skills you learn in the first couple of courses and apply them to your life directly.
The only con I foresee with this discipline is that, depending on where you live, it may not be as available as other martial arts.
Once you do a little reading yourself I think you will find that I have said all I need to on Krav Maga, I don’t want to waste your time by having you read the same information twice (I will post a few links below to point you in the right direction). If you find that there isn’t a Krav Maga school available to you, or the instructors there are lacking for one reason or another, I would still encourage you to try some form of martial art or self-defense course that is offered. Equipment fails and weapons are not always available, but the weapons organic to your body are ever present.

When I first published this post you may have been expecting an overview of the many different kinds of martial arts and their pros and cons, along with a brief history. I purposely did not do that because I am not trying to make the case for Krav Maga, I am simply stating my recommendation. It is ultimately up to you to decide what works best for you and what you are comfortable with. Any form of self-defense is better than none. The internet and library are full of information on different martial arts so you can do your own research and come to an intelligent conclusion, my job is to simply point out what to look and watch out for when choosing a self-defense course or martial art. Again, if you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me.
Ciao!

http://www.krav-maga.com/

http://www.commandokravmaga.com/html/index.html

http://kravmaga-ikmf.com/

Here is a great book authored by two of the virtual plank holders of the art: Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault

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Non-Lethal Defensive Weapons

2010-08-26T22:15:00.009-04:00

As with all categories dealing with weapons, I will begin by stating this:

*Every weapon is designed to harm or in some way incapacitate a subject. They do not know right from wrong and they do not take sides. It is up to you the user to develop the mindset needed to employ that weapon, learn its functions, and learn how to care for and clean it. You will need to know the local laws concerning the carrying and employment of your weapon, and you must be ready to accept the physical and mental consequences of using your weapon, regardless of whether it was a justified action or not. Only then, when you’ve done all that, should you learn how to properly use it. *

Non-lethal defensive weapons are most commonly used to encourage an attacker to stop his attack and look elsewhere, or immobilize him long enough for you to get away. Very rarely will a novice use this weapon in order to gain the advantage and overpower an attacker until help arrives. That being said, non-lethal weapons should not be counted on to end an attack. Follow-on action must be taken by you to evade the attacker and leave the danger zone. Know this and plan for it.

Below will be a list of non-lethal defensive weapons you may use for certain situations. First I will describe the weapon, and then I will give a few examples in which they could be used. Lastly, I will cover some pros and cons of each.

Flashlight - We all know what a flashlight is. A good flashlight, however, can be utilized to temporarily blind an attacker. In this case size isn’t always indicative of its effectiveness. Surefire makes a great flashlight for this purpose. The lumens of the lamps (meaning the power of the light) range from 65 to 150, depending on which one you purchase. They also make a few that have notched bezels that can be used to strike an opponent. The best use for this weapon is in low-light to no light conditions; however, it is still powerful enough to be somewhat effective when used in visible conditions.
Cons: The Surefire flashlight is considerably more expensive than regular lights and so are its batteries. The higher lamp output (lumens) the shorter your battery life will be, and its effect as a weapon is only temporary. Also, as with all lights, by utilizing it you are giving away your position.
Pros: The small design of a Surefire (most fit in the palm of your hand) and its reduced weight will make it a more convenient light to carry on your person or use in conjunction with another weapon. The rugged design will ensure that the light continues working even after being dropped or used to assault an attacker. Lights are also legal to carry anywhere, so you don’t have to worry about identifying the places you can and can’t legally carry it. They allow you to defend yourself from several feet away. The amount of training needed to effectively employ this item is minimal. Surefire has several lights that can be mounted on the end of a handgun or long gun and activated by either a switch or pressure pad, freeing up your hands. Though you will most probably give away your position when you use your light, you will also be able to indentify your target and decide on the appropriate action. Keep this in mind when you have teenage children that may try to sneak in or out after curfew and significant others who may want to surprise you by coming home early. I am not intentionally endorsing the Surefire brand but I have been using it in and out of the military for close to 10 years now and I have never had a problem.

Mace/OC/Pepper Spray - Small aerosol can filled with a mixture that should temporarily incapacitate an attacker when sprayed in the eyes and mouth. There are many different kinds of these products on the market and I have not, thank goodness, had to try all of them. I suggest you do some independent reading on these products, their safety, and their effect starting with this article: http://www.defense-technology.com/pdfs/resources/oc%20and%20pepper%20sprays.pdf The one I have been exposed to and certified with is the MK-4 from First Defense. We stood several feet away, with our eyes closed and hands behind our backs, and were sprayed in a Z patter starting from our forehead and ending at our chin. We were then instructed to open our eyes and look at the deliverer of evil who told us to go! From there we had to run to several stations that involved fighting off opponents with our hands, feet, and a baton, protecting ourselves from the blows of three guys with bags, and it ended with us having to subdue an individual in a full body suit utilizing the correct techniques and then cuffing them while still maintaining control of our baton. The time limit at each station depended on our motivation and the correct performance of each technique. It was grueling but we learned a lot. There is a high probability of contaminating yourself while trying to spray an opponent, or being contaminated by an attacker you have sprayed who is still continuing to fight so knowing the effects of your chosen self-defense spray and how to cope if you are accidentally contaminated is a must. Personally, it felt like I had literally stuck my face in a fire and it stayed that way for about 20 minutes. My eyes were pouring with tears, snot was running down my face, I could barely draw a breath, and though I could still function my strength was greatly reduced. Even after it stopped burning, I could hardly focus my eyes…they kept crossing. When we were finally able to take a proper shower, the ingredients reactivated and I started burning all over again, though not to the degree of when I was first sprayed. The usual delivery method is in a stream, cone, or fog. Some companies have also incorporated dye into their products that enables police to identify attackers after you have sprayed them.
Cons: Self-defense sprays are not allowed in certain places, such as on an airplane or sports arenas. Using them in crowded areas like a bar or restaurant may not only be illegal, but also could cause unintended consequences such as a stampede. They do have a shelf life. Actually hitting your targets face may be difficult in a stressful situation, you could contaminate yourself, and lastly, some people may just not be affected. On one notable occasion while in Africa, a man who was high on cot was sprayed directly in his open eyes from barely 3 feet away and absolutely nothing happened. He blinked a few times and continued to struggle.
Pros: If you hit your opponents face, the chance that he will stop his attack is great. Not only will he stop his attack, but he may be so affected that you will be able to subdue him and hold him until the police arrive. Most sprays are inexpensive and are even sold as keychain items. They allow you to defend yourself from several feet away. Small canisters are easily stored on your person, in your car, or in your home and can be employed fairly quickly. The amount of training needed to properly use this item is minimal.

Expandable Baton - Small metal baton that expands up to several feet in length used to either fight off an attacker or control him. I have listed this as a non-lethal item but, depending on where you strike, it can be lethal as well. ASP is the leading manufacturer of these types of batons and they are usually made of either aluminum or steel, aluminum being lighter but a little weaker. They come in several different sizes and they are all priced around $80. In order to effectively use this weapon, I highly recommend taking a few courses. Batons can be wielded as bats but you have a much better chance of defending yourself from an assault if you know how to properly employ the baton and the most effective places to attack the human body.
Cons: Requires professional training to be employed properly. You must be close to the attacker to be effective. Potential of inflicting unintended serious injuries or death to an opponent exists. Cannot be carried everywhere and are difficult to use in small spaces.
Pros: Relatively light weight and compact. Easily concealed and carried on your person or in your vehicle. Can be deployed quickly. Batons are low cost and rugged. When used properly, they can incapacitate an attacker thus ending the fight.

Keychain Tools - I made up the name for this category as there are many different varieties of these types of weapons. Some of the more notable are the Kerambit, Wrench, Koga, Kubaton, and Sharkie. They are small, blunt object weapons made from hard plastic that work great in a pinch but should not be carried as your primary self-defense weapon. They operate by the user gripping the item and striking an attacker, either causing them to flee or potentially stunning them long enough for you to flee or follow-up with a more effective counter-attack.
Cons: Due to the size of the item, you have to be within touching distance of the attacker. The effectiveness of this weapon is dependent on your strength and/or skill. Violence of action is a must because one strike will more than likely not be enough to halt an attack, so you must hit them again and again. Cannot be carried everywhere.
Pros: Extremely cheap. Small and compact, easily carried on your person. Easily employed. Training is available for these types of weapons but not really necessary since they shouldn’t be relied on as your only means of defense. Because of their small size, the element of surprise is on your side when fighting off an attacker.

Tasers - Tasers launch a two-pronged projectile into an assailant, and then incapacitates them by electrically interrupting the brain’s ability to control the muscles in the body. TASER is the premier manufacturer of this item and when dealing with equipment that has a lot of moving parts, the brands trusted by the military and law enforcement should be the ones you consider. I wouldn’t say that you need formal training with this item, but at least practice deploying it. Also, ensure you check with your college campus and/or your local laws concerning their governance of this piece of gear.
Cons: Usually only get one shot, though they do make some that give you up to three. Hitting your target could be difficult in a stressful situation. There have been cases reported of people dying after being tased. It’s rather bulky to carry on your person and hard to conceal unless you have a purse. They are expensive. Thick clothing may stop the prongs from entering the body, rendering it useless. Think winter or "cool" leather jacktes.
Pros: Easy to employ. Completely incapacitates an attacker. Can be used several feet away from the threat. May be mistaken for a real gun, ending the situation without any further action. Good tasers are rugged and reliable. Light weight. Can be deployed quickly. Because the prongs stick into the assailant’s skin, you have the ability to continue to control him until help arrives.

Stun Guns - Work much the same way as a taser, just without firing the barbed prongs. There are two metal prongs at the end of the stun gun that create an arc of electricity, and when you touch a person with that arc, they are affected. Again, make sure you check with your college campus and/or local laws for compliance.
Cons: Have to be extremely close to your attacker. There have been cases reported of people dying after being hit with a stun gun. It’s rather bulky to carry on your person and hard to conceal unless you have a purse. They are expensive.
Pros: Easy to employ. Hitting your target should be easy as you have to be close enough to touch the person in order to use it. Completely incapacitates an attacker, but the draw back here is that to maintain control of an assailant, you have to stay close enough to keep stunning them. Good stun guns are rugged and reliable. Light weight. Can be deployed quickly.

These are some of the most popular weapons made specifically for self-defense. If you have any questions concerning the use, training, employment, or brands please feel free to contact me.
Cheers!

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Security Merchandise

2010-08-23T22:01:00.010-04:00

Following on the tail of Medical Equipment, we will now begin talking about tools that you can purchase to enhance you’re security. The main categories to be discussed will be as follows:
Alarm Systems
Alarms
Miscellaneous

Alarm Systems:
If you can afford it, I highly recommend putting this at the top of your “to get” list. They are absolutely invaluable in terms of both protecting your property and giving you peace of mind. The upfront cost will set you back a couple hundred dollars and then the monthly fee will be around $40-$60. If you are strapped for cash, the initial cost could be covered by a tax refund check. Then, instead of spending over $100 a month on your super-duper cell phone, you could downgrade to a plan that only costs around $40 and use what you save to cover the monthly bill. Also, most insurance companies will give you a discount for having an alarm system that is monitored. Don’t be fooled, however, by the fast talking salesman. He might show you a sheet detailing the percentage major insurance companies may take off your bill but that is only in the BEST case scenario; like having a fire department, police station, and hospital as neighbors. My salesman told me 12% but when I called my insurance company it was only 4%. That’s a big difference when you are talking insurance payments.
When choosing an alarm company, go with a reputable one. ADT or Broadview (formerly Brinks) are two of the more popular ones. This is not a job for your local no name security “firm”. Once you make contact with them, they will usually send a representative to your home to discuss packages, plans and devices. Listen to them but also think for yourself. The goal is to create an invisible security fence around your home so protecting all possible entrances should be your objective. Money may be a prohibiting factor, but ensure you protect the most important. Some of the devices that might or should be offered are door and window contacts, glass breaks, motion detectors, and fire monitoring. They may offer cameras as well but this blog is for the novice so I will not get into that. If you want some advice concerning them just leave a comment.

Door and window contacts are devices that detect if a door or window has been moved past a certain point.
Glass breaks are triggered by the sound of breaking glass.
Motion detectors detect just that, motion. The company representative will usually inform you on just how big an object has to be to set off a motion detector.
Fire monitoring devices will detect a fire.

Here are a few tips when deciding on what type and where to put certain devices:

Not every door in your home needs to be protected, only the ones leading to the outside. If you have a door (besides the garage door) leading into your garage, and then another door leading from the garage into your dwelling, consider just protecting the very outside entrance. That way an intruder will immediately set off the alarm but will still have to get through another door to enter your house, the contents of your garage will be protected, and you will save money by not buying another door contact. If you are concerned about somebody coming through your actual garage door, put a motion detector in your garage as well. That way you will be confident that that area of your house is secure. Any other door that you may have in your home that leads to the outside needs to be protected.
Window contacts can become expensive if you are trying to protect every window. When money is a concern, protect only the ground floor windows, or the windows to you and your kid’s bedrooms. If that is still too expensive, think about placing a motion detector in an area that would cover several windows, thus cutting down on the number of devices needed.
Glass breaks are double protection for windows. Remember, window contacts work when a window is opened. If an intruder breaks a window, the contact is rendered useless. Again, if you are made of money by all means protect every window in your home. If not, put them in the most useful spots. I highly recommend installing a glass break if you have a sliding glass door. Most of your household goods can be shipped right out of your house through them, and if an intruder didn’t sever the contact, nobody will be alerted.
Motion detectors can be both a hindrance and effective tool. When you are home, you can usually set your alarm in a certain way that will turn on everything accept motion detectors, allowing you freedom of movement. When you leave, you can program it another way that turns on everything, including the motion detectors. This is wonderful unless you have a large animal, such as a dog or pig running around your house (a buddy of mine had a Vietnamese Pot-Bellied pig as a pet, not lying). If your animal has the run of the house while you are absent, then motion detectors are a no-go. If you can keep it penned up somewhere out of the way, then good for you. Another potential issue is your own movement throughout the house if you turn them on at night. This will be a decision you will have to make for yourself.
Fire monitoring devices are self explanatory. The layout of your home and also its size will determine how many you need and where they should go. Let the alarm representative deal with this one.

Now that we have discussed some of the alarm devices that should be offered, their usage, and their appropriate placement, let’s talk about the way that they are monitored.

Most professional alarm companies will have a monitoring center that will monitor all of their client’s households 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If an alarm is tripped, they will usually call the contact number you provided to investigate the issue and then alert the appropriate authorities if need be. The way companies monitor your system is through either your home phone line, cellular signal, or both. The preferred method is both since one acts as a back-up for the other. High winds, snowstorms, and vehicle accidents can all render your home line useless. Intruders can also cut your phone line. Either situation will leave you unprotected.

The ability to connect your system to a cellular signal will depend on where you live, as not all areas can receive a cell signal strong enough for an alarm system to be reliable. If you are able to get a signal, you are still dependent on that cell services ability to keep their operation running. In late July of 2010, AT&T had an interruption in their wireless cell service that not only affected cell phones, but also the alarm systems that utilized them. Most users in the eastern region of the United States were without signal for at least a couple of days.

Alarm systems for your vehicle are becoming standard. Most are operated by the press of a button on your key and are triggered by the opening of a door or trunk. If you do not have one and intend on keeping sensitive items in your car, think about purchasing one. You can find them at most retail stores that have an automotive department or at your local sound system business. Since there are many options available to you concerning this product you should do your own research into which one is right for you. I will suggest that you have a professional install it as many electronic problems can arise if you do not know what you are doing. Some vehicles come with services such as OnStar that will monitor your car much like the home alarm systems discussed above. They know where you are at as long as you have a GPS signal, can dispatch emergency services to you if need be, and can inform you when an alarm has been triggered. All of this requires a monthly monitoring fee of course.

Alarm systems are a great security tool, but may not always be affordable or practical. Many apartments will not allow you to install your own system, hotels definitely will not nor would you probably want to, and sometimes you just don’t have the money. Next, we will talk about how to overcome these obstacles and still maintain your security, or at least the appearance of security.

Alarms:

Let’s discuss the home first. We will assume that you are on a tight budget and just cannot afford to dish out the large sums of money needed to fund and maintain a properly monitored security system. There are home security systems on the market that cost hundreds of dollars less, but the only catch is that they are not monitored by a central service. Some you can program to dial preset numbers automatically when an alarm is triggered, such as 911 or your personal cell phone, but be prepared for tickets from your local emergency services for false alarms. This would be my first recommendation.

Secondly, there are inexpensive alarms available that are mobile, run off batteries, and simply create a high decibel sound when triggered. Most are big and rather ugly but there are a few, such as the door stop alarm, that is the size and has the looks of a doorstop. Put these under your doors at night and if someone enters it will not only set it off, but also make it harder for the intruder to get in.

There is dummy equipment on the market. These items look like the real thing and may even have a little red light indicating that they are working, but they are not. These come cheap and will create the facade that your home is protected. This is especially good if you host parties where you may not know all the guests.

Lastly, if you are familiar with someone who is being monitored by a proper security company such as ADT you should consider asking them to order you a few yard signs and stickers regardless if you bought any security equipment or not. Potential intruders or burglars will see these and may automatically cross you off their list of targets in favor of a home they think is unprotected.

All the equipment I listed above for the home can also be applied to your apartment, minus the yard signs and stickers of course. Even if your apartment comes with an alarm system, ensure that there are no gaps in your security. If there are, fix it!

Phony car alarms exist as well. These devices will emit a blinking red light fooling a thief into thinking that your car is protected.

When dealing with hotels/motels and college dorms, you are pretty much limited to mobile security devices. The only other recommendation I will make not covered above is getting a nanny cam so you can be absolutely sure your items were not pilfered, and if they were, you can pursue legal action. Most hotels and colleges do not accept responsibility for lost or stolen items and just because you put a “do not disturb” sign on your hotel door doesn’t mean the staff will adhere to it. If you’ve done any extensive traveling you have probably run into this problem before, I sure have.

Next I will simply list some devices that I may have already covered and other devices that wouldn’t be considered alarms but can be used to enhance your security. I will refer to this list throughout later posts in this blog so keep that in mind.

Miscellaneous:

Wireless Alarm System-Already covered
Door Stop Alarm-Already covered
Door Contact Alarm-Already covered
Window Contact Alarm-Already covered
Motion Sensor Alarm-Already covered
Glass Break Alarm-Already covered
Fake Door Contact-Already covered
Fake Window Contact-Already covered
Fake Motion Sensor-Already covered
Fake Car Alarm-Already covered
Nanny Cam-Discreet, portable video camera designed to covertly record any area you designate.
Wireless Motion Alarm-Can be used in any small space such as your car or hotel room. Detects the change in air pressure due to the opening of a door and emits a high decibel alarm.
Outdoor Motion Lighting-Mounted outside and activates when it detects motion.
Time Switches-Turns on your lights at a preset time.
Indoor Motion Light-Turns on your interior lights when it detects motion.
Key Chain Alarm- Attaches to your key chain and emits a high decibel alarm when you activate it.
Large Rear view Mirror-It is larger than a normal rear view mirror and is great in enhancing your ability to detect someone following you. It also allows you to see more of the traffic around you creating a safer driving environment.

This concludes my post on Security Merchandise. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to submit them. As the topics become more in-depth, the time between postings may lengthen. This is necessary to ensure that the content is as accurate and informative as possible. Thank you for bearing with me.

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Medical Equipment

2010-08-19T22:15:00.007-04:00

This post will list a few items you should keep around your house and in your car in case of a medical emergency. Again, I will not go into how you should employ these items, but merely describe what they could be used for.

The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) will be first on my list. This piece of equipment is not low-tech and is not cheap, so unless you just happen to have the extra cash lying around or live with someone in danger of having a heart-attack, learning CPR may be your most fiscally sound option.

Israeli Battle Dressings-Can be used to stop large amounts of bleeding.

Tampons-Great for gunshot wounds. Plug the hole and watch it grow!

Non-Latex Rubber Gloves-Helps in keeping the victim’s wound clean and acts as a barrier between blood-borne ickies such as HIV and the wearer.

CPR Mask-While receiving CPR, some victims may vomit. This is ok if you as the rescuer are giving compressions, but it’s not ok if you are in the process of giving a breath. Also, some victim’s may have communicable diseases that you would not want to take part in. This mask will help protect you against both.

Gauze Roll-Good piece of gear for packing a bleeding wound

Medical Tape-Holds gauze in place

Tourniquet- Helps stop severe bleeding, such as a severed artery

Splint-After a car accident, there is always a chance that a person may have broken their leg. If they have broken their femur and they are writhing in pain, the possibility exists that the broken bone may puncture or sever their femoral artery. Granted, this is a remote possibility but my job is to inform…

Trauma Shears-Useful in cutting away victims clothing to get to a wound when moving them is impractical. Trauma shears can also be used to cut gauze pads to size.

Emergency Tool-This piece of equipment is for your car and usually comes with a spring loaded window breaker and hook knife used to cut away a seat belt. It should be mounted (during a car crash, unsecure items will go flying) within arm’s reach of the driver. Breaking the window of your car is the fastest way of exiting a vehicle when it is sinking in the water. A few years ago a local family died when their SUV slid across an icy road and landed in a pond. The hook knife is great for seatbelts as they are very hard to cut with a straight edge. In an emergency you may not have time to unbuckle all of your passengers in order to get them to safety.

Headlamp-Taking care of a wounded person requires two hands, and dragging a victim to the front of your car so you can see is not always the best option. A reliable headlamp takes care of both of these issues.

Cell Phone-Used to call for help. Just make sure that it is charged and secure while in your vehicle!

Blood-Clotting Agent-This item will also help stop severe bleeding. Celox and Quikclot are two examples.

Again, this is not a complete list, but it is a good start. Most of these items are cheap and will fit in a small bag, but make sure certain items, such as the Emergency Tool and cell phone, are readily accessible. As with all of the products I will recommend, it is up to you the user to become familiar with them and learn how to properly use them. Only then will they do you any good.

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Medical Knowledge

2010-08-19T21:35:00.003-04:00

The next topic we are going to go over is what kind of medical information you need to know. During any attack, there is always a chance that you or someone in your family may be harmed and you should have at least some basic medical tools in your “toolbox” in order to cope until first responders can arrive. As I am not a qualified medical technician of any sort beyond my military training, I will not be going into the actual performance of anything I am about to list. That will be up to you to learn, practice, and implement if necessary.

CPR is a skill everyone should know. It seems that they change the number of compressions to breaths every few years so if it has been more than a year since you were qualified I would recommend that you get re-certified. Your local fire department or hospital are both good places to ask about where to get certified and when the next classes will begin, as well as how much they will be. Usually it is around $100.

Learn how to work an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This may be covered in the CPR class but if not you should learn how to work it. They are designed for a novice to be able to use (it has pictures and it talks to you) but becoming familiar with this piece of gear before an emergency will go a long way towards success. If you have not seen them before or even know what I am talking about, the next time you are at your local mall there is probably at least one somewhere on the wall. If you can’t find it ask a mall representative where it is located. I will post a picture and discuss this piece of equipment in my next post.

Have a basic understanding of the human anatomy and the effect trauma has on it. The amount of blood pouring from a wound is not always an indicator of the severity. A small wound to the head will bleed much more than a deep puncture, and depending on where the puncture is at, that will be the worst injury. Become familiar with the location of your major organs, arteries, bones, and in what capacity they function.

Learn how to spot arterial bleeding, as this is the worst kind.

Learn when and how to apply a tourniquet.

Use the acronym M.A.R.C.H when dealing with a casualty.

           M. Massive Hemorrhaging - Look for and treat all wounds of this nature first.
           A. Airway - Next ensure that they are breathing.
           R. Respiration - If they are breathing, is it labored? Lung issues?
           C. Circulation - Do they have a pulse in their foot?
           H. Head to Toe/Hypothermia - Once the major issues are addressed, treat less serious issues.

Learn how to spot a head or back injury and the subsequent action you should take.

Learn how to splint a broken limb

In the event of a seizure, become familiar with what you should do to help the victim.

Learn how to proceed in case of an eye injury.

Learn how to use an epinephrine auto injector (EpiPen). Some people in this world are extremely allergic to such things as insect bites and food, and can go into anaphylactic shock. Left untreated, they will most probably die. To combat this, they carry around an EpiPen that injects medicine into their body counteracting the allergic reaction. You may never need to use one but it is simple to learn and on the off chance someone you know may be at risk, it would be a good skill to have. Security and safety go hand-in-hand.

This is by no means a complete list, but if you learn nothing else except what I talked about above you will stand a better chance of saving yourself or a member of your family. Knowing the basics of medical care will boost your confidence tremendously not only during an attack, but also in your everyday life. Remember, EMT’s are reactionary just like the police.

I have included a link that is EXTREMELY GRAPHIC in nature in which an Afghan soldier gets hit with an IED, but it does an awesome job of showing the above mentioned steps of MARCH being carried out. Again, do not view this video if the site of blood or massive bodily harm makes you squirm or if it will mess you up mentally. The guy does survive by the way.

Principles of Security

2010-08-18T21:29:00.017-04:00

“Principles of Security” may sound like an in-depth phrase with lots of hidden meaning, but in reality all it is is a few simple rules to live by when dealing with security. If you remember and follow these principles as we travel along on our journey, you will find it much easier to grasp the concepts that will be discussed and you will also be more prepared both mentally and physically for any security situation that may arise.

Diving right in, below are the points that will be discussed in this topic:
a. Mental Preparedness
b. Physical Preparedness
c. Temper and Intent
d. Continuum of Force
e. Deadly Force

Mental Preparedness:
Mentally preparing yourself for situations involving your safety is unlike anything else that you have probably had to do. In acquiring your security mindset, you identified possible situations in your life that could threaten your safety, you reviewed actions that you could take and the possible reactions that could happen, and then you decided on a plan to deal with the threat. Now you have to be mentally prepared to put that plan into action.

Earlier we discussed carrying mace while walking through a parking lot at night, but carrying the mace and actually having to use it in a dynamic and stressful situation are two different things. Most people in this society are averse to causing a fellow brother or sister harm, which is a good thing most of the time. But when it involves you or your family’s safety it could be disastrous. Dave Grossman has written a great book titled On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society. He argues that humans have a natural aversion to killing their own kind and goes on to explain how the military and society has overcome that aversion to a certain degree. The bottom line is that you have to be honest with yourself when you ask “can I really harm another human being if I had to?” If you answer no, then you have to resign yourself to the fact that even if you implement all the best security measures, you could still become a victim. When an attack happens, it is only you and the perpetrator and if you can’t protect yourself, he will always win.
If you answer yes, you think you can, then you need to begin practicing. In the military, if we are not engaged in warfare then we are training. The purpose of all that training is to increase our skill level and make certain facets of individual combat “muscle memory”.

Muscle memory is being able to do something without thinking about it. If you have finally made it out of the Stone Age and accepted the fact that computers are here to stay, then you probably have some idea of muscle memory already. Typing is a great example. You don’t even need to look at the keys or think about what letter you need to hit in order to type a word. Your fingers just “know” where to go. But you were not able to simply sit down at a computer the first time and let your digits fly. You had to practice. The same goes with any security plan that you have decided upon.
The more you practice your security plan the more confident you will feel until the thought of an attack no longer owns you; instead, you will be ready to meet the challenge head-on, afraid, but prepared. Since we all have varied lives, I can’t recommend a catch-all way that you should go about practicing but if you are having trouble getting started or feel that what you are doing is not working, please feel free to drop me a line with your personal situation and I will see if I can help.

Physical Preparedness:
Being physically prepared involves more than just physical fitness. During extremely stressful situations, your brain begins the “Fight or Flight” process that can physically hamper your ability to effectively protect yourself. You must be able to identify these changes when they are happening and overcome them or all your preparation may be for not!

Let’s talk about physical fitness first.
It is no secret that to stay healthy you need to eat right and exercise. This blog is about security, not diet and nutrition so I am not going to go into how you should eat or exercise. What I will go into is pretty much common sense stuff that you may have not thought about before:

If you have been stabbed, shot, badly beaten, or physically harmed in any way you have a better chance of surviving and recovering if you are a healthy individual. Most doctors will tell you that.
Any fight requires stamina. I’m in good shape and could go outside right now and run 12 miles, but the same high school wrestler who would lose to me in that run may tire me out in a matter of minutes on the mat. There are different kinds of stamina and the one that matters here is the high intensity, short duration kind. Consider mixed martial arts, jiu jitsu, or krav maga to not only stay healthy and protect yourself, but to also work on the sort of stamina you need to go the distance in a life or death struggle, or to make it to safety.
There have been reports of people dying of heart attacks simply because of stress. Don’t think I need to explain that one.
The last one I will cover is injuries. If you are out-of-shape you will be more prone to injuries which may result in you losing a battle with your attacker. More than likely the stress response taking place in your body at that moment may mask the fact that you are even hurt at all but it is still a possibility.
If you are in shape, stay that way. If you are not, get there. It will only help you.

Psychological Response:
Now, let’s talk about that psychological response. I will let you do your own research into the “Fight or Flight” reaction, but what I am going to cover is what may physically happen to you based on my own personal experiences.

In the beginning of fight or flight, my body decides on the first initial response and pumps blood to that area. If it deems that I should fight, blood pumps to my arms and torso. If it feels I should run, my legs and torso get the blood. When it is unsure, such as a home invasion, all the blood usually goes to my heart which is pumping furiously.
Either way, my fine motor skills go out the window. My hands get shaky and numb and it would be really hard for me to push small buttons, such as dialing out on a cell phone, or hold on to things, such as a weapon.
My legs are also affected. There have been times where I could barely feel them and it was extremely difficult for me to run, and other times when all they wanted to do was run. In one memorable case (I was a little kid being chased by the neighborhood Doberman) the blood did not go to my torso; rather, it all went to my legs.
Due to losing blood to my head, I get light-headed.
The reaction with the eyes and ears are pretty cool. If it is bright, your body may shut down your ears to maximize your eyesight. If it is dark, your vision may shut down in order for your body to maximize your hearing. I have had both happen to me. While investigating a possible break-in in the middle of the night my vision completely left me. My body decided that since I could barely see anyways I should just focus on my hearing. One time my ears didn’t shut down they just rang, still with the same result.
My mouth gets dry so it is hard to swallow.
Sometimes you may lose your voice all together, hindering you from calling for help. Other times you may not be able to speak above a whisper.
Unfortunately, you may lose control of your bowels, messing up your pants.
And last but not least you may freeze. You may not be able to do anything at all!

These are just a few examples of what could happen to you during a high-stress situation. Now that it appears there is no hope for survival, let’s talk about how to fight through these perfectly natural and normal responses and continue to fight effectively.

First and foremost, remain as calm as you can. Do not panic! Once you panic all the training and knowledge that you possess goes right out the window and you become easy prey.
Remind yourself that these responses are normal and that you have a plan of action. Stick to that plan; be confident that your plan will succeed. In the instance I described above where I completely lost my sight all I did was stop, I remained calm, and reminded myself that it was normal and I had a plan. Within a matter of seconds my vision began to clear and I was able to continue investigating. It turned out to be nothing but both my wife and I were woken up. Still don’t know what it was.
Unfortunately it is hard to practice calming yourself and working through the “Fight or Flight” reaction without being subjected to an extremely stressful situation, which is what we are trying to avoid. Becoming intimately familiar with your plan and having confidence in your ability to implement it as well as its likelihood of success are all major factors in overcoming your body’s natural responses. And regardless of how your body responds, remember that it happens to everyone. Grown men have soiled themselves in combat, been frozen in place, and were physically unable to help their comrades no matter how much they wanted to.

Afterwards, after the threat has passed or been eliminated, you will feel extremely drained and tired. Rest! And if you suspect that you have any lingering mental issues regarding your ordeal seek help. Do not be ashamed. Having your safe and secure little world shattered is hard to bear.

The last thing I will mention concerning this topic relates to both physical and mental preparedness.
a. Surprise
b. Speed
c. Violence of Action

If you utilize these three principles during a time when physical violence on your part is necessary, you will stand a much better chance of coming out on top.

Surprise
Surprise your attacker. Do not show him all your cards in hopes that he will run away scared. All you are doing is allowing him to prepare his defenses. I know we have all seen those movies where the man or woman suspects a burglar is in their home and they call out “who’s there?” Negative. Once you call out that burglar will immediately know where you are in the house and that you are awake. Instead of being the hunted, become the hunter. If you feel the need to leave a room you know is secure to confront the unknown (which, having young children is exactly what I would do) do it quietly.
*On a side note, if you have teenage children that may come in and out of the house you need to talk to them about your home security plan. I will cover this in a later topic but want to get it out there now because there has been more than one case of parents harming their children because they thought they were burglars.*

Speed
When it is time to act, do it quickly before your attacker has time to even think. Because you have the proper mindset and are physically and mentally prepared, there should be no hesitation in your attack. “Hesitation will get you killed” is a little saying a lot of Marines go by…because it is the truth.

Violence of Action
To make both surprise and speed work you need to attack violently. Once the decision has been made that you or your family is in danger, never hold back. If you are using a bat to confront a burglar, don’t aim for the arm and ease up on the swing, the only thing you will do is leave yourself open for retaliation. Strive to end the fight on the first blow but don’t expect it to. Continue your attack violently until your attacker has been incapacitated.

Temper and Intent:
Determining someone’s temper and intent is an effective tool in sorting out the wolves from the sheep; wolves being the potential attacker and sheep being everyone else. The earlier you spot a wolf the more time you have to evade or mount your defense. In order to make this tool work though, you have to be aware of your surroundings. Burying your head in your cell phone or “minding your own business” will render this technique ineffective.

In our everyday lives we determine people’s temper. This ability is natural and you may not even know that you are doing it. Humans give off certain visible and subtle clues as they experience emotion, and we as social beings unconsciously pick up on those clues. We learned in elementary school that somebody who is smiling is happy, and somebody frowning is sad. This is the exact same thing, just taken a few steps further. It’s body language. You do not need to be a psychology or sociology major to become good at reading people, you just need to be aware. Spotting the wolf hidden in the flock of sheep is a good start, but then you have to decide if they are a threat to you or not.

Determining intent is a skill most people also practice on an everyday basis. The door may be held for us, at times we are offered certain items off the street, or someone may just need a question answered. While all these are perfectly safe and acceptable social situations, a good rule to go by is that anybody in the public who offers you more than a passing glance deserves to be scrutinized. Most you can dismiss right away as being routine. But when their purpose is more vague, it could be harder for you to decide on the appropriate course of action to take. Let’s look at a few examples:

Imagine that you are on the streets of a touristic city in the United States, it’s around noon, and you are taking in the sites. From the corner of your eye you spy a man take notice of you or your family and start to approach with a purpose. He is a white male, medium build, clean shaven, and his clothes aren’t nice but they aren’t dirty either. His face wears a smile and in his hands he is carrying a bunch of little trinkets. “Excuse me!” “Excuse me!” is his call. Threat or not? If you answered that he was probably not a threat, you are right. Being aware of where you were at (in a touristic city at midday), his demeanor (he was smiling and calling attention to himself by saying “excuse me” loud enough for others to hear) and noticing what he had in his hands should have led you to the conclusion that his intent was just to sell you something. While maybe annoying, he is not a threat.
Let’s take this same scenario but shake it up a little: You are in the same city, same part, but this time you are walking back to your hotel after enjoying your day out. Most of the shops are closing and pedestrian traffic has died down considerably, in fact it’s mostly just locals. You see the same man out of the corner of your eye approach but this time his speed is slower. He has a neutral look on his face and his hands are in his pockets. He quickly looks to his left or right but then always back to you, almost fixated. The “excuse me” that comes out of his mouth is only loud enough for you to hear. Threat or not? Not so easy this time is it? What do you do?

In both of the above scenarios you analyzed the man’s temper and intent. By doing so, you could then begin to decide on a course of action, whether it be a simple “No thank you” or an application of self defense. Now imagine those same scenarios when you were not aware, when you weren’t actively determining both temper and intent. Your reaction time would be severely limited and the possibility of you or your family becoming a victim much greater. Once you have determined a person is a threat, this is when your fight or flight mechanism will kick in. Depending on the distance between you and the threat, the environment, and your level of physical fitness, evading may be a wise choice. But if an attacker is any closer than 50 feet away and no cover is available, you should never turn your back. Once you do that you lose sight of the threat and the advantage you had of being able to see what is coming. Your safest option is to turn and confront your opponent on as much of your terms as possible. This will begin our discussion on the Continuum of Force.

The Continuum of Force and Deadly Force will be the one portion of this blog I get into definitions and more textbook type verbiage simply due to the fact that it is important information when justifying your actions to yourself or the authorities. You will need to learn your local laws concerning your right to self-defense and the actions that you are allowed to take in what situations as all states are different. Just keep in mind that you ALWAYS have the right to self-defense if you feel that your life is in danger.

Continuum of Force:
The Continuum of Force is basically the understanding that there are a wide range of actions that you can take during a violent situation. It is called a continuum because you start with the least destructive (mere presence) and work your way up to deadly force. The following information was intended for riot control so there will be some stuff I talk about that won’t apply to “street” situations. It will make more sense once we dive in so just bear with me and let’s begin!
Before we get into the Continuum of Force, let us talk about resistance first. There are 5 levels of resistance you can expect from a person. I will explain and give an example of each.

1. Compliant – Subject may be argumentative, however offers no resistance.
(Subject begins to approach you in a parking lot and you yell “stay back!”, and he complies.)

2. Passive Resistance – Verbal noncompliance and/or physical actions that don’t prevent control.
(Subject is refusing to leave your property after you have repeatedly asked him to. You could try to physically escort the subject off your property but he may tighten his body or go limp.)

3. Active Resistance – Physical actions that prevent control; but, do not harm you.
(Subject is refusing to leave your property and is actively resisting all attempts to be physically escorted off.)

4. Assaultive /Bodily Harm – Physical actions of assault against you or your family. (Subject attacks using fists, feet, elbows, etc…)

5. Assaultive/ Serious Bodily Harm or Death – Deadly force encounter against you or your family. (Subject uses a knife, handgun, etc…)

Next we will discuss the levels of force (Continuum of Force) as it relates to the resistance encountered.

Cooperative Controls – Techniques used to direct a compliant subject. Examples are:
a. Presence – Your mere presence
b. Verbal Direction – You tell the subject and he listens
c. Hand Gestures – Most often used in conjunction with verbal direction (ex. Giving the sign to stop while saying “stop!”)

Contact Controls – Utilized when cooperative control fails and the need of force escalates.
(ex. You physically have to remove somebody from your property by using compliant escort positions you may have learned in a self-defense class)

Compliance Techniques – Utilized when the compliant escort positions fail and the need of force escalates.
a. Pain Compliance/Pressure Points
b. Joint Locks – using empty hand tactics or baton restraining tactics
c. OC/Pepper spray

Defensive Tactics – Utilized when the use of compliant techniques fails. Examples are:
a. Counter-striking Techniques
b. Baton Striking Techniques

Deadly Force – Utilized as a last resort when all other lesser means have failed. Examples are:
a. Use of weapons
b. Defensive tactics concerning the use of counter-striking techniques and baton striking techniques directed into vital points of the body that can cause death or serious bodily harm.

These levels of force are dictated by the threat that the subject presents during the time of the encounter. The levels do not have to be applied in order. What that means is if someone pulls out a gun and points it at you, you do not have to go through all the steps in the Force Continuum in order to use deadly force. And on the flip side, if an attacker decides to turn and run you can’t shoot him in the back…he has de-escalated the situation and you have to adjust accordingly.

Deadly Force:
Deadly Force is defined as that force which a person uses with the purpose of causing death or serious bodily harm, or which a reasonable and prudent person would consider likely to create a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily harm, and it will be used as a last resort when all other lesser means have failed.
There are 3 preconditions of deadly force and usually all 3 must be present before deadly force can be used. These are listed as they apply to “Deadly Force” but can be used in any incident where the use of some sort of “force” is necessary.

Opportunity – The subject is present and has the opportunity to inflict serious bodily harm
Means/Ability – The subject has the ability to inflict serious bodily harm or death to you or someone else.
Intent – The subject must exhibit an overt action that you perceive as a threat.

Basically, and man that has broken into your house and has a gun would meet all three preconditions of deadly force. He has the opportunity, he has the means and ability (has a gun), and the intent is there (he broke into your home). Also, a man walking toward you with balled fists while saying “I’m going kick you’re #*! would warrant action by you as well.
For those just starting on your self-defense journey, the above may be quite confusing and seem too complicated for you to even want to continue. Trust me, it is not. A lot of this is common sense and usually takes place without even having to think about it. Knowing this information helps in covering your butt and will boost your confidence in your ability to succeed in a potentially violent situation. The more you learn about protecting yourself the more everything will fall into place and make sense.
If you have any questions concerning this topic do not hesitate to ask, that is what I am here for.

This concludes my Principles of Security post; I hope you found it not only interesting but helpful too.
Cheers!

*Click on the words in red to be hyperlinked to that item*

The Right Mindset

2010-08-17T22:21:00.002-04:00

First and foremost security is a MINDSET. Remember it, sear it into your brain, write it on a sticky and staple it to your head, do whatever you need to do but without having the proper mindset everything I say in this blog will be worthless to you, I promise!

Mindset is defined by the World English Dictionary as, “the ideas and attitudes with which a person approaches a situation, esp when these are seen as being difficult to alter”.

Why do you need a security mindset?

Me personally, I always expect the worse and hope for the best in any situation. It drives my wife crazy. My wife on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Bad things don’t happen in her world and it makes me crazy. The solution is a happy median, but we’ll get to that. What we’re figuring out is why we even need it.

A good security mindset will go a long way in keeping you from getting into trouble in the first place. Criminals go after what they perceive as easy targets, and if they are tracking someone who appears to be aware of their surroundings, has implemented the most basic security precautions, and looks confident, they will most likely choose a softer target. The main thing to remember is that, while police officers are awesome at their job, very rarely can they get to an incident soon enough to prevent it from turning into a crime. They are usually reactionary which is bad for you, good for the criminals. As a member of this society, you need to come to grips with the fact that there are desperate, deranged, and downright evil people in this world that are constantly looking for a victim. Don’t be the one! Help yourself.

Developing a security mindset will take a little bit of time and effort on your part unless you have unfortunately already been the recipient of a violent or criminal act. I was in downtown San Diego many years ago enjoying the sights when I stopped at a bench to eat a tasty sub. I didn’t have any back pockets so my wallet had to go in my hip pocket. After eating I got up and went around the corner to buy some chocolate chip cookies and realized my wallet was gone! I retraced my steps back to bench I was sitting on and there it was…with nothing missing except all my cash; about $180 which was funding my weekend trip. I was young and living from paycheck to paycheck so I drew out the remaining funds from my bank account, which barely covered my hotel expenses, and for the next two days had to mooch off the guys I was with. I was fresh out of bootcamp so (don’t laugh) those were my only pair of pants I had with me…all my other clothes being in another state. And since I had no money to buy anything else, I had to continue wearing those pants for 2 more weeks (I washed them of course). What changed was that now every time my wallet went into that hip pocket I zipped it! I zipped it and then double checked it and kept checking for several days after until I felt comfortable that it wouldn’t open on its own. I had developed a security mindset concerning that one particular item. The trick is to develop the security mindset proactively instead of reactively, which by then is already too late.

Here’s how:

Start small and specific. What is the one part of your day or week that scares you or gives you that funny feeling in your stomach the most? Is it driving through a certain neighborhood? Shopping at your local grocery store? Your neighbors? A creepy co-worker? For this scenario let’s go with your neighbors.

Begin by playing the “what-if” game. "What if they play their music really loud while my kids are trying to sleep?"

Next, ponder the possible actions you could take and the possible reactions of the neighbors. Do you confront them? If you do will they apologize and turn it down (if you have that funny feeling in your tummy probably not), or retaliate by keying your car, slashing your tires, or physically harming you? Should you call the police? The neighbors will know it was you. We’re back to the same possible outcomes. Do you sneak over there at night and smash their radio? Probably not a good idea. You are now breaking the law and they can pursue legal action against you, or they may catch you and harm you. Neither conclusion works in your favor.

Finally, decide on a plan in dealing with the situation. Unfortunately, in this scenario you may just have to put up with it until you can move. The point is that you are now on your way to developing that proper mindset.

Once you have “resolved” that possible threat, you can move on to other areas of your life which we will be getting into per the agenda.

*Note-Resolved in this case means that you have come to terms with the situation. You now have a better grasp of your options, you've thought through possible actions and reactions, and have made a plan in dealing with the outcome you chose.

Implementing a Proper Security Mindset:

Having a security mindset is useless unless you implement it into your daily life. Knowing that you should check your mirror before merging into another lane doesn’t help if you’re busy texting or trying to catch the eye of the pretty girl or gorgeous guy in the car next to you.

Driving requires an active mindset and so does security.

Here’s another scenario:

You know that you get off work late sometimes and have to walk across an abandoned parking lot at night. Because you are starting to rely on yourself for your own security instead of the 18 year old kid driving around the parking lot with a giant yellow light on the top of his car, you went through the steps of developing a proper mindset for this situation. You decided that your best defense against a possible attack was to carry a can of pepper spray in your hand while walking to your car, ensure your cell phone was charged in case you had to call for help, and have your keys readily accessible so you could quickly enter your vehicle. Good job. But holding a canister of pepper spray in your hand while walking to your car at night doesn’t do you any good if you are thinking about what you are going to have for dinner or are replaying the events that happened that day in your head. An attacker will not stand in front of you and announce himself, then allow you sufficient time to point and spray your vile potion at him. No! He has a brain and though he may not be the most educated he does know that he should attack you from the rear, violently and forcefully, before you have a chance to even comprehend what is going on. Now you’re in trouble.
Just because you came up with a plan do not get complacent. Do not think everything will be ok now. You have to actively implement that security mindset until you are out of the “danger zone”. Keep your head on a swivel (constantly look all around you, 360 degrees). Continue playing the what-if game (what if the guy digging in his trunk starts walking towards me, what will I do?). Peer into shadows, be alert to movement and anything out of the ordinary, and be ready at a moment’s notice to put your plan into action.

That is how to implement your security mindset.

I understand that this may seem a bit unsettling or over-the-top. I’m sure my wife will think the same thing when she reads this. The reality is that 99% of the time everything will be ok. There will be no boogeyman jumping out of the shadows to get you, you will walk to your car like you do every night, get in, drive home, and enjoy the rest of your evening.

But what about the 1%? Violent crime does happen and that exact scenario is played out many times a year in places all over America. Are the preventative steps I described above so intrusive into your daily life, so complicated and difficult to accomplish that you would rather risk your life or your personal well-being to continue living how you have always lived? Since you are still reading this I’m going to assume that some part of you cares about your own safety and that of your family. Just stop for a moment, close your eyes and really contemplate how your life would change if that were you in the parking lot and you were attacked, raped, and beaten. Or as a man, if you were violently assaulted and robbed? What would it do to your family? Your ability to perform your job? The mental health of your children? Your family? If you are still skeptical do a Google search on how people’s lives have changed after a violent crime and make your own decision on whether you want to continue reading. I will try to keep this blog as bright and shiny as I possibly can, though that won't always be possible.

Moving on…

Once you have established a security mindset, you need to know a few principles behind basic security. These principles will be covered in the next post entitled Principles of Security.