Georgia mom shoots intruder 5 times (911 Call):

LOGANVILLE, Ga. — Authorities say a Loganville woman shot an intruder five times and the man was arrested after he tried fleeing the scene.

WSB-TV (http://bit.ly/134dM6d ) reports the unidentified woman saw a suspicious man outside her window Friday around 1 p.m. Authorities say the woman took her children to the attic as the man broke in with a crowbar.

When the intruder arrived in the woman’s attic, police say she shot him five times. Authorities say the woman ran out of bullets and ordered the man to lie still. Police say the woman and her children left the house and the intruder, identified as 32-year-old Paul Slater of Atlanta, tried fleeing the scene.

Police say Slater crashed his car in a wooded area, has been arrested and is hospitalized at Gwinnett Medical Center.

This video, “Man Beats Woman in Home Invasion,” was released by the victims 4-5 days ago on the news and on YouTube. I have watched the video and wanted to make a few observations and comments. As painful and horrible as videos like this are they can inspire improvements in one”s life and help motivate us to make positive changes.

The video is VERY disturbing. Do not watch if you are easily upset.

Clearly the video was edited, so we don”t know exactly the order of events so they really are not up for debate. Basically a Mother of 2 was beaten ferociously by an intruder intent on robbery. Seemingly, the intruder uses the robbery as an excuse to beat this woman excessively. She is lucky to be alive, and very lucky to have ultimately. unharmed children. In many situations like this since it is a very upsetting circumstance, we (caring people but angry people) have emotional responses; heated and passionate ones. That is not my goal here. This is a situation were the victim wants the criminal caught to stand justice and also to prevent this from happening to further victims.

My careers have led me down the path of “security and self-defense expert”. In an emotionally detached way my mind analyzes situations like this in order to prevent them. Please don”t misinterpret my opinions; I do care and I don”t blame the victims. However I don”t want things like this to happen to anyone.

“Man Beats Woman in Home Invasion” Video – An Analysis

Firstly, the nanny camera. Cameras in general are retroactive.

They are useful after an incident to identify the perpetrator(s). Some cameras are monitored live by security personnel but in this case from what I understand it was not. If it was… then clearly that was not enough to stop the crime. So cameras are not preventative; they are helpful after a crime has been committed.

In the video, ADT alarm monitoring company is mentioned although it is still unclear what role they play in this particular incident. News Reports although researched and edited and made as accurate as possible sometimes lack all the pertinent facts. From what I gather possibly the nanny camera and an alarm were installed in the residence of the victim just prior to the crime.

Alarm systems in situations like this perform two functions; 1. ideally if used correctly they alert the homeowner of an intruder, both at the location and by telephone and 2. the alarm notifies the alarm monitoring company who in turn notifies police and/or other family contacts. The simple fact of having an alarm with a siren in no way guarantees that an incident like this one will be stopped or even prevented. In turn if police are contacted it is up to them to interpret the severity of the call, prioritize it with other active calls and finally dispatch OR do not dispatch. Because police receive an alarm call does not guarantee that police will be dispatched; in addition it does not guarantee that if the police do decide to dispatch that if will be in a “timely” manner.

This is not meant to sound as though the Police do not care; indeed they do! However, these are the logistics of running a police force… there are high priority calls and low priority calls. Police are receiving a call from an alarm monitoring company employee who communicates with a dispatcher. Then, the dispatcher communicates with a police officer who makes decisions based on what they hear from the dispatcher, and also based on what they know of the neighborhood. Has this officer responded to this residence before for a false alarm? On a criminal charge? On baseless complaints against neighbors”? Is it a high crime area? Are calls backed up because of a bank robbery or riot? In many cases police do the right thing and fast! But realize that miscommunications are possible; mix ups, bad info, logistical errors, events beyond their control etc are always possible even in the best of circumstances. If the alarm employee, the dispatcher or the officer makes a “telephone game” type of miscommunication there could at minimum be a delay.

So cameras help after the incident by ideally providing details about the crime and criminal. Alarm systems alert the homeowner or business owner of an intrusion, and if working properly the alarm co. who in turn contact police. Neither of these technologies are guaranteed to prevent, stop or even alert us in an incident like the video shows.

Well then you might ask “what”s the point of having this stuff?” The point is that the camera will help identify details of a crime and ideally the criminal. The alarm will ideally notify us and the monitoring company of an intrusion. That”s it.

Stopping, preventing, deterring crime is up to the home or business owner. Reliance on technology and OTHER people allows us to put the responsibility and sometimes blame… I’m not saying I blame the homeowners in this crime; who’s to know if there was ANY way to stop or prevent this crime. I also don’t blame the alarm company or the Police. My point is that this victim was lucky… and luck is a pretty sketchy thing to rely on. The victims are lucky no one was killed and lucky that the bad guy didn’t just first thing yank the camera off the wall and smash it. They are also very lucky the children were not physically harmed.

In contrast to this crime, another Mother and her children recently were victimized by a home invasion. This mother took her and her children to the attic, called the husband and police… and she ultimately was forced to defend herself with her handgun that she recently had been trained with by her husband:

Comparing two completely different people and situations is unfair; however my point is made clear in the second case. Police couldn”t get there fast enough. The woman in the 2^nd case had to defend herself and her children….other people did not, could not.

My discussion of these two events leads me to my main point “How do we prevent ourselves from being a victim in a horrible crime like this?”

1. Have a security plan that includes Home Invasion. Like the second video demonstrates, the family had a communally known and accessible safe room. The Mom and the kids ran there with a telephone and a handgun and locked all the doors leading there. Note that even their perfect execution of the “go to the safe room” plan did not succeed in stopping the attack… the capable use of a handgun did.
2. Get a firearm or other defensive tool for home defense. There are levels of force and training required for every defensive tool out there. In both cases my opinion is that pepper spray would not have sufficed. Tasers or stun guns also may have only delayed the attack. Handguns seem to be the easiest to implement in a small structure; in addition they can be employed one-handed if necessary.
3. Use a high capacity firearm. Five shots did not incapacitate the attacker in the second video; it did cause him to flee. Worst case scenario the bad guy will run and get a gun or another weapon and arm himself or…get his partner waiting in the car. If you are using some other defensive tool same concept applies, either train so that you can fight prolonged and against multiple attackers or have the defensive capability of reloading and using multiple attacks to stop the attack against you.
4. Train with your Firearm or defensive tool. The second video is unclear in this regard but did she reload her pistol in case he came running back with his gun? Did she even have spare ammunition with her? Learn how to shoot, reload, and keep your handgun in your hands. Gun retention is the art of not allowing your gun to be taken away in an attack. Again same thing applies to other defensive tools.
5. Mental Preparedness. Prepare yourself mentally as best you can so that if an event like this were to happen you would be prepared to defend your family i.e. Prepared to run or evacuate, prepared with a plan B if plan A fails, and be prepared as a good person to be able to hurt a bad person to protect yourself and your family. Mental preparedness takes discipline and training.
6. Get an Alarm System. Layers of security are better than a single layer. One layer may be overrun or bypassed, one layer may be unusable, another layer may be defective etc. Most importantly burglar alarms notify us when we are asleep or distracted that an intrusion has occurred.
7. Get some type of camera system. Cameras assist in the knowledge that a crime was committed in the first place. Sometimes if it were not for the camera, we wouldn”t even know a crime happened. In the first case of the beating victim clearly the camera was being used to watch the kids and babysitter. It did not prevent a crime; but it will assist in capture and prosecution hopefully.
8. Review the physical security of the business or home. Did the door, frame or locks fail in the first incident or did the bad guy just bust casually through like in the second incident. Either way the physical locks and security in both cases was ineffective. (Note that in the 2^nd case the bad guy had a crow bar tool/weapon?)
9. Stay in good shape. Be able to run, punch, kick, shove, duck, jump, and elude. If you are physically unable to do this you must work harder on other suggestions listed here to compensate. Staying in healthy shape helps with mindset as well.
10. Stay alert and aware. You can”t stop an attack you don”t see coming. Also you can”t stop an attack that you are unaware even exists. You do not have to live in fear and paranoia; but also you don”t have to live in denial or live in a house made of hay and sticks. Be aware of who is around you, question their intentions and create effective physical barriers so that they cannot hurt you. You can make efforts to limit access to your home and you can stay alert so that if danger does make it in, you have time to react to it.

Do the best you can in implementing these suggestions. Avoid hazardous attitudes that might insulate you from a truly critical analysis of your security measures. Use situations like the two discussed to educate, motivate and compel you to make changes in your own life so that you and your family are safer and protected as best as is possible.

I feel horrible about the victim of the home invasion. I could not stop thinking about it once I watched it, and could not sleep until I sorted out my thoughts with this article. Hopefully it helps someone out there and they in turn learn from these incidents. I think it is brave and well executed to release the video so the public can learn from it and assist in the capture of the bad guy. The victim is doing the right thing with the release of the video and I hope she makes a full recovery from the injuries.

Please note that I own an alarm company and have years of experience installing both cameras and alarms. In addition, I have worked with clients and police after various incidents in evaluation of the series of events, etc. that occurred. Also, I am able to walk the home/business after a crime to evaluate the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the security measures in place utilized by the home or business owner. Sadly, I am called to install these devices in most cases AFTER some sort of break-in or incident. Lastly, I have taught self-defense firearms classes for nearly 8 years, and martial arts for over twenty years. Many of my students have had incidents that either compelled them to train, or in training they have overcome or prevented incidents like the two discussed above.

Moderator, SAS Forum

One of the primary tools for the Survivalist is the Folding Knife. This is used for food preparation, as pry bar, screw driver, box opener and self-defense weapon. In most cases, the Urban Survivalist will use it to open mail, packages, and to cut twine. The country counterpart will use it to whittle, cut rope, prepare food, or even dress game. In a full on survival situation, a person could find themselves prying a screen off a window, or forcing a lock, cutting clothing from an injured person, or finishing off injured game. Possibly digging a hidden item out of the ground, using as a tool to make other tools or weapons, or using it as a last ditch defensive weapon. Definition of the “full on survival situation” would be any situation where the tool needed is critical; meaning that its failure would be devastating or catastrophic. To prevent this and to educate folks new to survival preparations as well as self-defense I would like to go over selection, materials, types, and carry of the survival folding knife.

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

First, the knife must be of a legal to carry length. For instance in Colorado, the statewide legal length from guard to tip is 3.5 inches with a single edge. Ballisong, switchblades, gravity knives, double edged and ballistic knives are illegal weapons in Colorado. You do not want to get caught carrying an illegal knife period. You could end up in court with an illegal weapon charge, and if you have to actually use the knife in self-defense the first thing to be used against you would be that it is a illegal size or type. Also, if you have a job or are walking through a metal detector and accidentally forget it is there you won”t be arrested, fired, or at the least lose your survival tool to the authorities. Some states have laws regarding when, how, and where you carry and also rules regarding concealment. Keep this in mind as it is very important, especially in extreme circumstances as mentioned above or in cases of martial law, evacuation, or even during routine police stops.

Secondly, we need to consider type after we have established the legal guide lines. The most versatile types must be considered. It needs to be quick to access, easy to find in darkness, easy to identify by feel, and safe to carry. It also must not fall off, drop out of the pocket, or be too obvious or cumbersome. You want it to blend in, but not so much that you cannot get to it in an urgent moment of need. Most modern folding knives have some sort of clip that is mounted to the handle of the knife. They should be steel, and riveted or screwed to the knife. Glue will not do! Folding knives stored in a sheath are much slower to get to although you may want to carry a second one as back-up this way. The knife should be designed with your “handed-ness” in mind. Meaning if you are right hand dominant, it needs to be worn on the right and so on. Also most modern folding knives have legal thumb studs or other apparatus to thumb or finger the blade open. Go to a dealer and try as many as you can, do not just order the latest and greatest without trying it first. Narrow it down to 2-3 types you are comfortable and consistent with.

When you have established what types are easiest for you to access and open, then you need to consider the materials it is made from. If you are purchasing the knife from an established manufacturer, you should be able to go on-line or in a catalog and find the brand, model, and specifications. You will see specs for length, weight, blade material, handle material, lock type, and possibly Rockwell hardness and grind. If you are indeed buying from a well known manufacturer, basically you want to narrow the blade material down, as well as warranty. All the other details, while important, are lower priorities. Most blades are more or less rust resistant depending on grade, and are harder or softer so will be harder or easier to sharpen and hold an edge. The harder steel is not necessarily the better grade however! If you are really hung up on this, educate yourself on knife steel grades at the library with books written in 2005 and up. Ideally you will want to know if it is rust resistant, rust proof, or if you will need to oil it regularly. This is important for those who will use it hunting, preparing food, boating, in wet climates, and such on a regular day-to-day basis. This may also affect the handle material choices.

Once you have analyzed your needs based on use, climate and personal preferences you want to consider your budget. This is where people really blow it. I managed two knife stores for a total of 11 years, and also collect and work gun shows time to time. I have seen so many people get fixated on price, then go for a “cheap” knife. A really good dependable knife will cost you between $80 and $350 dollars with most being about $150 USD (2008). If you plan, and only purchase one good folder this cost will be mitigated. For the Survivalist this budget is important as you have many other needs and equipment to purchase. The wise minded survivalist will get the best he can afford. You will want to consider the warranty again, and the history of reliability from this manufacturer. Go on-line to various knife forums and see what people say. Also, talk to local vendors and emergency personnel including police, military and fire rescue. They usually get the good gear and have experience using it.

Lastly, when looking at knives for your personal survival tool, consider how it will be used. It must be thick, strong, sturdy, have a safe locking mechanism, sharp, easy to sharpen, easy to safely grip, and designed with function in mind. Do not get side-tracked about how it looks or how cool it is. Also, it must be able to perform many tasks. Do not forget that this may be the last ditch defensive weapon or the ONLY weapon you have to defend yourself from attack. It may be multiple two-legged assailants or a dog, or possibly it will be used to fight your way to your firearm or other defensive tool. It may be used to skin and dress game, dispatch wounded animals, make a temporary wilderness shelter, used to make other tools and weapons, and so on. This is really the crux of a survival knife, let alone a folding pocket knife. Ideally you will have a bigger fixed bladed knife, but on a day-to-day basis will you really carry a 6 inch fixed blade to work in your briefcase or purse? Most of us will say no. Also, in step with preparedness in general it is important to have equipment on you while you do your daily travels, work, and leisure activities. We really cannot predict when something bad will happen so we must always be ready.

After you have purchased your knife, make sure the screws on the clip are tight but don”t over tighten. Also you will want to practice drawing and opening your knife. Do not rely on “flicking” or using gravity or centrifugal force to open your blade. You want to use the factory apparatus or thumb stud to open the blade. It is easy to drop or toss your knife while flicking it open, and this also creates wasted movement. It may also telegraph your intent, your weapon, and make more sound. You want to practice the art of subtlety, more like a samurai or medieval duelist than a barbarian or movie hero. After you have mastered the draw, work on speed and economy of motion. Less is better! Once your draw is fluid, then practice opening in the dark. You will find that with enough practice you can keep your eyes on the task or threat without having to look down at your knife. Finally, when you can draw in the dark by feel go to practicing in a lighted room but practice drawing while tying your shoe, bending, getting a wallet with the other hand, while stepping forward, back or sideways, and while issuing verbal commands like “Stop!” You may also want to transition to a defensive stance and be aware that you usually want the knife in a forward dominant hand.

This brings us to grip. How you hold and use the knife is just as important as the knife. You want to cut away from yourself when opening packages, or mail. Same when you are dressing game, whittling a arrow, or prying something. You always want the point and sharp edge to point away from you so that if you slip it will not cut or stab you.

Also, just as important you want the actual grip to be strong and secure so that the knife does not slip away or slip out of your hand completely. When a person is in an emergency, their focus can be easily distracted. Also, adrenaline, sweat, blood, water, oil or physical obstructions could impair or destabilize the grip. Make sure you practice using your knife safely and if you practice using it defensively make sure your grip is secure. One fun thing to do is to gently stab a card board box, then shave the box, then cut the box into pieces. You will see how different jobs and forces will affect grip. Be careful as you can easily get cut during this process.

Grip is also very important during a defensive counter attack. As mentioned above, you want the knife in your dominant hand, lead leg forward. This gives you maximum reach or range to stab or slash at a attacker. Keep the knife in a point forward grip like you would a razor knife to cut drywall for instance. Not like a hammer, or reverse like a ice pick. People with professional knife fighting training will sometimes use a reverse grip, but that requires training and is beyond the scope of this article. Basically you want as much room as you can get between you and the attacker, and you want to be able to cut without exposing your vital areas to the attacker. The most basic way to do this is as mentioned dominant hand forward, lead leg forward. You can also lunge forward this way or spring backward and still be able to counter attack.

Some tips in general for the folding knife and the survivalist:

• Carry the longest blade you can legally carry in your state. Be reasonable on this! There are unusual 6 inch folders, but why not get a fixed blade at that point?

• The knife should blend or be concealable, and should be easily accessed.

• Get brand name knives including custom folders from well known makers.

• Key chain or other gimmick knives do not fit the bill of the robust folding survival knife. These might work as a secondary or tertiary knife however.

• Consider your secondary knife to work weak handed as a back-up.

• Also consider a multi-tool as back up. They usually have locking blades with a variety of designs.

• Make sure the handle is not too slippery or too shiny. You want a secure grip and something that blends in with your wardrobe.

• Learn to disassemble, clean, sharpen, and oil your knife. Look at a small sharpener for your key chain, pocket or survival kit.

• Although double edged folders are out there remember to be reasonable and to keep it legal. Also, single edged knives are more utilitarian in nature.

• Make sure the knife stays on your belt or in your pocket.

• Carry it every day everywhere you go, including in your robe, underwear or sleep garments, exercise clothes, or business suit. Take it off when you are actually sleeping or bathing.

• Be careful carrying other gear in the same area. Sometimes the knife may open in your pocket and you could get a nasty cut. Make sure the knife blade is not too loose, and this is also another good reason to buy a quality knife design.

• Use your knife! Don”t be afraid to dull it or scratch it. It is a tool for one, and also it is a survival item that must be tested and proven.

• Practice the draw regularly as mentioned above.

• Consider this a “Every Day Carry” item. Do not get into the habit of taking it off, or throwing it on the table or in the car. Would a samurai throw his sword away to go to the bathroom, read, or train? No way and neither should you.

Copyright 2008 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

Security around the home can be universally overlooked by the average person (including myself) at times. Yes, even Security Experts can get distracted or complacent! Even so, those moving to a new area can have even tougher obstacles. In my case it was distraction and work overload that played havoc with my security. Having just moved my family across the state to a totally new area was difficult and presented many challenges. Not only did my home need to be moved, but also my shop and business. The stress of moving, fatigue, and unfamiliar places can add up to spell disaster.

Some of the things I came up with during this move really assisted me; security disasters were averted, prevented and avoided. I thought it best to share some of the tips used in my move and couple them with some tried and true home security measures. Many of these things I’m sure aren’t new to the average homeowner. Whether you are constantly on the go or are new to an area these tips can be helpful. Are they being implemented? That is the question and my challenge to you.

Image courtesy of healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Vary your schedule and routes to home and work.

Neighbors notice when you leave and when you come home. If you are as predictable as the palace guard you are increasing your chances of being burglarized by a person near your home. Using different routes and varying times can also educate you on the area around your home. Which routes are most efficient at different times of day? Is there more than one way to get to work during construction or traffic problems? You can even learn what your neighbors and teenagers are doing during your time away by surprising them when showing up unexpectedly.

In my case learning the roads in my new neck of the woods has proven very valuable to me and my wife. My unpredictable schedule also kept potential crooks jumping as I could show up literally at any time of day. Moving vans and boxes are a dead giveaway that someone new is moving in… but counter balancing that with unpredictability helps immensely. Leave to the corner store and come right back, or even go around the block then home. This may seem like paranoia but it isn’t when you are in a new or unfamiliar place. I often did this without even meaning to as I habitually leave my coffee or briefcase wherever I go!

Lights and sound equals ACTION!

Give the impression of activity when you aren’t at home or work. Leave a radio turned on and couple that by leaving a light on as well. Many times people think you are still “there” when they get the impression of activity.

The reverse is of course, inactivity. Piled up phone books on the steps, items left in the same spot for weeks on end, no lights or sound; these things create a safe atmosphere for the crook. Ever walk into a place like a campground and just feel like “man, no one has been here for a LONG TIME.” Your home can also give that impression. You want the people around to believe that you are home or that you could be home at any time.

Light timers can be used on both lights, radios, and even televisions. No need for fancy home integration systems when a $15 timer will suffice. You can also have friends, relatives or trusted co-workers visit your place to create an impression of activity. Be careful handing out keys and alarm system codes however. Keys can be copied, and alarm codes can be mistakenly left for others to see. Lend out keys stamped “Do Not Duplicate” available at your local locksmith shop, or have your locks construction keyed. This makes a key temporary until the owner removes it from the construction key system. Then the temporary key no longer works and the lock does not need to be rekeyed.

If you are moving into a previously occupied place, have it rekeyed.

Image courtesy of Michelle Meiklejolin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In the last tip it was suggested to have a place construction keyed for friends to create an atmosphere of activity when you are away or on vacation. But when you first buy or move in you must determine if the locks there are new, have been rekeyed, or even if they are already construction keyed or master keyed. You don’t want a stranger to just walk in during the middle of the night, do you? Nope and me either! Have a locksmith service your locks first thing when moving or renting a new place.

This isn’t going to break the bank if you do research and find a good local locksmith. If you are a DIY type of a person you can even replace the locks yourself by ordering them keyed alike from a hardware store or lock shop. Just make sure that when you move in all keys are accounted for and that locks are unique and in good working order. You also don’t want to get locked out by a malfunctioning lock or worn key.

The first thing I did upon getting our new home was have the locks replaced and rekeyed as needed. I was handed a pile of keys when I arrived by the previous occupant. Some of these keys did not work, some did, and a few I think were just pawned off on me. The lock to the shed didn’t work or have a key, the passage locks in the bathroom and basement didn’t work, and the exterior door locks had worn over-copied keys that worked intermittently. I spent some money, replace those that needed it, lubricated locks, rekeyed locks and fixed the ones that were easily repaired or adjusted.

Not only did this help my overall security. It gave my Wife and me peace of mind and lessened sources of possible stress. Yes it costs money to do it but it would have been more stressful if we were locked out and more expensive to have a locksmith come after hours to let us in. Also, no one has let themselves in with an unaccounted key as the locks are brand new! Seems like a no brainer to me!

Make eye contact and introduce yourself.

Another idea that can really help you and its obvious but overlooked. Be friendly to your new neighbors and introduce yourself! Make eye contact, smile, and stand up straight.

Yes I am a Dad, but that isn’t the reason I’m lecturing you. Crimes happen less frequently to confident people who create boundaries and to those who don’t act like a victim.

By making eye contact you are displaying confidence. When you smile and introduce yourself you are asserting yourself, and setting a social boundary. You are saying “I’m here and I’m not afraid to talk to you and let you know I’m here.” If you are a nice person your new neighbors might even look out for you and help you out with local problem people or situations. Most people are good and want to help you out. The people who aren’t nice will show their colors in this situation and ignore you or display behavior that tells you “go away”. This is good to know and is actual a good way to gather intelligence on your new neighbors. If they frown, avert their eyes, ignore you or refuse to shake hands you can bet that they might be someone to watch or avoid.

Two sets of eyes are better than one.

When you are busy it is difficult to notice the little things. If you are stressed out, tired, or overwhelmed it can be worse. Is that a snake or a garden hose? Try to buddy up with someone during your move or travels to make it safer.

My sixteen year old daughter is often texting away obliviously, but she noticed that I left my front door unlocked. My wife can’t move heavy things, but she was good at pointing out strategies and missed items during the move. Even my cat helped by finding things dropped under the appliances! Another set of eyes is vital when you are on the go or are moving. At one point I had a moving truck hit my work van… but it was under the watchful eye of my friend helping me move and we spotted the moving truck before it could leave the scene unnoticed by me. Another disaster averted!

Final Thoughts

Be sure to vary your schedule and routes. Create an atmosphere of action by using lights and sound to give the impression you are home or nearby. Replace or rekey locks and make sure you can secure your property and loved ones at night. Make eye contact, smile and introduce yourself to learn about the new people that surround you and to display confidence. Being friendly with new people can help you and your family. Lastly, travel with a buddy. Get a second set of eyes to increase your awareness and point out the things you miss.

True security is not simply knowing about security tips, it is in the implementation. Security measures must be part of your daily routine, so much so that when you are stressed out or tired, they practically implement themselves. Added stress like moving or hectic schedules should not derail your security program.

To my amazement and to my families’ amusement, I made many errors during this strenuous move. I left my work truck unlocked overnight with tools and products inside. I simply forgot to lock the deadbolt on the old place with our belongings still inside. I even lost important paperwork and misplaced many vital business documents! But in the end nothing was stolen, we weren’t burglarized, and we were always safe. By implementing these security tips regularly I was able to have a safe move, and in the end my family’s safety is more important than financial or business concerns. Make sure to implement these security tips when you travel, are on the go or are in the middle of a project or move. They made my difficult move safe, and hopefully they help you, too.

Copyright 2009 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

Modern arena matches exhibit the current perception of the “Warrior Class”.  But there is a dramatic difference between this and the Soldier in Afghanistan.  There is a difference in the Mindset and to an extent the Attitude, not so much in the training.  This can be easily viewed by watching the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championship, or other exhibition fights.

Warrior:  a man engaged or experienced in warfare; broadly: a person engaged in some struggle or conflict.

Soldier: one engaged in military service and especially in the armyb: an enlisted man or womanc: a skilled warrior.

Merriam Webster’s’ Dictionary is little help in understanding the difference between a warrior and a soldier.  Society and pop culture interpretation also is of little assistance.  It takes a deeper understanding and some analysis.

The modern Mixed Martial Arts practitioner goes into the ring to fight his opponent based on rules set by a governing body.  They assign a referee to interact in the bout, and enforce the rulings of the judges.  So called “fighting fair”.

The soldier is trained to kill, then sent away from judges and referee’s to enforce the dictum of his national leader.  On the battlefield he must engage and defeat the enemy, as well as do his best to stay alive and keep his team mates alive.

Although both could be classified as warriors, one is trying to win an organized match: while the other is trying to defeat an enemy, and also stay alive.  He is putting his life on the line, while the other is putting his health at risk.

The MMA practitioner receives excellent training in hand-to-hand combat, and receives some of the best physical conditioning from top notch trainers and medical people.  He can indeed stop an attack, incapacitate an opponent, and even take a life.  BUT he is trained not to.

He knows that he can “tap out” or surrender with only momentary shame.  His team can throw in the towel, ending the match.  A ringside Doctor can also call the fight if there is the threat of injury beyond the confines of the match.  An unethical fighter could even feign a knockout and throw the fight for money or other reason.

The soldier can fight to the death or surrender.  No other choice exists. Surrender does not guarantee fair treatment, medical help, or life.  It could be a shortcut to torture and death.  There is no referee or team to throw in the towel when things get hairy.

Although both the soldier and the MMA “warrior” strive to win, they strive for different things entirely.  One fights for life, the other for glory.

Image courtesy of Toa55 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What does this have to do with Self-Defense and Survival?

We must adapt the mindset and attitude to win like a soldier when confronted on the street.  There is no referee, no judges, no doctor, and no team to throw in the towel.  A ring match and a fight for your wallet, family member, or even your life is going to be on the same playing field as the soldier.  This means the victor will have his life, not a trophy and bragging rights.

Although many of the MMA fighters receive excellent training, I have watched many “Tap out” when the going gets tough.  We don’t have that choice when we are fighting to survive… regardless of the situation.  You never give up for any reason.

MMA matches are a good motivator for the preparedness minded individual.  You get to see fighters slugging it out, their top conditioning, strategies, and excellent fighting technique.  It’s very good to watch, and heck, great entertainment.  But it stops there.

Many MMA fighters go on to join the Armed Forces or Law Enforcement and advance their mindset.  Some are even former soldiers who can participate in the match for the athletic competition.  We just must be careful to not confuse the Soldier and the MMA “Warrior”.  They are two completely different creatures with different mindsets. They both may have winning attitudes, but in reality only the living survivor truly has won.

Copyright 2009 by duracles.  Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

Survival fitness: this is by far the most overlooked and undervalued area in survival training and preparedness… not to mention plain self-defense. Basically, we need to be in relatively good shape to be better able to handle situations life may throw at us.

• Can you roll a jack under your car and put the spare tire on?
• Can you climb a fence to avoid an attacking vicious dog?
• Can you run a half block to catch a wayward toddler about to cross the street?
• Can you carry a 40 lb. backpack all day, walking across town?

These are a few examples of everyday occurrences that can happen to anyone at anytime. Notice that none of these examples are extreme unlikely instances. Every one of these things has happened to me, and I don”t live in an action movie type of lifestyle!

Therefore the question remains…… what if? What if I have to chase a man abducting my child? Can I do it? What if I have to run ten blocks to avoid a dangerous chemical spill? What if I have to live out of my backpack for 3 days? These things are more extreme; but as a person interested in survival we should be prepared physically to meet the challenge. Training, attitude, and survival gear aren”t the only things keeping us alive out there. It is also the ability to run, jump, crawl, swim, and get back up that could determine the outcome of an extreme situation.

Fitness Basics

There are some basics we all learned in gym class that still apply today. Here they are in random order:

• Strength
• Flexibility
• Endurance
• Speed

Remember we are talking basics! I am not saying you have to out lunge an Olympic Fencer, or outrun a Grizzly Bear. Fitness basics are designed to be easy to improve, attainable by your average person, and show results quickly.

Strength training may include push-ups, weight lifting, resistance training or even dynamic tension. Flexibility is obviously stretching, toning and full normal range of motion. Pilates or Yoga can greatly improve your flexibility, but also may improve your strength and balance.

Endurance is a general term but refers here to the ability to perform sustained exercise like running, swimming, jogging and fast walking. This can be improved in a number of ways from stationary bicycling, walking, and jogging to rollerblading and dancing. Exercise can and should be fun otherwise you will not do it. Speed can also be improved by the above exercises; but also by playing tennis, racquetball, and other sports. Speed is the most difficult attribute to measure, but is the easiest to see improvements in.

Please consult your family physician before attempting ANY exercise program. Start gradually, and be sure to note the details in a training notebook or journal. The simplest exercise program is walking. You can do it in a large indoor mall, in the park, or just in your neighborhood. It is free and you don”t need any fancy equipment besides comfortable shoes. Swimming is considered by many to be the best single exercise program to improve all of your basic fitness attributes. Swimming is easy to do, inexpensive, and can be learned quickly.

http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/fs_prof.pdf Basic fitness guidelines from health.gov website.

http://www.fitness.gov/resources/organizations/index.html Fitness resources, websites, and organizations.

Advanced Physical Fitness and Training

Once you have started a fitness program, you may want to focus on more specific areas of improvement. This can be the most rewarding and fun area in your fitness program. You may want to join a competitive shooting organization, or go on an extended hike in the wilderness. You might decide to join a martial arts program, join a weekly fitness class, or advance your current regimen to the next level.

Whatever you decide it will be an expression of you and your interests. You might be surprised at how beneficial and empowering this can actually be! Your survival fitness program could spill over into other areas of your life and improve the overall quality of living in general. It is worth the risk…. You can feel better and be prepared for what life throws your way.

Motivation

At the end of the day, we all need to monitor our health and get some exercise. To stay motivated we need to think beyond “what is best for us”. Personally my family is a reason for me to stay in shape. I want to be able to protect my family, and also be able to work hard to support them.

Friends are good motivators. They may give an encouraging work, chide or shame us when needed, or even present a friendly competitive aspect to working out. If they want to jump in and start an exercise program with you go for it!

An exercise journal can also motivate. Once you see the results on paper, it can really encourage one to continue the program. Also, you may feel the need to fill up the volume with achievements and measurements. Usually it can take up to 3 months to see dramatic changes, but you will notice results after your first week!

Lastly, avoid being derailed completely. Don”t allow set backs to make you feel like giving up. Some of these could be minor illnesses, busy work schedules, holidays, or even short breaks. Allow yourself room to be flexible with set backs, and realize they are common for all people. Friends not showing up to work out? Flu symptoms playing havoc with you? Sleep poorly or too much work? Make note of the break in your diary and begin anew without self-recriminations.

Staying motivated can be difficult, but in time you will figure out what works best for you. Compliments from friends and family (or jealousy!) can be very motivating. Fitting into old clothes or having to buy new ones is also motivating. Even just feeling better can be a huge boost in your motivational battery.

Conclusion

Your level of survival fitness is not determined by outside factors or environment. Your level of fitness is determined by you. If you allow yourself to watch television or eat candy all day; who is to blame? Get off the couch and go for a walk or park far away from the grocery store and carry the groceries rather than use a cart. Ride a bike or walk to events close by. Make exercise dates for yourself where you do something fun, unusual or exciting.

Things like river rafting, rock climbing, or horseback riding aren’t out of the realm of possibilities for most and these types of things can be fun! Reward yourself for exercising by buying a nice gift for yourself, or going to a favorite restaurant or event. In the end, the ability to run, jump, swim and climb will be a reward unto itself. You will feel more confident, and definitely be able to meet life”s challenges whether they are mundane or extraordinary.

Fitness is definitely an important part of survival, preparedness and self-defense training. Like a survival kit, or a concealed carry permit it can mean the difference in walking away from an emergency…. Or being carried away.

Copyright 2010 by duracles. Reprint permission granted if article remains completely intact.

Very well done video teaches what to do if stuck during an active shooter event.  Best video we have seen so far on this topic.