I spent years bouncing some BIG bars. Talking drunks out of something stupid is never easy, but far easier than the alternative. (I'm not the baddest guy around but I'm pretty good at the "alternative" too) A guy I learned a lot from back in the day wrote several books on defense. If you can find a copies, Paladin press in Boulder Colorado published a few books by Marc "Animal" MacYoung. "Fists wits and a wicked right" and "cheap shots, Ambushes, and Other Lessons" are two of his 6 books on self defense I strongly suggest reading. He has a very different writing style but like me the guy lived ending (not starting) bar brawls and fist fights. Last I knew he was head of security at a correctional institution. That should tell you something about his real world experience.

Use the element of suprise. I had a high school teacher tell a story about when he was in the military and was on leave and was at a local bar when some guy wouldn't leave him alone. The barender fnally told him he should take the guy outaide and he did. now I was in about 9th grade and a small guy myself (graduated at 120lbs) and I could look down at this teacher. He went outside and told the guy he'd give him to the count of three to shut up. Then counted to One and knocked him out. He skipped two and three.

To the OP, get a gun.

There is no such thing as self defense training that one can learn in a short time.

In a panic situation where skills need to be reflexes the only way to get there is to find a combat oriented martial arts studio (not easy to find) and then train until the techniques becomes reflexes you don't need to think about, your body just responds without the mind engaged.

In hand to hand combat if you think or blink, you lose. You have to operate purely on reflexes and instinct. Training these takes a lot of time and practice if you aren't raised in an environment that confers them naturally.

You are better off buying a gun.

double post

Then I'll be good at it, already done that!!!!!

Remember that weapons only help you if you can use them in the situation. It's nice to have a weaponless backup plan and know what to do when someone traps both arms in a surprise bear hug and tries to throw you head first onto the ground. The gun will just make a bigger bruise on your hip when you hit the ground.

Thanks for the info, I didn't know that! What really interested me was watching those Gracie boys! Talk about people I want to stay on the good side of!

Very true. Also, a gun is a huge asset in a self-defense situation but it doesn't reduce the need for training one bit. Just as learning to land a solid punch (or evade one) takes a lot of practice, so does deploying and effectively using a firearm at very close range where most confrontations start. Keep in mind that operating a firearm is a fine motor skill. These usually go out the window once the adrenaline kicks.

Ditto on Krav. I've sampled (but never seem to complete) Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Tai Kwan Do and Tai Chi, even had a seminar in Fiore dei Liberi(!). The most practical was definitely Krav Maga. Heck, the 4th class was wrestling / knife defenses! Didn't get anything like that in the other classes.

Just curious, who did the seminar on Fiore? Bob Charron, David Cvet/somebody from the AEMMA? And how did you like it?