Some decent fighting moves would be very helpful. I may have been too quick to dismiss the sonic blast power of alarms but OTOH, if someone is hopped up on adrenaline (or more powerfull pharmaceuticals) The impact may not be what it is on someone just curiously trying out the device. Most attackers are somewhat agitated when the event starts unless they are the truely cold-blooded. In either case the level of adrenaline or cold-bloodedness will be a defense against many things that aren't truely painful or injurious.

Carrying you keys protruding between your fingers, hand closed as a fist around a small Kubaton in the palm is something you could certainly get away with in areas where weapons are banned. If you are concerned about the Kubaton then get a mini-mag or mag-solitaire to put on your keychain. With this "enhanced" fist you can inflict a lot of pain if you strike flesh anywhere on your assailant. That kind of pain and true injury will buy you some time also. The combination of the surprise of the alarm to buy enough time to land a direct blow to the cheek / eye area of the head with the enhanced fist should get you a few seconds to run and also make the assailant somewhat less likely to follow. If you can learn a few moves to break a hold and a couple of kicks for knees and groin you will be much more capable. This isn't a lot of training - you could learn to break holds in a week at the outside. Kicking in such a way as to not have your foot traped by the assailant is a bit tougher. Slamming a fist full of keys into someones face shouldn't take much training at all, just readiness to do it.

I find that if I feal threatened I immediately start thinking of ways to do harm to the threatening individual. The fact that my thoughts are occupied with hurting them shows in my body language and they usually leave me alone. May sound savage but it is just the savageness in others that I am attempting to deflect.

What is that Meat Eater ? I can't figure how to use it ?!?!


Alain

Sounds like you've done the right thing, attending the self-defense course.

I was not aware that you lived in the U.K. I have heard that firearms, etc. were illegal in the U.K. That is a shame. One wonders sometimes what lawmakers use for brains. There are some places in the U.S. that have similar bone-headed laws, and, like the U.K., the courts sometimes favor the criminal and punish the victim.

I have heard that there are some things like walking canes and stout flashlights that a citizen can carry in the U.K. that can be used as a weapon, if necessary. I wonder if an umbrella with a spike on the end would be legal to carry, and secondly, would it be legal to use it as a weapon when attacked. Maybe it would depend upon the primary motive for carrying it. You might want to verify that, but if it is true, it might be worth knowing. It might provide you with some options.

I am curious, what would the courts have to say about it if you were attacked and pulled out an ink pen and stabbed your attacker to death with it, or strangled him with your belt?

To be sure, the best thing to do is keep the attack from happening in the first place. If that doesn't work, it would be nice to have something that you can use as an equalizer.

Yeah, how does it work? Although I think it'd be illegal in the uk as it is being sold as a weapon.. (not sure though, will have to look up the laws I think....)

Also, isn't the advert a little insulting to all the very capable mothers, daughters sisters and grandmothers out there? <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Liz

I'd carry one if I were you, but also remember the bunch of keys or maglite trick.

For our American Cousins, let me summarize UK law:

Any kind of gun or a locking knife with a blade above 3 inches will lead to YOUR arrest, as will pepper spray, stun guns etc.

If you are attacked in the UK you are supposed to run away. If you can't then you can use "reasonable" self defence. I can remember an old case where a pensioner woke up to find two armed men in his bedroom. Unfortunately for them he was an ex Royal Marines Commando and pulling his fairburn-sykes from under the pillow he stabbed one and threw the other out of the window - result: no charges. However, recently, a farmer in Norfolk found two burglars in his house and shot them - result: long jail sentence (an Englishman's home is his castle if he doesn't mind state-pampered career criminals turning it over every three months!) These days "reasonable" means that if you touch the criminal in any way YOU do the time - crazy!!

End of Sermon... <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I noticed you said folding knives with a locking blade . Out of curiosity how do small fixed blade knives (less than 3" blades) fit into the picture.

Turk

Hi!

For those who are interested...

Not had time to find the relevent sections, but on the Uk goverment website [url=http://www.hmso.gov.uk]
all the laws are published. As far as I can work out the relevent Acts of parliment are the Criminal Justice Act 1988, the Offensive Weapons act 1996 and the Knives Act 1997.

Just search the site for those names or Google them and you should come up with the laws.

any people in the UK heard about (I think it is around 2 days ago) How a muliple rapist attacked a woman? In turn she set off her personal alarm. The criminal ran off. Even though the town was on high alert it does show worth for your money.

In the mean time around my school several people have been mugged in the park during day time by group up to ten people! Every one going into town walks through the park - the school advice we should not use the path anymore. Police is on the case.

We will see if the victorinox is really the do it all knife...
(joke)