TBO-TECH

Self-defense courses for students are fast becoming an expected element in college curricula and rightfully so. No matter how safe your neighborhood is, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t learn extra skills that let you defend yourself adequately in cases of emergency.

The US News website tells us how students of Temple University in North Philadelphia, especially female ones, are eager to take the self-defense courses offered every semester, which is equivalent to two credits but requires students to obtain the instructor’s permission prior to enrolling.

In the University of Pittsburgh, the self-defense lessons offered are based on the Buy Yourself a Minute or BYAM method, which was developed by Officer Curtis Smith. The course is open to both male and female students and is designed to teach students not just how to get out of dangerous situations but how to avoid them in the first place. The lessons are considerably tough, requiring students to perform the correct action in simulated shootings and purse snatchings.

The reason for offering such courses varies. Although some are offered as a direct response to the level of crime prevalent in a given area, some, which is true in the case of Temple University according to its instructor Michelle Harmon, are simply given to empower women “in their general pursuit for their life skills”.

And for those doubting the value of taking self-defense lessons, a report from News4jax.com may convince them otherwise. The website recently featured an incident in Clay County, Florida wherein a 55-year-old mom was able to sufficiently protect herself from a potentially dangerous situation and all thanks to the self-defense classes she were taking from the local church.

Terry Thompson stands 5-foot-2, has three children, and is no different from ordinary mothers except for one thing: she had been taking Tae-Kwon-Do classes for about a year. It took root from her early interest in martial arts and was eventually realized with her desire to learn self-defense and gain self-confidence. Thompson believed that her age placed her at greater risk and took the class to make her less vulnerable. She hadn’t imagined, however, that there would actually be a time when she would put her self-defense lessons to use.

Indeed, it was after one of those classes at night that she was approached by a would-be mugger in the parking lot of Middleburg First Baptist. The man had first asked if she had money, to which she replied in the negative. When the man attempted to snatch her purse, Thompson had responded with a side-kick and a punch; it was enough to make the man run away empty-handed.

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In 2005, the Metro police in Nashville, Tennessee was sued by a family which alleged that the department was to blame for using a Taser weapon and causing a man’s death. Although a medical examiner eventually ruled out the allegation, it was more than enough to influence the law and restrict the use of Taser weapons for sergeants only.

A new law, however, has lifted the restriction and made Taser weapons available to all officers. The authorities believe that the use of Taser weapons will be beneficial overall. According to the News Channel 5 website, the Metro Department is in the opinion that the use of Taser Guns will diminish the chances of suspects or officers getting injured. They also believe that the accompanying recording devices will also help in keeping officers in line with regard to its use.

Definitely, the right time for using such weapons should be a concern, especially when considering recent events in Orange County. The LA Times reported two separate incidents when the use of stun guns caused the deaths of two inmates.

The grand jury of the State of Orange County Jails had suggested a ban for using stun guns in its annual report, which was released last June 2008. The first victim, Michael Patrick Lass, had died when deputies utilized a Taser in their efforts to subdue him. The second casualty, Jason Jesus Gomez, had slipped into a coma after being restrained also by Taser. He died last April 1, 2008 at the Intake Release Center.

The grand jury had cited this as a “cause of alarm”, and Sheriff Sandra Hutchens had then responded by banning the use of stun guns if there was still alternative means of subduing “overtly assaultive behavior”.

Of course, there are always two sides to a coin, and in some cases, the use of Taser weapons and the likes have proven to be advantageous. Consider, for instance, the WFSB website’s report on a failed burglary attempt in Vernon, Connecticut.

The police had received a tip some time after midnight about a burglary attempt and responded accordingly. The suspect, Juan Rafael Santiago, had fled upon the police’s arrival and was then pursued by foot. It took several uses of stun guns before the suspect was finally subdued.

He was brought to Rockville Hospital and treated there for minor injuries. Upon his release, he remains in the police’s custody with a $450,000 bond and is set to face previous and new charges.

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The World Champion Karate Academy, located in Bowling Green, is offering a wide selection of classes, some of which are designed to teach self-defense for families. Similar family-oriented lessons, Shinpu-Ren Okinawan Hard Karate in particular, are also offered at Bradshaw mountain High School and under the direction of Kyoshi Garry Morris. The classes Morris teaches specialize in teaching self-defense for young kids who may be or already are victims of bullying in school. They are also taught about “stranger danger” and the need for avoiding confrontation. Besides self-defense, the lessons also focus on helping students build their self-respect, self-esteem, and their character — lessons which can be of value to adult students as well.

The Kenner Police Department, on the other hand, takes a slightly different approach with a self-defense course designed for women. The classes, offered free of charge, will be held from September 8 to 11, targeting females aged 13 and above. Two certified police officers will take the role of instructors for the self-defense course and their lessons include but aren’t limited to the discussion and demonstration of escaping multiple attackers, abduction, lawful means of self-defense, the various types of sexual assaults, and risk awareness. Interested parties may attend more than one class and will have the opportunity to put their skills to test during classes.

Another self-defense course designed for women, also for free, is offered in the Recreation and Cultural Arts of Asheville Parks. Entitled “Practical Self-Defense for Women”, the workshop will take place at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center at September 4, 2008.

The introductory class will be under the direction of WNC Center for Self-Defense founder and lead instructor Steve Lunsford. Participants don’t need to have previous experience and are requested to come in loose-fitting attire.

In Wilmington, New Hanover County, free self-defense lessons are also offered, prompted by a recent attack on a 24-year-old woman. The victim had to undergo surgery after suffering from sexual assault and multiple stabbings. The incident made concerned resident Aaron Lawrence, a black belt in karate, volunteer to teach self-defense classes for free.

Many types of self-defense courses are offered today, designed to teach people of all shapes and sizes to defend themselves properly. All you need to do is find one that appeals to you and fits your schedule.

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Self-defense is made easier if you have a weapon handy. If you wish to afford yourself maximum protection, it’s important to choose the ideal self-defense weapon, one that’s portable, readily accessible, and you have the knowledge and skills to use.

Energy or Self-Defense Sprays

Pepper sprays and tear gases are the best examples of this type of self-defense weapon. They are easy to use and terribly effective when used at the right time. They are also affordable, easy to hide, and will not generally place innocent bystanders or even the attacker himself at life-threatening risk.

Nothing in this world is, however, flawless, and this type of self-defense weapon comes with its own risks. For one thing, the effects don’t occur immediately and vary in strength. If you’re unlucky, its effects might not afford you enough time to escape unscathed.

Stun Weapons

Stun guns and Tasers are definitely more powerful than self-defense sprays, enough to not just incapacitate an attacker but cost him his life as well. As such, it’s important for a person to be well aware of his responsibilities for carrying such a weapon with him.

It is also important to know that stun guns cannot completely guarantee your safety. Some people are born with or have developed a high threshold for electrical stimulation, enough to make them bear, if not immune to, the effects of stun guns.

Having good aim is crucial. Stun guns affect muscles and nerves and while these are something present throughout the body, you do still need to ascertain that the probes located at the business end of your stun gun make contact with the body.

UV Marking Dyes

A UV marking dye may not incapacitate your attacker, but it can however leave your assailant with a mark that’s distinctive and difficult to erase. It is best to use UV marking dyes only if you are supremely confident in your self-defense skills and you only desire something that could help apprehend your attacker.

Level of Lethalness

A self-defense weapon may be designed to be lethal, semi-lethal, or non-lethal. Regardless of which category your weapon falls into, what will ultimately matter are your presence of mind and your ability to use it for defending yourself.

Practical Everyday Self-Defense Weapons

There may come a time that the self-defense weapon you’ve purchased and relied on using will not be available and it is in those instances you have to be prepared. You need to be resourceful and be creative in turning ordinary objects like nail files and umbrellas into extraordinary self-defense weapons.

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For Adrian Quintanilla, jiu jitsu is not only a way to get in shape, but it’s also a fun way of learning self-defense.

The literal translation for jiu jitsu is the “way of yielding” or “the art of softness”. It is also a collective term for various styles of Japanese martial arts, many of which are based on striking and grappling techniques. The sport is derived from ancient techniques used by samurai in the old days and against opponents who weren’t just armored but carried weapons as well. Jiu jitsu was also used by samurais when they had no means or were forbidden to use weapons.

Unlike other methods of self-defense, also teaches people how to use their opponent’s energy against them rather than employing techniques which require them to directly confront their opponent.

Although there are different schools of teachings for jiu-jitsu, all of them have certain similarities. Every jiu-jitsu student, for instance, learns the traditional techniques through observation and imitation. Most schools also place special emphasis in joint-locking when they are teaching their students unarmed techniques in combating.

All schools include striking techniques in their “curriculum”, although the actual technique may vary from school to school. Nevertheless, striking techniques often target a vulnerable part of the body.

While techniques used for combating with weapons differ, the actual weapons used remain the same for all jiu-jitsu schools: short one-hook truncheons called jitte, knives (tanto), short and long swords, and three and six-foot staffs called hanbo and roku shaku bo, respectively.

Men and women of all ages can learn jiu jitsu, and The Boxing Gym in Edinburg is indeed open to accepting anyone who wishes to lose weight and learn self-defense through jiu jitsu. At present, Quintanilla tells Monitor.com that their students range from 10-year-old kids to forty-year-old men. The classes take place at night, from Tuesday to Friday, and costs $75 to $95 per month.

The classes offered at The Boxing Gym focus, however, on the Brazilian version of jiu-jitsu. This version originated Esai Maeda Koma, a jiu jitsu master who settled in Brazil in 1916. Quintanilla describes Brazilian jiu-jitsu as the martial art “for the little guy” because it teaches techniques people can use even or most especially when they’re on their backs.

Of course, knowledge and skills in jiu-jitsu should not be abused and Quintanilla advises people to use such techniques only when other and less risky tactics, like simply walking away, prove to be unsuccessful.

image credits to The Adventures of Kristin & Adam

Supporters say it’s better than pepper spray and is more efficient to use. However, if you have no idea on how to use a stun gun the right way, it may either fail to protect you or cause unnecessary damage. If you have one of these weapons or are planning to buy one, here are tips on how to use a stun gun properly:

Know your type.
There are different types of stun guns with varying levels of stopping power. Know what type yours is. Having sufficient knowledge on what your stun gun can do will go a long way to guide you on how to use it properly.

Ask for the brochure or user’s manual and study it carefully. Know how much its stopping power is. Most stun guns have a minimum of 80,000 volts while others can go as high as 1,000,000 volts.

Familiarize yourself.
If you will be handling your stun gun only in an emergency, you might not have enough confidence to use it. Don’t wait for something to happen before handling your stun gun. Familiarize yourself with the shape, form, weight and function.

Use the safety switch.
Every stun gun has its own safety switch. If it’s switched on, the gun will not work. This is to prevent the user from accidentally firing it. Switch the safety off if you feel you are in imminent danger so you’re ready to use it.

Learn to aim.
A stun gun only works if it hits the target. In this case, it has to be any area between the base of the neck and the waist. This area as a whole is the largest part of the body and easily targeted. Practice on your stun gun so your muscles can memorize the movements.

In case the emergency situation makes it difficult for you to aim at these areas, use the stun gun on parts of the body that you can hit, such as the shoulder, thighs or legs. Don’t worry. Even if you come in contact with the person you just hit with a stun gun, you won’t be affected.

Fire it properly.
A stun gun is supposed to disable your attacker, not kill him. Fire the gun and hold the trigger for at least 3 seconds for high voltage units or about 5 seconds for lower voltage units. Make sure no part of your body gets in contact with the prongs.

Keep batteries fresh.
Your stun gun won’t work if the batteries are dead. Periodically check if your stun gun still has sufficient power and replace the batteries. Don’t wait for an emergency to occur before you do. Otherwise, it might be too late.

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Thieves are a sneaky bunch. They will employ plenty of tactics to get what they want. Prevent thieves from ever victimizing you or your family by using these tips:

Lock up.
An unlocked door or window is simply an open invitation to thieves to come in and help themselves. Use the built-in lock if there’s one or install an extra lock to keep yourself and your valuables safe.

Don’t leave keys in obvious places.
Keys that are placed in areas that are easily accessed by others make them easy to steal and use later. Keep keys in places that are accessible to you but difficult for others to find.

Don’t make the mistake of leaving keys in your car, even if you’re just warming it up. Thieves need only a few precious seconds to sneak in and drive away with your vehicle.

Use anti-theft device.
Low-tech or high-tech, an anti-theft device should serve its purpose – prevent thieves from making a poor victim out of you or at least deter them from doing their dastardly deeds.

Familiarize yourself with the use of the device and don’t forget to activate it. Periodically check if the device works and replace old batteries with fresh ones. Consider installing anti-theft devices that may be operated remotely. A kill-switch for your car’s ignition, for example, will help prevent car theft.

Document your property.
Cars, valuable paintings, jewelry, appliances, computers, mobile phones, etc. are favorite theft items. If you can’t prevent thieves from getting their hands on these, at least prevent them from getting away with it.

If you have registration numbers, titles and certificates that will help identify the item once it’s stolen, keep these in a safe place for reference. Take pictures as well. If it won’t help you in getting the item back, a photograph will serve for insurance purposes.

Protect your identity.
If you aren’t careful, identity thieves can easily victimize you. Guard personal information well, particularly those that pertain to your social security number, driver’s license, bank account details and credit cards.

Be possessive.
Don’t trust strangers with your personal stuff and don’t leave items lying around, within easy reach of thieves. Purses, packages, bags, mobile phones and laptops are easily picked up when you’re not watching.

Verify.
Anyone who tries to get into your house should be cleared first. If they claim to be from a certain company or organization, ask for identification and then verify with the company itself. If somebody is trying to get to you online, be wary and make sure you check them out first.

image credits to nijoker

A taser gun can be a valuable weapon for police officers who wish to catch their victims without having to engage in a chase. The gun itself is a frightening weapon: discharging around 50,000 volts of electricity, it has the capability to stun a would-be criminal and disable the person for about five seconds. According to the account of one police officer, that five seconds consists of feeling as though you are in a black tunnel, with a current coursing through your body that disables any movement and prevents you from fighting an officer or resisting arrest.

The pain, the officer says, comes from arching the back and tensing it while under the effects of the taser gun; the taser gun itself leaves bee-sting like marks and may often result in wound bleeding due to the probes that fly out of the taser gun and onto the back of the would-be criminal. Police officers often volunteer to have the taser gun used on them because they want to know the effects of it when they themselves have to use the guns on their subjects. Although the gun is reportedly safe, there have been deaths due to taser gun use.

How does the taser work? The 50,000 volts of electricity take on the central nervous system by overriding its control of the body. That is, the electricity prevents the brain from controlling the body: the taser imitates electronic pulses that match those used by the nerves; the nerves in question are those that transmit orders from the brain and to surrounding muscles. Electronic pulses are what cause muscles to contract. However, when the nerves that surround and transmit orders to muscles are flooded by electronic pulses that resemble their own, the normal signals that usually travel from the nerves to the muscles are drowned out. In effect, the muscles will start to contract uncontrollably.

The body, under the taser, is thus a bundle of muscles that cannot be moved voluntarily. Once subject to a taser, a person can collapse and will be disabled for a few minutes. Although recovery is fast, the collapse can provide a police officer with enough time to shackle the subject and keep him or her from running farther or attacking the officer.

How safe are taser guns? Although there have been deaths, taser manufacturers and police officers alike attest to the guns’ safety. If you are concerned about taser guns, you may want to talk to your police officer and ask about the tests that have been done with such guns. There is also literature on the subject available in popular science websites that you can browse and read on.

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With rising crime rates and failing economies everywhere, you may be expecting the worst out of your fellow men or women. You might be too afraid to get out of the house, too afraid to go out alone, and even too afraid to take a vacation that you deserve. However, there are still many things that you as a homeowner can do to keep yourself safe. For one, you can still take a vacation without worrying that your home will be burglarized while you are away.

First, you may need to have home security devices installed, such as alarms that will directly alert the police if someone has been espied walking into your home, or if the sensors have picked up activity inside your house while you are gone. This may be a great investment on your part, but it would be wise to part with your money if the rewards are great.

Second, lighting can play a great part in keeping your home secure. You may want to put timers on your lights so that you can have your house lighted at night. This way, your neighbors can still see if people are going into your house and if you are getting yourself some unwanted house guests. Lights are also a deterrent to crime. Another deterrent to crime is a home that does not appear to be empty. You may want to turn down the volume of your telephone, since a telephone that rings for a long while without being answered, and loudly, can be a signal that no one is in the house and it is available for burglarizing.

Third, always keep your keys and locks updated. If possible, change them every few months or years. Moreover, do not hide keys in certain places in your house. Burglars can be smart enough to look at the usual hiding places. You would do better to leave a spare key with a neighbor whom you trust, or you may take your keys with you if you are going to be away for only a short time. Furthermore, do not take anything for granted: lock all your doors and keep your windows bolted and fastened.

These are only a few tips that you may want to heed in terms of home security for your vacation. For more information on other methods that you may use in order to improve your home security, talk to a local law enforcement officer, and do as much research as you can on how you can improve the security of your home, whether or not you are going on vacation.

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When in the court of law, many people who have been accused of assault or manslaughter will often say that they were acting in self defense. Of course, this is understandable if the person who was killed was about to kill them or rape them, then the accused may well claim self defense. But when is self defense not self defense, and when is the line crossed?

In general, the law will allow for the “use of necessary and proportionate, non-deadly force in self-defense anytime the victim reasonably believes that unlawful force is about to be used on him,” in the case of a non-lethal force (such as assault); and it will also allow for the use of deadly force any time a faultless victim reasonably believes that unlawful force will cause death or grievous bodily harm is to be used on him,” as in the case of a lethal force (including manslaughter).

The wording on such laws can be tricky, and it can all depend on how the trial will proceed and how the defendant is able to prove that he or she reasonably believed that he or she was under threat. This can be difficult to prove, and it may require a psychiatrist or an eyewitness, the latter of which can be difficult to procure. Moreover, the use unlawful force is debatable: there are idiosyncrasies of laws that can permit certain actions to be understood as lawful even if they seem logically frightening. How faultless the victim is can be a point of contention. In many cases, prosecutors will do what they can to make a victim appear to be at fault.

Another point of contention might be the extent to which the victim acted in purported self-defense. Was it necessary and proportionate to the coming threat, if any? This necessity and proportionality can often be a matter of opinion. For instance, would mauling a would-be rapist be a proportional punishment? Would murdering a man because of a sexual slur be “overdoing” it? Moreover, what “punishment,” if any, should the defendant be given? Should there be rehabilitation involved, psychiatric help, or time served in prison?

As with many other aspects of the law, self-defense is tricky and can be redefined depending on the prosecutors, defendants, and how the case proceeds. If you are interested in finding out more about this aspect of the law, then you may need to do more research, talk to a criminal lawyer, and ask about how self-defense cases are resolved.

image credits to meredithfarmer