Self-defense is one of the most important areas that every diligent prepper needs to focus on. You could be excellent at storing food and water, you could have all your bug out bags prepared and ready to go… but you could lose it all in an instant if someone decides to rob you at gunpoint and you’re not prepared.
Violence exists. There is no getting around it. Some states in the US have a level of gun violence that is so high, that the statistics is almost on par with war zones. The bad news is that there is no survival situation yet. This is still peace time.
During a crisis, when there is a food and water shortage, it will be even worse. Desperate people will steal and kill to get the bare necessities. It will be every man for himself. Knowledge of self-defense and its practical applications must be a part of your prepper CV.
In this article, we’ll look at 3 key points that you must understand so that you can survive when you’re between a rock and a hard place.
- Awareness
The first step is acknowledging that violence can occur to you or anyone at any time. It doesn’t have to be a time of crisis. A lady could be jogging at a park in the evening and she gets assaulted. A man could be walking home after work and he gets robbed and shot to death.
These things happen. The question is – are you prepared? Have you signed up for self-defense classes? Do you have non-lethal weapons with you? Do you own a firearm? Is your house burglar-proof?
All these points matter. You need to prepare for a situation where you could get robbed/assaulted at any time, either at home or outside. This is not paranoia. It’s awareness of what could happen.
- Preparedness
Once you’re aware, take the necessary steps to get the skills and equipment you need to protect yourself. Sign up for Krav Maga classes so that you can handle yourself in an altercation.
Practice your self-defense moves till they’re second nature to you. Join a gym and get fit. Build your strength and stamina so that you can last the distance during a fight.
Run often. This is a very important skill to have. We’ll look at it in the next point.
Buy a firearm and practice at the gun range till you’re proficient at handling the gun. You also want to get used to the act of taking out your gun from the handbag quickly. You can’t be fumbling when it matters.
If you’re at home, your firearm needs to be in a place that’s safe from your children but also easily accessible to you. If the state you live in allows for conceal carry, make sure you carry a piece.
- The Sequence
In any self-defense situation, there are rules of engagement. Regardless of whether you’re a man or woman, when you’re in danger outside, your first course of action should always be to flee.
There is no cowardice in running away. It is your best form of self-defense. Real life is nothing like the movies. It’s fast, dirty, tiring and can get deadly in seconds. Don’t expect to be throwing roundhouse kicks like Chuck Norris.
Run away as fast as you can. This is why it’s so important to run often and build your stamina. Most criminals want an easy victim. Nobody wants to chase after their prey… and they can’t touch you if they can’t catch you.
Besides running, hiding is your next course of action. If you can hide and be undetected, do it.
Fighting is always your last course of action… and if you have no choice but to fight, you need to fight hard, fight fast and fight dirty. Use a weapon if you can. Use the element of surprise. Use every advantage you can get.
Remember these 3 points and prepare yourself until you’re confident and know that no one is going to get the better of you without a fight. Run a mile to avoid a fight, but when one starts, NEVER back down.