SAS Urban Survival Handbook (96 page)

WARNING

Before you embark on any fitness or self-defence programme, it is wise to have a medical check-up. Suddenly undertaking strenuous exercise may be very dangerous if, for instance, you are middle-aged and lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle. Particular care is necessary if you suffer from any heart or respiratory problems. If you undertake official classes, always let the trainer know about them. Other conditions which may lead to problems include diabetes, haemophilia, epilepsy, recent head injuries (including concussion) and broken bones.

It’s never too late!

You need to find a programme of exercises to build your strength and suppleness. It’s surprising how quickly we ‘stiffen up’, if we don’t use our bodies. At school we are encouraged to run about—exercise is organized for us. Most adults find it difficult to run for a bus!

Fitness has become ‘fashionable’—look for a local course aimed at your type of physique. It helps to learn some basic techniques and exercises. Music makes it more fun—and running or exercising with a friend is less boring.

Yoga
provides some very good stretching and bending exercises, with excellent relaxation techniques—but you need speed and coordination too.

BREATHING/RELAXATION

Breathing correctly is very important. It is a way of recovering quickly from fatigue, a way of relaxing and a way to overcome fear. It can also prove highly effective in helping you to control your temper – so that you can make the correct decision in a tricky situation.

Stand upright with the feet apart – the distance between them should be about the width of your shoulders. Put your hands on your hips and keep your elbows slightly forward.

1 Breathe in through your nose for a count of three. As you breathe in allow your stomach/abdomen to rise and fall, NOT your ribcage.

2 Hold the breath for a count of three, relaxing the body. Exhale through the mouth for a count of three.

3 Continue until relaxed and in full control of your breathing. This process – especially holding the breath and then exhaling it – helps us control our bodies.

REMEMBER

Try the breathing exercise lying down in a darkened room. Relax your body, bit by bit, starting with the extremities. Imagine the room is filled with pure clean white light – your body is filled with dark smoke. Each time you breathe in, you take in the white light. Each time you exhale, you release the dark smoke.

AVOIDING VIOLENCE

Most of us would prefer to avoid any kind of physical confrontation. This is natural and healthy. There may be ways you can ward off actual violence or diffuse a dangerous situation.

Assess the situation

Unless someone actually jumps out and attacks you, you may have a chance to prevent a situation from slipping into violence. Look at your potential attacker. Compare their size and weight and apparent strength with your own. Is it likely that the attacker is armed? Look for:

• ◑ Long hair and clothing you could grab.
  
• ◑ Heavy boots/shoes which might cause serious injury.
  
• ◑ Friends—yours or the attackers—who may come to your defence or become otherwise involved.
  
• ◑ A red face, flushed with blood, implies that the attacker is not ready for fighting—otherwise the blood would be diverted to the muscles.
  
• ◑ A white, thin-lipped face and ‘tight’ voice imply that violence is imminent.
  
• ◑ Follow your instincts. If you have a ‘feeling’ that there is a problem, then there IS one.
  
• ◑ A fist shaken at you or emphatic hand gestures, including a lot of pointing, may pre-empt violence.
  
• ◑ Are you restricted in movement by your clothing—especially by your footwear?
  
• ◑ Is there anywhere nearby which would give you an advantage ? Higher ground?
  

PERSONAL SPACE

Each of us has a personal space all around us. We become uneasy when people enter this space – especially strangers, more so when they stand behind us. Bullies use this invasion of space to intimidate a victim.

If you are stopped in the street for any reason, keep your distance. This should be at least arm’s length. The comfortable distance between people who are having a conversation varies from culture to culture. The British tend to keep their distance more than other nationalities.

Keep talking

Can you diffuse the situation by using words? Can you pretend not to speak the language or not to understand a potential attacker—even acting a little ‘simple-minded’? Perhaps you could say calmly:

• ◑ There’s no need to hit me. If you want my money—here it is.
  
• ◑ I know you’re angry but I don’t want to fight you.
  

When a mugger demands money, he/she may be very nervous. Usually a short demand or a threat is made. Rapists, similarly, may just make short, sharp statements.

One way of dealing with the situation is to start talking—about yourself, where you’re going, about your ill health—which may begin to make you more of a person. The attacker may start to relate to you more as a person and less as a victim and lose concentration—giving you the opportunity to escape.

Staying calm

Ignore verbal abuse—there is no point in fighting over namecalling. Stand in the on-guard position (see
On guard
) and control your breathing. Staying composed will help you assess the situation and anticipate moves. You must focus on the attacker and what his/her apparent intentions may be. Be aware of possible accomplices. Don’t freeze up!

It may be that there is nothing you can say or do to avoid a physical confrontation.

Preparing to fight back

The time to decide how and if you will fight back is NOW. No one can make the decision for you. Evidence suggests that people who have at least attempted to fight back bear less psychological scars than those who have not tried to defend themselves.

Obviously every situation is different—only you can judge what you must do. If you DO fight back, get angry and give it everything you have. You don’t have to fight fairly—your attacker won’t!

During the confrontation, take any opportunity you can to escape, alert the police or reach safety. This isn’t weak—it’s SENSIBLE!

PERSONAL ALARMS

You should carry a small personal alarm. Choose one that makes the most piercing unbearable noise possible. An attacker might be very surprised and scared away—especially if help is likely to be summoned by the noise.

Gas-operated alarms tend to be louder than battery-operated ones. They work off small cylinders of gas, but most only sound for about a minute. You might not feel that a minute is long enough for your plea for help to be heard. In which case, investigate battery-operated versions.

You must make sure that the alarm you buy can be locked on—it might be knocked from your hand. The alarm must continue to sound if the device is dropped onto hard ground. If you’re not likely to lose hold of the alarm—use it in three to five second bursts for maximum effect.

Make sure you operate a gas alarm UPRIGHT. Liquid gas may be released if you operate it upside down and cause cold burns to the skin or render the alarm ineffective.

Keep the alarm ACCESSIBLE. Have it in your hand or in an easy-to-reach pocket. Test it periodically to be sure it works.

WARNING

A screech alarm will not necessarily keep you safe. In practice it may do more to surprise an attacker, than to summon help. A variety of alarms were tested in a small alley off one of the busiest streets in central London. Disturbingly – NO ONE took any notice! People in the vicinity were questioned to ascertain then reasons for ignoring the alarms. In most cases, they hadn’t heard them, or they didn’t know what the sound meant, or they thought the sound was a car alarm! It’s time to learn to defend yourself!

ACTUAL WEAPONS

You may not, by law in most countries, carry actual weapons to defend yourself. Knives, clubs, guns—even disabling aerosol sprays are illegal. Always remember that a weapon carried BY you could be used AGAINST you by an unarmed attacker.

In most countries, including Britain, you can only use ‘reasonable’ force to defend yourself. ‘Weapons’ may include a specially-sharpened comb or penknife—but hairspray, umbrellas, flashlight and keys are not considered to be weapons and may be carried.

Pepper, scissors or do-it-yourself tools are in a ‘grey’ area. You may be perfectly justified in carrying them, but you should be aware that in certain circumstances they may be viewed as offensive weapons.

PLEASE NOTE

The following self-defence techniques are intended ONLY for self-defence, not for use with the intention to cause real harm. If you employ any of these techniques there is no guarantee that you will emerge unhurt from a confrontation. See
The law
at the beginning of this section, which explains that (under the law) you may only use reasonable force to defend yourself. Always remember—if YOU introduce actual physical violence into a confrontation, YOU may escalate the seriousness of the incident. Violence leads to violence.

BODY TARGETS

EYES

The eyes are very sensitive—even a speck of grit in your eye, as most people know, can be extremely painful and immobilize you completely for a few seconds. Although it is a small target, the socket helps guide a blow into the eye. For a few seconds your attacker may be defenceless—allowing you to escape or strike at another part of the body.

NOSE

The nose is usually prominent enough for you to strike it from several angles. Lifting it from beneath may force the attacker to raise their head, exposing the throat. A hard blow to the nose is very painful and causes the eyes to water. If a nosebleed starts, the attacker may give up.

EARS

The ears are a limited target, but may be grabbed and twisted. They carry a lot of blood, so if torn, will bleed profusely. Cupping your hands and slapping them smartly over the ears can be very painful. Use as a last resort—it may do permanent damage.

THROAT

The throat is a particularly vulnerable area. A blow to the throat can be very painful and also quite dangerous. If the head is lowered, the throat is protected. Expose it by lifting the nose or pulling back on the hair.

NECK

Strangle holds may prevent air from entering the lungs and blood from reaching the brain. Be very careful—too much pressure for too long can kill! A sharp blow on the back of the neck can stun the recipient of the blow.