| Being confronted by a knife wielding attacker is | | | | high, as in a typically defensive stance, then you just |
| possibly the most frightening situation you could ever | | | | won't have time to react, but if you have one hand |
| encounter. Even more so than a gun, because | | | | low you can use it to jam the arm as or before it |
| psychologically the thought of being cut or stabbed is | | | | comes from behind their back. |
| a terrible thought for most people. | | | | This will buy you time to attract attention. Knife |
| The first point is that anything you have seen of | | | | defence isn't about fighting your attacker, its about |
| television regarding knife defense is a load of rubbish | | | | your immediate response. Practice the above |
| and should be avoided. Even many of the techniques | | | | technique with someone you trust, but use a stick or |
| taught in martial arts schools are just wrong and will | | | | some blunt object, at least until you get a feel for |
| get you hurt. | | | | the response. |
| How do I know? Because with 35 years of self | | | | A variation on this is if you are walking towards |
| defence experience we have tried them all. We put | | | | someone who appears suspicious or their hand is |
| on protective gear and use a training knife that is | | | | hidden. Cross the street if you can, but otherwise as |
| very close to the real thing. | | | | you pass step slightly away from them, and turn |
| 95% of defence techniques have failed this testing. | | | | your body so that you expose your side and protect |
| But there are specific things you can do. | | | | your torso. The arm which is closest to their hidden |
| Most people who use knives will secret the weapon, | | | | hand can be used to jam their arm should they |
| it will usually be held out of your line of sight. If you | | | | produce a weapon. |
| see someone approaching you with a hand held | | | | People who use knives are not of a normal mental |
| behind their back, you must loudly demand to see | | | | framework, they don't think like us, some of them |
| what they are holding. | | | | don't think at all, they don't consider the ramifications |
| If it is nothing then you might feel a bit silly, but if | | | | of using such a weapon. |
| they show the knife or continue towards you, you | | | | Remember, scream yell, get away and jamb if you |
| must back up and scream for help. Don't hold back! | | | | have, but don't over estimate your abilities especially |
| This is the most important thing you can do, it may | | | | if you have done a self defense course and are |
| save your life. If you find yourself in this situation ina | | | | feeling confident. |
| crowded place or on the street, but this time the | | | | When my son was younger I took him to a adult |
| person is close to you, then certainly scream, but this | | | | knife defence course. Later I asked him what he |
| time you have to take physical action. | | | | learned, he said don't fight people with knives. That |
| We have repeatedly tested this, if your hands are | | | | was exactly what I had hoped he would learn. |