Five "A's" Of Self-Defense

In my various Safety Awareness classes, I've got a set of rules, so to speak, that I teach my students.  Each group or trainer has their own "gig" and emphasizes different points and priorities.

It's similar to the various Firearms Safety Rules.  The NRA has their three primary rules.  Another organization may have 4 rules, some use ten or more.  Regardless, they are all trying to impress different ways of being safe with a firearm.

I found this article, ("The Five “A’s” of Self-Defense") that I thought I'd share.

Acceptance - Coming to grips with the fact that you CAN be assaulted.  Too many folks are simply unwilling to accept this premise.  Somehow, they feel that because they, "live in a good neighborhood" or have nice friends, they're somehow immune to an attack.  Not so.

Awareness - ALWAYS keeping your head on a swivel when you're out in public.  Pay attention to folks that are paying attention to you!

Avoidance - I've noted here before that the best place to be during an emergency is... somewhere else!  Keep abreast of what's going on in your local area.  Are any protests being planned?  How about a big-news trial verdict - especially those with racial overtones.  And, of course, stay away from areas or neighborhoods with high crime rates.  Why ask for trouble?

Action - Sometimes, despite your best intentions and planning, danger still finds you.  ALWAYS have a plan for defending yourself.  If you can, carry a handgun, pepper spray, stun gun or some other defensive tool that can allow you to come out unharmed if a larger, stronger or numerically superior group attacks you.  As it says at the top of this page, "YOU are responsible" for your own personal safety.

Aftermath - I tell all of my students - whether they be in a gun, pepper spray or stun gun class - expect to be arrested if you've hurt or killed someone in self-defense.  Even if that incident happens in your own home.  The police see someone dead or harmed, and they MUST investigate what happened.  If you've got it in your head that you're going to be arrested, you're less likely to resist the police, and end up being charged for other infractions.


Accept The Challenge

It's all about planning and preparation.  Caught unaware or unprepared, you are more likely to make mistakes and use poor judgement.

Run through scenarios that could happen BEFORE they happen.  What will you do if someone grabs you from behind?  From the front?  Busts into your home?  Runs you off the road?  Pulls a gun?  Pulls a knife?  Are you alone or with others?  Any kids around?  What is on your person or nearby to act as a weapon?  Where are the exits?  The choke-points?

Think through your steps before you're forced to enact them.

Financial Disclosure:  I'm now part of a group that provides financial protection to folks that use a firearm for self-defense.  Click here for more information.  If you decide to get a membership, I will receive ongoing compensation for this.

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Copyright 2014 Bison Risk Management Associates. All rights reserved. Please note that in addition to owning Bison Risk Management, Chief Instructor is also a partner in a precious metals business. You are encouraged to repost this information so long as it is credited to Bison Risk Management Associates. www.BisonRMA.com

Practical Defensive Pistol

Based upon student feedback, we've added a new class to our curriculum, Practical Defensive Pistol.  As we note,

This intensive, 5-hour Advanced class is limited to 4 students per session.  In it, participants will learn 13 practical shooting skills and tactics for self-defense with a pistol.  The class culminates with two scenarios where these skills are combined and utilized in mock defensive situations.

The classes start in May, and require the students to meet various experience and equipment requirements.  If you're in Northern California and interested in developing self-defense pistol skills, click this link for additional information.

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Please click our advertiser links. They pay us so you don't have to. A click a day is all we ask! Copyright 2010 Bison Risk Management Associates. All rights reserved. You are encouraged to repost this information so long as it is credited to Bison Risk Management Associates. www.BisonRMA.com

Outside of the Comfort Zone

I'm quite excited.

The owners of the gun range where I do the bulk of my teaching - Center Mass Shooting Range in Vacaville, CA (gotta love that name!) - had mentioned that they had been getting a number of inquiries from customers about learning how to use their guns in a practical way.  Primarily for home defense, but also for concealed carry and any other defensive situations.

We scratched out some ideas together, and I developed an outline.  I used my IDPA experience as the primary reference.  It is focused on practical skills, not on the speed and flash of IPSC (no offense to IPSC shooters!).

Defensive skills using regular, off-the-shelf handguns.

Yesterday, I did  a dry run with 3 students.  It went very well.  The experience level was from rookie shooters to years of experience.  They ALL loved the class!

It will take most folks out of their comfort zone - but that's the idea.  Learning how to perform under a variety of different scenarios that you just can't replicate or practice in a normal shooting range setting.

We'll be offering the class to the public in May, and will likely do a discounted "early bird" class for past students of my other classes before that.  We're still working out all of the details.  I'll post more information as we get closer to "game time".

Accept The Challenge

Developing new skills is so important for all of us.  The skill category is almost irrelevant.  Whether it is developing new shooting skills, or experimenting with ways to make water potable, we need to push ourselves into being able to function in circumstances that are not optimal. 

We need to be able to adapt.  We do that by developing a broad set of skills.  Some may work in one situation, others may not.  The whole, "arrows in the quiver" thing.

Sticking with the shooting meme, if an armed intruder is in your home, it will be unlikely that they will remain stationary - allowing you to line up your sights and carefully adjust your grip and stance.  You and they will be moving, and they will likely be shooting AT YOU!

You need to have a broad set of skills to address the situation.  Off-hand shooting, shooting from behind cover, moving and shooting, and reloading, to name just a few.

Push yourself.  Get uncomfortable.

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Please click our advertiser links. They pay us so you don't have to. A click a day is all we ask!

Copyright 2010 Bison Risk Management Associates. All rights reserved. You are encouraged to repost this information so long as it is credited to Bison Risk Management Associates. www.BisonRMA.com

Upcoming Class

First Steps Pistol Orientation

Wednesday/Thursday, November 18/19, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm each night

Center Mass Shooting Range
Vacaville, Ca

Click here for class information

Click here to register
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Copyright 2009 Bison Risk Management Associates. All rights reserved. You are encouraged to repost this information so long as it is credited to Bison Risk Management Associates. www.BisonRMA.com