Front Strike Self-Defense and Survival

VOCALIZATION
Vocalization. It’s an important and often overlooked part of a successful self-defense platform. Should you ever find yourself in a situation where you have had to present a tool, such as a firearm, to defend yourself against an immediate threat, you need to be vocalizing. You need to be yelling phrases such as “Stop”, “Get back”, “Drop the gun (knife, etc.).”

There are a couple of reasons we want to be doing this:
1. Yelling allows us to fill our lungs with fresh oxygen, helping our bodies get ready to fight. It also allows us to create power internally, as well as perceived power by our opponent. This is one of the reasons why you hear people involved in martial arts yell during certain techniques.

2. During the decision-making process, the brain is taking in a lot of external information. If you can provide a large amount of stimulus, such as pain or a loud noise (yelling), especially at a close range, it can interrupt the decision-making process of your opponent. When you yell and scream, your body produces energy in the form of sound (decibels); that energy can have a disorienting effect on an attacker if they are in close proximity, especially if they are not expecting or are not prepared for it.

3. Probably the most important reason is that we want to draw attention to what is happening. When the dust settles, and the Police are asking potential witnesses if they heard anything, you want people to be able to say, “No, Officer, I didn’t see it, but I heard this person yelling Stop, get back, don’t hurt me! And then I heard the gunfire.”

Now, having said all of this, you need to keep in mind that self-defense situations are often very fluid and fast-moving. If you are faced with making the choice of vocalizing or stopping the attack, stop the attack! A reasonable person would not expect you to sacrifice yourself in an effort to yell stop.

It’s important to always remember that just because we can do a thing does not always mean that we should. As a responsible armed adult acting within your local laws and regulations, you are not out to hurt or kill anyone; that would make you a criminal. If you have the opportunity to give them the chance to surrender or change their minds about hurting you or a loved one, it is always best to do so. Do not go forth with the intention of creating the situation. Go forth with the intention, knowledge, skill sets, and mental preparation to resolve a situation that someone else has decided to put you in. Be smart, be alert, be responsible, and be safe. REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM!

Head up, eyes front. It’s okay to take your time.

TRAVEL SAFETY DAY 15: ALWAYS KNOW YOUR EXIT

Awareness without an exit…
is a trap.

Every environment you enter—
you should already be asking:

“How do I get out?”

Not later.
Not when something happens.
Immediately.

Know:

* Primary exits
* Secondary routes
* What could block your path

Have a plan.
And be ready to change it.

Because when things go bad,
people freeze…

The ones who move—
already know the way out.

Don’t hope for an exit. Know it.

Mobility = Exposure. Awareness = Control.

StayReady

Stay sharp,
Clint

Let's talk a little survival:

Hands down, the most important survival resource we need to have (next to our ability to stay calm and work through problems) is water. Without sufficient water intake, you will be dead in a matter of days. It is with that thought in mind that the idea of water storage takes on a whole new meaning. To help drive the point home, all you have to do is look at news reports of municipalities putting a boil order in place because the water that’s coming out of the tap is dangerous to drink. Here’s the kicker, when I talk about boil orders, I’m not talking about some third-world or developing country, I am talking about locations right here in the United States.

So, what would you do if your local emergency manager came on the news tonight and said that the water is not safe to drink? Most people would get in line for bottled water, while others would ignore the warnings and drink the water and risk serious illness. We all know that we need water to live, and in our modern society, we have all become reliant on the fact that we can turn a k**b and all the fresh drinkable water we can handle will come out of the tap. What if you turned the k**b and nothing came out? What then?

If this were to happen, there would be an immediate run on water, bottled and otherwise, at the local grocery store. Within less than a day, the supplies would be gone, so you will be forced to seek other options. There are places within your home where you can get water when the tap is turned off. The tank of your toilet is a good spot. No, the water in the tank is not “Toilet water.” It comes in from the water line to your home. If your house has a water heater, you can drain the water from it. In a real survival situation, you can crack open some pipes and access residual water inside.

Storage of water is the best way to provide yourself and your family with a nice cushion should a situation like this arise. You can begin your water storage adventure very easily. The next time you go to the store, buy an extra case of bottled water. You can augment the cases of bottled water by picking up some water containers. They can be found in any sporting goods store and usually range in size from 5-15 gallons and up, depending on what you’re looking for. The recommended daily intake of water for an average adult male is approximately 64 ounces (1/2 gallon). It should be noted that this amount goes up when factors like stress, exertion, environment, and so on are taken into account. If you store 30 gallons (three 10-gallon cans) of drinkable water, you now have, at the baseline, enough water for one adult male to survive for 60 days.

One way to up your water storage, if you have the space, is to purchase 50-gallon heavy-gauge plastic garbage cans. Fill the can from your garden hose, and then to prevent bacterial and other growths from occurring, treat it with household Chlorine Bleach (5-6% Sodium Hypochlorite). You will want to use approximately two teaspoons for every 7 gallons of water. DO NOT USE SCENTED OR BLEACH SUBSTITUTE!

One of the neat things about storing water is that you don’t have to throw it out when it expires. That’s because water does not expire, it may evaporate, but it doesn’t have an expiration date. If the time comes and you feel that you want to re-purify your stored water, simply bring it to a boil. Once the water reaches a hard boil, any microorganisms that may have been in it will be dead (please note boiling water DOES NOT remove chemical toxins, only microorganisms). If your water has a “stale” taste to it, simply pour it between two containers a couple of times. This will re-oxygenate the water and revive its taste.

There are a lot of things in our world that we can skimp on and get away with. Water is not one of them. You need it to survive during day-to-day operations. In the event of a survival situation or other emergency event, your need for water will become even more acute, simply because it may not be as readily available as it was just a few hours ago. Plan now! Take the time to think about this, talk to your family about it, and make your preparations now before a disaster or other event darkens your door. Once it happens, it will be too late to start preparing. Be smart, be alert, be responsible in your actions, and be safe.

Tactical Breathing
The other day, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine regarding anxiety and fear, and how not to become a victim of the two. The overriding point of the conversation was that we all feel anxiety and fear; the key is to recognize it for what it is and not let it control or dictate your actions.

As law enforcement and private security officers, we are constantly subjected to situations that create anxiety and fear. Take the traffic stop, for example, certainly one of the most common actions conducted by a uniformed officer on a daily basis. So common in fact, they are often referenced as a “routine traffic stop.” When we make the decision to conduct the stop, is when the wheels start turning; are they going to run, who is in the car, are they wanted, what are my points of cover, what am I about to walk into? These are just a sampling of some anxiety-causing issues faced when conducting a common law enforcement action. Now, think about getting the radio call to respond to an active shooter. I can tell you from my own experience that this will cause fear.

The point of my dissertation: how do we go about engaging in enforcement actions without becoming a victim of anxiety and fear? For me, the answer is Combat Breathing. When I was a young Patrolman many years ago, I was involved in a fight where the suspect rolled out of a cuffing technique, produced a handgun, put it to my forehead, uttered an expletive, and attempted to drop the hammer. By the grace of God, my partner was able to grab the weapon, preventing it from discharging. The next day, I was back in the locker room trying to get suited up. My hands were shaking, and I was afraid to go back out on patrol. Fear was starting to control my actions. It was the encouraging words from a department veteran and his advice about Combat Breathing that helped me get control of my fear and get back into uniform. His directions for this breathing exercise were as follows:
1. Stop; take a deep breath, filling your lungs.
2. Hold that breath for a count of three and then slowly exhale through your mouth.
3. As you exhale, picture in your mind’s eye a spot or a circle. As you exhale, imagine the spot collapsing; once you’ve completed the exhale, the spot is gone.

I know how it sounds to some of you, but believe me, it works; give it a try. As law enforcement and private security officers, we have had the training and know what to do; the key to success is managing our fear and anxiety, regaining focus and composure so that the training can come out. At the end of the day, we all experience anxiety or fear; it’s a natural function of our brains telling us to wake up and pay attention that something is not right. Don’t fear your fear; embrace it and manage it.

Purse Snatching:
By the very mechanics of the event, a “Purse Snatching” crime has the potential to end in injury to the victim. This is compounded if the victim is elderly or has impaired mobility, which would cause them to lose balance and fall to the ground easily.

A purse snatching is different than a robbery with a weapon where the offender(s) take the victim's purse. We often see the crime of purse snatching done in two ways:
1. Sleight of hand or deception. This is when the offender(s) removes the purse (or other items) when the owner is either not looking, not paying attention, or has had their attention divided by a distraction.
2. Ambush-style attack. This is when the offender, while moving at speed (running), comes up on the victim, grabs their purse, and forcibly removes it. This action often results in the victim being knocked or thrown to the ground by the offender. The victim may also be knocked off balance and then dragged as the offender tries to run away with the purse.

When a criminal offender embarks on a purse snatching venture, they, more often than not, don’t have a specific target in mind. Rather, they have a geographic area where they intend to commit the crime. This area is usually a location where lots of people go, such as a mall, parking lot, commercial district, etc. The victim is a target of opportunity that happens to be moving through that area. Much like an ambush predator, when an appropriate target of opportunity presents itself, the offender makes their move.

There will always be criminals, people who, for whatever reason, believe they have the right to take what’s yours just because they want to. So, with this thought in mind, there are two options to keep from becoming a victim. One, resign yourself to becoming a shut-in, order your groceries off the internet, and never leave your house. Two, don’t allow yourself to become a target of opportunity (I prefer option two).

The first step in not allowing yourself to become a victim is situational awareness, taking an active role in your environment. Make it a point to look around, don’t just bumble through life looking at the ground in front of your feet. A common tactic of offenders is to divide your attention, distract you from what’s about to happen. Don’t do their job for them, PUT THE CELL PHONE DOWN! Get your head up and your eyes front. Look for people who appear nervous, out of place, or are just hanging around in an area where everyone else is moving with a purpose. Look for people who are looking at you.

Next is to start thinking about becoming a “Hardened-Target.” Look at what you're doing, how you're doing it, and what you're doing it with. Let’s use a trip to the grocery store as an example. If you carry a purse, put it in a shopping cart, then snap it into the cart with a small D-ring or carabiner. This way, if your attention is divided while in the store, an offender can’t just walk up and, through sleight of hand, remove the purse from your cart. When headed back to your car, just leave the purse in the basket while walking through the parking lot. By keeping your purse in the basket as you move through the parking lot, you are effectively removing the target of opportunity.

When you are walking out to your car from the grocery store, don’t fill your hands with shopping bags; use the cart. A shopping cart gives you a place to put your purse, as well as allowing you to keep your hands free. The cart can also be used as a barricade between you and a potential threat. The design of the shopping cart can also be exploited as an impact tool if needed. The rail on the bottom front of most carts is situated in a perfect spot for hitting someone in the shin just above the ankle. The fact that the cart is on wheels allows the user to quickly gain speed and momentum over a short distance, enhancing the effects of an impact.

We will never be free of the criminal offender; they are out there, and just like Sasquatch, they’re hard to spot. So rather than spend your days locked down in your house or driving yourself crazy trying to pick them out of a crowd, make an effort and adopt some tactics to reduce your victim rating.

Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival
Home Security Tips

The following are just a few suggestions on things that you, as a homeowner, can do to increase your safety. It is important to stop from time to time and think about home security, not just security in dealing with a human opponent, but also security in the setting of natural disasters, medical emergencies, fire, etc. Take the time to educate yourself, be creative, think outside the box, and have regular discussions with family members on how to react to an emergency. Always remember that just because it hasn’t happened to you yet does not mean that it won’t happen later today.

Lighting
1. Motion-sensitive lighting, install these lights around doors, garages, alleys between houses, and any areas where a person might be able to conceal themselves near your residence.
2. Decorative solar lighting along walkways leading to the front door.
3. If leaving overnight, have at least one light inside on a timer to give the impression of occupancy.
4. Stage flashlights throughout your residence and vehicle(s). Test and change the batteries as needed. Avoid cheap plastic flashlights; good metal D-cell lights make an excellent impact tool if needed.
5. When pulling into your driveway, turn your vehicle's high beams on to illuminate any shrubbery or poorly lit area in front of your house before you get out of your car.

Doors and Windows
1. When you are not at home, keep doors and windows shut and locked. Second-floor windows are easily accessible via a ladder mounted in the bed of a truck.
2. If possible, utilize a screen door in conjunction with front and rear doors. This provides a second layer of protection against unwanted entries.
3. A rubber “door stopper” usually used to keep a door open can be mounted on the back of a door. When the rubber foot is folded down, it makes it difficult to push the door open.
4. Metal striker plates around doork**bs make it harder for a person to use burglary tools to manipulate the door mechanism. Prying-type tools can be forced past wood door frames, but metal plates impede this process.
5. Decorative plants with thorns (i.e., roses) can be planted around ground-floor windows; this will act as a deterrent against person(s) getting close to the window.
6. Consider keeping a Mag-Light within arm’s reach of the front door. If someone grabs the door from the outside in an attempt to force it open, brace the door with your foot and strike the hand with the Mag-Light; broken fingers are not conducive to a successful home invasion.
7. If you have second-floor windows, have an egress plan in place. Emergency ladders are available commercially and are not very expensive.

Garage
1. Turn the vehicle's high beams on when pulling into your garage. When the garage door opens, take a second and look around before pulling in.
2. If you encounter an intruder in your garage, put your car in reverse and back through the garage door.
3. Keep a flashlight in the garage.
4. If your garage is attached to your residence, consider making it a safe room and or egress point.
5. Have a fire extinguisher in your garage.
Walkways
1. Keep walkways lit using solar-powered lighting in conjunction with motion-activated lighting at the front door.
2. Avoid shrubbery or other points of concealment along the walkway that a person could hide behind.
3. Keep walkways as level and as unobstructed as possible. If you have to move or address a threat, you do not want to encounter a tripping hazard.
4. This is the place for signage stating the residence is alarmed, video surveillance, etc. If someone approaches the house during the day to “case” it, they most likely will use the walkway so as not to draw attention from neighbors.

Residence
1. Stage flashlights throughout your house, check and replace batteries as needed.
2. Stage fire extinguishers, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your house.
3. Establish escape/egress routes and rally points with family members, discuss this regularly; under stress, people, especially younger people, will forget.
4. When you move into a new house, test the phone’s 911 capability. Call the non-emergency number; ask if they can assist you with this. DO NOT CALL 911 WHEN THERE IS NO EMERGENCY.
5. Establish a first-aid / disaster kit. Make sure that all family members know how to use the kit. Make sure the kit is accessible to all members of the family. Do not put it out of reach of children; they may need to access it should you become injured.
6. Record the serial numbers of valuables such as electronics, fi****ms, etc. Consider taking a picture as well. Store this information on a flash drive so if a burglary does occur and they steal your property, you still have the serial number information.
7. Have valuable jewelry and other items appraised. This information will assist law enforcement as well as your insurance company.
8. Get to know your neighbors.
9. If your local Police Department offers a vacation house check service, utilize it. This information can be found at the P.D.’s website.
10. When you are out of town, stop mail and newspaper delivery.
11. DO NOT ADVERTISE ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT YOU WILL BE OUT OF TOWN!

Fi****ms
1. If you choose to keep a firearm in your house, train with it. A gun is a tool; if you do not know how to use the tool, it may as well just be a paperweight.
2. Do not allow children access to fi****ms, even if you practice shooting with them. Children do not have the understanding of concepts such as serious bodily injury, wound ballistics, or death.
3. Unless you train regularly in topics such as reloading, malfunctions, and clearing drills, I recommend a revolver.
4. Keep an extra magazine or speed loader (if using a revolver), along with a flashlight, next to the handgun.
5. If using a shotgun, be aware of your ammunition choices (slugs will go through walls), and think about over-penetration issues. If using a handgun, consider expandable or hollow-point ammunition for the same reason.
a. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire
b. Be sure/aware of your target and the backstop behind your target
c. Do not cover anything with the muzzle you are not willing to destroy
d. Do not fire on targets you cannot see (don’t shoot through doors!)
e. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
f. Assume that all fi****ms are always loaded
g. When checking a firearm to see if it’s loaded, always look twice
h. Practice…..Practice……Practice.

It's been a while, a long while since Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival saw the light of day. Just like any number of small businesses covid knocked us flat and we were forced to close up shop. Life, however, marches on which is exactly what we did.

The last time I posted anything were living in Roswell, New Mexico. Now, a few years later, we are living in rural Indiana. I was going through boxes and came across some old Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival t-shirts and got the bug to get this fire started again.

So, let's do this! The world is becoming a scary place, let's get prepared, let's get educated, and let's get trained! I'll have new posts going up and some new training locally as soon as I can put it together. Remember: Everything else is just a tool...I (you) are the weapon! Talk to you soon!

Stay Safe
Tom, Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival

Been watching the news? Ready to start training yet? We’ve got electronic ear protection for when you decide to go to the range. $30.00 shipping is free. Front-Strike.com, check us out.

Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival podcast episode number two is now available at Google podcasts, as well as Front-Strike.com. In episode two I talk about, among other things, the self-defense introduction of stimulus (pain) to an assailant in order to stop the forward motion of an attack.

Merry Christmas to you and your family from all of us over here at Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival.

Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival is starting up a podcast. You can find the Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival podcast at Spotify, and on our website Front-Strike.com. Additional listening platforms coming soon. We’ll be talking about all things self-defense and survival, as well as answering any questions you may have, and possibly conducting an interview or two. Check it out, Front Strike Self-Defense & Survival podcast.