ExSoldier's Invaluable Tips:

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WARNING:

I do not advocate folks get firearms training from any other than a certified instructor (like me) or from a book, neither would I feel real great about having somebody try something I described on the thread and getting killed for their effort. I know exactly what to do if I'm grabbed from behind, but the response is inculcated to the point of instinctual reaction and difficult to "explain." Therefore we need to keep it so simple, it can be done in "one move." But before we get to "moves" we have to start with :

"ATTITUDE!"

Be aware -

See life as a series of threat levels - think of them like a stoplight: Green, Yellow, Red.
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A. Green means "GO" and 99% of the population (except FREEPERS!) is stuck in this mode. They go through life with their eyes down, thinking of everything but their own safety. They wonder what's on tv; who phoned while they were out; what's for dinner; does he or she really love me;
etc. Everything but what matters.

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B. Yellow means "caution." You must be aware of your surroundings in a 360 degree perimeter for about a forty foot radius. You should be "aware" of every moving object and living thing in that area. How do you keep track of what's behind you?

If you're walking down a sidewalk and a car passes near you on the road, you can tell by the sound of it's tires how fast it's moving and the wind pressure against your body.

You can hear when it slows down by the engine noise and brakes.

If you approach your car in a parking lot, be sure to not only check the back seat, but also under the car before you even get close.

Moving perimeter____

You are aware of things and allow your little onboard "voice" that everyone has and never listens to....to let you know something is strange.

What about the guy who looks drunk and is stumbling towards you? Is he only faking being drunk, are his feet moving in a coordinated fashion but his body seems to sway and stumble?

Can you see his hands? Look around. Do you see anybody reacting to your specific presence, for example some guy crosses the street to your side for no apparent reason? Let's say you glance across the street and become aware that another man seems to be moving in concert with the first.

Now what?

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Insert a color here to the Traffic light model----ORANGE ALERT--

is a heightened alert specific to a given situation. It means you are aware of a specific threat to your person. You must assess and then decide how to act and whether to raise an alrm as it were, or disengage and get the heck out of there or finally (and only if you're qualified to do so) to engage. The key is assessment!

ASSESS, ASSESS, ASSESS!

Look for a weapon or the possibility of a weapon.

Look for backup buddies out to the wings or in a vehicle.

Assess!

Then...DECIDE. From the second of actual decision, you must instantly do one of two things:

ENGAGE or DISENGAGE.

I always recommend to disengage! Unless you're judicial meanz. Or somebody trained and experienced in this kind of action.
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CONDITION RED. This is quite simply, COMBAT. Slapping leather going for the draw, whatever.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Condition green invites victimization.

Condition Orange can't be maintained for very long, you'll tire quickly.

But Condition YELLOW can be maintained forever without effort. You can live, eat and sleep in Yellow. It's very easy to take somebody in condition green. It's might well be impossible to take anybody in "yellow."

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FOOTNOTES:

When grabbed from behind: "Pinch" the skin on the inner part of the thigh (pant material is thinner here) and just twist the crap outta it!

You can try this on yourself and be aware of the sensation without maiming yourself in the process. The idea here is to make the person LET GO in a shock reaction. After that, you may have to follow up with some other strike or just haul A$$.
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One more important technique!

It only works at night or in some really dark area like a parking garage, but for folks especially living behind enemy lines in a gun oppressed area get a SureFire Flashlight of at least two lithium cells in strength. Their 6P model is a fine choice but if you can afford bigger by all means, as long as you can carry it well.

The beam of one of these lights is easily enough to temporarily blind/stun an attacker when he doesn't know it's coming. They are tail switch activated and some can be had with a bezel ring adjuster that is jagged and useful as a striking weapon. I'm never without mine, even when I'm armed. Maybe especially when I'm armed.

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* Take a section of newspaper and roll it up like you were going to swat a fly. Then bend it double and hold it in your fist. It should allow your fingers to close all the way around it. Where the crease appears there will be a number of small points or knobs. That is the striking
surface. You'll find that the paper is now a sturdy club capable of literally splitting skulls.

* A variation or should I say an evolution of the Kubaton is called the Kerambit. It's an innocous looking little piece of plastic that looks like it's shaped into a broad "L" shape with a hole in one end. Use it correctly and you can take anyone any size at anytime.

* Carry a flashlight : Surefire.Com - Model : 6p