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SELF DEFENSE

Overview

Self defense is not necessarily about martial arts - it's about avoiding threats and preventing injuries and death.  It's about protecting yourself from the dangers that you're likely to encounter and preparing yourself for likely threats.

The Threat

Here is the plain truth about the dangers you face as a US citizen:
According to the CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, you're likely to live to a ripe old age and die of some form of heart disease, cancer, or malignant tumor.  The vast majority of deaths in the US today can be attributed to diseases, most of which are preventable.

LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN THE U.S.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ---	Diseases of heart Malignant neoplasms Cerebrovascular diseases Chronic lower respiratory diseases Accidents Diabetes mellitus Alzheimer's disease Influenza and pneumonia Varios nephrotic diseases Septicemia Intentional self-harm Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis Essential Parkinson's disease Assault (homicide) All other causes (residual)	27.2% 23.1% 6.3% 5.1% 4.7% 3.1% 2.8% 2.5% 1.8% 1.4% 1.4% 1.1% 1.0% 0.8% 0.7% 17.3%

Deaths due to violent encounters total less than one-half of one percent - in fact, you're ten times more likely to die in a car crash than in a fight.
So, as you can see, dodging the bullet is a little more complicated than just taking a few karate lessons.  If you want to grow old and die happily in your sleep, preferably in the middle of a nice dream, you'll need to take some basic steps toward protecting yourself from the most significant dangers that we face.

JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) has further narrowed the leading causes of death in the US (based on data from the year 2000) to:  tobacco use (18.1%), poor diet and physical inactivity (16.6%), and alcohol consumption (3.5%) - all of which are preventable, as are other common causes such as motor vehicle crashes, sexually transmitted diseases, and illicit drug use.

Violent Encounters

The good news is that many violent encounters can be averted if they're not allowed to escalate to the point of physical assault.  However, whether a potential attacker is criminally violent, or enraged and intent on physical harm, it would be prudent to learn a few things that might be useful in a violent encounter.  That's where the martial arts come in.

Martial Arts

Which martial art is best for dealing with 'real-world' violent encounters? Do sports-based arts with their rules and referees provide a better skill-set for 'street fights?' Are the striking arts better for self defense than the grappling arts?

There simply is no ultimate martial art.  For the most part, violent encounters are unpredictable, chaotic, and emotional.  Your body goes into automatic reflex mode - fight-or-flight.  And while it is possilbe to train yourself to react in those situations, it's not something you can learn in a few weeks or even in a few months.

Mark "Animal" MacYoung has developed an execllent reference on No Nonsense Self-Defense.  One of his most salient points is that martial arts training can be used to effectively defend yourself in a violent enounter if you approach it properly:  Remember, self defense implies countering a threat and getting to safety - not intentionally including yourself in a fight.

Having said all that, martial arts training can be great for developing self-confidence, balance, discipline, strength and stamina.  And it can be a lot of fun!

Choosing a martial art that's right for you depends on a number of factors.  First, you have to find a class that appears regularly at a location near you.  If it's too far away, you'll find excuses to miss class and/or drop out altogether.  It's important to find an instructor that you can trust and respect.  And you have to find an art that matches your abilities and limitations.  Martial arts such as Judo, Brazillian Jujitsu or Kali are not only excellent in practical application, but also provide a very good starting point and base for martial arts study.  Striking arts such as Muay Thai and Boxing provide excellent technical skills, but should only be pursued if you're in good physical shape and you can take a few knocks.  Whichever art(s) you choose, use the experience as a stepping stone to increase your ability to handle yourself in a violent encounter.

Recommended reading:
The Truth about Self Protection, by Massad Ayoob
Ending Violence Quickly, by Marc "Animal" MacYoung
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self Defense Techniques, by Royce and Charles Gracie

Firearms

The use of a firearm in a self defense situation is an extremely serious matter.  Maintaining a firearm for home security is legal in most areas of the US, and many states will grant permits for concealed carry.  It is entirely your responsibility to know the laws where you live and travel.  Deciding to maintain a firearm also carries with it the responsibility to know and understand gun safety rules and to undergo, at minimum, basic firearm training.

Recommended reading:
In the Gravest Extreme, by Massad Ayoob
Principles of Personal Defense, by Jeff Cooper

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