The average person has a 2 in 100 chance of being a victim of violent crime with the crime rate recorded over recent years (in the UK).
This ratio of course increases if your lifestyle or work commitments predisposes you to factors conducive to crime, for example how you socially interact in environments with excessive alcohol consumption or working with people in public facing roles in high stress services.
We always say that life and violence is a lottery where you can get more favourable odds. You can do something to stay safer from criminals and crime.
Some violent crime is opportunistic. Some violent crime is premeditated. All violent crime is because the human predator committing it is considering you to be easy prey.
Krav Maga is a concept of behaviour and a system of skills to combat and protect against crime and criminals - both by teaching you how to reduce your likelihood of becoming a victim of crime, as well as how to handle violent threats and attacks.
Originated in Israel for its defence forces, it is now used worldwide by military special forces, intelligence operatives, security professionals and law enforcement agencies . It is also a very effective self defence method for civilians.
It’s not a sport. It’s not competitive. It has no rules. It’s about the real world.
Krav Maga should be focused on situational awareness, threat avoidance and de-escalation as your primary defences.
If you can avoid the risk of violence or threats by being intelligent and focused, this is your best option.
Krav Maga should teach you how to observe, think and act to make physical confrontation the absolute last resort.
The violence or threat may still seek you out, uninvitedly and unavoidable. Krav Maga is about learning and practicing the mental fortitude and confidence to deal with the initial stress and shock that makes many victims just freeze and shut down in the face of trauma.
Your new strength of mind is coupled with training on techniques and tactics to handle attackers should the situation demand it; one or many, armed or unarmed, in the street, at home, in your car, on public transport, at work, in the pub, wherever you may be.
The new skills and confidence you have is framed by coaching in the legal parameters of domestic self defence law. What you should do and say before any violent encounter, how far you can go in the actual altercation itself and what you do after the incident has happened.
Krav Maga is all about you and those who mean the world to you. It’s about keeping yourself and your family safe with a confident and strong mind and your body as a trained, skilled self-defence weapon
The best card you’ve got to play in the lottery that is crime?
Simple. It’s you. Have you got the best hand?
Here are some easy tips to help you get started to protect yourself:
Tell people where you are going, who you are with and when you should be home. – Use a tracker app on your phone with your family or a trusted friend.
Avoid short cuts and dark isolated areas.
Be discreet handling cash, phones and wearing jewellery in public.
Keep your distance to strangers. Be aware of accomplices. Move away if needed and don’t worry about appearing rude.
Walk confidently. Look assertive. Check the area around you.
If you need to use your phone, stay away from people and against a structure protecting your back. Never use headphones in public, even when jogging.
Entering a public venue, check the people, the environment and the exits. Plan an escape route (or even better; two) and anything you can use to protect yourself with.
When at a cash point pay close attention to who is around you or approaching.
Keep bags close to you, on the front of the body and secured with zips closed.
Spread notes in different pockets around the body so, in case of a robbery, you can hand out a lesser amount and not lose other content such as ID or credit cards.
If you think someone is following you, cross to the other side of the road. Repeat again if followed. If still followed, move quickly to a safe public area. If residential, go to a lit house and ring the door bell, knock loudly and call out a fictitious male name. Call the Police.
If you need help, call out ‘Fire’ rather than cry for help. People are more likely to help.
If a stranger buys you a drink, go to the bar with them. Watch the drink at all times. If you feel strange after drinking, tell someone else you trust to help you home.
Don’t let alcohol impair your decision making and physical abilities in public.
Stay safe.
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