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Longtooth brought up a good point on another thread. The airline pilots thread had a lot of info on alternate weapons, such as computer cables, batteries tied at the end of a sock, and a walking cane.

However, he's very correct in his comment that one must wade through a lengthy debate to get to this information.

We do need to consider how we will defend ourselves in the absence of a handgun. List your ideas on this thread; we'll all be wiser sheepdogs.

You have weapons that can't be taken from you: Your hands, feet, teeth, and your brain. I'm not qualified to give advice on unarmed self-defense, but there are many good books on the topic and instructors who teach it.

- Jim

works, too.

Your best defense is your firm, undeterred and committed resolve to not "give-in" or comply with the attacker hoping his "compassion" over your cooperation will stop him from killing you.

9/11 happened because the victim's in the planes did what they were conditioned to do. They complied. Notice how many times since then non-LEO's on commercial flights have acted on suspicious or dangerous behavior?

Luggage, seat cushions blankets, laptops, etc, can all be used to keep an edged weapon at distance from you. Keys, pens, your belt, and pretty much anything else can be used as a weapon.

Are you willing to fight? Are you willing to risk serious injury rather than compliance and sure death?

There is a training course that requires, as a condition of membership, that the trainee agree to be attacked outside of the training school at an unknown time and place by senior members of the course. (they won't seriously hurt you, thats not the point)

Controversial? Yes.............Serious test of YOU, yes.

Wow, Tx Inv.,
That's a cool concept of attacking a self-defense student in a real-world scenario to test willingness and competence.
The only problem with that is that they would have to do it in a place where weapons were restricted, unless the instructors knew the student to be unarmed.
Personally, I have made the decision to use deadly force if I believe my own life or a family member's life is in jeapardy. I would certainly hate to kill someone trying to help me!
But you're right, it's an excellent test.

I agree with TXI......just about anything can be used as a weapon if you sit and think about it for a few minutes.

You do have pepper spray? I was without a weapon in Las Vegas depending on the circumstances...I carried OC and my knife.
Jason

The whole time I worked for TSA I carried a backup weapon on me, and it went through security over and over with no question - my Streamlight TL-3. Pretty handy as a flashlight, super bright to temporarily blind an adversary, and heavy enough to act as a passable club.

Shoulda seen the day when another screener picked it up and, just as I said "don't shine it in your eyes, Zach" shined it in his own eyes. He saw blue blobs for about ten minutes.

I like my little flash light. I see blue when I have it aimed away from me. It will definitely be taking a plane ride with me when we head to the mountains.

txinvestigator wrote:Are you willing to fight? Are you willing to risk serious injury rather than compliance and sure death?

There is a training course that requires, as a condition of membership, that the trainee agree to be attacked outside of the training school at an unknown time and place by senior members of the course. (they won't seriously hurt you, thats not the point)

Those two paragraphs seem at extremes from each other. Any specifics on that course so we won't think it an urban legend?

IMHO, Either you are expecting a non-threatening attack and stand at risk of treating the real thing too lightly if it occurs (and also reduce the effectiveness of the "surprise" to little more than sparring), or you aren't expecting it and fight like a banshee to protect your life, wherein you endanger the senior students and yourself.

txinvestigator wrote: There is a training course that requires, as a condition of membership, that the trainee agree to be attacked outside of the training school at an unknown time and place by senior members of the course. (they won't seriously hurt you, thats not the point)

Controversial? Yes.............Serious test of YOU, yes.

What kind of "training"?

Are you talking about firearms training, empty hands skills, alternate weapons skills?

Does the attack involve multiple assailants against one, or is it one on one?

Is it done in a public place while other people are around?

I've never heard of this. I'm familiar with gang members being "jumped in", and I know this is meant to be something different...but it doesn't sound like something that is likely to impart any real world benefits or necessarily demonstrate ones training skills.

Just curious.

Thanks, Flint

I saw the course on a TV show about women and rape prevention.

If you have ever taken a self-defense course you know that in class is completely different from a real world attack. I know black belts that would be pounded in a real assault on the street.

I don't remember where it was based, but it was not Texas.

Again, I said it was controversial.

FWIW.....I remember seeing that program on television. It was a few years ago. The attacks were expected but the participant did not know the place or time. I can see how this might be very dangerous if the training officer is shot or pepper sprayed by a third party stepping in to assist. I believe that the training found one strong fighting skill and taught the people to use it to their best advantage. Scratching, biting, kicking...whatever worked for them.

I don't think the sneaking up portion program was a good idea, but it did introduce someone to the surprise (sorta) element of attack.
Jason

jbirds1210 wrote:FWIW.....I remember seeing that program on television. It was a few years ago. The attacks were expected but the participant did not know the place or time. I can see how this might be very dangerous if the training officer is shot or pepper sprayed by a third party stepping in to assist. I believe that the training found one strong fighting skill and taught the people to use it to their best advantage. Scratching, biting, kicking...whatever worked for them.

I don't think the sneaking up portion program was a good idea, but it did introduce someone to the surprise (sorta) element of attack.
Jason

I generally agree, but it did show people how a 'surprise" street attack was different from class.

Anything you can pickup has potential for a weapon. Immediately apparent, are items such as a knife, sword, spear, or bow & arrow. Unfortunately, you may be prohibited from carrying some of these items in certain situations.

Consider the mundane, everyday things around you - hand tools, furniture, small appliances, office equipment, cleaning tools and chemicals, cooking utensils, lumber, etc, etc. These items can be held in your hand to strike a target. Some of the same items can be thrown at a target. Granted, not as effective as a firearm, but the items are readily available.

good job potshot. You have this thread back on topic.