If you’ve been reading regularly, you may have come to the conclusion that I love weapons.  Well, this is somewhat true.  What I love is teaching people how to hand an assailant his walking papers in a big way.  An assailant will have a weapon most of the time, because a bad guy understands the power of intimidation.  If you want to stay protected, you must learn to think like a bad guy; and you must learn how to use weapons effectively.

In years past, there were many martial arts styles that regularly taught weapons in their training programs.  Today, you find mainly martial arts moves used in sport being taught in local studios.  I’m all for the martial arts and think there are plenty of martial arts moves that are effective for self defense.  I also think there are certain martial arts styles that do really get into actual fighting in a combat sense.  Not all; but some.  I just urge people to research any type of training they are considering to be sure they learn martial arts moves that are easy to remember and effective enough to get you out of a sticky situation.

That being said…let’s talk more weapons.  I’ve already sung the praises of pepper spray.  I have also posted a short list of weapons you can use if you are under attack in your vehicle.  Here, I am going to talk about improvised weapons you may be able to find if you are at work or on your way to work or traveling for work.  These are all very real scenarios where violence could strike, and you need to learn how to protect yourself with whatever you may have on or around you.

The fact is that sometimes, you need more than martial arts moves; sometimes you need real weapons that act as a shield, sword (used loosely) or club.  The main point for you to commit to memory is that you can use heavy, hard or hard cornered objects, or things with points or that can be folded to make a point.  Using these types of weapons give you an advantage over using only your fist.  There are two reasons for this:  One, weapons extend your range of attack; and two, they can be more threatening.

If you are riding the train to work or leaving your favorite coffee shop and come face to face with danger, your briefcase or laptop can be used as a shield to protect you from an assailant with a knife or other weapon.  Another way to improvise a shield at a moments notice is to wrap your hand with your suit jacket.  You do this by holding on to the inside of the collar and wrapping the coat around the lower part of your arm and your hand.  This sort of a shield helps you to stay safe in the event of a knife fight.

Something as simple as a magazine or newspaper can be made into a weapon and used against an attacker.  By folding one corner over, you create a point at one end.  You then wrap the remaining side over the side you folded over, and you have one pointed edge and an edge you can grip.  This can be used to stab into the face, neck, or soft tissue areas to stop an attack.  Keys, of course, can always be used to stab soft tissue.

And last but not least, there are the items in your pockets.  If you have loose change, you can throw it in the face of an attacker.  If nothing else, this may serve as a distraction that will allow you to get in a good blow (remember your martial arts moves!) and get away to safety.

Certainly, there are many more improvised weapons you can come up with.  I will continue to list more over time; but I urge you to play a little game with yourself.  When you are going about your day, look around and see what you may be able to come up with as a weapon.  Keeping your mind sharp is one great step in maintaining your personal safety.

Date rape is a term that shouldn’t exist (right along with rape in general); but sadly it does.  Yet many of us fail to teach the women in our lives how to get through the dating scene without falling victim to the persuasion of another..or the trickery.

If you have a woman in your life that is actively dating, be sure to share this information with her.  It doesn’t matter if she is a teenager are a woman on the dating scene for the second time in her life; safety is important and can easily be forgotten by people of all ages.

Some people go to the extreme of thinking that the only way to avoid date rape is to avoid going out to clubs, bars, or parties.  Not so.  While I understand the point – there are certain dangers that go hand in hand with clubs and drinking – there is no need to forego having some fun every now and then.  In fact, for the most part, there is very little concern that date rape will occur on the dance floor or in the club where you are having a girl’s night out.

It is important to party safely, however.  When you go out, go out in groups with friends that know you well.  Talk to your friends about safety and make a commitment to keep an eye out for one another.  If you are all on the dance floor at the same time and your drinks are left at the table, cover each with a napkin in an attempt to avoid something getting slipped in.  This is no guarantee but it can serve as a safety measure.

If you go out on the town with the same group of women all the time, I say it’s a great idea for you to arrange some training where you can all learn effective martial arts moves that serve as self defense techniques as well.  This way you are a force to be reckoned with on all fronts.

There are many martial arts styles out there; but not all are set up to teach you actual fighting techniques that you can use on the street.  Martial arts moves that are effective for self defense will be ones that are easy to remember and use quickly.  Should you find yourself in a dangerous situation where you need to employ martial arts moves, you don’t want to have learned one of the martial arts styles that is geared more towards sport.  Find something that has the word “combative” in it, and you’re on the right path.

Am I saying that learning martial arts moves can save you from date rape?  Well of course some sort of self defense training gives you a good start at protecting yourself.  But date rape isn’t always about force.  Most of the time, date rape is more about persuasion.  Once you are sure of yourself and know that you cannot and will not be persuaded; then all you need to learn is the language in which to convey that to a man.

Not all men are bad; and not all will try to persuade a woman they meet at a bar or party to have sex with them.  Some, however, will do just that.  It is important that a woman not be afraid to hurt a guy’s feelings; and that she not be afraid to say “NO” very clearly.  This is why I say learn some martial arts moves; it gives you confidence in yourself and takes away that fear of speaking up.  The truth is, all it will likely take is you saying no for the situation to be done with.  But out of fear, many women cannot find the word.

Not saying no clearly can get you into a lot of trouble.  When dealing with someone trying to persuade you; the stance you take must be confident and forward.  You must use eye contact and say the word “NO”; this is very important.  Any other language is too ambiguous for the amorous male; and a lack of eye contact equals weakness.

In summary, date rape is real; but you can prepare yourself (or your friend or daughter) for the world of dating by understanding the simple rules to follow.  Keep general personal safety in mind at all times, even when on a date.  And then learn how to say no should you need to.  These small things can go a long way in keeping you safe.