Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Street Experiences (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street-experiences/)

-   -   Self Defense Materials (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street-experiences/40285-self-defense-materials-7.html)

Samurai San,

What are your thoughts on http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...ml#post4174533

I see that in this case, the following rules came true:
1 - AD thought biker was unarmed. He didnt realize that any object could be used for offense.
2 - Quite obvious.
7 - AD thought him threatening with a knife / screw driver was a smart move to scare the biker. It wasnt. Not only was the biker willing to call the bluff, he was an idiot himself who didn't realize what he was doing (in my heart I would believe he wanted to hurt AD but not kill him)

Ideally, minor traffic incidences should not turn into self defense situation. But it happens because people start abusing each other and it soon escalates into a physical fight.

Whenever I get into some traffic incidence, I might raise my voice in my defense, but I never abuse. I would say "It is your fault" or "Why weren't you looking?", etc. But won't get into abusing the other guy using profanity. Then it won't be about the accident anymore, but about the insult you just inflicted. Then it can turn into self defense situation, where anything can happen. The result is no more under your control, no matter how well trained you are.

Once upon a time keeping a baseball bat or a hockey stick in the car was a fashion. I used to keep a metal baseball bat in my old car. In my opinion, keeping this kind of stuff in the car looks offensive. In case of any issue on road, if you are just carrying (not using it) a baseball bat, it will look very aggressive. I think a pepper spray is the best options, it looks defensive and innocent.

They say India is the only country where sports shops sell large number of baseball bats and hockey sticks, but baseball balls and hockey balls rarely move out of the shelf. :D

But, let's get realistic. As you mentioned, long blunt weapons can actually escalate the dicey situation. What one really needs is a blunt weapon that can work quickly, effectively and can be hidden very easily.

Let me introduce blackjacks, saps and monkey fist. :) Blackjacks/saps are basically lead bars covered with thick leather. Because of the lead weight, they can really hurt the opponent with little effort from the wielder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_wKrj19Gbs

Sap/Blackjack: http://d3protection.com/

Monkey fist: There are lots of youtube videos showing how to make monkey fist out of nylon rope.

Absolutely agree. With the lack of traffic sense, and lunatic 2 wheelers which force their way through anything and everything, I have been practicing patience and make it a point to never abuse. It's hard, what's even harder is to stay calm and respond objectively when the other guy starts to abuse (especially when I am not at fault). I 100% agree with you Samurai that abusing just changes the whole context and then you have no control over the situation.

Another thing I always try to keep at the back of mind is this unsaid rule in our country - "no matter who's fault it was, the bigger vehicle will be considered guilty". Not sure if this really is the rule, but keeping this in mind helps.

I said the following in the Uber thread just last week:

Today I came across a video on social media, showing the exact thing. I don't know whether this is a real event, staged or from a movie. But the concept is spot on, self defense works when you fightback like a pit-bull without any fear. I am very sure these old couple had no training in any self-defense or martial arts. :)

https://youtu.be/tgTVqOm4CYY

Turns out it is a real event, it is reported in mainstream papers.

While discussing on whatsapp, a friend was surprised that two armed robbers couldn't defeat the old couple. That is because it is not a martial arts match. The purpose of fighting back is to survive, and not to overcome and defeat the robbers.

The last thing armed robbers want is getting injured, which means they might get captured by police. They want to subdue the couple, without any bodily damage to themselves. Once the old couple fought back and increased the chance of injury to the robbers, robbers ran away to avoid the risk.

Many think the above video is some UFC/boxing match, where the winner gets some kind of prize, even if they get injured at the end. That is not at all the case. In the above video, the old couple was willing to get injured to save their lives or valuables, the robbers were unwilling to get injured in the process. They ran away because old couple increased the chance of injury to robbers.

The unwillingness of the attackers to get injured does give advantage the defenders. One should keep that in mind and use it fully.

The old couple in my honest opinion survived because those were robbers and not murderers.

Look at 25 seconds on that video.

The old man is facing away. The old lady is a couple of arm lengths away. One of the robbers has a clean shot at hacking the old man into two. He does not even attempt to attack.

That brave couple were presented with a gallantry award by TN government, as per news reports.

Some Shampoo is all you need:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odJRDx3tA0w

And the attitude of a warrior.

Reviving this thread in the wake of a recently reported incident happened to a BHPian. Thread here: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...e-custody.html

Could we consolidate and share inputs on some materials/things/tools that one can possess and keep in the vehicle which is currently available in market to purchase. There were various options being discussed like pepper spray, Taser, Stun Guns (not sure whether these are legal).. etc.

Attitude, presence of mind and some sort of self defence skills are more important in these sort of situations than mere weapons. Having/carrying anything with you and not having thought things thru on how to use them will be useless and you could have those very tools being used against you.

A simple altercation can quickly evolve into a physical fight if not dealt with tact. Depends on where you are in life and from situation to situation.

Judge whether the situation should be handled with a flight or fight response. Try the flight option first if possible (especially if you are with your family) and if not then a simple “tool” like a short aluminium baseball bat could also be a great equaliser.

If it’s fight, then hit first before the other person/s has any chance and no half measures then, go all out.

Cheers

Mods: if anything above is deemed inappropriate for our forum, please delete my post or amend as required. Thanks.

Totally agree with you on all the points buddy.

Though would like to add one more small thing - instead of a baseball bat or any such tool (as you can not keep them handy with you while driving) I am strongly contemplating on a taser baton - something like a cattle prod.

Maybe someone here can help us find one which is available in India. I usually keep a taser which comes in a shape of a torch, but have realised it would require me to be in close proximity if S**T hits the roof. A longer taser like the one I mentioned would be much better in difficult situations.

I don't think a taser that throws out prongs is legal in India but stun guns seem to be available on the site below

https://www.xboom.in/product-categor...nse/stun-guns/

I have been keeping an aluminium baseball bat on the floor next to my (drivers seat) since many years. It sits or should I say sleeps perfectly in the crevice between the seat and door sill. Luckily have never had a reason to use it and hope I never have to.

I feel it’s a devastating combat tool while not exactly appearing to be a weapon.

Cheers