Quote: will rambeau

Ok, yet *another recommendation from me ( let me know if ya'll are getting tired of them )

First off, I have study various martial arts for many years and been in more than my share of unarmed combat in real life.
The very best "method" that I've come across, if you can even call it that, is a system designed by a bunch of former bar room bouncers:
http://www.rmcat.com/

These guy have books, DVD's and even a first rate camp that teaches practical unarmed self defense.
They're basically the hard core ppd trainers of the hand-to-hand combat crowd, and I *highly* recommend their materials!!

Ditto, these guys know what they are talking about. This or somthing similar is what real self defense is about. Even MMA (ultimate fighting)in which I am activly involved with is not nearly the same as a real confrontation, which unfortunatly I have also been involved with.

Any opinions out there on Krav Maga? My son studied that for about a year, and it seemed to very "results oriented" and is taught to the IDF and the NYPD. He enjoyed practicing on my husband, and brused his ribs unintentionally, but was never called upon to use it in real life.

On the original subject, if I recall correctly, the young woman killed had studied martial arts, and was quite adept. Perhaps that gave her a false sense of security. I have never hiked alone, always with at least one man, and usually a dog or two. Also. I was taught that it is not generally safe to hike alone unless you are on a very well travelled path, things happen, and that three was the best number for a hiking party.

If we're talking about hand-to-hand specifically, beware of when they start talking about "deadly", "crippling" techniques etc.

The reason some people glom on to those ideas is:

#1. You can't actually kill people with your hands during training....it's a handy excuse to go through a bunch of nifty looking motions, and not get knocked around with real resistance. You just have to assume it works. And of course, they can never demonstrate the thing full speed because, of course, "it'll kill you." It's circular bullflop logic. Run screaming in the opposite direction if someone says you should be able to kill with your bare hands with proprietary techniques.

What's more, there are plenty of anecdotes involving the deadly eye-poke, groin shot, throat chop, and it not stopping s^(&t. Heck, during routine training of judo, wrestling, boxing, lacrosse, rugby or chess (ok maybe not chess) there is incidental contact all the time...sometimes hard. Most of the time it's just an annoyance.

#2. It sounds deadly and viscious and appeals to the same insecure souls who won't shut up about THE ULTIMATE PERSONAL PROTECTION DOG.

If you want to kill and cripple go with weapons training. Real weapons. I.e. guns. For all practical purposes, they're a proven fight stopper.

I would throw taser and pepper spray into the mix too. Though spray may not turn out the lights, it really takes the wind out of one's sails at least.

"Deady" H2H is a joke. It really is.

 Quote: matthew thurston

Not silly hit him 500 times in 5 seconds then finish him off with a high flying side kick.

Apparently you didn't bother actually reading what I said. The first few belt levels in most TKD classes I've been to have been all self defense. Things like getting out of choke, wrist, bear hug holds and fighting dirty with elbows and knees. NOT just mindlessly kicking or punching someone. The last one I went to you didn't even start actual TKD like forms or high kick speed until third belt. Sure they taught basic kick and punch form so you wouldn't injure yourself but it was mostly the exact same stuff a "real" self defense class would have covered without the stupid BS given to women like "you're not strong enough to kick and cause damage standing up so flop on your back and kick like a cockroach". Of course this can vary a lot from school to school.

Krav Maga sounds great and I've seen a few classes and been impressed. Unfortunately my local Krav place wants nearly $300 PER MONTH when that's almost 3/4 of my income with no price breaks for those who can't afford it.

Please return to dog-training topics.... or at least to the O.P.'s question. Self-defense has a connection, but belt levels and cost of specific martial arts disciplines -- probably not.


Thanks.

 Quote: Steven Lepic

I would throw taser and pepper spray into the mix too. Though spray may not turn out the lights, it really takes the wind out of one's sails at least.

Since big cat sightings are on the rise here and in the Black Hills where we train, I carry a Glock 9mm and I also just got a TASER for Christmas....which I set off in my living room (long story, but the barbs left good size holes in my ceiling ).

Since the cadaver and airscent dogs run off lead and are at times difficult to keep in sight, I try and keep up with them the best that I can.

Also, we can run into some pretty interesting characters out in the Hills. Scary at times really, which is why I feel comfortable with the Taser with my gun as a back up.

PPD's are great, even just having a dog that alerts you to someones or somethings presence is great, but I feel that there may be times when using them is not the best way to diffuse a problem, which is why it would be important to have defense training or carry a weapon that you are TOTALLY comfortable using.

Does anyone have experience with stun batons? The type with the electrode arcing all the way down the side, not the ones where you have to hit people with the tip. If they are effective then seems like that might be a good and intimidating option for using on a trail, since they visible arc all the way down the side with a loud sound. The visual deterrent is enough to scare most people.

What ever grades of Belt some may have , my past years of training, helped in Blackpool just about a month ago now, without the know how, no i refraze that instinct to react without thinking probably saved me from a good hiding and being Robbed and do you knpw to this day i do not even know what colour hair the lout had i had no interest in him what so ever. As as for Belts yellow, blue , brown and black etc, all i had all my my time in it was a piece of Curtain Cord to hold myself together, My Master and the only man who ever taught for over 10 years, said that is all i need,
Belts mean little but what is in the Mind and heart means everything
Sorry Connie, i had to put it in now its over and no more on the subject