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Defend University Newsletter December 2001 In this issue: Air Security Bill Passed __________________________________ Air Security Bill Passed The U.S. Congress has approved an overhaul of the nation’s air travel security system. Here are the highlights: Baggage Screeners – all workers will be federal employees in one year, airports can take back control of the screeners after three years. Checked Bags – Inspections will begin within 60 days and by the end of 2002 all bags will be passed through explosive detectors. Database of Suspects – New watch lists will be developed as well as a "trusted passenger" list of frequent fliers. There will be added links to let airline and U.S. Customs computers interface. Airplane Security – Stronger cockpit doors, video cameras to allow crew to view passenger cabin, more Sky Marshals, Sky Marshals on all "high-risk" flights, a panic button that allows the flight attendants to alert the cockpit of trouble and consideration of allowing weapons onboard. _________________________ DO NOT BECOME A VICTIM – JOIN THE WAR AGAINST CRIME! We offer pepper spray, animal repellent, stun guns, advanced Air Taser guns and laser sight modules, PLUS hidden and surveillance cameras. Wouldn’t you like to know what the babysitter is doing when you are not there? Go to www.hallexcel.com __________________________________ Airlines Begin Security Measures on Their Own Several airlines have begun to add security measures to their flights without waiting for the Federal government to introduce requirements or regulations. United Airlines will be equipping its pilots with Tasers while the company that runs America West Express, U.S. Airways Express and Mesa Airlines has begun placing specially-trained security personnel to it’s flights. Mesa Air Group conducted a poll recently and found that 90 percent of respondents said they would feel ore secure flying on an airline that carried a trained security guard. The same survey showed that 85 percent of people would be more likely to fly on an airline with trained in-flight security personnel. "It’s clear that passengers are more concerned about their personal security than traditional passenger amenities," said the chairman of Mesa Air Group. The security personnel being added are said to be trained in hand-to-hand combat and weapons combat, but will not be carrying weapons onboard unless the FAA gives approval. The plan is to have the security personnel dress in plain clothes and act as a regular ticketed passenger. Sources indicate that the security officers will rotate among routine flights in a random fashion, but will staff every "high-risk" flight (however that is going to be determined). In addition, the security officers are said to train to only intervene in serious emergencies. ____________________________________ If You Want to Apply for Mesa Air Sky Marshal The security personnel for Mesa Air (in the above story) are being provided by Reliant Protective Services. If you would like additional information about becoming one of the onboard security officers, you should contact Reliant at (602) 438-8880 or (602) 438-8843. __________________________________ United Airlines Puts Tasers in Cockpits United Airlines seems to be taking a different route than Mesa Air (mentioned above) and is beginning to equip its cockpits with Air Tasers, units that shoot two darts which then deliver an electric shock. Apparently United will be training its pilots in use of the unit. The move will have to pass the FAA which currently does not allows any weapons onboard, whether brought on by passengers or crew. The Tasers will be installed on 600 planes in electronically-coded lock boxes. The units, manufactured by Taser International, shoot a pair of quarter-inch darts that trail thin wires to a handheld unit. The operator can deliver a six-second, 26-watt shot of electricity which causes the body’s muscles to contract making any coordinated effort impossible for the attacker. The manufacturer says repeated shocks can be delivered to keep an attacker down. More than 1,000 law enforcement agencies currently use Tasers. __________________________________ Can the Debate, Just Practice "Endless hours are spent discussing the merits of what type and caliber of handgun is best suited for self-defense. We need not add to this discussion. Most [people] have already made their choice for their ideal sidearm. We need more realistic practice and less fussing over that gun is best." Ken Hackathorn I can echo the comments of Mr. Hackathorn. Although I grew up shooting a Colt 1911 .45 pistol and I still like to shoot my Springfield Armory .45, my current duty pistol is a Glock Model 19 9mm. It’s ugly and square and "only" shoots the small 9mm (although I have 17-round magazines). But I shoot at the Masters level with it, so I am supremely confident of my ability to hit the target fast and accurately. I contrast this with some of the people I’ve shot against (both in and out of law enforcement). They’ve got the biggest, baddest pistol around, but are marginal at best when it comes to actually shooting under stress. This problem is compounded dramatically with female shooters. Invariably, many of the female officers I’ve seen who are having problems qualifying with their pistols are shooting .40 S&W because some MALE shooter told them that the 9mm is under-powered. I’ve seen three of these female officers return to try and requalify with a 9mm and pass with flying colors. This is not just limited to female shooters, by the way. I’ve shot with a guy who had a Desert Eagle .50 who definitely could not handle the gun and shot absolutely terrible, even at short ranges. I think the moral to the story is to make sure you are not talked into too much gun. Try out a few pistols until you find one you are comfortable with. Shoot, shoot and shoot some more and phooey on anyone who tries to tell you to get something else. ______________________________ How Much Practice is Enough for Self-Defense? Speaking of practice, how much is enough to master your skill or technique? Can you realistically expect to learn how to defend yourself in one easy lesson? Explore what it takes to reach a superior level of skill. Go to http://www.defendu.com/practice.htm. _______________________________ Fire Extinguisher as a Found Weapon I've heard at least two reports of people successfully using fire extinguishers as an improvised self-defense weapon. In one case a motorist at an all-night self-service gas station drove off two robbery suspects. (This is not an uncommon scenario; I've talked with several people who have been robbed in this fashion). As the two suspects approached the man, he retreated away from his car. The two bad guys continued to pursue him and he ran to the other gas pump island. When it was obvious that the two wanted him and not his car, the defender snatched a nearby fire extinguisher and drove off the attackers. He said the attackers actually fled when he began spraying them. (I'm assuming it was the powder kind of extinguisher and not the CO2 type). Another person reported successfully foiling an attempted robbery at his campsite using the same method. He said he routinely keeps an extinguisher near the campfire and used it to drive off two attackers. He now takes two fire extinguishers with him on his camping trips to Mexico where any kind of weapons is prohibited. _______________________________ Manslaughter Case Shows a Problem with Punching It’s a case that is not uncommon – two men get into a fistfight and one dies. But how can that be? A garden-variety fistfight usually does not produce enough damage for anyone to really get hurt. But not for Scott Phillips, 29, who died after being punched by Jeremie Vaught, 27, following an argument over a football game. Vaught is being held on $750,000 bond after punching Phillips who subsequently died from head injuries. This case is similar to others that I’ve seen in that it is not the punch that does the most damage; it’s the victim’s fall to the pavement that results in the telling blow. The fact that you punched the guy in the head means you are responsible for what happens subsequent to the punch. The courts hold a dim view of people who hit other people with closed fists or kick other people – ESPECIALLY when you strike them in the head. It’s very difficult to tell the judge that you did not mean to punch someone in the head. It is hard to construe a strike with a closed fist as anything but that and, therefore, you’ll be hard pressed to tell the court how you did not intend to hurt the person. Another problem with punching to the head is that you often break your own hand on the person’s hard skull or, worse, you cut your knuckles on their teeth and either sever your own tendons or come down with a toxic infection. But the tragic end can often be seen when, after punched in the head, your opponent cannot control his fall either because he is (probably) drunk or your punch was so effective that his nervous system has been compromised. When his head makes that sickening thud on the pavement, you’re the one responsible for his injuries. Contrast that scenario for this one (a true story). Bad guy picks a fight with one of our students that is very, very skilled in Muy Thai. However, our student does not punch this guy’s lights out in front of the restaurant. But when the bad guy swings, our student takes the bad guy down to the ground. As the two tumble to the ground, our student starts to pull the bad guy into the guard position while attempting to start an arm lock. The witness described the fight to the responding officer this way, "When the big guy swung at the guy with the red hair, they both fell down and the next thing you know the big guy was screaming." The police led the bad guy away complete with handcuffs and a separated shoulder. The point is that there are other ways to defend yourself without incurring the civil or criminal liabilities attached to punching people in the head. Look at the options your style or training has for open-handed strikes, immobilization techniques, throws, low kicks or something similar that allows you to protect your own head without having to pound his. I’ve mentioned this before, but by the time I am actually punching and striking people in a fight it is because of two things. Either I am SO far behind in the fight that I am trying desperately to catch up or I am SO scared of getting hurt I feel I really have to hurt them badly to stop the fight. A big caveat here. If you are in serious danger (that automatically includes any multiple opponent situations) then closed fists punches to the jaw line are called for. You are looking for a knockout here. Don’t punch to the nose (it usually just annoys people), the mouth (you’ll cut your hand on his teeth) or anywhere on the head (broken hand). Punch on his jaw – the part that would be covered by a football facemask. The closer to his chin the better, but be careful again of getting too close to his mouth. Stay safe over the holidays. Brad Parker |
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