[at-l] Self defense on the trail.

[stephensadams@xxxxxxxxxxx (Steve Adams)]

Let's say you're hiking.  Someone approaches you and advises he is going to
assault you.  You can either comply or resist.  If you wish to comply, you
have read far enough.

If someone wishes to harm a person, whom he selects at random, he will
probably try to surprise his victim.  Reduce an assailant's chances, while
you're hiking; wear clothing of subdued colors.  The closer the distance at
which he recognizes you as an approaching hiker, the less time he has to
prepare his assault.

A more likely scenario is, you're hiking, feel a blow to your head, and are
knocked to the ground.  Your vision is unsteady.  You know you're conscious,
someone is hitting you, and your backpack is restricting your movements.
Seek cover or shield yourself and get rid of your backpack.

As the good Union General Hooker observed, the winner is the one who arrives
the "fustest with the mostest."  Your assailant chose the time and place of
the assault - - he was "the fustest."  If you are to prevail, you must bring
"the mostest" to bear against him.

Someone recommended Aikido.  It's a terrific martial art.  It is wonderfully
subtle, elegant in its seeming simplicity.  Hopefully, you began studying
this years ago and have practiced diligently ever since.  Martial arts
training is very specific - - there are certain prescribed moves; all other
moves are, by their absence, wrong.  Students extemporaneously perform a
semi-choreographed dance of sorts, wherein they engage fellow students in
staging some combat move(s).  There is a tacit understanding among all the
"combatants" that they will obey "the rules" of that particular martial art.
  [I would exempt someone well trained in Aikido from the foregoing
criticism of martial arts.]

We ignorant unwashed similarly learn not to do certain things (e.g., hit
below the belt, hit him when he's down, or kick someone) because it's
unfair, unsporting, perhaps even immoral.  Well, pitch that thinking out,
right now.  Your assailant isn't doing this to you because he thinks you'll
enjoy it.

You don't know the intention(s) of your assailant.  You have no real way of
knowing whether your assailant intends to rob you, humiliate you, harm you,
or kill you.  His intentions are free to change.  If he is really enjoying
himself, he may escalate his intentions.  If he's having a miserable time,
he may abort his assault.

Some recommend pepper spray.  Pepper spray is similar, at least in one
aspect, to fire extinguishers; it takes a lot more of it to do the job than
you would at first believe.  People don't like to lug around a canister of
pepper spray of sufficient volume to be effective.

The rules of each state are completely free to differ from the rules of
every other state.

I can't imagine many distance hikers going to the police department in every
state through which they'll meander along the AT requesting a permit.
Hikers will cross through many states in less time than it takes police to
conduct a background check and issue a permit.

Recall the lightweight hiker axiom, select things which can do more than one
thing.  Pepper spray isn't a decent deodorant, nor does it add a desirable
flavor to food.

Hikers ignore or forget the obvious.  Many lightweight backpackers proudly
announce to the world, they only carry the Classic Model Swiss Army Knife.
[It was designed as a personal care product, to clean and smooth
fingernails, cut strands of unraveling thread and string, and open mail.]
If you become separated from your equipment and must spend the night
outdoors, a sturdy sharp knife will become an important tool, if you know
how to use it.  And, you can learn to use it by reading books.  You can
perfect your techniques near your house.  A small knife can be carried in a
sheath on a belt worn around your waist.  It can be lighter in weight than
either pepper spray or a folding knife.  It is readily available to you.
It's mere presence will dissuade some people.

Some general rules regarding assaults:

1)  If you can leave, leave.

2A)  Any tool which you can utilize is better than no tool at all.

2B)  A rock is better than an empty untrained hand.

2C)  If you have a knife, use it.  You need to know what you are trying to
sever to be really effective with a knife.  Slashing the surface hurts,
penetration disables.

2D)  A hiking pole, used as a rifle with bayonet, can be devastating.

3)  Accept that you will most likely have to touch the bastard.

4)  Leverage is more in your favor (you are stronger) the closer you keep
your hands to your body.

5)  Anticipate that this is going to be painful.  Accept the pain.  You'll
live, and the hospital staff will patch you up.

6)  Don't deploy a weapon far away from someone just because you THINK they
might have ill intentions.  Deploy a weapon just before you intend to use
it.

Don't show your assailant what you've got.  You're better off if your
assailant underestimates you. [I suggested carrying a visible sheath knife,
the appearance of which may dissuade a potential assailant.  How then is an
assailant to underestimate you?]  BE MEAN.  Meanness overcomes a serious
lack of training.

Go for the parts of your assailant which will incapacitate him the quickest
or hurt him the most.  Consider first the parts which are closest to you.
Knees and elbows are particularly vulnerable to kicks or strikes with rocks.
  Muscle and connective tissue can be severed.  Ladies, think of it as
disjointing a 200 pound chicken, using your paring knife.  The assault will
be over long before you finish.

I'm not suggesting you develop intricate procedures.  Take advantage,
instead, of whatever your assailant offers.  Something will be offered or
your assailant couldn't make contact with you.  If you have a knife, slash
at whatever approaches you (hand, arm, foot, leg, etc).  Teach your
assailant he will pay a price to approach you.  If the price becomes too
high, he will discontinue the assault.

An example to consider:

Every guy learns how vulnerable testicles are shortly after receiving his
first boys bike.  If you feint toward his genitals, he will reflexively pull
his butt backward, and tilt his head forward.  The eyes are prime targets.
Don't just poke at his eyes - - plunge your finger as deeply into an eye
socket as it will go, curl your finger, and remove.  If he is still coming
after you, repeat with the other eye.  Leave the area.

One good verbal technique may be some variant of "Garbled mumble ... AIDS
... garbled mumble."

Once your assailant stops being a threat to you or others, of death or
serious bodily injury, you are legally required to discontinue your
counter-assault.  If you continue, you may have to articulate good reason(s)
why you shouldn't be prosecuted for assault and battery.

Don't worry, be happy.  Enjoy the great outdoors.

Steve

P.S.  I wanted to post this before Monday.  I didn't want to be responsible
for anyone losing $10.00.

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