I encounter incident response in many different aspects of
my life. It is a large part of cyber security. It is a key part of the training
in becoming a Range Safety Officer. And
I think about it a lot in terms of everyday life. How we react to things is vital to handling
potentially negative situations. Today I participated in a seminar at STW Krav
Maga Worldwide Training Center led by the always inspirational Pete Hardy that
once again reinforced my mantra of not being a victim. I am not going to share with you the skills I
learned for a couple of reasons. One: this is the internet. Training shouldn’t
come from the internet. Two: these are my skills. I will selfishly keep some
things for myself; you go get your own (please). But I will share some personal insights and
favorite lessons, you can have those.
1.
Don’t be paranoid, be prepared. I think it may seem like I preach about this
a lot but it something I thoroughly believe in. We need to be able to go when
the time comes. And I say when because
in today’s world it is a sad reality that it is when, not if. I came home from my seminar today to a note
on my door, letting me know there was an assault in my complex. I live in a gated community on the nice side
of town and this shit is still happening.
There is a reason school used to make you do fire drills all the time. We
need to train our minds. We need to train our muscle memory. We need to have plans. You have a CHL? Awesome but please please
please train to effectively use that gun.
I will say this over and over again until it is ingrained: one CHL class
is not enough. And don’t forget there are places you will be unarmed. I spend
most of my time on a university campus, where firearms not allowed (and where
it seems most of the major shooting crimes in the last decade have occurred). Am I going to let that make me or anybody
around me become a victim? HELL NO. I
will do anything and everything I can to protect myself and those around me,
regardless of the circumstances.
2.
I hesitate to write this and some may be
offended but: I am sick of timid girls.
You think just because you are smaller than someone, you can’t hurt
them? BULLSHIT. I am tired of women who
say “in a real life situation, that guy is bigger than me. I couldn’t do
anything.” Again: bullshit. I am 4’11 (and a half, thank you). One of the girls I was training with today
after a drill said “Yeah.. I’d be scared of you.” Damn right. Girls, unleash your inner scary. If you act like a helpless victim, that is
what you are going to be. Men do not
expect you to fight back. That underestimation is itself is a weapon.
3.
We are in this together. Criminals win because we let them. Why are we letting these assholes make us
victims? Someone today pointed out that if one person takes the plunge to stand
up against a violent act, soon others will follow. I think that is part of human nature. If everyone chooses “it’s not my problem,”
the herd will stand back. Once somebody
has the courage to react, others will do the same. Pete started off this seminar with the very
poignant question “Where are all the heroes?”
When shit hits the fan, I hope I am not in an “every man for himself”
situation. I hope I am surrounded with
heroes. I know they still exist. And I
hope if the time comes, I could be counted among them.
