Uechi-Ryu.com

Years ago, Jeff Cooper delineated the "Color Code" and the "Principles of Personal Defense" in an effort to provide us with a logical model for one's thinking on the subject of mental preparedness.

I'd like now to go to the next step and apply the same logic to the issue of personal appearance and demeanor, as we all agree that, in the domestic defensive environment, avoiding a fight is preferable to winning one.

Layer One: Nonattendance. The best way to handle any potentially injurious encounter is: Don't be there. Arrange to be somewhere else.

Don't go to stupid places. Don't associate with stupid people. Don't do stupid things.

This is the advice I give to all students of defensive firearms. Winning a gunfight, or any other potentially injurious encounter, is financially and emotionally burdensome.

The aftermath will become your full-time job for weeks or months afterward, and you will quickly grow weary of writing checks to lawyer(s).

It is, of course, better than being dead or suffering a permanently disfiguring or disabling injury, but the "penalty" for successfully fighting for your life is still formidable.

Crowds of any kind, particularly those with an agenda, such as political rallies, demonstrations, picket lines, etc are good examples of "stupid places." Any crowd with a high collective energy level harbors potential catastrophe.

To a lesser degree, bank buildings, hospital emergency rooms, airports, government buildings, and bars (particularly crowded ones) fall into the same category.

All should be avoided. When they can't be avoided, we should make it a practice to spend only the minimum time necessary there and then quickly get out.

We all need to practice to art of "being invisible." It is in our best interest to go our way unnoticed, both by potential predators and by the criminal justice system alike.

Whenever I travel, particularly to foreign countries, I endeavor to be the one that no one notices; no one recalls; no one remembers.

I silently slip through the radar, leaving no trace, a nameless, faceless tourist. When in any public place, I try to be clean and well groomed, but I never wear bright colors, any kind of jewelry, or anything shiny.

I smile a lot, but talk softly and as little as possible. As we say in the law enforcement business, "Courteous to everyone. Friendly to no one."

Loud talking, bright colors, Rolex watches, etc will consistently accumulate unwanted attention. On the other end of the spectrum, tattoos, poor grooming, loud and offensive language, a slovenly appearance, etc will also garner unwelcome notice.

Layer Three: Deselection. Any successful predator has the ability to quickly screen potential victims, focusing in on the ones who look as if they will make good victims and rejecting those who either (1) look too strong for expedient victimization or (2) don't conveniently fall into any particular category.

When invisibility fails, we need endeavor to be consistently deselected for victimization. We do this by making it a habit to appear alert, uninviting, self-confident, and strong. At the same time, we never loiter or appear indecisive. We are always in motion.

"Weakness perceived is weakness exploited!"

Layer Four: Disengagement: Our best interests are not served by any kind of engagement with potential predators. Successful disengagement involves posturing, bearing, verbalizations, and movement.

It is in our best interest to disengage at the lowest reasonable force level, but we must simultaneously be prepared to instantly respond to unlawful force with superior force.

Potential predators, as they attempt verbal engagement, should be politely dismissed.

Bearing and eye contact should always project strength and confidence.

We should continuously be moving off the "line of force." We should be observant in every direction, giving potential predator duos and trios the distinct impression that they will not be able to sneak up on us.

When predators are confused, they are unable to focus sufficiently to carry off their victimization. Therefore, never let a potential predator seize the agenda. Don't answer his questions, and don't stay in any one place very long.

Disengagement, separation, and exit are our immediate goals when we have been selected or are being seriously evaluated by predators.

However, if there is to be a fight, the best one is a short one.

If a predator menaces me with a gun or a knife, I know that, before it is all over, there is a good chance that I will be shot or cut.

However, within that prison of circumstance, I also know that the faster I can end the fight, the less hurt I'm going to get!

If there must be a fight, I must explode into action, moving smoothly and quickly, in an effort to confuse and overwhelm my opponent before he has a chance to process all the information I'm throwing at him.

Ultimately, we must "have a plan." Potentially dangerous encounters must be thought about in advance. Decisions must be made.

Skills must be practiced. Confusion, hesitation, and vacillation will always attract the attention of predators and simultaneously stimulate predator behavior.

/John

Shod feet, the most deadly weapon!

From a friend close to this story:

"A teenage boy was beaten to death, in public, by a gang of thugs in Chicago last week. Much of the attack was recorded on video. The murder took less than a minute. To the bitter disappointment of the city's gaggle of hand-wringing, pseudo-sanctimonious politicians, no guns were involved!

Once again, we see how absolutely lethal are kicks to the head of a downed victim, particularly in the context of multiple assailants.

Although the initial impact that sent the victim to the ground was inflicted via a board or club or some kind, fatal damage was subsequently inflicted by the shod feet of the assailants.

This format of attack is common, and is far more dangerous than is realized by most. Fatal head-injury can be easily inflicted within seconds. Head trauma is extremely dangerous, and, due to the enclosed nature of the cranium, swelling of the brain will likely exacerbate injury."

Comment: From our perspective, it is imperative that, during such an attack, we avoid being rendered unconscious. Once on the ground, we must protect our head from multiple kicks and other blows, employing lethal force when necessary, and regain upright footing as rapidly as possible.

When your head is in contact with a solid object, blows directed at it are infinitely more injurious than when you are upright,, and your head is free to move with the blow.

Protect you head. It's the only one you have!

/John

My best advice:

(1) Adopt a personal lifestyle that deliberately avoids dangerous places and situations (2) Be alert and aware (3) Exit potentially threatening circumstances early on, when you can (4) Shoot (with precision), when you have no choice (5) Stop shooting when threats are clearly abrogated (6) Stay alert and get to a place of relative safety (7) Call police at your first practical opportunity (8) When police arrive, tell them just enough so that they understand whom you are and what role you played (9) Otherwise, politely insist that your lawyer be personally present before answering questions, and thereafter (10) Exercise your right to remain silent."

Comment: In addition, understand that whatever you do, chose not to do, or fail to do, it won't be perfect! Everyone, from media commentators, to investigators, to judges, to lawyers, to plaintiff's experts will wearisomely point out where, and how, you could have done it better.

And, to one degree or another, they'll be right!

Fortunately, the law doesn't require you to be perfect. The law only requires you to be "reasonable," whatever that means!

/John