What is Defense?
Let’s agree on one thing: absolute security does not exist. It is not possible to prepare yourself for every risk. First of all, there are too many of them, and they are too different. Above all, there are parameters outside your control, and even if you master a certain number of them, the immensity of potentialities and possible combinations thereof render an attempt at technical mastery of all potential risks fatuous. In any case, there is no use being obsessed with security; a healthy relation to risk is an essential aspect of life.
As you were able to read earlier descriptions of possible future scenarios, the risks that might provoke an economic collapse are numerous, since they are tied to governmental decisions, human error, forces of nature, and other entirely unforeseeable factors that cannot be controlled. Is it useful, then, to attribute such importance to security? The answer is a categorical yes! Indeed, although many factors are unforeseeable, others are quite foreseeable, especially those related to human nature. And the elements influencing human nature can be understood and mastered, which considerably reduces the risks you have to take.
Let us take a simple example: say you are crossing a road. Your security could be compromised by an inattentive driver who could run you over. You have no influence over this driver. Although you know that there is a certain risk to your safety, you will still cross this road anyway. You are conscious of this risk, and you limit it by crossing over at a pedestrian crosswalk and paying attention and looking both ways. You could also foresee the possibility that a driver is distracted and about to hit you if you notice a car failing to slow down while heading in your direction. You could avoid the unsafe driver, or quickly duck behind a concrete pillar, or something like that.
Though we cannot avoid risk entirely, we take measures everyday to reduce our exposure to it and minimize its potential consequences.
In this context, defense can be defined as a set of attitudes, physical and psychological preparations, know-how, and equipment that will reduce your exposure to risk.
Safety and security are not a generic recipe; they are habits and ways of thinking specific to each individual and each group preparing together. You must thus take into account the type of threat you face and its background and setting: you don’t defend yourself the same way in the city and in the countryside, in Lagos as in Chicago; you don’t protect yourself from a man as you do from an animal or the natural elements. And you might have to struggle against the prejudices of most of the people around you: to many, being prepared to defend yourself amounts to being “paranoid.”
In reality—and more important than the opinion of those around you—defense is generally well-defined by law. Although the question is vast and not universally agreed upon by jurists and lawyers, one must recognize that the criminal law contains a whole arsenal of rules on what is permitted and what is not. A person unfamiliar with the law should reflect on what it means, in the legal sense, to defend oneself—in order to respect the law in all circumstances for as long as the state of legality exists.
In this chapter, we must clearly distinguish between self-defense in the world as it is today and self-defense during or after a societal collapse—when survival will be the one and only rule. We should start by briefly touching on the principle of “proportionality,” which informs most legal systems and criminal statutes around the world. We will then think about the means at your disposal for defending yourself, your family, and your SAB.
“Proportionality” entails the suitability of a response to a particular threat. This might seem complicated, as with much of legal theory. So let’s take an example. An individual, Jill, is returning from tennis practice. While taking the train, she is verbally attacked by Jack, a local thug, who wants her bag. In the eyes of the law, Jill cannot defend herself by striking Jack with her tennis racket, because the threat has remained at a verbal level. Striking someone with a tennis racket can cause serious injury and even death. Most legal systems consider that the potential damage (the theft of the sporting bag) and the potential bodily injury are not proportional. Now, imagine that, in a similar situation, Jack threatens Jill with a knife. In this case, a blow with a tennis racket would be justified, since an aggressive person with a knife threatens Jill’s person and life.
Keep this principle in mind as long as the state assures order and security. In a period of total chaos, however, when the state has disappeared, your thought process must be totally different: everything will be permitted to stay alive, and the limits will be only those that your conscience dictates. (And there will be no more tennis practice.)
How Do You Defend Yourself?
To defend yourself effectively, you must first know what you are defending yourself against. Further on, we shall see how to defend ourselves against animals and the elements, but the greatest danger for man remains man.
The predator-prey relationship takes on vital importance in cases of structural insecurity. In a crisis, the population’s dwindling respect for state authority will be quickly replaced by the law of Might Makes Right, which justifies all possible behavior. Urban predators exist and are getting bolder by the day, as demonstrated by the shocking attack in the outskirts of London in May 2013, in which a man was run down with a car and then beheaded.
The scenarios described in the first part of this book would create a favorable environment for predators, already used to living outside the law. If the economy collapses, the capricious law of gangs might replace that of the state. Gangs are usually organized hierarchically, and they respect only their own property; the property of others is treated as ripe for the picking. From that point on, the best solution will be to avoid these predators and leave the neighborhoods they inhabit, putting distance between yourself and their hunting grounds.
If we look more closely at the motivation and psychology of these aggressors, we will be better able to identify their different profiles and modus operandi.
Let’s establish five categories:
The psychopath is not simply a person who’s “crazy” (they can often appear perfectly civilized); and he is not necessarily from a lower social class (often quite the contrary). The psychopath is characterized by a lack of empathy with other people, indeed, by a denial of their individuality and worth. Social norms and ethics don’t apply to him, and he is characteized by impulsive, antisocial behavior, which can extend to crime. Such people will be ready to do anything to survive, and by their violent acts, their dishonesty, and their attempts to satisfy their own needs at the expense of others, they can cause a lot of damage. Avoid them and avoid having any person who displays these traits in your SAB.
The lone aggressor is an individual who prepares his aggression in advance, who sets a trap. He will engage in violence only if he feels sure it will be worth it, and will give up easily if he perceives the victim is tougher than expected. That is to say, he is rational and calculating. Such cowardly individuals may well survive, for they can be ruthless and are capable of crookedness, crime, and murder. But in the post-collapse period, it will be hard for these persons to commit aggression against you in your SAB, as you will be far away and they will be numerically inferior. On the other hand, they may try to convince you to accept them, coming up with all sort of reasons and excuses. You must identify them—these are the types who are constantly up to no good and might brag about stealing from others—and you must reject them immediately, for once the worm is in the fruit, they could destroy your SAB from the inside out.
The unforeseeable aggressor is an unstable person who attacks you unexpectedly and for no reason. An impulsive fighter or a thief driven into a corner, a disturbed teenager or drug addict without his fix, he does not easily let go of his prey. In hard times, these persons will be quickly confronted with those stronger than themselves and rapidly eliminated. Try to avoid letting this task fall to you.
The organized gang of aggressors is a group of persons who plan attacks. Only taking action in situations of num
erical superiority and when everything is favorable to them, they hope to get what they want quickly. In normal times, they give up if it is only a matter of theft (a phone, cash, etc.) and run away if things get violent. After a collapse, however, they will likely be more brazen. You will be protected in your SAB, but cornered in it as well. That is, you will not be able to flee gangs if they attack you, and you must defend yourself by putting such vile creatures out of commission—permanently, if possible—in order to prevent them from coming back with reinforcements.
Finally, mobs. People in large numbers are willing to do things they would never do as individuals. For unforeseeable, often trivial reasons, mobs take action, often gratuitously or opportunistically. Think of the vandalism and mayhem engaged in by fans of rival sports teams after a big game. Mobs are rarely tightly bound, but can have gregarious reflexes and behavior. It can be possible to reason with or calm down mobs; though often, the best idea is simply to run away. You can also prevail over them physically, especially if you discover their leader and succeed in isolating him, reasoning with him, or dispatching him. In a collapse situation, most people making up a mob will be looking for food and are not necessarily dangerous if encountered individually. A mob is not the worst danger, especially if you learn how to behave like a firm leader, decisive and resolute, and if you address the mob vigorously and with authority. (This can be learned and practiced.)
In case of emergency, it is best to adopt a safe distance from persons outside your family or your group of friends. Many persons behave irrationally in a crisis. Avoid being attacked by a desperate person.
In general, under normal circumstances, if running away is possible and doesn’t have negative consequences, do not hesitate—flee. An insult or slight is not worth a response, in light of the physical and legal risks this involves. There is no dishonor in not exacting revenge on a dishonest man.
In a collapse, your priority at all times should be your survival and that of those you love. Safeguarding strangers is secondary and should only be undertaken if the risks are quite low. Apply the old saying: your children before your cousins, you cousins before your neighbors, your neighbors before strangers. Do not be a hero.
That said, it is not a wise choice to isolate yourself completely in an emergency. As far as possible, be generous with the people you meet. Try to help them, if your means allow, for one day you may need help yourself. Do not forget that beneath a chaotic exterior the person you are speaking to may be a doctor, an engineer, or anyone with a useful trade who might perfectly fit into your group and greatly facilitate your survival. It’s not only a practical thing to do, but a moral one as well. Most people you will encounter, whether they are Christian, Muslim or have no religion at all, will act the same way.
Use violence as a last resort and only to defend yourself and your loved ones. Using violence aggressively is a sure path towards your own destruction, as there will be many ready and willing to defend themselves against you. In normal times, use the principle of proportionality; in a situation of lawlessness, then, after trying to avoid violence, be prepared to defend yourself without proportionality and without pity in the Afghan or Israeli style: two eyes for an eye, a whole face for a tooth!
From now on, you have the advantage of being aware of the dangers. What remains is to prepare yourself for them. It will be like everything we have discussed regarding survival attitudes: a little luck, a lot of technique, and, above all, mental preparation. Since luck is in the hands of the gods, let’s start with the most important factor—mental preparedness.
First, accept that you must defend yourself. It’s your right and your duty to yourself, your loved ones, your brothers-in-arms, and those under your responsibility. First, recognize your current reactions to stressful situations. Learn to deal with being physically hit or wounded (this can be done harmlessly by simulation during training). Learn to avoid tunnel vision; learn to breathe to control your heartbeat; learn to be relaxed with your body and sharp with your mind. Learn also how to assess a situation realistically after something stressful happens. Learn to learn from your mistakes. Finally, learn to have the humility and wisdom to ask for help and advice from others. This is how the best of the world’s special forces (SEAL, Rangers, SAS, Foreign Legion, GIGN, Spetsnaz, Col. Moschin, COMSUBIN, GSG9, Sayeret Maktal, Shayetet 13, etc.) excel at combat: they train hard, are humble, and display no bravado—at least until after they’ve achieved total victory!
In all circumstances, face the danger. As the Swiss saying goes, “The blow that hurts the most is the one that comes from behind your back.” If possible, always have your back to the wall in order to maximize your field of vision and see threats approaching. Above all, do not look like a victim. Have a strong posture, demonstrating with your look that you know what is happening and have seen what your attackers are doing. Be clever: if an attacker threatens you with a knife, for instance, tell him you have an infectious disease. Have confidence in yourself and your capacities. Use good sense: do not let yourself be provoked and distracted by people you do not know, move in groups if possible, avoid elevators, do not carry signs of wealth, visible objects of value, do not show off that you have the latest phone or anything that indicates you would be a profitable hit. Do not forget that in a crisis, even a brand new or ostentatious pair of shoes can also attract attention, so be discreet and inconspicuous. Pay attention—make a habit of noting the strategic points in your neighborhood and learn to notice changes or unusual elements. Locate the escape routes in your workplace and in your house. Leave the area as soon as possible in case of danger. Once again: do not be a hero.
In many circumstances, it is advantageous to take the initiative and look your attacker right in the eye. Learn to have a firm and determined appearance. Practice in front of a mirror if necessary. Do not have shifty eyes. Do not lower your head or draw in your shoulders; keep your back straight. Breath calmly and deeply, master your stress and fear. Be sure of yourself. If the attacker you are facing does not like your gaze, tell him politely that you are not looking for trouble, that you wish to be left alone, and that if you are left alone, everything will be fine. If he insists, tell him firmly, with a gaze matching his own, that you are prepared to defend yourself and that you “mean business”. Do not provoke the attacker with sudden movements and, if you can, leave calmly. Remain sure of yourself and control your breathing.
If you must strike, do so quickly and by surprise, for example, in the middle of a sentence. Strike hard—harder than when you are practicing—and visualize an escape route. Remember that the aim of self-defense is survival and not victory or revenge; as Gichin Funakochi, the founder of modern karate, says, “When two tigers meet, one comes out injured, the other comes out dead.” Neither result will be good for you.
If someone threatens you with a firearm, you must ask yourself whether what you are going to do will improve the situation or make it worse. In most cases, comply, keep your head down, lie on the ground. In the face of a firearm, the aim must be prevention and anticipating the situation. If gunshots break out in the street, quickly hit the ground or get behind a protective cover (a wall or the engine block part of a car).
Finally, keep a low profile, especially in preparing your SAB. When the economy collapses and panic breaks out, you do not want all your neighbors, friends, distant relatives, exes, et al., taking refuge at your place. Worse, you don’t want a gang of looters, who hear there is a fellow prepared with plenty of food, showing up at your SAB to knock you off. Still worse, it is not in your interest that the government come and confiscate everything under a pretense of sharing it, keeping it off the black market, forbidding you the possession of dangerous material, or with any other “good intentions” that would leave you butt naked or force you to react in a drastic manner.
In short, be discreet. Pay for as many of your purchases as possible in cash, and don’t talk openly about your project with just anybody. Do not make all the purchases for your SAB in th
e neighborhood where you live; this will prevent rumors from developing. Do not tell just anybody where your SAB is located. Above all, don’t write a book on the subject! Once you are ready to imagine all the things that could happen, and have begun your mental preparations, you can start learning a few techniques.
Martial Arts and Self-Defense
In the movie The Professional by Luc Besson, the hitman character, played by Jean Réno, teaches his young pupil that one must first learn to fight at a distance before learning hand-to-hand combat. I believe one must do exactly the reverse.
First, learn to defend yourself with your own body, then with a close-range weapon, and only afterwards with a long-distance weapon.
Of course, one can perfectly well take a shooting course and learn karate at the same time. But the idea is that if you do not master your own body and street-corner self-defense first, learning to fight with a knife, pistol, or rifle won’t be of any great benefit. Knowing how to hit a target at 1,800 meters with the help of a 50-caliber precision rifle is fine (indeed, it is excellent). But such know-how will not help you in a dark alley. It would be a case of “who can do the most can do the least.”
Martial arts were invented by peasants at a time when carrying arms was severely restricted and reserved for soldiers and noblemen. The practice of a martial art allowed peasants to defend themselves against brigands or armed enemies. These martial arts, from countries around the world, have evolved to become sporting disciplines accessible to every normally constituted person. Enroll now and start practicing one of them.
Favor the “mixed” martial arts, for they focus on real situations. Among these techniques we may mention Systema, Sambo, Krav Maga, Hapkido, Thai Boxing, Yi Quan, and KAPAP, which are all excellent. It is essential to select a martial art in which you will learn to take blows. Too often we forget that everyone receives blows in a fight; you must thus learn not to be surprised or freeze up when you get hit!
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