SEARCH:
Sign in | Join | Help
search Mercola.com
 
FREE Subscription 
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter
Great Tips on How to Survive a Physical Attack

(Video 2:44)

(Video 2:01)


(Video 2:07)

(Video 3:12)


Tim Ferriss is the person who did these videos, and he is the author of the current New York Times #1 best-selling book The 4-Hour Work Week. This is one of the best books I have read this year.

It is an extraordinary read, especially if you own a business.
 
In the videos below Tim teaches you techniques that hopefully you will never have to use, but in the event you’re ever physically attacked it’s good to know some basic ways to defend yourself.

The four short videos below each give you a different technique to survive -- not win -- a street fight. This is an important distinction because these tips are only to be used for self-defense, not senseless fighting.

If you are ever attacked, the first thing you should do is try to get away -- scream or do whatever it takes to free yourself, then run. It is typically never a good idea to engage in a physical fight unless you are fighting for your life (self-defense), and fighting back is the only option.

For those who are interested in more self-defense tips, or who are looking for a creative alternative form of exercise, you may want to look into martial arts. They offer a combination of cardio activity and mental focus that target both your mental and physical health, which are both incredibly important.

Martial arts will also give you a further sense of confidence that you know how to protect yourself if you’re ever assaulted.



Related Links:



Comment on This Article Community Comments (19)
 
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
In the battle for Freedom we might find this useful.. how about a way to prevent a Taser shock when it is used on you for no reason.. many times repeatedly over and over again.. like what happened at UCLA last year and what is occurring all across the nation at this time..

Brutal abuse of power by bad police.. The good ones need to stand up to their evil brethren..


 
jeremy_3
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
jeremy_3  
Replied

Bridestein
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 12/2006
Bridestein  
 
Posted On Sep 21, 2007
There's no 'at this time' about it. I grew up in a middle class neighborhood in Southern California and back in the 70's I saw two police brutally beat a teenage girl at a football game. In the 80's I saw dozens of them use their nightsticks to club a crowd of children and women who were fleeing an overzealous crowd at a rock concert.
These are just a couple of examples of the dozens of instances I could cite.
When I moved to Northern California and everyone was convinced Rodney King deserved his beating I was speechless until I realized that it was only because they couldn't imagine the police doing that to you otherwise.
And I'm sure by now you've all seen the footage of the student at the Kerry rally.
And there are lots of people who still think we have rights left!


jeremy_3
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
jeremy_3  
 
Posted On Sep 23, 2007
My most recent disgust of the police state started with the Attack of Rev. Yearwood at the Capitol Building ... He was jumped by 10 police and had his foot broken for waiting in line to ask Pretraus a question..

View what happened here.. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiradcejA6o


The Rev. talks the next day-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4t0vImR4ag

My Blog about it -  3 Comments

This made me sick.. And yes the incident at UF was another show of power by the military police.. This is dispicable.. he did nothing and simply stood up for his rights of due process.. Sen. Kerry stood idle and did nothing.. what a tool...

Best footage here-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag

The events afterward-

2 Comments





 
 
 
Posted On Sep 21, 2007
It IS good to see how a maneuver is done, however, much practice is needed to accomplish the same maneuvers confidently. Often, it is members of our senior population who are attacked, and most have had no experience with so-called street fighting. 

Russ hit the nail on the head -- better to avoid the confrontation in the first place. Also, carrying a deterrant like pepper spray or a taser is not always a good idea because any weapon can be taked away from you and used against you.

Your best defense is your own good common sense. USE IT!

 
Magnolia
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
Magnolia  
Replied

Kim H
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
Kim H  
 
Posted On Sep 21, 2007
Magnolia, you are absolutely correct.  A quote from a good book about keeping yourself safe is "Prevention is 90% awareness".  The book is called "Just Do The Small Stuff". ISBN 0-9744496-5-2.
The author, Kelly Rudulph (who is a survivor), did an excellent presentation to a group that I belonged to a couple of years ago. This is her website that sells the book. (I don't know if it is available elsewhere).  http://www.survivesd.com/safety_products.htm
I have no affiliation, and only heard her speak the one time, but the little book that she sells is full of simple, yet good information. 






Birdlady
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
Birdlady  
 
Posted On Oct 09, 2007

Having a concealed carry and an appropriate handgun that you can safely handle is the ONLY way to ensure that you are protecting yourself properly. Pepper spray and these techniques will not help you in a really bad situation.

Yes it can help to know moves to get out of certain positions (what do you do after you are out of the choke?), but having a gun levels the playing field. I am 115 lbs and if a 300 lbs man wanted to hurt me his weight alone would put him at an advantage. Can you imagine trying to use those moves on a man that is twice my size? It's not going to work and only tick him off more.

Having a gun on me puts me in a better position to protect my life and well being.

Guns have been demonized in this country so it's no surprise that wasn't mentioned in this article. It's tooo bad because more than 1 million crimes are stopped by guns a year.


 
 
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
Very good video's ! but,  I think I would panic and forget under attack , so when I go out alone .... what I do is dress down ,wear no jewelry and look in need myself , that way hopefully I wont be attacked .

 
katz
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 11/2006
katz  
Replied

Birdlady
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
Birdlady  
 
Posted On Oct 09, 2007

Wow with that type of attitude you probably will get attacked at some point. You have to take personal responsibility. You can't just 'hope' you won't get attacked. I hope that I lose 10 lbs. See how that doesn't really work?

Since you are on this website for your health, I would think most of us here would be proactive when it comes to protecting yourself on the streets and even in your own house.  Home invasions are very common too.

Good health isn't just about eating well and exercising. It is also about knowing how to protect yourself in a bad situation.  

No doubt this is why Dr. Mercola has brought this to our attention.


 
 
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
Physical defensive, or combative survival techniques, are indeed noteworthy, however, if at all possible, try avoid situtational environments where such violence might occur in the first place, in a preventative model.  The battle not fought is the least costly.

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
Replied

cheftodd
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
cheftodd  
 
Posted On Sep 24, 2007
Russ I liked the vids to a certain degree. most of these are geared towards people that have been doing these moves for some time. it becomes second nature. jiu-jitsu is a beautiful art, and a lot of fun. I would suggest it to every one

 
 
 
Posted On Sep 21, 2007
One thing you need to remember (I'm a very highly-graded life-long Karate-ka) is that often the thing that makes most people so vulnerable in an attack situation is the first punch, regardless of how hard it is. They're often so stunned by the fact that someone has hit them that they go into a kind of semi-shock - "Oh my gosh, someone just hit me, what's going on, nobody ever hits me, what do I do?" - and end up like stunned mulletts while the attacker continues beating them to a pulp. This is one of the things that is most effective about martial arts - it isn't simply the skills themselves, but the fact that you get used to being hit so won't have that initial reflexive action and can start running, and if not running defending or attacking.

The first rule you're always taught though is to never use karate on another person unless you absolutely have to, to run if you possibly can, but if you have to fight then make sure you win. Much like the sensei tells them in the old karate kid films.

I love martial arts, I'd highly recommend them to anyone, they're such a holistic, fun, muscle-working, energising sport with so many physical, mental and spiritual benefits - and if little blonde haired blue eyed slim women like me can do it, anyone can.

 
DizzyIzzy1
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2007
DizzyIzzy1  
Replied

cheftodd
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
cheftodd  
 
Posted On Sep 24, 2007
Erinizzy so true. you do get use to the striking, throwing , grappling. and it becomes natural.


Paradox
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
Paradox  
 
Posted On Oct 09, 2007

As a long-time student of the martial arts, I'd say the first thing is to BE AWARE of your environment. Walk confidently and with purpose. Do not look frightened. Do not clutch your purse as if you think someone's going to take it. Even before I took karate I found my many years of t'ai chi to be helpful in New York when it was a much more dangerous place. I am a petite woman, and one time a man did try to punch me as I was walking on Canal Street. I was able to simply move my head so his punch went into the air, and then walked slowly and calmly into the nearest store. I also felt that after taking karate I walked with such confidence that no one would go near me. I used my instant reflexes, however, to deflect, arms instantly up, a heavy swinging door from a truck that suddenly came my way.


 
 
 
 
© Copyright 2009 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.