Are you able to protect yourself and your family from a violent attack? Do you know what you would do in a situation that required you to stop an attacker?

If you’re like most people that I talk to, your first answer is probably with your guns. But what happens if someone gets a drop on you or blindsides you and jumps you before you can get to your weapon? I love my guns just as much as the next guy, but to truly be prepared for anything, you also need to be able and have the knowledge to protect yourself without them.

Self-defense is a critical skill that everyone who is serious about preparedness needs to put on the top of their list of priorities. As we document in our social unrest section of the site, violent attacks are not only a growing threat, but, in our opinion, the number one threat to your survival that you face on a daily basis.

Self-defense is far more than owning a gun, and it’s not just about physical strength or fighting skills, but it also involves mental preparation, situational awareness, and self-confidence. In today’s world, where crime rates and the ghettoization of our culture are at an all-time high, self-defense has become necessary for everyone. This article will discuss how to defend yourself from an attacker and the different self-defense techniques you should be studying.

Different Types of Attacks

Before we talk about the different self-defense techniques, it is essential to understand the different types of attacks that can happen and the legal ramifications of defending yourself:

Basic Physical Assault

A physical assault can happen anywhere and at any time. It can involve hitting, punching, kicking, or choking. It can also involve using weapons like guns, knives, or blunt objects. Defending yourself from these attacks will depend on several factors, but be aware that even a single punch from an attacker can be deadly, so never underestimate the need to be able to fight back, and quickly put an end to the threat.

Sadly, depending on the state you live in – especially if it’s run by liberal politicians that favor criminals over law-abiding citizens – you need to be aware of your local self-defense laws and when you can and can’t legally defend yourself. But, and this is not legal advice, in my opinion, it’s better to come out alive and worry about the legal bullshit later. “Better to be Tried by 12 than Carried by 6”!

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault involves any form of unwanted sexual contact, including unwanted touching, groping, rape, or other forms of sexual violence. According to the FBI, every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. It can happen anywhere, but what the media will never admit — and yes, we know this isn’t politically correct — one of the best ways to protect yourself from this type of attack is not to put yourself in stupid situations. Most sexual assaults occur because of bad decisions and drinking – Sorry, BUT THOSE ARE FACTS!

Riots and Politically Motivated Violence

We are living through a time of unprecedented violence, chaos, and social unrest. As a result, we have seen a considerable uptick in the number of violent protests and riots. Check out our article on surviving a riot for a detailed dive into the subject.

Violent Flash Mob Attacks

Technology is changing how we live; unfortunately, it’s also making it easier and faster for criminals to communicate, plan, and execute their crimes. With the advent of texting and social media, it’s never been easier for large groups of criminals to come together and wreak havoc in a matter of minutes. Check out our article on mob attacks for a detailed dive into the subject.

Mass Shootings

While active shooter situations are still pretty rare, it’s a phenomenon that does seem to be increasing in regularity. Check out our article surviving a mass shooting for a detailed dive into the subject.

School Shootings & School Violence

While technically, this could fall under the category of mass shootings, the fact that we are dealing with children requires some extra training and caution. Please read our article on

Home Invasions

When it comes to defending your home, nobody can do a better job of protecting it, and more importantly, the people who live within its walls than you. Unfortunately, we live in a society that has grown increasingly reliant on the government to protect them in every little aspect of their lives, believing that when trouble hits, some random government agency is going to be there to help. They are not! You need to learn how to protect yourself, and the people in your home – here is how!

Car Jackings

Although it doesn’t receive as much media attention as some other types of crimes, carjacking has once again become one of the top crimes in the country. For unsophisticated car thieves who can’t bypass modern-day car alarms, the crime is an easy way for them to steal a vehicle.

Check out our article surviving a carjacking for a detailed dive into the subject.

Verbal Assault

Verbal assault involves any form of verbal abuse or threats. It can include name-calling, bullying, and harassment. Remember, while it might feel good to knock the shit out of some troublemaker mouthing off, the judge will probably see it differently – so keep your cool, be ready for the loudmouth to escalate, and if you can, leave the situation ASAP!

How to end the Fight Quickly if you don’t have a weapon!

Remember that these tips should only be used in a life-or-death situation, as they could cause severe damage or death.

When defending yourself from an attack, every move you make should be made in an effort to end the altercation as soon as possible. This is not the time to start slugging it out or pretending you’re in the UFC.

Every punch or kick you throw should be delivered to the weakest or most vulnerable areas of your attacker’s body.  This is because your strikes need to cause serious damage, and your main goal should be to end the fight and immobilize your attacker as fast as possible.

Attack Vital Points on the body!

When defending yourself, aim for the vital points of the body. The eyes, nose, ears, throat, and groin are all vulnerable areas that can incapacitate an attacker, giving you time to escape. Use quick, sharp movements that inflict the most damage. It’s your life or their life!

Eyes – If they can’t see you, they can’t hit you. Jabbing your attacker in the eye can temporarily blind them, allowing you to gain the upper hand. However, if done hard enough, it can actually cause permanent blindness.

Nose – A Palm strike or punch to the nose can have a devastating effect on your attacker. While it probably won’t immobilize them, it may be enough to cause them to retreat. A well-executed strike to the nose will cause immense pain and cause the eyes to fill with tears instantly. This will allow you to either run away or quickly end the fight with a follow-up attack.

Throat – The throat is one of the body’s most vulnerable areas. When attacking the throat, there are two areas that you should focus on.

• First, the Adam’s Apple –   A blow to the Adam’s apple can collapse the attacker’s airway and can literally kill them with one strike.
• Second is the soft area where your throat meets your collarbones. This area can be jabbed with the fingers to cause your opponent to lose his breath temporarily.

Groin – A good kick to the groin can cause a man to drop to the ground instantly. Just remember that this target is usually the most well-guarded and may be difficult to strike.

Knee Caps – The Kneecaps are highly vulnerable to attack and can be easily dislocated or broken by a well-placed kick to the knee. A kick to the side of the knee can also cause a considerable amount of damage.

Feet – Stomping on your attacker’s feet probably will not end the fight, but it can cause a huge amount of pain. Foot stomps are often used to escape from a hold and can give you time to setup for your next attack.

Self-Defense Techniques you should know!

Be Aware of Your Surroundings and Study the Art of Situational Awareness!

The first thing you must do to protect yourself is to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to anything that seems out of place and watch for suspicious behavior. Keep your head up, look confident, and don’t be afraid to make eye contact with people.

Please read our full article on How to Protect Yourself by Developing your Situational Awareness

Don’t be afraid to Use Your Voice

This one is important for women and children. The use of your voice is a powerful tool to deter attackers. Scream, shout, or use a whistle to draw attention. By making noise, you let people know you are in trouble, and the attacker knows that people will hopefully come to your aid.

Carry and KNOW HOW To Use Weapons

If you have access to a weapon, then you should use it to protect yourself. Remember, people can die from a single well-placed punch, so if you feel your life is in danger, then you need to access the force required to stop that danger!

Check out our Weapons Articles:

Take a Self-Defense Class

Reading about it is one thing, but one of the best ways to learn self-defense is to take a self-defense class. These classes teach you how to protect yourself, avoid dangerous situations, and feel more confident in handling difficult situations. In addition, you will learn different techniques, including striking, blocking, and grappling, as well as how to use weapons effectively.

Related Self Defense Articles:

The Afghan debacle is a major setback for any notion of U.S. leadership of the world of liberal democracies.

Even though the Biden-Harris Administration frequently touts their allied-friendly strategy in foreign policy, the “blitzkrieg withdrawal” from Afghanistan is more than a road bump.

It is a strategic moment of great significance in U.S. global leadership.

The Obama Administration focused its attention on the “good war” versus any focus on “great power competition.”

The rise of the multi-polar authoritarian world was certainly aided by this lack of focus and accelerated by the “blitzkrieg withdrawal.”

The House Foreign Affairs Committee has released a significant report on this event.

The mainstream press will consider it to be partisan, but the stark reality is that the “blitzkrieg withdrawal” happened and its consequences are stark.

There is nothing partisan about reality.

As The Wall Street Journal noted today in an editorial:

“More broadly, the Afghan withdrawal marked the end of credible American deterrence during the Biden Presidency.

“You can draw a straight line from the withdrawal to Vladimir Putin’s decision to roll into Ukraine, or why the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen aren’t afraid to fire missiles at commercial ships in the Red Sea.”

The House Report noted:

“As a result of faltering U.S. standing, America’s partners and allies in the Middle East and Central Asia are increasingly turning to Russia and China as alternative security suppliers.

“Since 2021, the region has also moved toward normalizing relations with U.S. adversaries like the Ayatollah in Iran and Bashar al-Assad in Syria, both of whom are working alongside Russia with an overt goal of diminishing American presence in the region and beyond. The United States withdrawal from Afghanistan strengthened the ambitions of America’s adversaries of claiming newfound geopolitical clout in contested regions around the globe.”

It is certainly fair to argue that there was a clear path from the “Blitzkrieg withdrawal” to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

But there is even a clear path with regard to policies towards the Russians, a pathway which I focused on in my report on pathways to invasion.

Actions have consequences: even for Inside the Beltway.

Timeline to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Three years have passed since the United States, Australia and United Kingdom announced on September 15 2021 that they would enter into a security partnership called AUKUS.

A major part of the deal involved the US and UK helping Australia acquire nuclear-propulsion submarines. This decision by the Morrison government controversially entailed backing out of a A$90 billion deal with a French company to purchase 12 submarines.

In recent months, the AUKUS deal has generated a fair amount of criticism from former Prime Ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, and some in the media.

Critics have focused on five main arguments about AUKUS:

• the pact enhances the prospects of war with China
• Australia doesn’t need nuclear-propulsion submarines
• the deal makes our neighbours in South-East Asia uneasy
• it drags us back to our Anglosphere past, tying us closely to the US and UK
• the forecast cost of the submarines (between A$268 and $368 billion) is unconscionably high.

Yet, each of these claims is based on assertions that miss the point. Here’s why.

1. AUKUS increases the likelihood of war

Some critics argue that by acquiring nuclear-propulsion submarines, Australia will support a more belligerent posture by the US towards China, notably over Taiwan. And this makes war more likely.

This, however, belies American awareness of its own limitations and the risks such a provocative approach would entail.

Others argue AUKUS encourages a military industrial complex that ostensibly makes Australia more of a dependent – rather than independent – ally to the US. And this denies Australia agency in regional or global security affairs.

But this bleak interpretation, again, sees a binary world in which Australia would be expected to support the US unquestioningly in a potential war with China over Taiwan. It also overlooks the prospect that war might not happen – that China will squeeze, rather than seize Taiwan.

As defence expert Peter Dean has observed, the debate over Taiwan’s security is “an argument without context”. It ignores the importance of Australia’s own regional security strategy. Whether or not we’d support the US in a war, Dean says, is the wrong question in the wrong argument.

This belief that AUKUS increases the likelihood of war also misreads the nuanced nature of deterrence for which credible force is needed.

Indeed, realists widely acknowledge that weakness invites adventurism, even aggression. The whole point of having a defence force is to deter would-be aggressors by giving them pause for thought and, failing that, to inflict such costs on an enemy, they fail in their objectives.

Tensions are greater today than they have been in generations. And as strategic studies expert Brendan Taylor argues, there are at least four flash points in Australia’s region: Korea, the East China Sea, the South China Sea and Taiwan.

Australia has a vested interest in preserving peace and stability in the region to protect and foster its prosperity. Capable and potent deterrent capabilities have proven increasingly effective at doing this, as conflicts in recent years in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown by not spiralling out of control.

So, the AUKUS deal shouldn’t be seen as provocative. Rather, it maintains strong deterrence in the region. Our neighbours understand that.

2. Australia doesn’t need nuclear-propulsion submarines

This myth persists despite mounting evidence. Australia is interested in nuclear-propulsion submarines because its ageing fleet of diesel-electric propulsion submarines has become vulnerable to aerial detection and strikes.

Most of earth is now covered by low-earth polar orbit satellites. Coupled with armed drones, artificial intelligence and pattern analysis, this means a determined adversary can detect the wake of traditional submarine funnels when they raise their snorkels to recharge their batteries.

Given that stealth had been their only advantage over surface warships, diesel-electric submarines are no longer so useful where long transits are involved.

Australia’s diesel-electric submarines cannot transit from any major domestic or foreign port to their base in Western Australia without multiple snorts. And each snort generates a grave risk of detection. This leaves nuclear propulsion as the only viable option for countries with vast ocean distances to transit, such as Australia or the United States.

Operationally, nuclear-propulsion submarines have other considerable benefits. For one, they can travel faster (about 20 knots on average instead of 6.5 knots). The transit time from Fremantle to the Strait of Malacca, therefore drops from 18 days to just six days.

The faster transit speeds means coverage of key choke points can be maintained with a handful of submarines that can relocate (away from danger or to a new surveillance location) with breathtaking speed.

The nuclear-propulsion submarines can also stay underwater “on station” (at an assigned patrol location, say, the Malacca or Lombok straits) for longer. A fleet should also be able to be deployed three times longer than Australia’s current submarines, remaining undetected without needing to recharge batteries.

3. The neighbours don’t like it

Official reservations about AUKUS in public declarations are entirely understandable, given Indonesia’s “free and active” foreign policy.

Yet, the new enhanced defence pact signed by Australia and Indonesia on August 29 suggests that Indonesia, like the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, are quite comfortable with Australia engaging in AUKUS and with its neighbours concurrently.

4. The focus on the Anglosphere detracts from regional engagement

Australia was once described as a “torn country” because of its geographical location in the Asia-Pacific and its historical and cultural connections to the United Kingdom.

But these days, Australia is successfully managing the tension between its Anglosphere roots and its physical place in the world. Arguably, it’s a key factor making it attractive for foreign students and migrants, luring them away from UK and US alternatives.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s diplomatic successes also belie the line that AUKUS detracts from engagement with our neighbours. Successful summits with the Pacific Islands Forum and Association of South East Asian Nation leaders recently make a mockery of such claims.

Even France, the most slighted out of the AUKUS deal, has gotten over it because Australia matters to its Indo-Pacific claims.

Indeed, Labor’s election victory in 2022 allowed for a convenient reset in relations. This has been illustrated with the recently refreshed trilateral “FRANZ” agreement between France, Australia and New Zealand.

5. The cost is unconscionable

A cost of up to A$368 billion over 30 years sounds like a lot. But this amount is unlikely to be fully spent as other efficiencies may arise and because defence is accommodating the submarines from its existing budget, much to the chagrin of the Air Force and Army having to make cutbacks.

Defence budget increases are occurring only incrementally, with substantial increases slated for several years into the future.

To be sure, the government must grapple with competing demands for missiles, aircraft, drones and other fighting systems. As retired Lieutenant General Peter Leahy observed, military readiness requires additional expenditures in the short term to hedge against uncertainty.

Ironically enough, however, increased reliance on US-sourced technology is key to enabling a more self-reliant defence posture.

Australia prides itself on its high level of interoperability with the US military as part of maintaining a qualitative technological edge. This is intended to compensate for its lack of quantity when it comes to military hardware and uniformed personnel.

Under AUKUS, the US is transferring the know-how to build, maintain and operate the nuclear-powered submarines in Australia. This relies on trusted access to the most advanced US military technology – building on more than 80 years of collaboration on intelligence matters.

These advanced systems are vital should the US prove unwilling or unable to engage as actively in the neighbourhood as we might like in the future.

Balancing interests

What has emerged in recent times is what Rory Medcalf, head of the ANU National Security College, describes as “the Australian way of war and peace”. This means Australia is respectfully but firmly asserting its rights, protecting its interests and setting an example for others in the neighbourhood to follow.

In weighing up Australia’s interests, we must look beyond the critiques. Now is not the time for yet another submarine about-face.

The geopolitical circumstances and new technological advances point to the need to stay the course.

This article was published on The Conversation 

It was published on September 14, 2024.

See also, the following:

Australian Defence and Deterrence: A 2024 Update