Best Defense in attempted mugging/assault?

[Bodog]

JD, without getting political and too philosophical, would you say one of the core reasons for the rise in such violent crimes is the mass-spreading of the belief in "moral relativism", the idea that "what makes me feel good is right for me, regardless of how you feel or think", and variations of that? It seems to me to be so hypocritical. On one hand, people teach that moral relativism, and try to act it out, and then on the other hand, people become outraged when their person and property is violated or when they perceive an injustice is done. It seems that society would be alot more stable if people all agreed that there is a universal right and a universal wrong standard, and people sought to abide by that, and to seek to treat their fellow people as they want to be treated, with respect and love and care. But alas, that is not the situation, is it my friend?

History is full of horrific evils, vile attacks and assaults, and other things, too. Noone can say "Well there were the good old days when none of that happened." Either it was suppressed from being acted out in the open, and/or it was happening behind closed doors.

I once spoke on the internet to a man who seemed to be quite educated, and, chillingly to me, he told me he does not believe there is such a thing as universal standards of right and wrong, of morality. He actually said everything is relative and subjective. He told me there is no difference between a person eating a pizza and a person eating a human being. I asked him if he was serious and he said yes. Then I asked him "Is it wrong to steal and kill?" and he said "no, there is no right or wrong. Its a figment of your imagination." Finally i asked him "okay, what if someone went up to your prized car, and took a sledge hammer, and began to smash in the windows and the hood and the headlights, just for their own personal sense of pleasure? Is that wrong?" He said "Nope. But I would go and pummel them into the ground!" Do you think that attitude is more prevalent than we think or not?

I've dealt with a lot of bad guys trying to come into the country against its wishes. I've arrested a lot of bad guys. I've interviewed a lot of bad guys.

The truth is, there is no objective morality. There are cultural norms and action defensible by those who adhere to the cultural norm. That's it. Demographics are the future. Not because of the demographics in itself, but because of the cultures those demographics emulate. If someone is willing to fully reject their jacked up culture, then they should be given the chance to assimilate. If not, they should be kicked right back to the culture that spawned them.

No, in a definitive sense, there's no difference between eating a pizza and eating a human. Cultures differentiate between these actions. We either accept a culture that accepts the morality of eating a human or we accept the culture that would rather summarily execute those who eat humans. There really is no middle ground. And at some point you have to take a stand and explain to yourself why you stand on one side or the other.

I stand with the idea that total individual freedom should be allowed until it infringes on the physical freedoms of another.

[JD Spydo]

To answer SEF's question he posed to me all I can say at this point is that it is too complicated to just use one blanket answer to cover every intent of every crime out there. Surprisingly enough most people in prison will admit they were wrong and got caught. I had a friend who was a chaplain at the Federal Prison at Leavenworth KS which is about 50 miles from where I'm living. He said that even though many of the inmates he counseled with that most of them did have a sense of "right versus wrong". And he said many of them were raised in religious homes but for some strange reason veered away from their strict childhood teachings.

I think what I encountered back in 2010 when I thwarted those two illegal aliens who were trying to rob me at the time I believe they were just probably broke and desperate. And you know the old saying "Desperate People Do Desperate Things". In spite of what two illegal aliens attempted to do to me I don't hate anyone of any race, nationality, culture, religion or tribe. And my heart goes out to people who live in horrible third world living conditions. But many illegal aliens believe that what we have is their's for the taking. It is a relatively small percentage of the aliens in this country who resort to criminal acts. Because I've encountered many of them who are religious, hard working and decent people who are trying to find a better place to live and raise their families.

But there is a huge number of illegal aliens who were criminals in their native land and they brought their criminal ways here to the USA unfortunately>> and that's the type of depraved humans I ran into on that night back in 2010.

Now as far as what you are speaking of it all boils down to what kind of moral compass a person is raised with. There are so many factors that have made our society what it has turned into. We are in tough economic times irrespective of what the corporately owned and rigged mainstream news media tells you. So many families are really suffering financially and wages are not keeping up with the exponentially high costs of living in the USA.

In many respects I believe that poverty is your biggest common denominator. But there is also a growing moral depravity growing in our society as well.

[The Deacon]

I'm going to follow Mr. Miyagi's advice: "don't be there."

Buddy of mine, years ago, use to call it "tactical avoidism" and it's been my first line of defense for years. These days especially, anyone wanting to accost me would have to do it in the kind of places where such attacks are the least likely - well trafficked areas in "good neighborhoods" in broad daylight. May not eliminate risk, which is why I still carry a gun, but it certainly minimizes it.

[JD Spydo]

I'm going to follow Mr. Miyagi's advice: "don't be there."

Buddy of mine, years ago, use to call it "tactical avoidism" and it's been my first line of defense for years. These days especially, anyone wanting to accost me would have to do it in the kind of places where such attacks are the least likely - well trafficked areas in "good neighborhoods" in broad daylight. May not eliminate risk, which is why I still carry a gun, but it certainly minimizes it.

And all of that is great>> I make efforts to try to avoid problems and potentially bad situations myself. In the town I'm currently living in is considered one of the best towns in the entire state of Missouri. Look up Blue Springs and Lee's Summit Missouri on the internet>> both of these towns are not only considered the best and safest in the state but also in the entire nation as well. But again the overall landscape is changing almost everywhere I go anymore. This isn't the country I was residing at in the 60s & 70s.

Just look at all the mass shootings we've had in recent times in the USA. Take the Las Vegas shooting of a year ago and the most recent shooting in California the other day. Both of those were at Country & Western music gatherings and for all intent and purposes are usually pretty well behaved crowds. We've even been having problems at both Arrowhead and KC Royals stadiums in recent times. What I'm saying is that it's getting worse no matter where you are at in the USA from what I've gathered. Here where I'm living we now have armed security guards at local libraries>> and that never happened in the past at all.

But yes there are measures you can take to put the odds in your favor. Stay out of bars #1 and I don't even care if it's considered a VIP bar. Stay out of strip joints, stay out of gambling casinos and I'm to the point now I don't even go to movie theatres anymore. My two Police friends tell me that domestic violence ( even here in Blue Springs & Lee's Summit) is getting worse and worse>> especially violence against children is getting worse in their own homes. What I'm saying is yes avoidance is a good game plan but it's far from bullet proof in this day and age.

[SpyderScout]

In this type of situation, what is the best thing to do to protect yourself?

You are walking alone whether in an urban or rural setting and you notice an individual who was loitering in the vicinity, immediately begin to follow you, and even at a fast-paced angle in your direction, and you sense and can see the person is of a violent predatory inclination, and coming in your direction, with roughly a few tens of feet between themself and you.

How would you all respond to such a definitely perceived threat and make sure you 1 Stay safe and whatever outcome is in your favor for the protection of your person and property,

2 make sure you are not over-reacting and the person did not intend to physically attack you.

I welcome all answers.

In regards to the average citizen (with most likely little to no training and or stamina for a fight and/or killing somebody); Forget all the macho bull, this is your life, we are talking about; leave the location ASAP. Run if need be. If in any way possible, avoid a confrontation. Forget the Clint Eastwood stuff. Dont die on that hill. A lowlife is most likely to have less respect for your health/life than standard citizens. In fact, most ordinary citizens with no training will most likely not come out on top in a confrontation with a seasoned violent criminal.

Further more, there are the legalities of the thing - see below:

With a wrestling and football background, I would probably try to defend myself...depending if I could tell if they had a weapon or not. If they had a gun, very large knife, chain, bat etc. I would probably surrender what they wanted. If they pulled a knife, well I always have a knife as well. Never would want to think of or be in that situation though, and would hope the assailant would back down realizing I was also carrying a knife.

If it were strictly hand to hand combat, I would take my chances. As my father said when I was a teenager. If you know you're going to be in a fight...be the first one to throw the punch and don't come home crying :p

Not trying to sound like some macho tough guy, people are wired with the "fight or flight" instinct. I've been handed the fight.

Being 'wired for a fight' is all well and good but the 'throwing the first punch' part can land you in jail under the 'right' (/wrong) circumstances.
A multitude of possibilities can land you on hot water with that one; witnesses - maybe even a cop sees you land the first punch, the other person has marks on him but you dont - it gets reported to the popo, dude croaks or lands up in traction but you dont have any marks etc etc - the scenarios for that mentality ending in a bad outcome are legion.

(yeah yeah, I know; rather judged by 12 and all that ... ) :)

If leaving the location (fast enough) is not possible, Im not saying one should not under any circumstance kowtow to a potential mugger. Some countries like the US allows some citizens to carry a gun and that might help the average citizen. Other folks in other countries dont have that option, they might not even be allowed to carry a knife - ANY knife - let alone use it for SD. In some countries, you can go to jail for that.

A 'show of force'/confidence when one turns around and demonstrate outwardly, that one is not afraid, might deter SOME criminals. Others, it wont scare an iota.

Tl;dr the average Joe should depart the premises ASAP and not seek a confrontation if at all possible.

[TkoK83Spy]

Totally understand that. It's definitely true, especially these days when a fist fight is never just that.

My dad's reasoning behind that was somewhat valid though. When he was in college he and some friends were at a bar. A friend of his got into an argument with another guy, apparently they were face to face and he knew something was going to happen. My dad's friend pushed the guy out of his face and the guy came back and punched my dad's friend in the face. He fell and hit his head on the corner of a table and then the floor. The guy ran from the bar. My dad's friend ended up suffering a serious head injury and became permanently disabled.
The guy that punched him was never caught.

Though he would have hated for me to do that to somebody, he would obviously not like to see me with a possible brain injury either. Hence, his "throw the first punch" theory. Because you never know what can happen.

Tough call. Obviously not getting into a situation like that in the first place is ideal. But tell that to a teenager/early 20's kid hopped up on testosterone and alcohol. That's what he was looking for for me. Being 35 now, I'm sure he'd be quite ashamed of me for getting into a fight unless I was defending myself or family.

[Bodog]

In this type of situation, what is the best thing to do to protect yourself?

You are walking alone whether in an urban or rural setting and you notice an individual who was loitering in the vicinity, immediately begin to follow you, and even at a fast-paced angle in your direction, and you sense and can see the person is of a violent predatory inclination, and coming in your direction, with roughly a few tens of feet between themself and you.

How would you all respond to such a definitely perceived threat and make sure you 1 Stay safe and whatever outcome is in your favor for the protection of your person and property,

2 make sure you are not over-reacting and the person did not intend to physically attack you.

I welcome all answers.

In regards to the average citizen (with most likely little to no training and or stamina for a fight and/or killing somebody); Forget all the macho bull, this is your life, we are talking about; leave the location ASAP. Run if need be. If in any way possible, avoid a confrontation. Forget the Clint Eastwood stuff. Dont die on that hill. A lowlife is most likely to have less respect for your health/life than standard citizens. In fact, most ordinary citizens with no training will most likely not come out on top in a confrontation with a seasoned violent criminal.

Further more, there are the legalities of the thing - see below:

With a wrestling and football background, I would probably try to defend myself...depending if I could tell if they had a weapon or not. If they had a gun, very large knife, chain, bat etc. I would probably surrender what they wanted. If they pulled a knife, well I always have a knife as well. Never would want to think of or be in that situation though, and would hope the assailant would back down realizing I was also carrying a knife.

If it were strictly hand to hand combat, I would take my chances. As my father said when I was a teenager. If you know you're going to be in a fight...be the first one to throw the punch and don't come home crying :p

Not trying to sound like some macho tough guy, people are wired with the "fight or flight" instinct. I've been handed the fight.

Being 'wired for a fight' is all well and good but the 'throwing the first punch' part can land you in jail under the 'right' (/wrong) circumstances.
A multitude of possibilities can land you on hot water with that one; witnesses - maybe even a cop sees you land the first punch, the other person has marks on him but you dont - it gets reported to the popo, dude croaks or lands up in traction but you dont have any marks etc etc - the scenarios for that mentality ending in a bad outcome are legion.

(yeah yeah, I know; rather judged by 12 and all that ... ) :)

If leaving the location (fast enough) is not possible, Im not saying one should not under any circumstance kowtow to a potential mugger. Some countries like the US allows some citizens to carry a gun and that might help the average citizen. Other folks in other countries dont have that option, they might not even be allowed to carry a knife - ANY knife - let alone use it for SD. In some countries, you can go to jail for that.

A 'show of force'/confidence when one turns around and demonstrate outwardly, that one is not afraid, might deter SOME criminals. Others, it wont scare an iota.

Tl;dr the average Joe should depart the premises ASAP and not seek a confrontation if at all possible.

Running away is rarely the way to decrease crime in an area.

[JD Spydo]

I totally agree with what "Bodog" just stated. Because in my situation I shared with you all for instance the option of "running away" was just not an option at all. When you've got a handgun pointed at you not knowing whether or not it is for real or it is a bluff as I think it might have been in my particular situation you just don't know. You've got to be as cool as possible and like said to the best of your ability try to show "No Fear". Because like a German Shepherd dog ( I used to raise them) criminals feed on fear.

Sure if it's a viable option it's always best to leave a bad situation. But in a kidnapping situation for instance>> you would rarely get the option of running away. And when you consider all the women here in the Kansas City area that were raped during that one dark era we had you might just as well consider rape another form of kidnapping and torture. Another thing my police friends told me was on the rise is pedophilia :mad: They said it's going up in the charts almost exponentially. It's truly getting really sick out there folks!!

[Bodog]

I totally agree with what "Bodog" just stated. Because in my situation I shared with you all for instance the option of "running away" was just not an option at all. When you've got a handgun pointed at you not knowing whether or not it is for real or it is a bluff as I think it might have been in my particular situation you just don't know. You've got to be as cool as possible and like said to the best of your ability try to show "No Fear". Because like a German Shepherd dog ( I used to raise them) criminals feed on fear.

Sure if it's a viable option it's always best to leave a bad situation. But in a kidnapping situation for instance>> you would rarely get the option of running away. And when you consider all the women here in the Kansas City area that were raped during that one dark era we had you might just as well consider rape another form of kidnapping and torture. Another thing my police friends told me was on the rise is pedophilia :mad: They said it's going up in the charts almost exponentially. It's truly getting really sick out there folks!!

People seeking to refrain from confronting inmorality allows immorality to flourish. In other words, all it takes for evil men to win is for good men to do nothing. Our society is collapsing because good men do not confront the obviously corrupt running rampant in our communities. They're afraid of being labeled intolerant. Our propaganda machine and legal system has become so effective at stopping good people that good people are afraid to be good.

When the dam breaks, good people might go overboard. Look at the crusaders and what they did to muslims when they liberated Jerusalem from the tyrants. It wasn't pretty. We are on that precipice now

[JD Spydo]

Well "BODOG" you've been "spot-on" with all your posts on this thread and I'm sure going to take a hard look at what you just said because you are most definitely on to something. While I was volunteering to help a lady minister friend of mine about a year ago I was helping her work with a group of women who were trying to get their lives together.

We were confronted with an ex-boyfriend who showed up at the group and was trying to make trouble. I told one of the girls working with me to go to the back room where she would be safe and call the police. She went into the other room and I thought that was indeed what she was doing. I thought I was going to get into a fight with this guy because tempers were getting out of hand but my lady/minister friend convinced him to leave to avoid going to jail>> because as it turned out he was on strict parole. It suddenly dawned on me that the Police never showed up which they normally did when we had trouble at the shelter where we were working and they usually always supported us for the most part. I asked the girl what time she called the police because I saw where a half an hour went by and no police showed up :confused: Well she started crying and admitted that she didn't call them because she was afraid of retaliation from the guys causing the trouble.

What blew me away was that I would have been the one they would have come after. They had no way of knowing that she would have been the one calling the police. But she was so scared and cowered to even make a simple phone call. Which potentially put me and my lady friend at risk but thank GOD above we were able to de-fuse the situation just by talking to them. And this cowardice I'm afraid is consistent with what you are talking about in your previous post. Really good people are being totally intimidated by thugs to the point to where they just won't help at all anymore. And I see it getting worse each passing day just like you alluded to

[tvenuto]

I'm going to follow Mr. Miyagi's advice: "don't be there."

Buddy of mine, years ago, use to call it "tactical avoidism" and it's been my first line of defense for years. These days especially, anyone wanting to accost me would have to do it in the kind of places where such attacks are the least likely - well trafficked areas in "good neighborhoods" in broad daylight. May not eliminate risk, which is why I still carry a gun, but it certainly minimizes it.

I was being a bit glib, but awareness and avoidance is hugely important.

My wife's coworker was mugged in Baltimore about 5 years ago. He was hit in the head, knocked down and his phone and wallet were taken. He realized after the event that he had been uncomfortable with the two people that seemed to be following him but didn't address it. About 6 months later he once again felt two people following him. He stopped walking, and turned around and looked at them. They both froze, and then turned and crossed the street. This guy was a pilot and quite a small male (5'6"), but the mere fact that these would-be criminals no longer had the element of surprise was enough to dissuade them.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Bodog, I wish it was like you said: I would like to see the everyday folks fight back to the point where the predatory types are too afraid to attack people because they are afraid the citizens will turn them into dead pulp. Imagine if society was like that and the assailiants realized that they would be literally wiped out if they attempted to assault people.

I have a related question, a twist on this: A friend of mine said the more dangerous situation is where the attacker/predatory person does not originally come against their target with a violent-aggressive assault, but, rather, puts on a mask of friendliness or needing help, and then turns on the victim and attacks them. Three examples come to mind from things I have heard, read, and been told of over the years:

1 You are driving down a road, either a back road or a highway, and you see someone with an apparently broken-down car or other vehicle. They are waving to people asking for help but in truth, they are a mugger/attacker and plan to assault and steal from whomever stops to help them. I have read of and heard of and been told that this has happened. Do you think there are enough police/highway patrol people out there on the roads in this age to cut down on such things or does it still happen?

2 Dangerous Hitch Hikers: A question about this: Have any of you seen many people nowadays hitch hiking on the highways or back roads? I have not and I heard it is alot rarer to see nowadays than it was in decades past. I have heard that the 1940s-1970s was a peak period for hitch hiking, and then things began to become more dangerous, and, states and municipalities passed laws against it to cut down on vagrants, homeless people, and trouble makers.

3 A person who approaches you and acts friendly and says "hello how are you?" and then lashes out and attacks.

How does one prepare ahead of time for such "clandestine fake friendly attacks"?

Instead of personally reaching out to help an apparently stranded motorist or a hitch hiker, would it be best to contact professionals such as a tow company or police instead of directly stopping for them?

[Bodog]

Bodog, I wish it was like you said: I would like to see the everyday folks fight back to the point where the predatory types are too afraid to attack people because they are afraid the citizens will turn them into dead pulp. Imagine if society was like that and the assailiants realized that they would be literally wiped out if they attempted to assault people.

*it could be but our culture has been programmed to accept the weak good people and shun the strong good people. The opposite is true of bad people.



I have a related question, a twist on this: A friend of mine said the more dangerous situation is where the attacker/predatory person does not originally come against their target with a violent-aggressive assault, but, rather, puts on a mask of friendliness or needing help, and then turns on the victim and attacks them.

*A con artist is just as dangerous as anyone else could be. Someone seeking to hurt you will try to find a way.


Three examples come to mind from things I have heard, read, and been told of over the years:

1 You are driving down a road, either a back road or a highway, and you see someone with an apparently broken-down car or other vehicle. They are waving to people asking for help but in truth, they are a mugger/attacker and plan to assault and steal from whomever stops to help them. I have read of and heard of and been told that this has happened.

"Do you think there are enough police/highway patrol people out there on the roads in this age to cut down on such things or does it still happen?"

*No. There will never be, and should never be, enough police to ensure your safety. Your safety and your freedom are often inversely proportional.

2 Dangerous Hitch Hikers: A question about this: Have any of you seen many people nowadays hitch hiking on the highways or back roads? I have not and I heard it is alot rarer to see nowadays than it was in decades past. I have heard that the 1940s-1970s was a peak period for hitch hiking, and then things began to become more dangerous, and, states and municipalities passed laws against it to cut down on vagrants, homeless people, and trouble makers.

*If you don't believe you can properly defend yourself, don't pick up hitchhikers.

3 A person who approaches you and acts friendly and says "hello how are you?" and then lashes out and attacks.

*Wolves will usually attack the weak and unwary.

How does one prepare ahead of time for such "clandestine fake friendly attacks"?

*everyone is different.

Instead of personally reaching out to help an apparently stranded motorist or a hitch hiker, would it be best to contact professionals such as a tow company or police instead of directly stopping for them?

*depends on the situation. If my kid or wife are with me then I won't stop. If I'm by myself and with an appropriate defense ready, I'll let them get in the bed of my truck. I trust women less than men in those situations. If i was a woman I'd trust a man less. Depends also on area of town, known cultures of people in that area, etc. If it's a total unknown, I'll take that into account before stopping.

Answers in the quote.

[The Mastiff]

robbers/muggers know they have a dangerous job so they use tricks to get the advantage just like we do trying to stay safe. There will usually be more than one. If they can't hit you from behind in a surprise attack they will usually approach you in a friendly manner asking for a cigarette/light/directions. When you go to get something from your pocket, or concentrate on lighting a cigarette that is when they get you. They try to knock you out in one hit often to the chin, jaw or glasses if you wear them so your eyes will be damaged or worse. I've known them put people at a disadvantage by accusing the target of something. "You were that guy who was hitting on my girl", or something similar. " You called me boy?" ( or the N-word. Imagine you trying to explain how you didn't when the guy is really just working you with a game on his terms to get you off balance mentally.) This puts you at the disadvantage of trying to deescalate/deny, etc. I've seen people apologize for stuff they didn't do.

The guys that tried to rob Joe probably thought as a guy living in a vehicle he kept his cash with him rather than in a bank. Illegals often get robbed and many times won't report for fear of the authorities. There are people who specialize in robbing immigrants. Some specialize in robbing drug dealers. Every one is different and there is really no one thing that always works or is best. It all depends. Robbing people is as old as people are.

Joe

[JD Spydo]

Mastiff that is just outright great advice. Which is why I've chose to always at least be armed with blades, mace and a flashlight that really makes a nice weapon ( Surefire E2D Defender model). I do respect and obey laws for the most part but when it comes to self defense I'll go with the wise saying "I Would Rather Be Judged By 12 Than I Would To Be Carried By 6". Because as I testified in my earlier post I do believe it was me turning my fear into intense anger and rage that probably may have saved my life back in 2010. And it might have truly been illegal for me to have that Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri at my side. But I'm convinced if I had not had a weapon the outcome might have put me 6 feet under .

What really worries me a lot is that many of the really good Godly, decent women I work with at that Shelter I volunteer at occasionly are so naive and Polyanna about potential dangers is that they become such an easy target that it's simply pathetic. And I see that incredibly stupid, naive mindset almost on a daily basis>> and with some men even with a more stupid false sense of security. And it seems like the more dangerous it gets the more stupid and unaware many of them become . I believe that "awareness" and being prepared might just be about 75% of your solution to this type of problem.

Because when dealing with sociopath people that have no heart or no conscience you have to be on your toes all the time. Like it or not serial killers, thugs and evil homeless people are on the rise. I'm even to the point to where I'm constantly checking my back side even in broad daylight. it's so sad that there are so many really good people out there that can't even conceive of the sociopath evil that is growing in our society. GOD help us

[Doc Dan]

Fairbairn said that if the bad guy has a knife, no matter how proficient you are with a knife or in hand to hand combat, run if you can. To that end, a good strong pepper spray and tennis shoes are the best bet. A pocket .38 or .380 is not a bad idea in those places where it is allowed. I say pocket because this is a gun people will actually carry. If it is big, heavy, or big and heavy, people will talk about it, but not carry such guns. However, it is hard to actually shoot someone, regardless of talk, for normal people.

Here, we are not allowed to even have an empty cartridge case, let alone a gun. I carry pepper spray and a folding baton, and pray a lot.

[tvenuto]

Indeed. Good people standing up to bad does not mean taking unnecessary risk. If you can avoid, do so. If you can exit, do so. If you can deescalate, do so.

[Tdog]

God forbid that it should ever happen, but in the right, or perhaps wrong circumstances, that is what a CCW is for. Years ago I was shopping in a grocery store when a man robbed a lady at knife point. Held it to her face, grabbed her purse and ran. This was in the middle of the day in a large store. Glad I wasn't carrying, not sure what I would have done. As it was, the robber ran down the road, went behind a building and was going through the purse when the police arrested him. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Agree with others, best not to put oneself or loved ones in that scenario.

[Joseph08]

I would suggest to quickly call someone and move to a place where at least some people are present. Also, keeping a self-defense tool is very crucial whether a pepper spray or a tactical pen. Keep a self-defense solution that can be accessed quickly.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I would suggest to quickly call someone and move to a place where at least some people are present. Also, keeping a self-defense tool is very crucial whether a pepper spray or a tactical pen. Keep a self-defense solution that can be accessed quickly.

Thank you! This is excellent advice. I have a related question for you all:

1 Would an Opinel with at least a 3 and a half inch long blade, or along those dimensions, be able to be used as a self-defense knife in a survival situation, or would the thinness of the blade be more breakable?

2 What is a good model self defense pen you recommend?