Self-Defense is essential in today's world. In a society which increasingly embraces relativism & a victim mentality, being able to defend yourself effectively (i.e. - just enough to escape the situation) is a priceless skill. Not only must you ensure your own survival, you must prevent "overkill". By overkill, I mean if someone pushes you & your response is to punch them repeatedly in the head...you're going too far. For most situations the response, legally, must be proportionate to the attack.
Location is the first aspect I consider important in self-defense. That's going to be the focus of this first installment. Keeping yourself out of that bad situation will prevent the vast majority of attacks. Walking alone through a bad neighborhood at 2AM is a bad idea. This should be obvious, even if you think you're some hero in an action flick (Trust me, you're not).
Even in a safer location (i.e. - well lit, public area) it's still possible there will be an attack. Fortunately, instinct has provided us with tools we can easily implement. Fear is not a bad reaction & it can often save you from danger. Everything from hair on the back of your neck to a bad "feeling" about a place or situation is a cue. As my instructor says, if you notice these signals, get to a safe place & go over exactly what you saw. At some point you'll recognize what was bad about that scene.
As my old XO in the Navy told me, the two best ways to stay out of trouble are to, "be somewhere when you're supposed to be there & do what you're supposed to do, when you're supposed to do it". The first half of that adage applies greatly to self-defense. Being in the wrong place doesn't mean you were "asking for it" but will that really matter if you're attacked? Legally, you may be in the right & I guarantee you the attacker won't care. Do your best to reasonably avoid the situation & there will be no argument over moral equivalence.
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