Tag: protection

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Staying Safe in Crowds

The crowds are coming.

As the holiday season approaches, we will invariably be heading out more often to places rife with people.  Be it for shopping, get-togethers, enjoying a crisp winter walk or seeing a festive event, the holiday season brings more and more people out for all these reasons and more.

Large groups of people gathered together tend to cause problems relating to safety and security.  They increase the risk of conflict between people in those large groups, they make inviting targets for those who would wish to cause harm (i.e. bad guys) and the larger the group of people in a building, the more difficult and time-consuming it is to get those people out safely, especially under panic.

Violent crowds. Dangerous times.

Examples of these would be as follows:  anytime there is one last toy of a particular kind and a fight breaks out; fights over parking spots at malls, etc.  These types of events may or may not be directly involving you, but have the potential to rope you in if you’re not paying attention.  Another is an active shooter (such as the Jane Creba shooting in Toronto) where something like gang violence occurs and innocent bystanders are caught in the middle.  And then there are times when a machete-wielding lunatic attacks random shoppers, or some fanatic decides to plough down people walking down the street with a truck.  And then there’s fire.  Nothing nefarious, but deadly nonetheless.  They happen.  Use all your senses to stay aware.  None of these are predictable in a useful sense for someone heading out for a day of shopping at the mall.  They just happen.

For the interactions that escalate, I would recommend to let it go.  Is some hot-head nut case really worth that parking spot?  Likely not.  However, this doesn’t mean I advocate not protecting yourself if someone attacks you.

George knows. It’s not worth it.

For the rest, they are “black swan events” which you have to deal with as they unfold.

Here are my thoughts on how to increase your chances of survival in crowded locations in times of danger.

  • Keep an eye open for viable exits:  as you enter malls, concert halls or crowded public spaces, keep an eye on ways out.  Be it a fire or an attack, having a pre-planned escape route can save valuable seconds getting out and saving yourself and likely others.  Better yet, if you’re there a while, hang out near the exits.  You’ll be better positioned to get out should something happen.  Also, if in a mall, take the stairs instead of the escalators.  If you have to move in a hurry you have a better position to move from as those on the escalator are trapped in the chute.

    Exits, exits everywhere! Keep an eye open.
  • Keep moving:  Staying still doesn’t help you much in a time of crisis.  If you’re still, you’re an easy target, you’re not moving away from danger and you’re not able to affect change to your circumstance, thus handing all the control to others (i.e. bad guys).  Move towards an exit, move to cover, move  to a fire extinguisher…just MOVE!  Be a difficult target.  Movement is Life.  In large crowds, most people will attempt to exit the way they came in.  This can cause a stampede-like effect where people get trampled and crushed.  A wave of humanity which is large and panicked cannot be forced.  Instead, take the better approach and aim for one of your pre-scouted exits instead.
  • In the case of an active shooter – TAKE COVER:  That’s right.  as you move, move from one place of cover to another until you exit and create time and distance between you and the threat.  Cover is something that offers ballistic protection (i.e. protection from bullets).  This is cement and concrete.  Furniture, vehicles and the like don’t provide adequate protection from bullets.  Stone, rock, thick steel and cement do.  Look for pillars, walls and the like to save you.

    Hide behind concrete.
  • Be aware of your surroundings:   Use all of your senses.  If a fire breaks out, you’ll likely have an indication before you see it because of smell.  Move to an exit.  When in a crowd, get a sense of the general “feel” of the environment.  Stay at the edges of crowds.  Look for people who don’t look or “feel” like they belong in the same group.  Situational Awareness is your early warning system for something bad happening.  It’s not meant to cultivate paranoia, it’s meant to cultivate awareness for whats going on around you so you have a chance to ACT before being acted upon.

    Keep your head on a swivel.
  • Keep Essentials on you:  Your personal Every-Day-Carry should be on you at all times.  A small knife, multi-tool, lock picks, lighter, cash, cell phone (charged), mini flashlight, some cordage, etc. can help you get out of a tough situation should you need it.

To sum up remember these key points:

  1. Be Aware (of your environment)
  2. Be prepared (with a viable EDC setup)
  3. Identify Exits (note escape routes)
  4. Keep Moving (movement is life)
  5. Take Cover (behind concrete or stone)
  6. Better yet, order online and stay home.

In closing, before you head out, switch on.  Enjoy yourself and have fun, but always remember that by being aware you are fore-warned and fore-armed.  Always have an escape plan.

Be safe.  Stay crafty.

 

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Kennedy Tactical Concepts – Masterclass Pt. 2

(*all images courtesy of Kennedy Tactical Concepts – I had my hands full) (*for more information on KTC and training, click here).

This is part 2 in a series documenting my involvement in the Kennedy Tactical Concepts Masterclass.  Part 1 is available here.

Session 2 with TJ was on Wednesday July 26th at the Night Owl on College St., Toronto. (The usual spot).

Again, the environment was pleasantly realistic as we headed to the basement level of the Night Owl.  We even had a band setting up while going through the techniques.

This week’s topics of practice were as follows:

  1. Combative Control Positions/positioning;
  2. Combative Control Transitions and;
  3. Takedowns (in combination with #1 & 2).

As with the previous format, TJ began with introductions, an overview of what we would be covering for the night, a warm-up, and then we got right into it.

The realistic environment makes for a better appreciation of the realities you would be facing.  A bar, stools, a stage, musical instruments, concrete walls and of course, a dirty cement floor.  Though the Combative Control Positions and Transitions were not striking per se, they were very dependent on speed, agility and technique.  After an hour of practicing and building upon each technique, we moved on to takedowns.

Starting slowly at first, we quickly moved to full-speed with follow-throughs.  The result was fluid takedowns with a high degree of comfort in executing the movements.  We also worked on improvising all the techniques of the night against larger and smaller opponents as we were all of differing heights.

Of course, I was sporting my awesome shirt from www.tacticalbeaver.co Yes, you should Fear The Beaver.

Solid training.  The next day I was sore as hell, but at least I wasn’t bleeding on a bar floor.  I’ll be at the next one.  Stay tuned and Stay Crafty.

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Kennedy Tactical Concepts – Masterclass Pt. 1

 

I want to talk about a new option for Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area (and sometimes abroad).

Kennedy Tactical Concepts is a newly opened self-defence school operated in Toronto by TJ Kennedy.  TJ has spent years honing his craft in real-world environments, training and working around the globe.  Read more about him here. TJ is an invested and knowledgeable instructor who is not only humble and down-to-earth, but pays attention to his students’ learning needs.

I first met TJ during his first drop-in Masterclass at The Night Owl bar on College Street in Toronto.  I figured that it was both local and very reasonably priced for a few hours of instruction.  About five minutes in, I knew I’d made the right investment.

TJ showing us the moves. Very solid.

We immediately began working in the alley behind the bar.  Very real-world with everything we were doing.  After a while, we moved down to the basement of the bar and kept going.  We worked on:

  • Clinch tactics from elbow & collar tie;
  • takedowns from a clinch…all from his Urban Defensive Tactics program;
  • some prone controls and rollovers from or Urban Force Options program.
Practicing.

This may seem like a short list, but for a few hours in an alley and bar basement, I was worked through.  All solid techniques well-instructed and executed.  No mats, just asphalt and barroom floor.  Effective and reality-based.  We also discussed the context of these techniques in self-defence in Canada and specifically in Ontario respecting self-defence and the use-of-force by security and bouncers.  An important point of his philosophy to note is that they do not advocate violence or seeking conflict, but rather giving you the tools to identify, avoid and prepare for threats should you encounter them.

Me working the joints.

One thing I did catch as we discussed and practiced throwing each other around on a dirty floor was that this was NOT a traditional take on martial arts.  This was simple, effective and hard-hitting self-defence based on real-world applications from such as Rory Miller and others.

Kennedy Tactical Concepts offers the Masterclass (once a month over several months) and a Instructor Certification Course as well.  Both worthy investments of time and money.

As I left the evening sore and exhausted, I felt good about having met TJ and did some training.  I felt good about his knowledge and skill, his high degree of professionalism and of course, he’s Canadian.

TJ, second from the right, and friends. Good times.

If you’re looking for something outside of a McDojo where you pay for your next belt and jump through hoops, check out Kennedy Tactical Concepts and add some real-world techniques to your arsenal.  Be prepared.

Stay safe.  Stay crafty.

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Review: RAIDOPS Defense Gear – Fighting Frog & Delta

RAIDOPS is a South Korean company which designs and distributes a variety of personal defence gear, knives and accessories made to very high quality specifications.  A high percentage of their products are made from titanium, enabling a solid product with a low magnetic footprint and low weight.  Their designs are also very practical and low-profile, giving them a minimalistic appearance and also the ability to be carried through many non-permissive environments without undue attention.  

I purchased two personal defence products to try out a little while back – the Delta (one of several designs) and the Fighting Frog.  They arrived very quickly direct from South Korea to Toronto and came as below.  

(Quarter for scale)

RAIDOPS Delta and Fighting Frog

Upon taking each one out of their small boxes, I was surprised at how light they were.  The titanium was indeed very light and very strong.  The small ball-chain they came with felt heavier than the items themselves.

After handling each one, I was also very happy with the ergonomics.  Both were very comfortable to hold and use.  

They are intended to be used as impact weapons.  Held between the index and middle fingers of a closed fist to facilitate acute damage to an assailant (See below).

Fighting Frog impact weapon, in-grip.

Small, light, but VERY sturdy.  And no pain when hitting a tree, so a person should be just fine.  By the way, it took some chunks out of the tree (I didn’t have my phone for pics at the time – sorry!) so I can only imagine what it could do to a person.

Small yet strong.

Though their prices may be a bit steep ($48 USD for the Fighting Frog and $40 USD for the Delta) it isn’t too out of line with similar weight titanium products.

You can even double them and jewelry in non-permissive environments and you’ll still have an accessible impact weapon if needed.  Here I am wearing it overtop my Triple Aught Design Tradecraft Shirt for a better view.

The Delta as jewelry.

Again, lightweight, low-profile and easily worn in more non-permissive environments.  No issues to wear in a Canadian context, as at that point, it’s a fashion statement.

One thing I may look at, is the collection of RAIDOPS finger spinners.  This is essentially a fidget toy that is made of titanium but doubles as an impact weapon.  Here is an example.  Though somewhat pricey ($110 USD) I may consider getting one.  

At the end of the day, the strength, low weight, comfortable ergonomics and durability of the Delta and Fighting Frog make them effective and reliable.  I recommend checking them out.

Stay Safe.  Stay Crafty.