Protecting your gear

[Dr Van Helsing]

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Hello all; I am posting here today to query about your techniques in protecting personal belongings. Recently, I acquired a nicer calculator. I sat down at Starbucks, pulled out my MacBook, pulled out my TI, and I felt very vulnerable. My backpack and its belongings total in at probably $3k. I do not drive a flashy car or dress in expensive clothes. Unless I am planning to take my back pack out, I take it inside the house or store it in the trunk of my vehicle. The number one problem is having to pack up my gear when I use the restroom, while I am at a Starbucks or library.

My backpack has a buckle, and when it is getting late on campus I make sure to strap it tight. I also carry a pocket knife that is the length of the width of my hand (legal size in my state), which can at the least aid in case of an attack. When I transfer to university I plan to take as many day classes as possible, and use campus services if it gets too late. I feel confident in the ability to handle myself, however, you can only do so much if someone has a fire-arm.

 

[deleted407021]

It is important to keep an eye on your stuff. Petty theft is a problem at pretty much any campus and the best thing to do is keep your stuff with you, never walk away from any belongings you put down in a public space and try not to brandish valuables when you walk around at night. For that matter, try to keep to well lit areas and walk with a group if you can. Don't leave anything in your car where someone can see it.

Okay, weapons are a whole other deal. It's actually illegal on my campus to carry any kind of weapon, even a pocket knife or an analog martial arts implement. I urge you to look at your student handbook to see what it says about knives. Now this is important...IF SOMEONE ATTEMPTS TO ROB YOU AND TOU DONT KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY DEFEND YOURSELF WITH EITHER YOUR HANDS OR A WEAPON OF ANY KIND, GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT. They will likely take the money and run, but if they decide to attack you or you are ambushed, open handed palm strikes to the face and knees and legs to the groin. Strike from you hip and don't hit for their face as much as aim for an imaginary target behind their head. The same goes for kicking. You aren't kicking their groin so much as trying to kick up into their chest cavity.

If you don't know how to properly use a knife for self defense, DO NOT TRY because it could very easily be used against you in a split second. If you're concerned about such things, take a self defense class which will go into all these things as well as techniques for deescalating an altercation.

 

[GomersGoToGround]

No need to feel vulnerable when your stuff is on your person, or near you as you study.

Going to the restroom, I absolutely understand packing up your stuff and bringing it with you. Often, studying with a friend allows you to momentarily leave your stuff.

If not with a friend, perhaps ask a trustworthy-looking person to watch it for a moment, and bring you stuff close to them (somewhat; do not reach into the person's pants to place your TI safely in their crotch region). If something goes missing, you'll know who took it. Of course things can still go wrong with this one. Thus, it may not be your first choice, depending on where you are.

If someone has a firearm, you're likely not going to do much. If someone has a knife, you're not going to do much, either. Nor should you. Is your life worth $3k?

Also, what the hell kind of pocket knife is the width of your hand? Do you mean its length is as wide as your hand? Maybe I'm too focussed on semantics, but it sounded funny when I first imagined it.

Most people probably do what you mentioned. Sometimes they pack their things. Sometimes they carry weapons. Sometimes they use campus services. Sometimes they walk in groups, or, at the very least, in pairs. All are viable options. Just don't go overboard.

As J Senpai said, check your local laws (university and city).

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

It is important to keep an eye on your stuff. Petty theft is a problem at pretty much any campus and the best thing to do is keep your stuff with you, never walk away from any belongings you put down in a public space and try not to brandish valuables when you walk around at night. For that matter, try to keep to well lit areas and walk with a group if you can. Don't leave anything in your car where someone can see it.

Okay, weapons are a whole other deal. It's actually illegal on my campus to carry any kind of weapon, even a pocket knife or an analog martial arts implement. I urge you to look at your student handbook to see what it says about knives. Now this is important...IF SOMEONE ATTEMPTS TO ROB YOU AND TOU DONT KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY DEFEND YOURSELF WITH EITHER YOUR HANDS OR A WEAPON OF ANY KIND, GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT. They will likely take the money and run, but if they decide to attack you or you are ambushed, open handed palm strikes to the face and knees and legs to the groin. Strike from you hip and don't hit for their face as much as aim for an imaginary target behind their head. The same goes for kicking. You aren't kicking their groin so much as trying to kick up into their chest cavity.

If you don't know how to properly use a knife for self defense, DO NOT TRY because it could very easily be used against you in a split second. If you're concerned about such things, take a self defense class which will go into all these things as well as techniques for deescalating an altercation.

Solid advice, J. I definitely need to check my student handbook.. Thank you for the input; I should also drop in on some martial arts classes.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

No need to feel vulnerable when your stuff is on your person, or near you as you study.
Also, what the hell kind of pocket knife is the width of your hand? Do you mean its length is as wide as your hand? Yes. No, you were spot on. Rereading that made no sense LOL.

As J Senpai said, check your local laws (university and city).
+1

 

[GomersGoToGround]

 

[Holmwood]

The best protection is prevention.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

The best protection is prevention.

Condoms, of course.

 

[deleted407021]

Solid advice, J. I definitely need to check my student handbook.. Thank you for the input; I should also drop in on some martial arts classes.

For a shallow learning curve and picking up effective self defense techniques quickly, look for an MMA or Krav Maga club at your university. If you like it, that's also a good opportunity to work out, get in shape and meet some new friends!

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

I forgot to get back to this because math was strong-arming me. Ahem, that was freaking hilarious! Thank you for brightening up my boring life.

 

[Holmwood]

Condoms, of course.

A strong hand and some napkins for others.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

For a shallow learning curve and picking up effective self defense techniques quickly, look for an MMA or Krav Maga club at your university. If you like it, that's also a good opportunity to work out, get in shape and meet some new friends!

I really want to! I will finally not be working a sh**** fast-food job for 40 hours a week and will start having a little more free time. I am definitely going to look into it. Currently, I do very little cardio, and only lift weights. That would be a great EC.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

A strong hand and some napkins for others.

lololol

 

[Holmwood]

I really want to! I will finally not be working a sh**** fast-food job for 40 hours a week and will start having a little more free time. I am definitely going to look into it. Currently, I do very little cardio, and only lift weights. That would be a great EC.

I'm probably going to take courses for disarming/restraining! Could be useful with psych patients/ ER patients.

 

[deleted407021]

I really want to! I will finally not be working a sh**** fast-food job for 40 hours a week and will start having a little more free time. I am definitely going to look into it. Currently, I do very little cardio, and only lift weights. That would be a great EC.

I've been doing Aikido for about a year and a half. Very steep learning curve, but it's great fun and I feel as if I could defend myself if need be, even against multiple attackers. Here's a gif of some "full contact" Aikido techniques being used:

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

I'm probably going to take courses for disarming/restraining! Could be useful with psych patients/ ER patients.

USE YOUR COMMAND VOICE. That's what an ex-military guy tells me. I volunteered a couple of times in the psych hallway of the ER. It definitely wouldn't hurt lol.

 

[Dr Van Helsing]

I've been doing Aikido for about a year and a half. Very steep learning curve, but it's great fun and I feel as if I could defend myself if need be, even against multiple attackers. Here's a gif of some "full contact" Aikido techniques being used:

It looks very practical; good for you. Those are the kind of moves that will combat flailing street fighters well. I guarantee they will lose their **** when they realize they don't have the ability to use their arms lol.

 

[tima]

Study at home and only come to college to attend the lectures. If you like skipping lectures, only come on exam day.

Problem solved.

 

[GomersGoToGround]

From...ahem...years of very personal experience in the subject...most of the fights go to the ground. Opponents will certainly not let you grab their arms like that. In fact, I knew a buddy who had tried it, and ended up with both arms broken (didn't see it, and probably a good thing I didn't).

Of course, if very efficient, with good timing, you could grab their arms and prevent them from punching, but you're not going to be throwing people around. I also have experience in Aikido, and it is extremely fun (if you're not the guy getting his limbs twisted).

Nothing compares to good old fashion boxing, which will give you a solid platform (although be careful, because you'll get used to hitting with your fist, and in a street fight, you'll likely break your hand). I've also wrestled since youth, which has absolutely been the most useful for me.

In a high stress situation, you resort to what comes most naturally. That would be moving around to escape, hands up to block, and understanding how to balance weight-shifts while you and your opponent are grabbing one another. If it's just standup, it's about keeping your distance. Remember: avoid a fight at ALL costs, if possible.

To keep this somewhat medical: I've seen too many patients with fractured metacarpals and phalanges, as well as sprains, due to poor grabbing and poor punching (not necessarily respectively).

 

[deleted407021]

From...ahem...years of very personal experience in the subject...most of the fights go to the ground. Opponents will certainly not let you grab their arms like that. In fact, I had a buddy try it, and ended up with both arms broken.

Of course, if very efficient, with good timing, you could grab their arms and prevent them from punching, but you're not going to be throwing people around. I also have experience in Aikido, and it is extremely fun (if you're not the guy getting his limbs twisted).

Aye, a foundation in ground work is important but I have to step in to defend Aikido a bit. 😛 True practicality in Aikido comes after a lot of experience because taking control of a fast moving limb is very difficult and requires the most careful of timing, but you can certainly take control of an opponent once you anchor them to your center and start moving. Probably the best set of practical throws lie in the huge set of techniques known as Kokyunage. Others, like Iriminage, require no catching of a limb. In fact one must only move off the line of attack and extend their open palm into the face of the opponent...their either go to the ground or take a hand to the nose, eyes and mouth. Additionally, strikes aren't the only threat. Plenty of people may grab a wrist or grab from behind and there are a great number of relatively easy to implement responses for such an attack; kotegaeshi, sankyo, nikyo, etc. and on the more advanced end, quite a few koshinage or hip throws. Aikido often looks impractical, and for a long time in training, it is. But at the higher end - although for some techniques rather early - it can be marvelously effective.

 

[GomersGoToGround]

Aye, a foundation in ground work is important but I have to step in to defend Aikido a bit. 😛 True practicality in Aikido comes after a lot of experience because taking control of a fast moving limb is very difficult and requires the most careful of timing, but you can certainly take control of an opponent once you anchor them to your center and start moving. Probably the best set of practical throws lie in the huge set of techniques known as Kokyunage. Others, like Iriminage, require no catching of a limb. In fact one must only move off the line of attack and extend their open palm into the face of the opponent...their either go to the ground or take a hand to the nose, eyes and mouth. Additionally, strikes aren't the only threat. Plenty of people may grab a wrist or grab from behind and there are a great number of relatively easy to implement responses for such an attack; kotegaeshi, sankyo, nikyo, etc. and on the more advanced end, quite a few koshinage or hip throws. Aikido often looks impractical, and for a long time in training, it is. But at the higher end - although for some techniques rather early - it can be marvelously effective.

Sure, I understand.

However, unless these are in reflex, it's not going to be practical or pretty, due to simultaneously being punched in the face, throat, kicked, pushed off balance, etc. Many of these fights go to the ground not necessarily because they throw you, but because people dodge punches, get off balance, trip, etc. You have to first get close enough to your opponent to anchor them. You never know what the other guy(s) knows. In many cases, the guys are throwing and stepping back, and repeating (in which case, just dodge and de-escalate).

I'm absolutely not downing Aikido.
I would certainly not mess with Steven Seagal.

In any case, having a solid foundation in any martial art certainly helps, by allowing you to somewhat hold your own. But experience takes the cake.

 

[Feelgood Inc]

At the very least learn some fundamental self defense techniques, doesn't necessarily have to be martial arts.

Learn of the area you're in. Stay off the sketch areas, especially at night. Keep your stuff close or at least position your stuff so that no one can really move much without you noticing.

 

[deleted407021]

Sure, I understand.
However, unless these are in reflex, it's not going to be practical or pretty, due to simultaneously being punched in the face, throat, kicked, pushed off balance, etc. Many of these fights go to the ground not necessarily because they throw you, but because people dodge punches, get off balance, trip, etc. You have to first get close enough to your opponent to anchor them. You never know what the other guy(s) knows. In many cases, the guys are throwing and stepping back, and repeating (in which case, just dodge and de-escalate).

I'm absolutely not downing Aikido.
I would certainly not mess with Steven Seagal.

In any case, having a solid foundation in any martial art certainly helps, by allowing you to somewhat hold your own. But experience takes the cake.

Oh I know! And yes, in true altercations people often end up on the ground very quickly. It's critical to be adept at maintaining balance whilst moving quickly and efficiently. It's interesting to watch people get into fights on LiveLeak and YouTube as it's rather surprising how much some random people actually know. I'd wager a good many kids growing up in rough areas had to either learn to defend themselves or be abused, which might lead to some of these people you see getting into street fights being actually fairly good fighters.