No joke. The Max Brooks Zombie Survival Guide.
Just replace ‘Zombie’ with ‘Human Garbage’.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Zombie-Survival-Guide-Protection/dp/1400049628
I am not remotely kidding.
later
Ping
Everything is a weapon.
bfl
A roll of quarters in a sock. Learned that one from Charles Bronson.
Any jack handle, heavy flashlight, or pipe can be kept on the car seat when traveling.
Keys between the fingers can be good eye gougers.
Any lamp or semi-heavy object can be grabbed and thrown—aim for the upper chest to avoid missing. He’ll think it’s coming at his head and he’ll close his eyes and throw up his hands.
On a plane, always bring some ordinary thing in your pocket—a book, a bottle of shampoo—that you can throw at a terrorist.
Always loosen your tie when on a plane. You might need it in a hurry.
A roll of quarters (needed for vending machines!) can be slipped into a lady’s scarf or tie in a flight 93 situation to be used as a Bronson.
When a baddie is brandishing a weapon in a group of people, if you are behind him, kick the back of his knees hard to drop him, or throw a tie or scarf over his mouth and yank hard to pull him backward , and drive your knee into the small of his back.
ALWAYS buy a coke in a can. Don’t open it. Tuck it beside you on the seat.
Re: street fighting skills at home or away—
I’ve taken self defense for women. Was told, forget everything you see on TV. There’s no choreography or canned sound effects. Real fighting sounds and looks and smells sickening. Was reminded, when you’re threatened in real life, there are no rules but survival.
Know that an attackers first irst priority is not to get caught. Hurting you is his second goal. So in most situations it’s okay to scream, especially when he tells you not to. Forget being polite. Make bloodcurdling noise; show him your inner psychopath. ( An exception: you’re more likely to attract more ferals instead of help. )
If you’ve no weapon, your aim is to distract or disable him long enough to get away if possible.
No matter how big the attacker is, everyone has a center of gravity and certain weak spots on their body.
You want to do what he least expects you to do. If he comes at you, rush AT him, push his arm up, bite his pectoral muscle right by the armpit, or the inside of his bicep.
Never hit with knuckles; aim the heel of your hand at the underside of his nose and drive it into his skull. Quick hard thrusts. Make him see stars.
Never try to kick a man in his balls. You’ll back up to throw the kick, then he’ll just grab your foot and throw you.
Instead kick his kneecaps with the outside of your foot , stomp his instep.