We all understand the importance of defensive training; we should always sharpen our skills so that when the time comes, we can effectively stop the threat to the lives of ourselves and loved ones.
However, I’ve noticed several items and tactics that the average citizen and many experts often overlook.
Let’s dive into those now!
Overlooked Defense Gear
- Security Cameras
- Body Armor
- Flashlight
- Utility Knife
- Ballistic Equivalent Laser Training
The most overlooked gear is a security camera. Whether that’s one mounted on an exterior wall, dash cam, or body cam, these are vital tools to see what’s happening in an area or for looking back to find essential details that are easily forgotten.
Very few citizens consistently wear body armor, and while it doesn’t protect against everything, wearing body armor helps increase your chances of surviving stabbings and shootings.
A flashlight is one of the most handy tools to carry. It’s not only a defensive weapon but can also help when you need to go on the offensive by temporarily blinding or at least disorienting the threat.
I’ve lost track of how often I’ve needed a knife to open a box or cut something when my resources are limited. Carrying a utility knife will allow you to fix other gear when it breaks and open things that couldn’t otherwise be opened.
I’m a huge advocate for always training, but I understand training is expensive. You have range and ammo fees that only keep increasing in price. This is why I love the concept of laser dry-fire training. However, lasers shoot a straight line, unlike bullets; thankfully, there are high-quality laser training products that have fixed this problem so I can train inside and save a ton of money on ammo.
Overlooked Defense Tactics
- Hand-to-Hand Fighting Skills
- Defensive Driving Skills
- Environmental Awareness Skills
- De-escalation Tactics
Sometimes, the threat is far enough away that your 6.5 Creedmore or 308 Winchester is the perfect tool for the job, but that’s not always the case. Your primary weapon might get knocked out of your hands, or the attacker could be too close for you to get your weapon on target. In these instances, you need to know how to fight, and I’m not talking about a UFC fight. Understanding how to fight with a knife and bare hands is a life-saving skill.
You don’t have to drive very far down the road to encounter someone who shouldn’t be driving, but what happens when you meet someone angry with you? Do you have the ability to get out of that dangerous situation? This is a life-saving skill to develop, and many insurance companies will lower your bill for taking defensive driving classes because you’ll be less likely to be involved in an accident.
I’ll never forget in one of the first defense training courses I took, the instructor said,” To avoid being a victim, look like a hard target.” What he meant was to always be paying attention to your surroundings. It amazes me how many people are glued to their phones in public areas, especially high-crime areas. One of the easiest ways to avoid being a victim is to simply pay attention to your environment and notice things that seem out of place.
I’m pretty emotional, meaning I can get excited quickly. Since I know this about myself, I’ve been intentionally practicing de-escalating techniques. For instance, my dad and I were camping one time, and someone tried to take our camping spot after we had already paid. My dad was pretty worked up and not helping the situation, so I told him to leave while I talked with the individual. I could speak with the guy and agree just by getting my dad to back off and leave the situation while keeping cool and calm throughout the confrontation.
Parting Shots
Purchasing the overlooked items and developing the underrated skills above will allow you to be more prepared and effective whenever you need to defend yourself or those around you. Many of the things we talked about are relatively inexpensive and offer a tremendous return on investment.
Stay safe out there, and always watch your six.
Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just starting out, Defcon Airsoft provides the tools necessary to refine your skills and drills in a safe and controlled setting.