Daily Slideshow: Critical Self-Defense Solutions While Riding

Are you Prepared?

In the extremely rare instance in which one must defend themselves or another innocent person (stranger, family member, or friend), do you have the right stuff such as skills and tools for defense?  Taking a line from Active Self Protection, do you have the spiritual, mental, and physical fitness to deal with a bad situation such as an attack?

Most of the time, avoidance and de-escalation will win out.  These are skills that go across all walks of life and are not specific to motorcyclists... although, due to the higher exposure for a motorcyclist, these skills are important to master.

>>Join the conversation about what you do to stay safe on the road right here in HDForums.com.

Avoidance Beats All

The Best way to win a fight or altercation is to avoid it completely.  Some ways to do so are to avoid areas known for violence.  One example is to not go into an area that has recently had or is expected to have violence, such as an area where protesters, rioters, or terrorists may be active.  Here's a list of the 100 most dangerous places to live.

Know your surroundings.  Do your best to avoid those areas.  Even in areas that seem safe, keep your guard up.  Keep an eye out for for the typical motorcycle killer: the person in their cage texting on their phone or just not paying attention.  In addition, keep an eye out for that person or group of people that have displayed non-verbal cues that they are interested in you or your ride.  You did leave yourself an out when you stopped at the light, right?  You don't get a union break!  Keep the bike in gear and your head on a swivel.      

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Verbal Judo

The next best way to win a fight is to de-escalate.  Remember that any fight avoided is a fight won.

Taking a lesson from Active Self Protection, de-escalation is important.  LEAPS (Listen, Empathize, Ask, and Paraphrase) is a great framework for Verbal Judo.  If you haven't heard of Verbal Judo, go buy the book on Amazon for less than $10. It's a great read and is an invaluable tool that has been used by law enforcement, the business world, schools, married folk, and just about anywhere else in which communication and/or conflict resolution is required.

De-escalate the situation so that it does not require force to send a message.  Everyone walks away and no one requires bail money.

>>Join the conversation about what you do to stay safe on the road right here in HDForums.com.

Level of Force

There may be a situation in which one needs to defend themselves, after verbal de-escalation has failed, but is not close enough to use open-hand skills.  It is in this situation that a few options can be utilized and are as follows.

• Retreat/Run
• Some states still require duty to retreat
• Less than lethal options
• Taser (not always effective)
• Spicy sauce dispenser (such as Sabre Red OC MK-6)
• Lethal options such as a firearm
• Firing a "warning shot" or shooting to only wound still falls under lethal force

Keeping in mind that this list follows the Use of Force Continuum in that the appropriate level of force should be maintained based on the threat.  Example: Jumping straight to lethal force when the altercation is only verbal will not usually end well for the "defender".

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Open Hand Skills

Some people cannot be reasoned with.  Their main objective is to inflict harm.  It is during these instances in which a strong motivator is needed to change the perpetrator's mind.  

(Note: If the perpetrator wants to steal the bike without harming you, just back away...insurance will cover most of it...and your life isn't worth the bike.)

Open hand skills can be extremely effective in motivating one into compliance by bringing sever discomfort and/or pain in order to create a diversion so that one can quickly egress.  It can also be used to level the playing field by removing the force multiplier (i.e.: knife, firearm, etc.)  from the perpetrator.  If you are not properly trained in these skills, DO NOT ATTEMPT to try this! 

In my opinion, disarming a firearm is much easier than disarming a knife.  (Have you ever tried to remove a permanent marker from a kindergartner without getting marked?  Yeah, it's kind of like that, only you're much more likely to be injured, or worse, if you get "marked"!) 

There are a few one-time courses that provide great value. Although, the preferred method is to find a dojo or school that teaches the martial art you are most interested in.   This requires investing time and money into improving yourself.  Keep in mind that not all martial arts are created equal.  Some of the arts are more effective than others.  Shop around, find one that fits your style, and is not a black-belt factory.  

Are you active in martial arts?  Which ones do you like/dislike?

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Storage

Following the progression through the various levels of force, the last option is lethal force.  All other options should be assessed and/or attempted prior to utilizing lethal force.  Defensive lethal force is typically done with a firearm (even though more people have lost their lives annually from hammers and bats).  Choosing to carry and/or use a firearm is a personal decision that requires a great deal of discipline and dedication to training in order to remain a responsible and safe firearm owner. 

This is where most of the questions arise with motorcycling and the defensive tools.  Specifically, questions include what tools people choose to use as well as how they carry and how they store those tools. 

Ultimately, it is your decision as to which tool to have available.  The same goes for how you choose to legally and safely carry said tool.  When it comes to firearms, I have found that the two concealed carry positions that are the most comfortable without slacking on safety are both IWB (Inside the Waist Band).   They are appendix carry (front) and Hip (strong side). The safety and comfort level is almost entirely based on the holster you choose.  A poor holster will lack proper retention and could lead to a negligent discharge.  A full Kydex holster that covers the entire trigger well is usually a good option.  Avoid carrying a firearm around the small-of-back and kidney areas as a fall could severely injure the body and will also prevent quick access to the firearm.  

Be mindful of places in which firearms are banned.  For example, post offices and voting locations are illegal to carry into (in all states).  When traveling, know your state's firearm laws, and the firearm laws of those states that you intend to ride through.  Typically, the Firearms Owner's Protection Act (FOPA), a national law describing how to legally transport a firearm, is sufficient.  However, some states do have more stringent requirements and will arrest someone who is breaking a state law (despite following FOPA).  Only after an arrest, in those states, can the FOPA potentially be used as a legal defense.  

Therefore, storage on the bike is helpful.  If you have saddlebags (soft or hard sided), a small firearm lock box with cable attachment works great.  There are some creative setups where the rider attached a lockbox to the bike via an insulated cable or was bolted to the inside of a hard bag or tour case.  As responsible firearms owners, we have the duty to ensure our firearm is safe and secure from anyone who should not have access to our firearms.  Due diligence is required in the storage of a firearm.  If an incident were to occur, after a child or a criminal gained access to a firearm, the owner will most likely face legal charges and civil litigation. 

Note: Always evaluate your state and local laws.

Have you come up with a creative way to safely secure valuable items on your ride?  How did you do it?

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Every Day Carry

While many focus just on firearms, one needs to take a slightly wider focus when it comes to the defensive tools when riding.

A rider's EDC (Every Day Carry) should change very little from when they drive a car or truck.  This does not include my riding gear (I'm an ATGATT -- or All The Gear All The Time -- kind of person).  

EDCs vary from person to person based on their level of preparedness and comfort.  You must choose what will be part of your EDC based on what works for you.

Here is listing of the various components one may see in a typical on-person EDC:

• Cell phone
• Folding pocket knife for utilitarian purposes (I like the ones with window breakers and belt cutters).
• Pocket flashlight, because sometimes we do things in the dark.
• My current flashlight is an Olight S1R Baton, a face-melting 900-lumen flashlight that's only 2.5 inches long.
• Wallet, which holds things such as ID/DL, CHL/CCW license,  and other essentials.
• Some people carry a decoy wallet to throw in it in the event of a mugging, which is a smart idea.
• Proper footwear shouldn't be mentioned when riding, but we all see people riding in sandals.
• Kicking someone while wearing riding boots would suck for the other person.
• Spicy treat dispenser (such as Sabre Red OC Spray)
• Legally obtained firearm
• Proper holster with good retention and adequate coverage over the trigger well (full Kydex is best)
• At least one spare magazine (because malfunctions occur)
• Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)
• A small IFAK can be carried in a comfortably hidden ankle holster when riding.  When I ride, I'm concerned about the engine heat, so a full-sized IFAK stays in my hard saddle bag.

Medical Emergency Preparedness

If you carry a firearm, the likelihood of a serious injury increases for yourself, loved ones, or even the bad guy. In my opinion, part of the responsibility in carrying a firearm is also having the required First Aid skills and tools available.  Although, in every instance in which I have had to employ my IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit), it was usually some sort of a motor vehicle accident.   

As a motorcyclist, having First Aid skills and carrying an IFAK is extremely important.  Rescue Riders is an organization established to assist motorcyclists acquire advanced First Aid skills and tools specific to motorcycling.  As a motorcyclist, we are at a unique advantage in that we can usually get to some places quicker than some cars.  Furthermore, when a motorcycle accident occurs, there is a very good chance that another motorcyclist is close proximity.  As such, a trained motorcyclist can render aid almost immediately when ambulatory services could take 10 minutes or more to arrive.  Therefore, Rescue Riders is dedicated to linking motorcyclists with trainers that provide advanced First Aid skills specific to motorcycle accidents. 

The photo shows one of my IFAKs, which provides immediate trauma aid for one to two people (depending upon the situation).  For everyday medical needs, a regular First Aid kit provides more of the basic needed items.  Remember that most of the items in an IFAK require special training!

Another piece of the training that is often overlooked is CPR.  Are you CPR qualified?  Many organizations and business offer free or low-cost training.  There is no excuse to not be CPR trained.  

Do you have examples in which you either witnessed or responded to an attack or motorcycle accident?  Please share.

>>Join the conversation about what you do to stay safe on the road right here in HDForums.com.

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