Who Really Has Your Back?

After a day full of meetings in the city I took some time to catch up with a mate for a quick feed.

My friend had been in the RAAF for the majority of his working life and was in town as part of his new job.

After a quick catch up we decided to start heading back towards the train station where I would catch the train home and my mate would go back to his hotel.

Whilst walking through the mall we observed a guy that was acting irrationally and abusively and we made a comment to the effect of “that guy is off his face on drugs.”

No sooner had we passed our judgement on his behavior did he strike a female on the face as he walked past her.  This act of drug fueled violence was completely unprovoked and knocked the unsuspecting victim to the ground.

In class we discuss fight, flight or freeze reactions.  I chose to fight, incorrectly assuming that my ex RAAF mate would be right behind me in the entrance to conflict.

After aggressively moving a short distance I struck the male and took him to ground intending to restrain him using control and restraint techniques that we train in.  The strike and the restraint took the man to the ground and I was now in a struggle to keep the restraint on while the man thrashed about trying to bite and spit at me.  This was couple with him trying to self harm by smashing his head into the pavement.

I saw a crowd gather out of the corner of my eyes and then the shouting came from the crowd.  They were directing their abuse to me, they were the attackers friends.

I thought, my mate will have my back….. I scanned looking for the friendly face, it was nowhere to be seen.

I began to feel weak.  The massive adrenal dump was wearing off and I began to consider if I could keep the restraint on until the police arrived.

After 15 minutes of struggle (felt like forever) the police showed up and cleared the crowd.

Where was my mate?  He had gotten himself to safety across the other side of the mall.

What did I learn from all this?

1. Suit pants are not for fighting in – I split my pants and my bright red boxers were displayed to the public as I restrained the attacker.

2. You are the only person who has your back.

3. Take a moment to pause before the fight to orientate yourself to the situation and discuss a plan, it might save your life.

4. Law enforcement are not always just around the corner.

5. Don’t assume.

6. Make sure you go home safe.

Stay safe,

Rich – Instructor at InDefence