D-M Airmen learn to say ‘no’ with self defense

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Mary Pekas
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  "Never be outside alone at night."

"Always be aware of your surroundings."

"Try to avoid trouble."

Many people have heard these cautionary tips in some form or another. In general, following these mantras of vigilance is an effective way to preserve one's personal safety. But what happens when basic cautious behavior isn't enough?

Fifteen members of the Davis-Monthan community learned skills to answer that question here at the Benko Fitness Center April 17.

Instructors from Ultima Self Defense & Fitness in Tucson taught a free, one-hour self-defense class as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, sponsored by the 355th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

"I think the class went very well, and the response was great," said Ms. Lakshmi Kumar, the 355th Fighter Wing SARC. "I think the participants were fully engaged and those who came did get a lot out of it. They got a workout and learned something in the process."

Instructor Albert Garcia led the class through various techniques from the fighting style Krav Maga, a form of hand-to-hand combat developed in Israel.

The style, which is still the official self defense of the Israeli military, is most effective according to Mr. Garcia because "it is not gender-specific. It's not age-specific. It's technique-based, using instinctive body movements."

With fellow instructors, Mr. Garcia demonstrated a series of practical applications for using the techniques by detailing vulnerable areas on the body to attack first - the attacker's eyes, nose, throat, collar bone and groin. Participants paired up to practice "hammer strike" motions aimed at the key areas, and then with full force on padded targets.

Mr. Garcia instructed the class to make a fist and bend their arms at the elbow. He then had the class slightly and swiftly extend their forearms from the elbow to mimic the motion of swinging a hammer. The strike occurred once the bottom of the fist made contact with the target, as if it were the head of a hammer. Mr. Garcia said that this motion could be used forward, downward or sideways, but the class of beginners practiced the technique on the nose and collar bone.

Mr. Garcia then demonstrated a series of wrist release techniques with fellow instructor Toni Posvistak, and paired up class members to practice the tactics with each other.

One of the techniques Mr. Garcia taught was the "hitch-hike," which is used when an attacker faces a person and uses the non-mirroring hand to grab the person's wrist (i.e. attacker's right hand grabs victim's right wrist). He explained that a person's initial reaction to being grabbed by the wrist is to try to pull their hand out of the grip. However, the method he described requires the person to strategically twist their arm and free their wrist with a swift hitch-hiking motion.

The session ended with volunteers from the class responding to a simulated knife-wielding attacker. Mr. Garcia stressed that no amount of money or valuables is worth risking your health or your life. However, he said that if forced to face someone with a knife, always find a way to put something between your body and that weapon, and when the opportunity comes, "run like hell."

To practice this instruction, Mr. Garcia took on the role of the attacker and approached each volunteer individually. The volunteers were directed to verbally tell him to stop coming toward them, but he continued to advance and reveal a fake knife. With a small padded kicking bag simulating a purse, the participants continuously swung at the hand holding the weapon until knocking it from his hand.

All the volunteers successfully countered their assailant and gave the course an overwhelmingly positive endorsement.

"This is something everyone should learn to do," said Senior Airman Shemeka Allen, a customer service technician at the 355th Comptroller Squadron. "They teach techniques you wouldn't know to use. I feel great."

While the majority of the class was filled by females, Ms. Posvistak insists that Krav Maga self-defense is a valuable tool for everyone.

"(We teach) little kids up to 72-year-olds. We can teach self-defense skills even if you have physical disabilities," said Ms. Posvistak.

Beyond acquiring the Krav Maga skill sets, Ms. Posvistak also said that fitness, and most importantly, self-confidence, are major by-products of learning the art.

"Once (students) realize they don't have to be afraid, they can perform," said Ms. Posvistak. "It benefits so many people in so many ways. Many people come in to get fit, but learn something practical."

Members of the class echoed the sentiment.

"I am out on the streets a lot," said Mary Copeskey, an employee of the Census Bureau. "Hopefully, I won't have a need for this, but I feel much more certain of myself now."

In the end, the self-assured attitude reflected by participants was the ultimate goal of this month's segment for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"I believe this class inspired confidence in people who came out, and basically that is what we're trying to achieve here," said Ms. Kumar. "The way this class is taught shows these moves could be used to emphasize a 'no.' It gives people the confidence that they can do something to prevent assault."

To find out more about sexual assault awareness programs, contact Ms. Kumar at 228-7272.