Ellington

Jason Griffin, 32, knows more than your average person about self-defense. As a student of Tae Kwon Do, which literally means a method of defending yourself with hands and feet, for 20 years, he teaches others to defend themselves at Jason Griffin's Tae Kwon Do Academy.

"The idea of coming in one time or taking a two-hour seminar and thinking you can go out and effectively protect yourself is unrealistic. You need many, many repetitions," he says. "Anyone would be scared, and an untrained person is going to freeze up. By coming consistently to a class you are exposed to different experiences and surroundings, giving you the confidence to act" instinctually.

Prime example: "A woman's legs will be a stronger weapon than a man's arms. If you have the element of surprise, he's not going to expect you to kick, and if you have a well placed technique, then you do it."

For more information on Jason Griffin's Tae Kwon Do Academy call 601-977-9000 or visit griffinstkd.com.

If you aren't ready to commit to a complete program in martial arts, consider these tips to keep you and your family safe.

1. Awareness is key.
Know who is around you. When leaving stores, have keys in one hand, bags in another. Walk with purpose, observing as you go. Criminals target those easily caught off guard. At night, park in well-lit areas, and if you feel uncomfortable, ask a security guard to walk you to your car. Don't be embarrassed by your instincts-.

2. Don't leave with an attacker, or you're more likely to be killed or seriously injured. Make a scene. Scream as loudly as possible. (Yell "fire." It's more likely to draw attention.) Run!

3. Learn defense tactics.
Guns are ineffective at best—you're more likely to have it taken from you and used by the predator. Eyes are the most vulnerable part of the body, so jab there first. Go for the groin second, the knees third. Pepper spray can be a good tool, but isn't 100 percent effective.

4. If alone, take the elevator.
Stairwells are great places for attackers to hide.

5. Check to make sure your car is empty before getting in.
Don't sit to talk on the phone or write things down.

6. Lock all doors and windows when driving, and leave a space to escape, over the median if necessary, from potential carjackers.

7. If your car breaks down, use a cell phone to call for help.
Stay in your car until someone arrives. If you don't have a cell phone, walk quickly to a safety.

Sexual Safety
Half of all 17-year olds have had sexual intercourse. (MMWR CDC 2005)

Nearly 850,000 teens become pregnant per year, 80 percent unplanned. (MMWR CDC 2000)

Teens acquire nearly 4 million sexually transmitted diseases each year. (Kaiser Family Foundation, 1998)

93 percent of Americans support teaching comprehensive sex education in high schools including condoms AND abstinence. (Kaiser Family Foundation)

Since 1996, Congress has committed more than half a billion dollars to abstinence-only education programs and zero dollars to comprehensive sexual education. Programs receiving federal funds are prohibited from discussing contraceptives unless they are portrayed as ineffective. (healtheducationadvocate.org)

Condoms are the most effective method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. But, like anything, due to improper usage and old products they are not 100 percent effective.

Worldwide, one in every 100 adults between ages 15 and 50 is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, someone is raped in America every two minutes.

One out of every three American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape. (National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998)

Protect yourself. If you don't, who will?

Previous Comments

ID

80376

Comment

Guns are ineffective at best—you’re more likely to have it taken from you and used by the predator. Eyes are the most vulnerable part of the body, so jab there first. Go for the groin second, the knees third. Pepper spray can be a good tool, but isn’t 100 percent effective. Guns, just like Tae Kwon Do require training and practice. This applied with situational awareness is an excellant method of self protection. With the proper training it is very difficult to disarm someone. I'm not knocking hand to hand tactics at all, and I have had some training, but for me personally I prefer to carry. Nothing is 100% effective and if it comes to a fight for my life, I'll take my chances with 230 grain Hydroshocks.

Author

nothing

Date

2006-08-24T16:20:23-06:00

ID

80377

Comment

"3. Learn defense tactics. Guns are ineffective at best—you’re more likely to have it taken from you and used by the predator. Eyes are the most vulnerable part of the body, so jab there first. Go for the groin second, the knees third. Pepper spray can be a good tool, but isn’t 100 percent effective. That's a ridiculous statement. Sure the hand to hand stuff can be helpful, but a trained person with firearms can stop multiple attackers easily. This guy may be a competent martial arts instructor. But, he obviously knows nothing about firearms. If he did, the statement would read... "Guns will be ineffective if you're not properly trained. And, you’re more likely to have it taken from you and used by the predator if you don't know what you're doing." But, he didn't say it I did. www.nrams.com

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-08-24T17:11:58-06:00

ID

80378

Comment

Walk with purpose, observing as you go. Criminals target those easily caught off guard. I remember reading years ago that due to cultural influences, women tend to look down at the ground when passing by a man, so that makes women prone to attacks and not being to identify the attacker later. Ladies, when you pass a guy you don't know, briefly make eye contact. I even say hello to make sure the guy knows I see him. Eyes are the most vulnerable part of the body, so jab there first. Go for the groin second, the knees third. Interesting. Some experts say to go for the knees/shins first because the attacker expects you to aim for the groin. Pepper spray can be a good tool, but isn’t 100 percent effective. That stuff can be tricky becasue you could have the trigger pointing the wrong way and accidentally spray yourself instead of the perpetrator. When I used to carry it in college, I already had my finger on the trigger ready to go. I also practiced spraying it to make sure I knew how to use it.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-08-24T21:11:41-06:00

ID

80379

Comment

Good story here. This is the Castle Doctrine in action. http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060829/NEWS/608290400/1001 I actually saw some humor in the fact they tried to rob one business at gunpoint, get shot...run to another business, and then... get shot at again. That's the message I want criminals to get. And, well..THEY GOT IT. Also, thanks to the business owners for proving the karate insructor WRONG.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-08-29T16:25:21-06:00

ID

80380

Comment

I prefer to carry, but those are excellent points. Being aware of your surroundings should be a no-brainer... I try to always survey an area for potential danger before I enter, whether its a parking lot, a gas station, a street intersection, or a room full of people.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-08-29T16:39:05-06:00

ID

80381

Comment

All were good points except this: "Guns are ineffective at best—" Wrong.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-08-29T16:54:18-06:00

ID

80382

Comment

I've been attempting to keep my mouth shut but I can't so I won't. The karate instructor did not give the tips, I did. I researched various self defense tactics from a variety of sites, people, etc... For me personally a gun is not effective and for quite a few people that I know. I would not carry a gun, they scare me. So, it is good to know other ways of defending yourself if put in such a situation. While I agree guns, if familiar with them, are probably the quickest most effective means of defense, this article was about other means. Which does not mean anything bad about guns. Sigh... And I am not anti gun, my hubby has several, they just don't work for me personally. Can't we all just agree to disagree without the drama?

Author

tiffitch

Date

2006-08-30T09:33:05-06:00

ID

80383

Comment

Thank for clearing that up Tifanny; I thought it was the instructor. No drama implied or intended. I simply disagree with that statement. I teach people to effectively defend themselves with guns on a daily basis. Less that one statement, I thought it was a good story.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-08-30T09:39:13-06:00

ID

80384

Comment

Hey Cliff, it is ok and thanks! I wish I had been able to speak with you before writing it. LOL! :) I just didn't want people getting the impression that he said that because he is great at what he does do.

Author

tiffitch

Date

2006-08-30T15:20:11-06:00

ID

80385

Comment

Tiffany, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Anytime you have a question about firearms or related issues, I'll be happy to help. Just email or call. Also, if you and your husband ever wanted to go to the range, just let me know. I'll take anyone in the press out free of charge. And, if it helps you with research for a story, even better. Best, Cliff 601-906-0162

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2006-08-30T16:22:20-06:00

ID

80386

Comment

This is one of those areas where you really do have to do research. Otherwise, everyone will let you know... :D

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-09-03T22:22:32-06:00