Dr. Hannibal Lecter
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REVIEW – REALITY-BASED PERSONAL PROTECTION – by Jim Wagner
Published by Black Belt Books, a division of Ohara Publications, Inc.
(ISBN-10: 0-89750-149-7 / ISBN-13: 978-0-98750-149-1)
Foreward
I always approach books concerning personal protection and defense with a certain level of trepidation, as a great majority of them contain little usable information unless you are already a fairly skilled Martial Arts practitioner. I was quite pleased to see that this book broke the mold in this respect.
Reality-Based Personal Protection is very intelligently broken down, starting with the basis for the genesis of the system itself, and progressing through almost every conceivable possibility whereby an individual might have the need to defend themselves. For the sake of simplicity, I will break down my review somewhat by chapter and hit the highlights.
Chapter One – Knowledge Domain: The Foundation of the System
A common thread among many Martial Arts instructors is that while their theory and training in their particular style might be excellent, many lack the real-world experience that is required to bring their students to a level of proficiency in techniques that actually work in the modern world. Reality-Based Training is designed to bring to students real-world experience with techniques that work as close to 100% of the time as possible. Such training concentrates on a smaller number of proven techniques taught to cover real-life scenarios. Basically, Reality-Based Training is a combination of techniques from different schools of thought and training, combined into a cohesive system that eliminates techniques and training methods that are proven to either not work in real combat, or to work only sporadically. Jim Wagner also covers legal issues and the “Use of Force Ladder” concept, which provides a simple visual representation of what may and may not be done to defend oneself legally in most every situation. Also covered here are ideas and suggestions for training to make it more “Reality-Based”; things such as increasing anxiety (as one would experience during an actual conflict), utilization of props and clothing, and use of training aids such as rubber knives and plastic firearms to make the training as close to realistic as possible.
Chapter Two – Defensive Tactics: Unarmed Conflict
This section covers the most basic arm and leg strikes and blocks you need to be familiar with for self-protection, including threat zones. The information on primary striking and blocking directions allows you to focus on a few strong techniques to counter most any empty-handed attack from any direction.
Chapter Three – Ground Survival: Using the Ground Tactically
In a nutshell, in the event that you end up on the ground during a conflict, what to do and what not to do to protect yourself, including escaping from chokes and retaining control of a weapon while attempting to regain your feet.
Chapter Four – Knife Survival: Usage and Defense
This very short chapter concentrates on basic knife attacks; more importantly, covered here is the Jim Wagner Knife-Disarm Rule. This series of four short techniques is designed to maximize your chances of escaping a knife attack with minimal injury.
Chapter Five – Crime Survival: Common Criminal Attacks
This is arguably the most important chapter in the entire book, covering such topics as detecting criminal surveillance, typical criminal attacks, and the oft-neglected but highly important topic of conflict first aid. Also covered in some detail is the frequently misunderstood subject of a citizen’s arrest, which is broken down and explained in simple and easily comprehended terms. Other subjects included in this chapter are how to avoid being confused for a criminal (and subsequently shot by law enforcement officers) and methods for preserving evidence at the crime scene. Legal risks and other implications in using your skills for self-defense are also explained.
Chapter Six – Terrorism Survival: Armed Attacks to Weapons of Mass Destruction
In our modern age the skills covered in this chapter cannot be over-emphasized. Included here are a brief history of the genesis and development of terrorism, typical types of terrorist attacks, how to spot potential terrorist activity, and how to avoid such activity if you can (as well as how to counter it if you have no other alternative).
Chapter Seven – Handgun Survival: Weapon Handling and Tactics
One would assume by the title of this chapter that it would suggest that individuals lawfully carry a firearm for self-defense. Not so. The primary objective of this chapter is to encourage those concerned with their self-preservation to learn enough about typical firearms to handle them safely when necessary, even if the only time you do so is when you have disarmed a criminal. Safety rules are of paramount concern here, and much effort is devoted to this topic.
Chapter Eight – Women’s Survival: Violence and Counterattacks
The final chapter of this work is an important one. Jim Wagner changes gears here a bit, realizing that attacks on women frequently differ from those directed towards men and that changes in strategy and approach must be considered. Techniques detailed here are designed to hit hard and be applied quickly to allow for escape and evasion against a larger, stronger opponent. Wagner touches on every topic from molestation and domestic violence to sexual harassment and battery; other topics include home and vehicle security for women. Not only for women, much of the information in this chapter is useful to anyone concerned with security.
Final Analysis
After carefully reading this book, I have a few observations to make about its content. First and foremost, I personally believe that Jim Wagner is on the right track with the concepts presented in this system. Years ago I realized that to maintain every technique I was ever taught in a Martial Arts system was impossible given time constraints, and that the only logical choice was to concentrate on a few reliable, adaptable techniques. Even these techniques should rely on gross rather than fine motor skills if I expected them to work under stress, so I trained in what worked and discarded what did not. Jim Wagner has taken this concept to a new level, and has incorporated techniques from military, law enforcement and Martial Arts systems into an understandable, cohesive system of instruction that I believe would benefit anyone regardless of their level of training.
This book presents a small variety of solid, working techniques and approaches to training without overwhelming the reader with excessive information. Those new to personal protection and self-defense will learn volumes from this printed work, and I believe that even seasoned veterans of the Martial Arts will learn a great deal about how to establish a better approach to their training.
Questions or comments may be directed to:
doctor.hannibal.lecter.md@gmail.com
Published by Black Belt Books, a division of Ohara Publications, Inc.
(ISBN-10: 0-89750-149-7 / ISBN-13: 978-0-98750-149-1)
Foreward
I always approach books concerning personal protection and defense with a certain level of trepidation, as a great majority of them contain little usable information unless you are already a fairly skilled Martial Arts practitioner. I was quite pleased to see that this book broke the mold in this respect.
Reality-Based Personal Protection is very intelligently broken down, starting with the basis for the genesis of the system itself, and progressing through almost every conceivable possibility whereby an individual might have the need to defend themselves. For the sake of simplicity, I will break down my review somewhat by chapter and hit the highlights.
Chapter One – Knowledge Domain: The Foundation of the System
A common thread among many Martial Arts instructors is that while their theory and training in their particular style might be excellent, many lack the real-world experience that is required to bring their students to a level of proficiency in techniques that actually work in the modern world. Reality-Based Training is designed to bring to students real-world experience with techniques that work as close to 100% of the time as possible. Such training concentrates on a smaller number of proven techniques taught to cover real-life scenarios. Basically, Reality-Based Training is a combination of techniques from different schools of thought and training, combined into a cohesive system that eliminates techniques and training methods that are proven to either not work in real combat, or to work only sporadically. Jim Wagner also covers legal issues and the “Use of Force Ladder” concept, which provides a simple visual representation of what may and may not be done to defend oneself legally in most every situation. Also covered here are ideas and suggestions for training to make it more “Reality-Based”; things such as increasing anxiety (as one would experience during an actual conflict), utilization of props and clothing, and use of training aids such as rubber knives and plastic firearms to make the training as close to realistic as possible.
Chapter Two – Defensive Tactics: Unarmed Conflict
This section covers the most basic arm and leg strikes and blocks you need to be familiar with for self-protection, including threat zones. The information on primary striking and blocking directions allows you to focus on a few strong techniques to counter most any empty-handed attack from any direction.
Chapter Three – Ground Survival: Using the Ground Tactically
In a nutshell, in the event that you end up on the ground during a conflict, what to do and what not to do to protect yourself, including escaping from chokes and retaining control of a weapon while attempting to regain your feet.
Chapter Four – Knife Survival: Usage and Defense
This very short chapter concentrates on basic knife attacks; more importantly, covered here is the Jim Wagner Knife-Disarm Rule. This series of four short techniques is designed to maximize your chances of escaping a knife attack with minimal injury.
Chapter Five – Crime Survival: Common Criminal Attacks
This is arguably the most important chapter in the entire book, covering such topics as detecting criminal surveillance, typical criminal attacks, and the oft-neglected but highly important topic of conflict first aid. Also covered in some detail is the frequently misunderstood subject of a citizen’s arrest, which is broken down and explained in simple and easily comprehended terms. Other subjects included in this chapter are how to avoid being confused for a criminal (and subsequently shot by law enforcement officers) and methods for preserving evidence at the crime scene. Legal risks and other implications in using your skills for self-defense are also explained.
Chapter Six – Terrorism Survival: Armed Attacks to Weapons of Mass Destruction
In our modern age the skills covered in this chapter cannot be over-emphasized. Included here are a brief history of the genesis and development of terrorism, typical types of terrorist attacks, how to spot potential terrorist activity, and how to avoid such activity if you can (as well as how to counter it if you have no other alternative).
Chapter Seven – Handgun Survival: Weapon Handling and Tactics
One would assume by the title of this chapter that it would suggest that individuals lawfully carry a firearm for self-defense. Not so. The primary objective of this chapter is to encourage those concerned with their self-preservation to learn enough about typical firearms to handle them safely when necessary, even if the only time you do so is when you have disarmed a criminal. Safety rules are of paramount concern here, and much effort is devoted to this topic.
Chapter Eight – Women’s Survival: Violence and Counterattacks
The final chapter of this work is an important one. Jim Wagner changes gears here a bit, realizing that attacks on women frequently differ from those directed towards men and that changes in strategy and approach must be considered. Techniques detailed here are designed to hit hard and be applied quickly to allow for escape and evasion against a larger, stronger opponent. Wagner touches on every topic from molestation and domestic violence to sexual harassment and battery; other topics include home and vehicle security for women. Not only for women, much of the information in this chapter is useful to anyone concerned with security.
Final Analysis
After carefully reading this book, I have a few observations to make about its content. First and foremost, I personally believe that Jim Wagner is on the right track with the concepts presented in this system. Years ago I realized that to maintain every technique I was ever taught in a Martial Arts system was impossible given time constraints, and that the only logical choice was to concentrate on a few reliable, adaptable techniques. Even these techniques should rely on gross rather than fine motor skills if I expected them to work under stress, so I trained in what worked and discarded what did not. Jim Wagner has taken this concept to a new level, and has incorporated techniques from military, law enforcement and Martial Arts systems into an understandable, cohesive system of instruction that I believe would benefit anyone regardless of their level of training.
This book presents a small variety of solid, working techniques and approaches to training without overwhelming the reader with excessive information. Those new to personal protection and self-defense will learn volumes from this printed work, and I believe that even seasoned veterans of the Martial Arts will learn a great deal about how to establish a better approach to their training.
Questions or comments may be directed to:
doctor.hannibal.lecter.md@gmail.com
