Posted on April 24th, 2023

At Walker's Firearms & Defensive Tactics Training LLC, we believe that situational awareness and self-defense are essential skills for everyone to have. 

Whether you're a man or a woman, learning how to protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim is crucial. In this blog post, we'll discuss the different types of self-defense tactics and highlight some of the best self-defense classes in Maryland that we offer.

Why learn self-defense?

Learning self-defense is not just about being able to protect yourself physically; it's also about developing the awareness and skills necessary to avoid becoming a victim in the first place. By learning to recognize potentially dangerous situations and taking steps to avoid them, you can greatly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of crime.

Women, in particular, can benefit greatly from learning self-defense. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women will be raped at some point in their lives. By learning self-defense techniques and developing situational awareness, women can reduce their risk of becoming a victim.

Types of self-defense tactics

When it comes to self-defense, there are a variety of tactics that you can use to protect yourself. Each tactic has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the one that's right for you. 

Let´s review some of the most common types of self-defense tactics.

Open Carry

Open carry is a legal method of carrying a firearm in public that involves wearing your firearm in a visible manner, such as on a holster on your hip. While open carry can be a powerful deterrent to would-be attackers, it also requires a certain level of training and responsibility. 

Additionally, there are some things you will probably be subject to if you go for open carrying:

• Increased scrutiny and attention from law enforcement and the public
• Risk of having your firearm stolen or taken from you by an attacker
• Need to have a permit or license to open carry, depending on where you live

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is a non-lethal option that can be used to defend yourself against an attacker. Pepper spray is a type of self-defense spray that contains an extract of hot chili peppers. When sprayed in the face of an attacker, it causes intense pain, temporary blindness, and difficulty breathing. 

Here are some things to consider if you're thinking about using pepper spray:

• It is legal in most states, but there may be restrictions on where and how you can use it
• Pepper spray can be effective against most attackers, but it may not work on those who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• You'll need to practice using pepper spray so that you're comfortable and confident in using it if the need arises

Krav Maga

Krav Maga is a martial art that was developed by the Israeli Defense Forces. It emphasizes practical self-defense techniques that are designed to be effective in real-world situations.

Krav Maga techniques are designed to be simple and easy to learn, even for beginners. However, training can be intense and physically demanding, so it's important to be in good shape before starting.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that emphasizes kicking and striking techniques. It's a popular choice for people who want to learn self-defense and improve their physical fitness. 

These are three things you need to know about Taekwondo:

• Taekwondo techniques are designed to be effective against attackers of all sizes and skill levels
• The training can improve your balance, coordination, and flexibility
• Taekwondo training can be intense

Knife Defense

Learning how to defend yourself against an attacker armed with a knife can be a valuable skill to have. Knife defense techniques involve learning how to disarm an attacker or use your own knife in self-defense. 

However, knife defense somes with potential risks. Some things you should be aware of if you are considering this tactics are:

• It requires a high level of skill and training to be effective
• It may not be legal in all states or jurisdictions
• You'll need to practice knife defense techniques in a controlled environment to avoid injury

Ultimately, the type of self-defense tactic you choose will depend on your personal circumstances and the level of risk you face. At Walker's Firearms & Defensive Tactics Training LLC, we offer a variety of self-defense courses to help you develop the skills and confidence you need to stay safe and secure in any situation.

Best Self-Defense Classes in Maryland – check our offer!

At Walker's Firearms & Defensive Tactics Training LLC, we offer a range of self-defense classes to help you develop the skills and confidence you need to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are just a few of the classes we offer:

1. Use of Force Course 

This course is designed to provide law enforcement officers and civilians with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and apply the use of force continuum. The use of force continuum is a standard that provides guidelines on how much force may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation. 

We will go over the following topics:

• Legal and ethical considerations when using force
• Understanding the use of force continuum
• De-escalation techniques
• Principles of proportional and necessary force
• Use of deadly force and post-incident procedures

2. Basic Defensive Tactics Course 

This highly dynamic 2-day course teaches you how to use your hands, elbows, knees, and feet for protection against an attack, especially in close-quarter battles (CQB). 

The course relies heavily on practical hands-on applications and is intended for first responders and security officers who want to learn how to use their personal weapons for self-defense and subject-control for escort and handcuffing.

3. Basic & Advanced Monadnock Expendable Baton Course 

Our Monadnock Expandable Baton (MEB) Program consists of a Basic and Advanced Course that teach the blocking and striking capabilities of the straight expandable baton as well as control and takedown techniques to mirror the two-prong philosophy of "Protect & Restrain." 

You will learn:

• Safest approach and positioning for baton use
• Baton blocking and striking techniques
• Control and takedown techniques
• Applicable laws and post-incident procedures

4. Hiatt Tactical Handcuffing Course 

Our Hiatt Tactical Handcuffing Course is the most complete and innovative handcuffing course in the country. The techniques presented are practical and effective, and cover a range of scenarios including non-compliant subjects and prone and kneeling handcuffing. 

Here are some of the topics covered in our Hiatt Tactical Handcuffing Course:

• The safest approach and positioning for handcuffing
• Handcuffing non-compliant subjects
• Removing handcuffs
• Use of various types of cuffs

5. Basic OC Pepper Spray Course 

Our Basic OC Course is a 4-hour course that provides comprehensive training on the use of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) pepper spray for law enforcement officers, security officers, and other industry professionals. 

We will cover:

• All types and forms of Oleoresin Capsicum aerosol projectors
• Selection, preparation, deployment, and storage of OC products
• Use of force considerations and legal ramifications

Our classes are taught by experienced instructors who are committed to providing high-quality training to all of our students. We focus not only on the physical techniques involved in self-defense but also on the mental and emotional aspects of staying safe and aware of your surroundings.

FAQs

What is hand-to-hand combat?

Hand-to-hand combat is a term used to describe any form of fighting that involves physical contact between two or more people. This can include martial arts, boxing, wrestling, and more.

While it's important to have a plan for defending yourself in a physical altercation, it's also crucial to understand when it's appropriate to use force and when it's not. Learning how to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations and avoid physical confrontation whenever possible should be a top priority.

Is 380 good for self-defense?

A lot of people believe that the .380 caliber is the best for personal defense due to its relatively low recoil and manageable size.

However, it's important to remember that a gun is not a magic solution to self-defense. In addition to having the necessary training and skills to handle a firearm safely and responsibly, it's also important to understand when it's appropriate to use deadly force and when it's not. Hand-to-hand combat skills and situational awareness should also be a part of any self-defense plan.

Conclusion

At Walker's Firearms & Defensive Tactics Training LLC, we believe that everyone should have the skills and confidence necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones. Whether you're a seasoned firearms owner or a complete beginner, we have a course that's right for you. 

Don't wait until it's too late to learn self-defense; give us a call today at (240) 709-6558 or book your self-defense course online now! Let us help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to stay safe and secure in any situation.