Someone sent me this clip quite a while back. I do not know the creator of it, but would like to send him props for his work. I’d also love to get his plans for how he created the punching machine. It would be a great tool for practice when no training partner is available.
In DT4EMS’ EVE class the only thing we can promise a person is the opportunity for them to “buy a moment in time”. There is no such thing as the perfect tool, tactic or technique to handle every possible type of attack. Having the tools to make critical thinking decisions under stress are essential for the healthcare provider, not only in treating real patients, but in the use-of-force as well . Our situation is unique. Not a single person on the planet faces what we face when it comes to using force in self-defense. None have to decide patient or attacker in the middle of a use-of-force situation. This is where the moment in time becomes important. There are a plethora of news stories of providers getting hemmed up (fired, arrested etc.) for their inappropriate use-of-force (too little and the provider is assaulted, or too much and the provider becomes the assaulter) on the job. With the all-precious moment in time, if faced with a violent encounter, the provider defends, then decides, patient or aggressor. One moment simply leads to the next. Again, in medicine, our situation is unique, we have to win (survive) in 4 areas. The street is just one of them.
When you watch the clip below it will become very apparent how important it is to have your hands up and open during an encounter. In order to be punched there are several things that mistakes must take place for the provider to find themselves in this situation, the three most important are:
- Situational Awareness- Pay attention to your Human Animal
- Striking distance- Whenever the reactionary gap of six feet is negated, your hands must go up. Never have your hands in your pockets when someone is within six-feet of you and you perceive some sort of threat.
- Appearance of Willing Participant- Arguing, standing your ground, aggressive body language etc.
Most violent encounters directed at emergency medical personnel do not start with a punch. There are usually several things that have taken place prior to a punch (verbal threats/push/grab etc.), many of these actions (verbal or physical) can be mitigated prior to the punch being delivered.
In DT4EMS’ EVE, with your hands up and open, with a focus on self-defense, gaining distance is our first choice. If forced to defend against a straight-line attack, the parry is essential (you will see it demonstrated in the video below). If the attack is looping, the Bent Arm Check (BAC) is the preferred primary defense tool. Either way, the provider only has to move inches to protect the computer (head), whereas the attacker’s hand/fist may have to travel a foot or more. Both the BAC and the Parry are great tools for buying a moment in time.
While this video is not scientific by any means, it still makes a valid point.
p.s.- If you know who the guy is that created this video, have him contact me dt4ems@gmail.com