A presentation offered by your Veterans Affairs Police Service

OBJECTIVES• Identify primary reasons for personal attacks on women• Identify the safety benefits of “tactical thinking”• Identify “standard” defensive weapons• Discuss Nevada Law vs Federal Law on defensive weapons• Identify ad-hoc or improvised defensive tools• Identify empty-hand defensive tactics

FACT: Sexual gratification is often NOT a primary motivation for a rape offender.

While some offenders do seek sexual gratification from the act, sexual gratification is often not a primary motivation for a rape offender. Power, control, and anger are more likely to be the primary motivators.

You can make a difference in your safety posture with ease, starting with being aware of your surroundings.

Without becoming paralyzed with paranoia, you can adopt TACTICAL thought processes and begin to constantly ASSESS your surroundings, thus giving you the TACTICAL ADVANTAGE a potential attacker never anticipated. This equates to a greater level of SAFETY for you!

CONDITION WHITE: White is the lowest level on the escalator. In Condition White one is unaware, not alert, oblivious. This state can be characterized as "daydreaming" or "preoccupied".  People in White tend to walk around with their heads down, as if watching their own feet. They do not notice the impending danger until it literally has them by the throat.

CONDITION YELLOW: This is a relaxed state of general alertness, with no specific focal point. You are not looking for anything or anyone in particular; you simply have your head up and your eyes open.  You are alert and aware of your surroundings.  You are difficult to surprise, therefore, you are difficult to harm. You do not expect to be attacked today. You simply recognize the possibility.

CONDITION WHITE: White is the lowest level on the escalator. In Condition White one is unaware, not alert, oblivious. This state can be characterized as "daydreaming" or "preoccupied".  People in White tend to walk around with their heads down, as if watching their own feet. They do not notice the impending danger until it literally has them by the throat.

CONDITION YELLOW: This is a relaxed state of general alertness, with no specific focal point. You are not looking for anything or anyone in particular; you simply have your head up and your eyes open.  You are alert and aware of your surroundings.  You are difficult to surprise, therefore, you are difficult to harm. You do not expect to be attacked today. You simply recognize the possibility.

Your state of awareness is easily assessed by potential attackers.Walk with your head up, constantly scanning your surroundings. DO NOT idly stroll along TALKING ON YOUR CELL PHONE or SENDING/READING TEXT MESSAGES. Preoccupied targets are easy prey for nefarious characters.

HAVE YOUR CELL PHONE available/ready, KNOW where you are going (or at least LOOK LIKE YOU DO) and MOVE WITH PURPOSE AND DIRECTION.The best defensive technique is the one you never have to use! The most successful self-defense is generating an image that makes you a “HARD TARGET” . PROJECT A CONFIDENT, AWARE COMMAND PRESENCE!

SOFT TARGET: Easy prey – Condition WhiteHARD TARGET: Difficult; may fight; risky prey – Condition Yellow

Great News! There are many tools available to protect yourself which are LEGAL to buy and possess. We will cover some of them here, and address their legality and limitations.

NOTE: While many defensive tools are legal per the State of Nevada, some are prohibited by federal law to possess on VA Property. We will address this to prevent you from getting into trouble for doing the right thing the wrong way!

Something to remember about defensive tools: THE BAD GUY CAN USE THEM TOO, SO BE FAMILIAR WITH THEM AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEM!

Highly effective mixture of natural oils mixed with extract from the variety of common garden peppers. Causes burning pain and inflammation of mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) as well as burning pain on skin contact.

Nevada Law: NRS 202.375 allows persons who are at least 18 years of age, and have not been convicted of a felony to carry on their person, a container NOT EXCEEDING TWO (2) OUNCES of Pepper Spray/Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). Pepper Spray may be used for DEFENSIVE purposes only.

Federal (VA) LAW: 38CFR§1.218(40) The unauthorized possession of any of the variety of incapacitating liquid or gas-emitting weapons [is prohibited].

Pepper Spray (OC) comes in a variety of easy-to-use personal sizes. Observe laws and ordinances regarding pepper spray and NO Airline travel carryon! While effective, it’s not 100% effective on all people (persons with mental or drug-induced inhibition of pain receptors may not receive the desired effect)

Effective device which delivers high voltage electricity to the target, causing pain and temporary paralysis/interruption ofProper functions of the Central Nervous System.

Nevada Law: NRS 202.357 provides for persons who are at least 18 years of age, not having any felony convictions, nor been declared mentally ill (or has been committed to a mental health facility) to carry electronic stun devices and use them FOR SELF-DEFENSE ONLY.

Federal (VA) LAW: 38CFR §1.218(39) Possession of knives which exceed a blade length of 3 inches; switchblade knives; any of the variety of hatchets, clubs and hand-held weapons; or brass knuckles [is prohibited]

Tasers are highly effective, but very expensive. Stun Guns are less expensive, but require direct, close contact to be effective. Observe laws and ordinances (no airline travel carryon) and consider civil ramifications as well.

NO RESTRICTIONS! This defensive option is often overlooked, but offers protection without the obstacle of legality restrictions.

Properly equipped, a good flashlight can provide great assistance in thwarting an attack in progress. The flashlight offers many advantages in the hours of darkness for obvious reasons, but it can help you break away in broad daylight as well! Using the “Flash, Bash, Dash” technique*, you can fight back and break away for help.

*”Flash, Bash, Dash“ is a trademark technique described in the BRITE-STRIKE ACADEMY self defense materials, available at www.brite-strike.com

Features to look for: XENON bulb offering AT LEAST 65 Lumensdurable aluminum design, small enough to fit in hand, crenellated/scalloped front bezel, tail cap pushbutton operation (NOT TWIST-ACTIVATED ). Rechargeable is desirable.

The ultra-bright light offers instant/temporary disorienting capabilities and the crenellated/scalloped bezel on the front side offers an excellent striking instrument to fight back and break away!

What else might inflict pain and allow escape? Pens, pencils, keys, combs with rattail handles…your imagination on the spot is the only limitation. “Standards tools” may not be available….

Let’s face it, there will be times you are WITHOUT all of the neat defensive tools, and even beyond reach of the myriad of ad-hoc self-defense items your ingenuity creates for you.

For these times, use the thing you ALWAYS have – YOU!

There are numerous empty hand options for various stages of attack upon yourself. A few of them will be demonstrated here, and you are encouraged to practice them, as well as seek more empty hand options through self-study or attendance at a defensive course.

**Ultimate benefits:You ALWAYS have them, and they are legal EVERYWHERE!

Questions?

The VA Police are always concerned about the personal safety of our patients, staff and visitors. We will do everything we can

to ensure you have a safe environment within our scope of jurisdiction, but we want you to be safe while you are out and

about as well.

This presentation is offered as a means to empower you with active tactical thinking, thus improving your personal safety

posture wherever you are.

Stay Alert – Stay Alive