It is understandable if you feel a bit more vulnerable to attack as a result of being a senior but you can help to banish those anxieties by learning some proven self-defense techniques that you could use to get yourself out of a tight spot if the situation arises.
For readers in the US, signing up for mobile-friendly LTC online courses would be a good starting point if you want to use a firearm to defend yourself. If this is your choice, you need to choose your weapon carefully. It must be one you feel comfortable using. You will also need to look into the accessories you will need to buy, such as somewhere safe to store the gun (a safe or gun vault) and a thigh holster so you can easily carry your concealed weapon (it’s unsafe to carry a firearm in your pocket or down your waistband). A holster also keeps both you and the firearm safe when the firearm is stored consistently in the same place, as it makes drawing it more easy and consistent.
Here are some more self-defence techniques worth knowing as a senior:
Your first line of defence
It is well worth remembering that a highly effective self-defence tactic is to take steps to avoid being targeted by criminals in the first place.
Learning how to prevent yourself from being targeted in the first place is a smart strategy and one of the best ways to stay safe as a senior.
Criminals tend to look for victims who they think will offer the least amount of resistance and that means your potential attacked will be looking for someone they perceive to be weak and not very streetwise.
Walk with purpose and confidence, also, don’t make it easy by sticking to well lit and densely populated areas wherever possible.
Rely on some basic techniques
If your efforts to avoid attention are not successful you may have to resort to using some simple but effective self-defense techniques to try and limit the damage from your confrontation.
Pepper spray can deter an attacker as it creates a powerful and painful burning sensation that will dissuade many perpetrators from continuing with their attack. However, you should check whether you can carry this a self-defence as regulations vary (it is illegal in the UK).
A firearm can be a potent and effective line of defence, but again you need to take lessons on how to use one properly and get your license sorted out so that you can carry with confidence.
Learn a martial art skill
There is little doubt that when you manage to learn a martial art discipline it can empower you with a greater degree of confidence that you can defend yourself if attacked.
The good thing about martial arts is that the training can be easily adapted to allow for your age and physical limitations.
What you will often find when you take up martial arts training is that your range of motion, level of physical fitness, and mental wellbeing will all be boosted by the confidence that comes with knowing how to perform some useful self-defence techniques.
You should be able to find a discipline that you are most suited to and enjoy learning, whether that is Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, or any of the other martial arts that you can usually easily find classes for.
The key to defending yourself and staying safe as a senior is all about being aware of your surroundings and taking a proactive approach to avoiding being targeted. When that fails and you find yourself being confronted the outcome can hopefully be a lot different when you have some self-defence skills to fall back on.
