David has over 15 years of experience empowering expats and travelers with security knowledge. He began his security career serving as a US Marine Security Guard in Tunisia in 2001. This module aims to provide everyday people with tools to anticipate, avoid, and respond to danger. It will cover defining self-defense, the criminal planning cycle, self-defense toolbox, and practical concepts. Self-defense involves de-escalating potential violence using multiple strategies to keep oneself safe from physical, emotional, and mental harm. Key terms discussed are de-escalation, potential violence, and using multiple strategies with physical self-defense as a last resort.

2. About the Presenter...
For over 15 years David ( @DavidSecurity ) has empowered
expats, travelers, and adventuresfrom all walks of life.
David's passion for security began when he was posted in Tunis,
Tunisia as a United States Marine Security Guard (2001).
He went on to serve as the Security Director for the American
Cooperative School of Tunis (2007-2016). During this time he
begin teaching security awareness to the local expat
community and continues providing security leadership
through his blog, presentations, and workshops.

3. Module Overview
This Course seeks to give everyday workers, travelers, and adventurers the building blocks to
help anticipate, avoid and respond to danger.
In this module we will focus on the concept of “Self-Defense” as it pertains to
personal security. This module is not a self-defense course (you will not learn how
to fight like an MMA fighter after reading or listening to this course), instead we
focus on practical methods that will help you identify and react to danger.
We’ll cover:
● Define Self-Defense
● The Criminal Planning Cycle
● Self Defense Toolbox
● Practical Self-Defense Concepts

4. The Challenge
While it is better to detect dangerous situations before they fully develop sometimes
we are presented with situations that require us to react quickly in self defense.

5. Self-Defense?
De-escalation of potential violence. Using multiple strategies to keep yourself safe
from physical and to some degree, emotional and mental harm.

6. 3 Key Terms
De-escalation
● Reduce risk by adopting a
Security Mindset.
● Reduce Risk by practicing
Situational Awareness.
● Read Body language.
● Peacemaker mindset.
Potential Violence
● Security Mindset enables you to
identify potentially dangerous
situations.
● Situational Awareness-Keep
distance within a crowd,
knowing your exits, etc.
Multiple Strategies
● Physical Self-Defense is the last
resort.
● Security Mindset enables you to
use multiple risk reduction
strategies.

9. Self-Defense Toolbox

10. Security Mindset
Before one can react to a situation, one must first have the proper mindset. This
mindset has three elements: recognition of the threat, accepting responsibility for
one's own security and the will to take timely & practical ACTION!

11. Situational Awareness
Being aware of one's surroundings and identifying
potential threats and dangerous situations.
Think AIR!
● Aware
● Inquire
● REACT

12. Run/Escape
Run/Escape if possible...
Live to see another DAY!
● Have an escape route and plan.
● Leave your belonging behind.
● Keep your hands visible if you see
responding police officers.

13. 5-Self-Defense Principles
1. Know your exits.
2. Avoid the fight if possible.
3. Prepare for the unknown.
4. Faster is better.
5. Strike to Escape.

15. This can be as simple as throwing your hat at someone to
temporarily distract them allowing you to close the
reactionary gap.
Weapons of Opportunity

16. A combination of continuousmovement and vital area strikingis
essentialto overcomeyour assailant.Remember,if he is a lot
biggerand strongerand he grabs and holds you, your chances of
escapebecome very slim.
Striking

17. Self Defense
Finding yourself in a violent situation can cause extreme panic and disorientation. But if
you know what to do ahead of time, your chances of surviving this type of emergency
situation are greatly increased.
There is no single, correct response to a violent situation. The actions you take must
depend upon the specific details of the incident. It is important for you to know your
options and decide upon the correct course of action for yourself.

18. End of Part 4-Self Defense
Personal Security Series
Part 1-Developing A Security Mindset
Part 2-Situational Awareness
Part 3-Travel Security
Part 4-Self Defense