https://www.cvpsd.org/

1. Always Be Ready Program
Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense CVPSD cvpsd.org Copyright © 2024

2. The Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense is a 501(C)(3) non profit
that is dedicated to equipping at-risk individuals with the knowledge and skills
necessary to protect themselves through online and in-person training. Our
mission is to prevent violence by building skills and inspiring individuals to be
agents of personal, community and cultural change.
Live conceptual seminars teach the origins of violence and how to assess risk
and set boundaries for healthy relationships. Experiential classes teach hands-on
interpersonal skills and strategies to prevent and stop assault.
The Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense reaches individuals and
communities through partnerships with schools and other nonprofits, community
groups, as well as classes for the public. By reducing the fear and impact of
violence, we help to create a community where people live powerfully, experience
freedom, and pursue joy.
Photography
Taking photos of slides during the class is absolutely fine. We want you to get the
most out of the day.
Class Photo
At some point during the day we will take a class photo; participation is optional.
The class picture will be made available with your completion certificate. Some
agencies like to post or share them on social media to share training efforts and
accomplishments with their communities.
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Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense CVPSD cvpsd.org Copyright © 2024

3. Instructors
Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense CVPSD cvpsd.org Copyright © 2024
About Will DeMuth
With over three decades of dedicated research in
conflict management and personal safety
enhancement, Will's approach encompasses a
integrated strategy that includes conflict
de-escalation, effective conflict resolution, and
heightened situational awareness.
Will is a strong advocate for prevention, believing
that it is the best defense against potential threats.
He integrates preventive strategies with practical,
evidence-based self-defense techniques in his
training programs, ensuring that his clients are
well-equipped to handle a variety of situations.
Martial Arts - Sport
● Brazilian Jiu jitsu - Hwa Rang Do - Freestyle
Wrestling
Psychology of Violence and Combatives
● Israeli Krav Maga-IKMA David Kahn
● W.E. Fairbairn and E.A. Sykes
● Gutter fighting - GHCA Bob Kasper
● Tekken Ryu Jujutsu - Clint Sporman
● On Combat Certification- Lt. Col. Grossman
● Urban Combatives- Lee Morrison
● MCENTRICK / Kembativz Kelly McCann
● Jack Hoban
● Geoff Thompson
About Melissa Dill
For over two decades, Melissa has shattered
gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated
industries.
A survivor of a violent assault – she transformed
her experience into a powerful force for change.
She is dedicated to the mission of violence
prevention and personal safety by leveraging her
unique background to advocate for those in
need. Melissa understands the profound impact
of trauma firsthand and has used her journey to
become a steadfast violence interrupter, offering
support and guidance to those affected by
violence.
In addition to her professional endeavors,
Melissa is a loving mother and foster parent,
instilling her values of resilience and empathy in
the next generation.
Thomas Edison State University
● Bachelor of Applied Science, Nuclear
Engineering Technology
Rutgers University
● Master of Business and Science
United States Navy 2000-2006

4. Earn and Share Credentials
Completion of this class entitles you to sharable digital certificates! These
verifiable credentials can be shared on platforms such as Linkedin, and
more. Enter your name as you want it to appear on the certificate. Online
digital credentials for taking class can be obtained at:
www.cvpsd.org/cert
Pre-Attack Indicators
● Verbal Threats
● Head Swiveling
● Flanking or Surrounding
● Sudden Change in
Behavior
● Intense Staring or Glaring
● Blading Their Foot
Position
● Use of Distractions
● Weapons Display
● Blocking or Cornering
● Intoxication or Drug Use
● Unnatural Movements
● Tightening / Untightening
Jaw
● Target spotting
● The “Rooster Stance”
● Shadow repositioning
● Weapon printing
● Inappropriate clothing
● Uninvited conversation
● Weight shifting - loading
● Grooming
● Boundary testing
● Closing distance
● Aggressive Body
Language
● Clenching Fists
Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense CVPSD cvpsd.org Copyright © 2024

5. Pre- Incident Indicators: How Attackers Engage
Targets
Pre Incident Indicators are the collection of
events or psychological manipulations that
may be employed by the aggressors. They
are tools predators use to draw in victims to
engage.
In Gavin de Beckern book “The Gift of Fear”
suggests looking for these common schemes
that criminals use to get off victims
1) Charm and Niceness. Predators disarm
victims by being polite in order to manipulate
them.
2) Too many details. The predator will lie by
creating and communicating excessive
details about themselves to make them seem
more credible and important.
3) Typecasting. The predator will draw in the
victim by initiating a conversation by saying
something insulting about the victim that they
would otherwise have ignored. As an
example “Oh, I bet you’re too stuck-up to talk
to a guy like me.” Typically the victim falls for
this trick and will engage to try to prove the
insult untrue.
4) Loan Sharking. The predator extends
unsolicited help to a victim and makes the
victim feel obliged to extend some reciprocal
trust, openness, and relations in return.
5) Forced Teaming. Forced teaming is a
technique utilized by predators to make
themselves appear to have things in common
with their victims to gain their confidence and
let their guard down.
The predators will deceive and exploit the
victim's trust with the goal of ingratiating
themselves with their intended victims.
appearing to have the victim’s best interests
at heart.
Words and phrases used to exploit victims
are the repeated use of “we” or "us".
predators will use other terms indicating
rapport or close relationships when
interacting with victims when there is little or
none. Predators will also use contrasting
terms to put other groups of people in
opposing silos as outsiders.
The Joint use of both the "we" and "them"
techniques are an indicator of forced teaming.
6) Unsolicited Promises. The unsolicited
promise is the number one most reliable red
flag due to its nearly always dubious motive.
A promise to do (or not do) something when
no such promise is asked for; this typically
means that such a promise will be broken.
The second example: an unsolicited, “I
promise I’ll leave you alone after this,”
typically means the chosen victim will not be
left alone. Likewise, an unsolicited “I promise
I won’t hurt you” usually means the person
intends to hurt their chosen victim.
7) Discounting the Word “No”. Refusing to
accept rejection; not recognizing the word
“NO”.
The best defense against any of these is not
to engage and reverse course away from the
zone that the predator is operating in.
If you find yourself already drawn in and
speaking with someone. Once you become
aware of these techniques being used on
you, put yourself in an orange alert and
disengage, and move on.
Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense CVPSD cvpsd.org Copyright © 2024

6. OODA stands for "Observe, Orient, Decide, Act," It
is a decision-making process that can be applied in
various contexts, including combat situations,
business, and personal decision-making. The
OODA loop is designed to help individuals or teams
make quicker and more effective decisions by
cycling through its four stages. The following is a
breakdown of the OODA loop:
​ Observe:
● Start by gathering as much information as possible about the environment and individuals.
● Focus on identifying relevant details, patterns, and changes that might impact the situation.
● Noticing unusual behavior or individuals in your vicinity.
● Being aware of escape routes and safe spaces.
● Recognizing signs of danger, such as aggressive body language or verbal threats.
​ Orient:
● Orientation means connecting yourself with reality and seeing the world as it really is, as free
as possible from the influence of cognitive biases and shortcuts.
● Take the information you've gathered in the observation stage and analyze it. Consider how the
data fits into the larger context and what it might mean for your goals or objectives.
● Factor in your own experiences and cultural influences. This step helps you develop a
comprehensive understanding of the situation.
● Consider your own physical capabilities and limitations.
● Determine the best course of action based on your assessment.
​ Decide:
● Based on your analysis, make a decision about how to proceed. This decision might involve
selecting a course of action or developing a plan.
● Consider potential outcomes, risks, and benefits of each option. Use your understanding from
the orientation stage to make an informed choice.
​ Act:
● Implement the decision you made in the previous stage. Take appropriate actions based on
your chosen course of action.
● Keep in mind that acting does not mean taking arbitrary or hasty steps.
After completing the "Act" stage, the loop doesn't end. It becomes a continuous cycle as you gather
feedback from the outcomes of your actions. If the situation changes or if your actions didn't yield the
desired results, you go through the loop again:
● Observe the results of your actions.
● Orient yourself to the new information and context.
● Decide on adjustments or changes based on your analysis.
● Act on your new decisions.
By cycling through the four stages rapidly and continuously, you can adapt and respond to dynamic
and changing situations more effectively. It's a valuable tool for improving decision-making and
staying agile in various aspects of life.
Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense CVPSD cvpsd.org Copyright © 2024

7. Recommend Reading List
General Self-Protection
Coursen, Spencer – The Safety Trap
Dimitri, Richard – In Total Defense of the Self
Freeborn, Varg – Violence of Mind
Larkin, Tim – When Violence is the Answer
MacYoung, Marc – Cheap Shots, Ambushes and
Other Lessons
MacYoung, Marc – What You Don’t Know Can Kill
You
Miller, Rory – Meditations on Violence
Miller, Rory – Facing Violence
Schneider, Gavriel – Can I See Your Hands
Strong, Sanford – Strong on Defense
Thompson, Geoff – Watch My Back
Thompson, Geoff – Dead or Alive
Thompson, Geoff – Three Second Fighter
Communication/De-escalation
Amdur, Ellis – Words of Power
Miller, Rory – ConCom: Conflict Communication
Thompson, Geoff – The Art of Fighting Without
Fighting
Thompson, George – Verbal Judo
Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss
Law Enforcement/Security
Christensen, Loren – Defensive Tactics
Christensen, Loren – Far Beyond Defensive Tactics
De Becker, Gavin – Just 2 Seconds
Malpass, Michael – Taming the Serpent
Martin, Dennis – Working with Warriors
Schneider, Gavriel – Beyond the Bodyguard
Siddle, Bruce – Sharpening the Warrior's Edge
Wollert, Terry & Quail, Jeff – A Scientific Approach to
Reality Based Training
Threat Assessment
Calhoun, Frederick – Threat Assessment and
Management Strategies: Identifying the Howlers
and Hunters
Cawood, James – Violence Assessment and
Intervention
De Becker, Gavin – The Gift of Fear
Meloy, Reid – International Handbook of Threat
Assessment
Miller, Rory – Living in the Deep Brain
Valdiserri, Anna – Creepology: Self-defense for
your social life
Van Horne, Patrick – Left of Bang
Training
Coyle, Daniel – The Talent Code
Miller, Rory – Training for Sudden Violence
Murray, Kenneth – Training at the Speed of Life
Wollert, Terry & Quail, Jeff – A Scientific
Approach to Reality Based Training
Other
Grossman, Dave – On Combat
Herman, Judith – Trauma and Recovery
Hill, Jess – See What You Made Me Do
Ben Keren, Gershon – Krav Maga: Real World
Solutions to Real World Violence
Koster, Denise – Refusing to Accept the
Unacceptable
Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense CVPSD cvpsd.org Copyright © 2024