[Survival Self-Defense] "Your 'Bag' Holds the Key to Life or Death"

If Used Properly, a 'Gabang' Is Essentially a 'Bangpae'

Editor's NoteAs fear of indiscriminate random attacks with weapons spreads nationwide due to a series of stabbing incidents, interest in self-defense techniques has increased. While "running away is best" when faced with a dangerous situation, there are times when panic or threats make it impossible to escape. Simply being able to properly use everyday small tools and self-defense items without panic can buy you time to escape from a dangerous situation. Every Sunday, we will serialize how to properly utilize self-defense items and how to protect yourself by striking and quickly fleeing, demonstrated by Jeon Seong-yong (President) and Go Kyung-ah, instructors at the Korea Arnis Association Self-Defense Center (photo).

When you cannot immediately escape from an attacker wielding a weapon, you must actively use the items you have on hand to increase your survival rate. Through this, you should defend vital organs (carotid artery, airway, heart, lungs, etc.) and then avoid the situation.

In a stabbing attack, the golden time of 10 seconds determines life or death. Showing a strong will to defend can confuse the attacker, causing mistakes or abandonment of the attack intent. This does not mean you should fight an attacker with a weapon. You can use your everyday bag or backpack as a shield. Women, especially those with less physical strength, should practice defense using their bags regularly.

1. Hold a tote bag (large handbag for women) or bag with the opening facing upward and grip it tightly with both hands. This prevents the bag from slipping out of your hands due to the impact of the attacker’s weapon. The key is to grip firmly with your fingers.

2. Hold the bag in front of your chest and step forward with your right foot (left-handed people do the opposite). The reason for holding the bag in front of your chest is to use it as a shield to protect vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Putting your weight on your right foot helps with defense and allows you to use your strength quickly and agilely.

3. When the attacker strikes at the upper body with a weapon, twist your waist to the right while extending both hands holding the bag strongly in a straight line upward. This is the upper defense move. It is important to quickly straighten and bend both elbows in a straight line during this motion. If the retraction motion is not swift, the attacker may grab the bag. The elbow retraction motion is the key point.

4. By repeating the retraction motion, you can defend vital points such as the carotid artery and airway from the weapon. Quickly retract the defended tote bag toward your chest. At this time, the key point is to keep the tote bag pressed close to your chest to protect the heart and lungs.

5. When the attacker strikes at the midsection with a weapon, twist your waist to the right while extending both hands holding the bag strongly toward the abdomen in a diagonal middle direction. As with the upper defense, quickly straighten and bend your elbows in a straight line. If the retraction motion is not swift, the attacker may grab the bag, so the retraction motion is very important.

6. Quickly retract the defended tote bag toward your chest. As with the upper defense, you must keep the tote bag pressed close to your chest to protect the heart and lungs.

7. After defending with the bag, you can also attack the opponent’s face. If you only defend against the attacker’s strikes, continuous attacks may eventually break through. After defending, actively counterattack to secure the golden time and immediately escape. Strongly thrust the gripped tote bag straight to strike the opponent’s face; at this time, your right foot should step forward to put your weight into the strike. Repeating quick retractions allows for consecutive strikes.

All movements in survival self-defense require strength and stamina as a foundation. Regular strength and endurance training will yield greater effectiveness.