Why is the Flight or Fight response to imminent danger important in self defense?

[Stu Honea]

Studies have shown that in a disaster situation involving several people, 10% will take a leadership role, 80% will blindly follow the leader and another 10% will run around with there heads cut off not know what to do. Now this goes directly to how the body will react to the chemical dump it just received.
So, you now have the Sheepdog, the sheep and the strays.
I would like to believe that the ones here who have taken the initiative to arm themselves, train how to protect themselves and develop the muscle memory and skills to react during the adrenaline dump fall into the Sheepdog category. The rest are just hoping for the best.

Now, I have to say, that in the few times in my life, where danger and possible death caused the Adrenalin dump into my body, two things happened. First, time moved at a very slow rate and all details of the event were crystal clear in my mind. Second, muscle memory and experience took over and things happens as they had been practiced and done hundreds of times in the past. The time after the event was a different story and it took about 30 minutes to come down and get my thoughts back together.

Good experience speaking here. This is why,after a deadly force situation,a thorough statement should certainly not be given immediately,even by an officer involved,much less a civilian.
The Force Science Institute has recently been doing excellant research on this.

To the OP: Without any intent of being rude,I believe,as others have stated,that the majority of us here are already quite familiar with the points you outlined.Some(most?) of us are veterans and didn't get it from a book,sir.

 

[WC145]

sirrduke2010 -
I'm going to ask again because I didn't get an answer last time and I'm still curious - What kind of background, training, experience, etc., do you have that you come here and post "lessons" for us as though you're an authority?


BTW, the answer to the "fight or flight" response is simple - When the SHTF you default to your training, so it's a good idea to have some.
Anyone here that wasn't aware of this before now, please raise your hands. Anyone? No one? Bueller?

 

[sirrduke2010]

I am wondering what your expertise is.

xxxxxxxxxx

 

[jlrhiner]

So........ You have no experience?

 

[cwo4uscgret]

We do know how the body react but we don't always know how the person will act in response to a dangerous situation. The body's reaction and the person's reaction are two different things. As previously stated training, knowledge, preparation, and a plan will assist the person in making choosing the right decision and/or reflexive trained action when reacting to a perilous situation. I guess, as always, we can deny, make fun of, call it ridiculous, counter with the "what if" scenarios, etc. to repudiate what I have written.

- the mind is what tells the body what to do; not the tail wagging the dog.

The response, in professionals, who use a combination of experience and lots of training, continual training, instinctively know what to do in a situation; thinking about what you are going to do when faced with a situation puts you at a serious disadvantage. The response has to be almost subconscious - we have quarterly training that includes firearms qualifications and defensive tactics, arrest techniques, take downs, and other things to help us go home safe at the end of the shift.

All that and I can not tell you what I will do in one of your "what-ifs" - because each situation is different. I do know what I will do when something happens before me but I won't know what it is until it happens...

 

[WC145]

xxxxxxxxxx

Are those kisses?

I was hoping for a more in depth response.

 

[APS]

Now... you know sirrduke2010, if you don't answer the question it's going to be asked in every one of your future posts.

 

[sirrduke2010]

I have studied self defense and Martial Arts. I am also a health care professional and have studied human physiology. Here is another reference for a person with a reputation and has a masters degree. He has participated as an expert witness. His name is Marc MacYoung. Marc MacYoung - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Here is a biography of the person. Here is a long paper about Self-Defense which I think would be a good read for anyone on here. No Nonsense Self Defense - Reliable information for dangerous situations. You know I have left references here APS and its just brings on criticisms and I don't know what I am talking about.

Sometimes people trained as police officers forget that not everyone has been trained as they are. What may be instinctive for them may not be that way for less trained individuals.

Instead of knocking everything I say take the time to read what he wrote, which is free online, and just maybe my constant critics will learn something. The main thing about this is having a CCW and a gun leave large gaps in your defense if you don't include avoid and awareness to name a few. Avoiding a confrontation or fight is the best way to avoid liability, arrest, injury, a damage suit, prison, having to have to work with police, and being caught up in a court case either against a criminal and/or being sued for liability because the DA feels you used excessive force. I would encourage people to read what he wrote. Just maybe people might learn something on this forum.

Nobody knows it all. There are always new things to learn. There are always new concepts to learn and the more you know the more you don't know. I expect an answer like I don't know what I am talking about and Mr. MacYoung is full of beans and is no expert. Maybe just one person could read what he wrote on this link completely with an open mind they might learn something. In Conclusion there is a of lot more to self defense than have taking a class to get a CCW, having a CCW, and owning a gun. What happens if you don't have your gun with you then what are we going to do if confronted, attacked, robbed, an upset potential assailant, a crazy person with a knife, etc?

 

[jlrhiner]

So, your "expertise" is reading the works of someone else? Is that what you just said?

After a quick perusal of the website of the gentleman mentioned, I quickly arrived at the realization that he is a good marketeer. He teaches law to law enforcement agencies around the world yet he only has "some" college. His primary experience with street gangs is being raised in L.A. It's been my experience that the one who brags about their accomplishments loudest, well you know.

I have no axe to grind with you or the gentleman mentioned. If your scenarios come from him, I question both of your conclusions.

I, personally, think if you were going to find someone to idolize and gain experience on conflicts with others, try Dave Kieth or Charlie Sherrill or some of the other fine Lawmen on this forum.

 

[sirrduke2010]

ROTFL Rolling on the floor laughing.

 

[tomcatt51]

What happens if you don't have your gun with you then what are we going to do...?

I'm going to say to myself "what would sirrduck do?"

 

[Stu Honea]

sirrduke2010,when you are finished laughing,could you tell me what type of martial arts you have studied,escrima,tae kwon do,etc?
Have you ever had to use any of these techniques,and if so how did that turn out for you? Were you faced with more than one opponent,and what were the steps you took in that situation,or any that you were unfortunate enough to be involved in?
My name is Stu Honea.What is your name,sir? Have you ever considered training others professionally?
Do you hold any instructor certifications in any armed or unarmed self defense?
Are you skilled in disarming techniques? What type of folding or fixed blade knife do you recommend for defense?
What unarmed techniques do you recommend for defense against a knife? Could you explain this in detail as well as possible with the printed word?
Have you studied any WWII combatives,or had any exposure or experience with this? Are you familiar with proprioception,and could you explain this to us?
Under the existing circumstances,I believe all these are legitinate questions.
I believe there is enough bandwidth left for you to address each question appropriately. Thank you for your response.

 

[Alabama-Bud]

So, your "expertise" is reading the works of someone else? Is that what you just said?
After a quick perusal of the website of the gentleman mentioned, I quickly arrived at the realization that he is a good marketeer. He teaches law to law enforcement agencies around the world yet he only has "some" college. His primary experience with street gangs is being raised in L.A. It's been my experience that the one who brags about their accomplishments loudest, well you know.
I have no axe to grind with you or the gentleman mentioned. If your scenarios come from him, I question both of your conclusions.
I, personally, think if you were going to find someone to idolize and gain experience on conflicts with others, try Dave Kieth or Charlie Sherrill or some of the other fine Lawmen on this forum.

agree with jlrhiner, I've found that those who were in the s#!) don't talk bout being in the... conditioned reflex is the key, after that it's just genetics.

 

[cshoff]

Human beings are INSTINCTIVELY ready, able, and quite capable of engaging the "bad guy" when faced with "imminent danger", even if they don't have any practical experience or training to fall back on. Self preservation is one of the most basic instincts we possess - it is hard wired into our Limbic system and actually requires conscious effort to override. However, without proper training and/or real experiences to draw on, responding to the situation in the correct manner becomes more and more of a **** shoot.

But I digress, "fight" and "flight" are only two possible psychological reactions a person can have to a stressful encounter. There is also the possibility that a person could Freeze, Posture, or Submit. It's important to remember that you will not be able to predict your response to a given situation at any given time, even if you have encountered similar situations in the past, though experience and training can certainly help you to respond in the appropriate manner. It's also worth noting that your responses might escalate as the situation unfolds, perhaps going from freeze, to posture, to fight all in the span of a few seconds (or vice versa).

 

[jlrhiner]

ROTFL Rolling on the floor laughing.

Is that another scenario?

 

[cwo4uscgret]

Stu - "proprioception" don't forget that a computer, internet access, and google can be your friend!

Anyone, with a keyboard and an opinion can become an instant expert (in their own mind). Heck some people figure the more you type in a post the more it makes them think the post is legitimate!

 

[amazingflapjack]

Fight or flight causes decreased blood flow to the brain? I thought that caused fainting.

 

[venomballistics]

Stu - "proprioception" don't forget that a computer, internet access, and google can be your friend!

Anyone, with a keyboard and an opinion can become an instant expert (in their own mind). Heck some people figure the more you type in a post the more it makes them think the post is legitimate!

same thing in music.
"does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours"
one single line embodying more terror than a half dozen horror flicks

 

[Stu Honea]

Stu - "proprioception" don't forget that a computer, internet access, and google can be your friend!

Anyone, with a keyboard and an opinion can become an instant expert (in their own mind). Heck some people figure the more you type in a post the more it makes them think the post is legitimate!

Very true.I thought about that when I asked the question.Research may be ongoing now.

 

[to9]

Sorry to hijack but could not resist . I think the Op has been watching to many old Billy Jack movies . I would not want to face anyone pointing a 45 at me and think I am going to Ti Kwon Do or whatever him into submission . Hi Ya ................ Bang