Davies, Barry

Glasgow: Collins Gem, 254 pages (1997)
ISBN: 000472301-5
PO Box, Glasgow G4 0NB

Highly Recommended

The Collins Gem publishing company has released some outstanding pocketbooks and this one, SAS Self-Defence by Barry Davies is probably one of the most comprehensive self-protection books I have seen.

The first few bits are fairly familiar, such as introduction to the problem of violence against individuals, how fights start, how to keep yourself fit physically and mentally, common attacks, defense techniques and typical problems women can face. The book covers a wide range of simple but very effective techniques.

The book does go further though, devoting a whole chapter on legal matters on self defense. Probably the most valuable lesson one can learn from this part is it to never, ever, issue a death threat, especially when there are people about as if the person you have been in a fight with, accidentally dies afterwards in an incident totally unrelated to you, witnesses will recall that you issued a death threat to him. The chance of this happening isnﾒt too remote because the chances are high that someone picking a fight with you isnﾒt very rational at the time (mostly due to being drunk).

The tip on how to deal with the police when they arrive is also very useful. The most useful tips are that you should always cooperate with the police and to watch what you say and say very little. Here are some things about the book that set it apart from others of its class is the long chapter on medical emergencies, which makes a lot of sense if you think about it. Chances are if youﾒve been a victim of an attack, even if you win, chances are high that you have sustained some injuries. There is also a note about assisting those injured in an attack and the possibility of HIV. The book states that as long as you donﾒt have any open wounds of your own and you wash the blood off, chances are you will not get HIV. There are also comprehensive details on CPR and shock treatment.

Another such part is attacks by animals and insects. It covers common animal attacks such as from dogs, bees, mosquitoes (deadly in the tropics), snakes, leeches, spiders and scorpions. Also non-common animals such as sharks and centipedes.

I highly recommended this work as probably the best all round self-protection book published in such a small volume.

Annotated by: Ha Young Gwak (April 2004)

Martial Arts: other martial art: Survival fighting

Topics: crime | instruction | legal issues | medical issues | psychology | self-defense | training/exercise science | weapons |