how long does it take

just a quick question (and possibly one without a true answer) 'how long does it take to become relatively able to defend yourself, and how much continuing/regular training do you need to do, to keep it?'

i work the doors with very little knowledge under my belt (a very little bit of boxing many years ago and a dabble in Aikido). So far i have been fortunate/persuasive enough to talk down most situations and though i have had a few minor scuffles, nothing major to date (there, that's cursed it). My main job is very time consuming and is a rolling shift pattern so it would mean at times i couldn't get to training sessions for several weeks.

thanks in advance

Chris

defending yourself and doing the doors are two very different topics really
if you have to resort to violence on the doors .. somethings not good with your training which is why the SAI is introducing a one days 'physical intervention' day as well as the current study requirements

defending yourself on the streets is another ball game altogether

thanks for the reply Dave,
the training for defence would not necessarily be for use on the door (have worked the door for 5 years, 3 of that full time, and have had about 5 very small 'setbacks', so door training is pretty sound) its more for a bit of self confidence and knowing it's there if needed.

i try to stay aware of whats going on around me and to use the 'avoid if possible' technique, but i'm sure you are aware that there are times when that is not possible. I would just like to be able to give a fair account for myself if the need ever should arise.

Given your background I am sure you could learn some methods and apply them quite easily after a short-ish time

think of First Aiders who go on a course then unless they actually use their skills regularly are still able to do it as and when they need to.. however they also have to have regular 'refreshers'

40 hours (in total not all at once) in Awareness Avaoidance and physical Intervention training, with a refresher every few months will keep the SKILL base OK and be more than enough. However as in all things the more you put in the more you get out..

Do you have a mate on teh doors or otherwise you can get together with once or week or even less often.. about 1-2 hours even fortnightly (not ideal of course) is better than nothing and will certainly help you.

However if it is SELF-DEFENCE/SELF-PROTECTION you are after .. forget lengthy martial arts sessions.. the material MUST be pure SD/SP or you wont benefit anyway

regards

dave

I think the question 'how long does it take to become relatively able to defend yourself, and how much continuing/regular training do you need to do, to keep it?'is relative.

It depends on who your defending yourself against and what. Do as much as you can.