Safety and Self Defense Seminar conducted by Steve Kardian at the UFC gym in White Plains, NY. Those in attendance walked away with knowledge and empowering information that will keep them safe! Thanks to all in attendance!

How to Win a Fight: Self-Defense Strategies for the Untrained Man

You’re out and enjoying life with your friends or a certain young lady.  But some knucklehead  is determined to end your fun by trying to punch your lights out.  What can you do?

There are some simple self-defense tactics that even someone who’s not in great shape or has any special training can employ:

First of all, wake up!

• Who’s watching you?
• Look around, is someone giving you a hard look? Or alternately, does someone quickly avoid your gaze?
• Watch people’s hands as you are walking, don’t look away when you pass.
• Cross the street if you have to avoid a group of punks.
• Don’t get too drunk.
• Are you doing something stupid like hitting on someone’s girlfriend at the bar?
• Are you in the habit of boasting about your fancy watch, car, apartment?
• Point out the troublemaker to the bartender or doorman.
• If the negative vibes get too intense, leave.

Remember, it’s always easier to STAY out of trouble than to GET out of trouble.

Second of all, keep from getting hit in a vital area!

• Get your hands up in front of your face to protect your head.
• Keep your mouth closed with your teeth clenched. When your mouth is open you are ripe to get your jaw broken (which means you should forget about ‘talking trash’).
• Circle away from his power side (circle to the right if he has his right hand cocked back, circle to the left if he has his left hand cocked back).
• You need to be either two arms lengths away from him (outside of his kicking range) or all the way in tight against him (holding him in a boxing clinch). Anything in between puts you in range for his punches and kicks.

Third, use your strongest weapons against his weakest targets.

• Use the proverbial knee to the groin when you are clinching.
• Smash him with your elbows in the face, throat and neck.
• Kick him in the knee, groin or lower abdomen. Kick straight ahead using the bottom of your foot like you would kick in a door. Or kick straight back like a mule using your heel. If you are untrained, resist the urge to kick with the top of your foot like you are punting a football, you will probably use too much of your toes instead of your shin (ouch!).
• If you try to trade punches with him, you’re probably playing right into his game.

Finally:

• Get a barrier between you and him (even if you have to run around a car).
• Yell for help.  You can’t count on people coming to your aid, but he might think someone will render assistance.
• Use a weapon.  Hose him down with your pepper spray.  Use a chair like a lion tamer.  Throw ashtrays at him.
• Make your escape.  Lose your ego and your attitude.  Retreat and escape.  Live to go out and party again next weekend.
• Better yet, start training tomorrow in a self-defense art or program.
• www.stevekardian.com
• www.nydefendu.com
• www.defenduniversity.com

Phone companies know where their customers' cellphones are, often within a radius of less than 100 feet. That tracking technology has rescued lost drivers, helped authorities find kidnap victims and let parents keep tabs on their kids.

But the technology isn't always used the way the phone company intends.

One morning last summer, Glenn Helwig threw his then-wife to the floor of their bedroom in Corpus Christi, Texas, she alleged in police reports. She packed her 1995 Hyundai and drove to a friend's home, she recalled recently. She didn't expect him to find her.

The day after she arrived, she says, her husband "all of a sudden showed up." According to police reports, he barged in and knocked her to the floor, then took off with her car.

The police say in a report that Mr. Helwig found his wife using a service offered by his cellular carrier, which enabled him to follow her movements through the global-positioning-system chip contained in her cellphone.

Mr. Helwig, in an interview, acknowledged using the service to track his wife on some occasions. He says he signed up for the tracking service last year. "AT&T had this little deal where you could find your family member through her cellphone," he says. But he didn't use it to find his wife that day, he says. Mr. Helwig, who is awaiting trial on related assault charges, declined to comment further about the matter. He has pleaded not guilty.

The allegations are a stark reminder of a largely hidden cost from the proliferation of sophisticated tracking technology in everyday life—a loss of privacy.

Global-positioning systems, called GPS, and other technologies used by phone companies have unexpectedly made it easier for abusers to track their victims. A U.S. Justice Department report last year estimated that more than 25,000 adults in the U.S. are victims of GPS stalking annually, including by cellphone.

In the online world, consumers who surf the Internet unintentionally surrender all kinds of personal information to marketing firms that use invisible tracking technology to monitor online activity. A Wall Street Journal investigation of the 50 most-popular U.S. websites found that most are placing intrusive tracking technologies on the computers of visitors—in some cases, more than 100 tracking tools at a time.

The cellphone industry says location-tracking programs are meant to provide a useful service to families, and that most providers take steps to prevent abuse. Mike Altschul, chief counsel for wireless-telecommunications trade group CTIA, says recommended "best practices" for providers of such services include providing notification to the person being tracked.

Mr. Helwig's wife had received such a notification, by text message, from AT&T. A spokesman for AT&T Inc. says it notifies all phone users when tracking functions are activated. But users don't have the right to refuse to be tracked by the account holder. Turning off the phone stops the tracking.

For the full article go here...

http://on.wsj.com/bw5njd

www.stevekardian.com

www.nydefendu.com

www.ThornwoodMMA.com

Are College Students Too Trusting? A must see for parents and students alike!

In 2004 I did this piece with the investigative unit of Inside Edition. This has never been done before in the United States. The results amazed all of us!

 

To book Steve at your College or University contact CAMPUSPEAK AT (303) 745-5545 http://www.campuspeak.com/speakers/kardian/

Defend University's Top 10 Back-To-School Safety Tips

1. Rely on the gift of intuition, trust your instincts. If you feel that the guy is a creep, he likely is. If you feel that you are in danger, you likely are.

2. Go to people, be with people. Avoid being isolated or alone with strangers.

3. When you arrive on campus familiarize or reacquaint yourself with the campus, housing and your surroundings.

4. Have a plan. Explore the “what ifs?” What do I do if someone tries to break into my dorm, someone is following me, someone is stalking me... Making decisions while under stress or duress is the worst time to make any type of decision.

5. Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are all wonderful social networking sources but they remain a stalkers dream. The college campus is a closed community and social networking sites are a tool the stalker uses to accomplish his/her desire.

6. The buddy system. Go out as a group, go home as a group. If you see something is out of place address it or bring it to the attention of someone in authority.

7. Don’t accept a drink from someone you don't trust your life with. Watch the drink being poured or served and remember that the bartender and predator sometimes act in concert.

8. If you see something, say something. If you observe a friend doing something odd or acting out of character don't be afraid to intervene.

9. Create and share a secret signal with your friends for when they should intervene if you’re in an uncomfortable situation.

10. Do your best not to go out alone at night. If you do walk with a roommate or someone you trust. Avoid the ATM and jogging during darkness. Don’t put music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings.

To book Steve at your College or University contact CAMPUSPEAK AT (303) 745-5545 http://www.campuspeak.com/speakers/kardian/

Character: The Ultimate Survival tool!

Before he became an instant celebrity for winning Survivor Africa, CAMPUSPEAK co-speaker Ethan Zohn played soccer professionally for teams in both the United States and Zimbabwe. He thought his previous experience in Africa would help him on the reality show, but it didn't really give him an edge he said.

It did remind him of the tremendous problems facing most African countries in terms of poverty, corrupt governments and most devastatingly, the AIDS crisis. After this reminder, when it came time to decide what to do with his newly acquired million and his fifteen minutes of fame, Ethan's decision was easy.

In Africa, the most popular sport by far is soccer. Since Ethan has experience in that arena, he decided to use his money and notoriety to help provide AIDS education, using African role models — soccer players — to teach children about HIV and AIDS. Ethan donated the money he won for this cause.

Now this inspirational speaker and person is putting his character and survival to the test. He's was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in April and went public with his diagnosis in May. Keeping the positive attitude he has shown ever since vowing to "inspire and educate people" through his ordeal, Zohn, 35, lets the camera roll as he enters "the chemo zone," and takes viewers behind the curtain as a doctor puts a needle in his chest and he downs a cup full of pills – jokingly calling them "Skittles, M&Ms and Tic-Tacs."

Our thoughts and prayers go to Ethan during this difficult time. You can receive updates and follow his progress on People magazines, people.com. The link is below.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20289066,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines

12 New Fight Like A Girl Instructors

12 New Fight Like a Girl Instructors

Instructors came from New Mexico to Canada, including 3 members of the New Mexico State University, New York State Police, Westchester County Police and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department, school teachers, personal trainers and martial artists from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga and klickboxing.

Whether you’re a professional martial artist, a community activists, high school or college professor this program will fulfill your needs to empower and keep women of all ages safer in their environment. Click on the link below for additional information on becoming a certified instructor.

The next Fight Like A Girl and Girl son Guard certification program will be Saturday April 25th and Sunday April 26th, 2009.

http://www.nydefendu.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=9

Stay Safe!
Steve Kardian

The Predator’s Tool Box

The Predator’s Tool Box
By Steve Kardian

Beware ladies! If you’re out on a date or in a social setting and you hear cute words like swirl, special k, liquid e, scoop, blue nitro, forget pill. ruffies or fantasy, then date rape drugs like GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine may be in the house! Even worse they may be in your drink!

The predator has developed a new method of introducing these drugs. They are now commonly being carried in visine bottles, contact lens solution, nose drop bottles, breath mint bottles and squirt guns … Yes, squirt guns! Even that cigarette you’re offered may contain the date rape drug ketamine.

Rapists now have in their sinister tool box more than a couple of methods to render their victim helpless and law enforcement are left to put together a puzzle with many of the pieces missing. GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine all have one thing in common…. “Amnesia” The victim will likely not be able to provide law enforcement with who, what, when, where and how. Which are some of the basic questions we need to know.

Rohypnol (Ro-hip-nol)
This is the oldest of the date rape drugs. Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam. Some of the common street names for this drug are roofies, rope, forget pill, and Mexican valium. It’s up to 10 times more powerful than valium and produces a slowing of physical and mental responses, muscle reflexes and amnesia. The drug usually begins to take effect in about 15 to 20 minutes and full effect in 30 to 60 minutes. The drug looks like aspirin and is colorless and odorless when mixed with beverage, usually alcohol.

Initially the victim may feel confused, disoriented and light headed. As the drugs effect progresses, the victim will experience a loss of inhibitions and eventually the victim may be rendered unable to resist an attack. The effects of Rohypnol can be dangerously enhanced when combined with alcohol. Some victims describe an almost “out of body experience” where they are aware of what is going on but can not react or resist. Depending upon how much has been ingested; the effects may persist for 12 hours or more. The drug’s metabolic properties are detectable in urine for up to 72 hours after ingestion.
Rohypnol—is manufactured worldwide, particularly in Europe and Latin America, in 1- and 2-milligram tablets by Hoffman-La Roche, Inc., a large pharmaceutical manufacturer. However, the drug neither is manufactured nor approved for medical use in the United States. The drug is administered in surgery where the patient may have to respond or cooperate during surgery. In Mexico the tablet can be bought for about 40 cents and sold in the United States from anywhere between two and six dollars. It is generally mailed or smuggled across the borders. Several packages seized in Miami in past years were shipped from Cali, Colombia, and contained up to 11,000 dosage units each.
Since February 1999, reformulated Rohypnol tablets, which turn blue in a drink to increase visibility, have been approved and marketed in 20 countries. The old non-colored tablets are still available, however. In response to the reformulated blue tablets, people who intend to commit a sexual assault facilitated by Rohypnol are now serving blue tropical drinks and punches in which the blue dye can be disguised.
According to Pulse Check: Trends in Drug Abuse, Rohypnol is now the least available club drug in the United States. Nevertheless, Los Angeles and El Paso report that the drug is widely available. The remaining Pulse Check sites report it as somewhat, not very, or not at all available, however, my research indicates that rohypnol is readily available in the southern region of the United States from southern California to Florida.

GHB (Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate)
This is the predator’s tool of choice. It’s easily concealed and transported and just as easy to introduce to a potential victim. This date rape drug is powerful and carries with it potentially deadly consequences. This drug goes by the name of G scoop, jib, liquid e, liquid x, grievous body harm, easy lay, salty water, women’s Viagra, swirl and “the date rape drug” to name a few.

GHB was actually available at health food and drug stores and advertised as a steroid that would enhance muscle tone and strength. In the late 80’s early 90’s I recall responding to aided calls involving otherwise healthy bodybuilders that were unexplainably unconscious and or in respiratory distress.

The most popular form of GHB will be a clear, odorless and tasteless. Some victims have reported that it has a mild salty taste. It can be carried in most anything that will host a small amount of liquid. Some common carriers are eye drop bottles, nasal spray bottles, 35mm film containers, mouth wash bottles, contact lens drops or solution and soda bottles. In some instances GHB has been found in powder form. GHB is the drug that Andrew Luster, of the Max Factor fortune, used to drug his victims and video tape his sexual assaults upon them.





History

l 1960’s: Synthesized initially as an anesthetic
l 1970’s: Used in clinical trial for narcolepsy
l 1980’s: GHB introduced to public health food stores
l 1990: FDA bans GHB from health food stores due to related illnesses and deaths
l 1991: FDA and Dept. of Justice had taken enforcement action
l 1993: DEA begins documenting GHB cases
l 1996: First cases of GHB use for sexual assault
l 1997: FDA re-issues GHB talk paper
l 1999: FDA warns about GBL asks for voluntary recall
l March 13, 2000: GHB becomes a Federally Controlled Schedule I drug; GBL and BD list I Chemicals
l July 17, 2000: FDA approves Xyrem for medical use (treatment of narcolepsy)

GHB is a rapidly acting central nervous system depressant. One of the reactions to this drug is reduced respiratory capacity. The body forgets to breath. The gag reflex is reduced and the victim also faces the danger of aspirating vomit into the lungs. Symptoms are greatly enhanced when mixed with alcohol and when the dose is too powerful for the victim’s body composition. Additionally, there is a fine line between intoxication and respiratory distress, coma and or death. The drug is so popular among the predators because of its intoxicating effect and the side effect of diminished memory. The amnesia effect is very powerful and the victim may remember very little if anything of the sexual assault. Other signs and symptoms are giddiness, sudden burst of energy and loss of inhibition, dizziness, slurred speech, loss of muscle control, vomiting and/or the appearance of “falling asleep”/”passing out.”

Symptoms will vary widely depending on dose and concentration. Onset of the symptoms begin within 5 minutes. Symptoms generally last 3 to 6 hours. The victim may recall starting to feel euphoric, and increased feeling of sexual excitement and then passing out. GHB leaves the body rapidly and may not be detected in the body 8 to 12 hours later.

GHB is easily made in home laboratories. It is made in bathtubs, in 5 gallon buckets and on stove tops. Recipes are available over the internet. A dose or cap full of GHB sells for between $5 and $25 dollars.


Ketamine (key-ta-mean)
This is a relatively new date rape drug. The drug was introduced in the early 1960’s and originally created for use as a human anesthetic is still used for children, persons of poor health and veterinary medicine. It was also used during the Vietnam War to treat injured solders. Ketamine is produced by the drug manufacturer Parke-Davis. As Rohypnol is associated to valium, Ketamine is closely related to the drug PCP.

Some common street names for this drug are Special k, “K” or vitamin k. A single dose is sometimes referred too as a bump.

Ketamine usually comes as a liquid in small pharmaceutical bottles and is most often cooked into a white powder for snorting by intentional users. The drug can also be injected or placed into a beverage, usually alcohol. Some rapists inject the liquid form into a cigarette, allow it to dry and then offer it to the potential victim. At low doses the drug has a mild dreamy feeling. Victims report feeling like they are floating and slightly outside their body. Numbness of the extremities is also common. The initial high gives way to amnesia and the victim is unable to give details of the sexual assault.

Intentional users refer to the high caused by Ketamine as the “K hole” and describe a profound hallucination that includes visual distortion, a lost sense of time, and identity.

If introduced into a beverage the effects begin in about 15 to 20 minutes. Amnesia may last for one or two hours. One of the side effects of this drug is flashbacks that can occur for up to two weeks. The drug may be detectable in the body for up to 24 hours. A major source of the drug is through burglaries of veterinary hospitals. Sometimes the only thing taken during a burglary of a veterinary hospital is injectable bottles of ketamine.

Tips to avoid being a statistic

In the world that we live in today not only do you need a designated driver when you venture out for a night on the town but you also need a designated friend to watch out for any unusual behavior you may exhibit. They should also look for the efforts of a stranger or and acquaintance to lure away. Here are some tips for safety.

Do not accept a drink from anyone that you don’t trust with your life
Never leave your drink unattended
If your drink tastes salty, soapy, cloudy or has particles in it, discard it
Listen for the “fizz” on twist bottles
Listen for the sound of a breaking seal
Be aware that the top to a plastic bottle of water can be opened, contaminated and resealed or glued to appear to be unopened
Drinking from a glass or wide mouth bottle makes it easier to tamper with
Don’t drink from a common punch or juice bowl
Discuss strategies with your friends on what to look for and what to do if you suspect that you have be drugged by a predator
If you think something has been slipped into your drink get to someone you trust, go to the hospital and take your drink with you
Ask to be tested for date rape drugs as soon as possible. The drugs leave your system rapidly
GHB, Rohypnol and ketamine are used for sexual attacks, pranks, robberies and attacks on males too
Listen to your good senses … If you feel that a guy is a creep, then he most likely is
Be aware that bartenders may work in concert with predators to spike your drink with one of the date rape drugs.




Defend University New York
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