DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

When violence happens, it’s explosive and often catches you off-guard. However, there are some simple tactics you can use to survive the initial onslaught. Practicing these things daily as part of your lifestyle will go a long way toward mitigating the threat. Making them part of your martial arts training while honing your situational awareness is even better.

In a shocking moment of violence, the dump of adrenaline can feel like a wild force surging through your body. Your immediate challenge is to regain control of yourself and your role in the altercation. When someone is determined to harm you and possibly take your life, doing that can be quite a challenge — imminent danger is an incredibly strong force to confront.

First, you must have the will to survive. That means deciding ahead of time that no matter what, you won’t quit. You’ll fight back and, as they say, do whatever it takes to win.

Second, you must seek to control your inhalation and exhalation. Respiration is the only function of the autonomic nervous system that you can alter consciously. Normally, when adrenaline surges through the body, breathing becomes shallow and rapid. It does this to ensure that muscles are supplied with oxygen so you’re