A reminder to be aware of your surroundings

[Pal334]

This morning I decided to go to a slot machine parlor (AKA casino) in PA. I go there every month or so to play the penny slot machines. I played my $100, won about $250. I cashed the winning slips in the machines provided in the casino, pocketing my “new found fortune”. I had previously noticed two males in their late twenties hanging around near the cash out machine. I walked through the casino to the entrance , I thought I saw them near the entrance as I left, but thought nothing of it because of the large crowds. As I walked through the parking lot , between cars I did notice the same two fellows about 4-5 cars behind and over 2 cars ( I usually park farther out in the parking lot to avoid crowds and to get an idea if I am being followed). As I approached the front of my truck, I walked past it on the passenger side, around the back and back to the drivers side (to allow me to be face to face with out being too obvious. As I approached my door the first male (#1)came over to the front of my truck and very impolitely demanded my vehicle keys. I opened the door and then palmed my keys and handed him an keyring with mis cut keys that I keep for just such a purpose(same time picking up my 3 cell maglite flipping it behind my forearm. His buddy(#2) came up behind him (from the front of my truck)being loud and boisterous. As #1 was intent on rummaging the front seat, #2 came towards me demanding my wallet. I thrust my maglite , butt first into his throat, which seemed to divert his attention (funny what a lack of oxygen does to a fellow).As #1 started to stand up,his back to me, I gave him a couple love taps to the kidneys with the maglite and a stomp to the back of his knee driving him to the ground. I heard whistles, the security staff had apparently heard the scuffle and came to make the apprehension. And as luck would have it, while I was helping poor #1 to his feet, my foot made contact again with the poor fellows kidney area ( I think he will remember me for the next few days as he goes to the bathroom). The security staff took them into custody, I made a short written statement to the local police and everyone (well almost everyone) went home happy.

I share this to share some unarmed urban survival skills.

Park away from the heavy traffic areas (some do not agree with this, but works for me)

Keep your head on a swivel and try to remember if you are seeing a “repeat” of people in different areas.

If you think you are being followed. When you get to your vehicle, make your approach so that you are always facing the “followers”.

If you have to confront more than one person, do it in a confined space (between cars). This will keep things one on one for at least the initial contact.

Think about having a key chain with blank (or mis cut )keys of the type of vehicle you have, to include your house key. This will cause confusion for a few seconds.

If you have to or choose to engage in a confrontation, do it without warning,do it to win, no monkeying around. I like the throat thrust for a first surprise strike, allows you to move on to the next assailant, and or come back to the “throated” person for more personal attention.

[Ken]

Great job, Pal! You netted $150.00, huh?

And I'm glad you kicked their @sses, too. Good situational awareness, my friend! Amazing what us older fellers are still capable of, huh?

[Pal334]

Great job, Pal! You netted $150.00, huh?

And I'm glad you kicked their @sses, too. Good situational awareness, my friend! Amazing what us older fellers are still capable of, huh?

Its even better than that, see my PM A shame security got there when it did, could have had two excellent candidates for the new health reform

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Several confrontations I have gotten in resulted in shots to the throat. Not sure why as I was trying to pummel them in the head. Might be my height @ 6'2". To be sure everytime it was the end all. Good to hear you set them straight Pal!

[Pal334]

Just glad it was me and not some old lady. I have been out of the saddle so to speak for several years, kind of enjoyed the adrenaline rush

[crashdive123]

Glad it all worked out.

[BENESSE]

Pal, I applaud your restraint.
It's hard not to do some real damage to people like that when you get the chance.

[Pal334]

Pal, I applaud your restraint.
It's hard not to do some real damage to people like that when you get the chance.

I would like to say restraint, but was do to lack of time and opportunity, darned security folks

[Rick]

You practiced the very first rule of being safe and that's being observant of your surroundings. I'm glad everything worked out. As far as I can tell it worked out just like it should. Good guys go home. Bad guys go to jail.

[crashdive123]

or the hospital.

[2dumb2kwit]

You practiced the very first rule of being safe and that's being observant of your surroundings. I'm glad everything worked out. As far as I can tell it worked out just like it should. Good guys go home. Bad guys go to jail.

+1
Good job, Pal!

[Pal334]

or the hospital.

Thats why I like the kidneys,extremely painful and leaves a lasting memory for a few days. And the "throated" guy was breathing fairly well, so there will probably not much more than a sore throat.

It should be noted that my initial intent with giving up the keys was to make sure I had a clean avenue of escape (I am not above running). But when that split second opening for the throat presented itself, I just could not resist.

[Rick]

And, of course, you feel just terrible about the whole thing. It was your ONLY way out and you were being threatened with bodily harm. You wish you could have been less violent but it just wasn't possible. You'll probably have nightmares for weeks over it.

Did I leave anything out, counselor?

[your_comforting_company]

way to stay on your toes Pal. Glad you didn't get hurt.

[Pal334]

And, of course, you feel just terrible about the whole thing. It was your ONLY way out and you were being threatened with bodily harm. You wish you could have been less violent but it just wasn't possible. You'll probably have nightmares for weeks over it.

Did I leave anything out, counselor?

Ya, what you said. I feel just aweful about those poor young fellows. I am considering contributing to an education fund for them. Oh wait,I guess I already did

[Ken]

And, of course, you feel just terrible about the whole thing. It was your ONLY way out and you were being threatened with bodily harm. You wish you could have been less violent but it just wasn't possible. You'll probably have nightmares for weeks over it.

Did I leave anything out, counselor?

A few things, but I can't mention them because they were in a PM. Just allow me to say

NICE WORK, PAL!

[Pal334]

way to stay on your toes Pal. Glad you didn't get hurt.

Guess I am getting old though, they both sort of walked to the police car

[Ken]

Ya, what you said. I feel just aweful about those poor young fellows. I am considering contributing to an education fund for them. Oh wait,I guess I already did

Yep. Peeing blood sure can teach a man a thing or two.

[Pal334]

Yep. Peeing blood sure can teach a man a thing or two.

And it only lasts a few days, but they are such looooong days

On a serious note:
I do want to make a very important point here. Remember, my initial intent was to get them occupied with my vehicle and take off running. And I would encourage most people that read this to do the same. But if you do have to defend yourself do it in a decisive manner and do not stop until you prevail.

[Ole WV Coot]

Gonna have to be more careful stumbling over folks and maybe causing them a little pain. I guess that's why I carry a walking stick to steady myself and a 45 to wave people out of the way.