The Tennessean Newspaper - Tuesday, 10/25/05
Arm yourself with knowledge
By SAMEH FAHMY
Staff Writer
Dominick DiVito reacts to news of murders, kidnappings and rapes with the same mix of emotions as everyone else, but he also asks himself "what could that person have done to get away?"
In his new book, Fight Back: Arm Yourself with Mental and Physical Self Defense (Center Street, $22.95), the Franklin self-defense instructor gives readers simple and easy-to-remember techniques that they can use to get away from an attacker. He also focuses on the mental aspects of self-defense so that would-be victims can turn panic into reaction and keep fear under control.
"What I always tell people is that if you're mentally not ready to handle it, the physical doesn't mean a thing," DiVito says.
Mental self-defense
A large part of mental self-defense is simply learning to recognize potentially dangerous situations so that you can avoid them.
Knowing your neighbors, making sure your doors and windows
are locked and having adequate lighting in and around your home can deter a criminal. Some car safety tips include parking in well-lit areas, looking underneath and inside your car before getting in and paying attention to who is parked around you. DiVito points out that vans are notorious for their use in criminal attacks because they block the view around your car and have few windows.
Have someone walk you to your car at night, observe your surroundings at an ATM and don't hesitate to let a bouncer know about a person who is making you uncomfortable at a bar or club.
People who are aware of these simple safety guidelines are often too distracted by a busy day at work or a hurried schedule to consistently use them, so DiVito encourages his students to always keep a safety-conscious mindset.
Another component of mental self-defense is giving yourself permission to fight back. Some people believe that they won't be able to defend themselves, while others trick themselves into thinking that a criminal won't hurt them if they follow their orders.
In cases where an attacker is intent on violating you, that's obviously not the case.
DiVito reminds readers that an attacker doesn't just hurt you — his actions can damage or destroy the dreams, people and plans that are important to you. You're worth defending, and have a right to stand up for yourself.
Physical self-defense
DiVito stresses that physical self-defense should always be used as a last resort. If someone grabs your purse and runs away with it, call the police and let them handle it. But in cases where you're physically attacked, DiVito says it's imperative that you defend yourself in the most effective way possible and with no remorse.
Rather than focusing on spectacular karate punches and kicks, DiVito teaches students to use the attacker's methods against him and anything — keys, your cell phone or a book, to name a few — that you have available.
The book details ways to get out of specific scenarios such as being confronted by a knife, jumped from behind or strangled. Once free of an attacker's grip, the victim can run for help.
"All I'm teaching is just enough to get your Nikes moving," DiVito says. •
Arm yourself with knowledge
Franklin instructor focuses on mental aspect of self-defense
By SAMEH FAHMY
Staff Writer
Dominick DiVito reacts to news of murders, kidnappings and rapes with the same mix of emotions as everyone else, but he also asks himself "what could that person have done to get away?"
In his new book, Fight Back: Arm Yourself with Mental and Physical Self Defense (Center Street, $22.95), the Franklin self-defense instructor gives readers simple and easy-to-remember techniques that they can use to get away from an attacker. He also focuses on the mental aspects of self-defense so that would-be victims can turn panic into reaction and keep fear under control.
"What I always tell people is that if you're mentally not ready to handle it, the physical doesn't mean a thing," DiVito says.
Mental self-defense
A large part of mental self-defense is simply learning to recognize potentially dangerous situations so that you can avoid them.
Knowing your neighbors, making sure your doors and windows
are locked and having adequate lighting in and around your home can deter a criminal. Some car safety tips include parking in well-lit areas, looking underneath and inside your car before getting in and paying attention to who is parked around you. DiVito points out that vans are notorious for their use in criminal attacks because they block the view around your car and have few windows.
Have someone walk you to your car at night, observe your surroundings at an ATM and don't hesitate to let a bouncer know about a person who is making you uncomfortable at a bar or club.
People who are aware of these simple safety guidelines are often too distracted by a busy day at work or a hurried schedule to consistently use them, so DiVito encourages his students to always keep a safety-conscious mindset.
Another component of mental self-defense is giving yourself permission to fight back. Some people believe that they won't be able to defend themselves, while others trick themselves into thinking that a criminal won't hurt them if they follow their orders.
In cases where an attacker is intent on violating you, that's obviously not the case.
DiVito reminds readers that an attacker doesn't just hurt you — his actions can damage or destroy the dreams, people and plans that are important to you. You're worth defending, and have a right to stand up for yourself.
Physical self-defense
DiVito stresses that physical self-defense should always be used as a last resort. If someone grabs your purse and runs away with it, call the police and let them handle it. But in cases where you're physically attacked, DiVito says it's imperative that you defend yourself in the most effective way possible and with no remorse.
Rather than focusing on spectacular karate punches and kicks, DiVito teaches students to use the attacker's methods against him and anything — keys, your cell phone or a book, to name a few — that you have available.
The book details ways to get out of specific scenarios such as being confronted by a knife, jumped from behind or strangled. Once free of an attacker's grip, the victim can run for help.
"All I'm teaching is just enough to get your Nikes moving," DiVito says. •
