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Posted By Tyler
For discussion.
What level of self defence would you suggest if the worst come to the worst amongst your lone workers?
For instance how many of you would train your staff in self defence techniques, have personal alarms or even carry Mace (if the worse happens).
Some may say that carrying Mace, or getting physical in self defence may put the organisation at risk of a civil claim and will not advise this at all.
What are your thoughts?
PS I know we should risk assess etc to try and ensure it doesn't come to this, but what if it does?
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Posted By John Murgatroyd
I think you will find that carriage and/or use of mace is illegal in the UK.
You are only allowed to use "reasonable force" to defend yourself, and the courts will decide what that is.
Carrying a baseball bat or any other "defence weapon" is not allowed.
You can, however, carry a spray that coats the attackers face in a slimy goo..... !
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Posted By Bill Fisher
I would even be cautious about goo on the face - what if they have an allergic reaction?
John made a particularly important point - reasonable force. I suggest you think of the fire extinguisher scenario. Nowadayds fire extinguishers are there to assist you to get out of danger rather than necessarily to put out the fire.
So train your staff in defence tatics from using words and body language to physical blockers. And indeed how to "run". Here I am thinking of how to get away from a threat.
This rather than attack training will also stand the person in better defence should something horrible go wrong and they need to justify their actions in court.
Regards
Bill
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Posted By MichaelM
What if your staff are asthmatic or disabled in some way that they cannot run? A short sharp kick to an attackers privates may be possible whereas flight may not.
Michael
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Posted By steven bentham
If there is a high risk of attack then self defence is the wrong solution to lone working: - its obvious, they need to work in pairs and have other procedures. Lower risk requires use of mobile phones + training to defuse situations.
Teaching self defence to lone workers is a difficult road to travel; would you teach them to seriously injure an attacker? Would you teach them defence against knife attacks? Most hardened street fighters would knock seven bells out of someone with basic self defence training.
[For my sins I've been involved in martial arts in my younger days and there is no chance at all you can teach an average person anything useful at all in a short time - other than run or talk your way out - if you thing differently go down to any boxing or martial arts training place, get your gloves on and try it out before you recommend it to your employees]
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Posted By Linda Crossland-Clarke
Hi
The Suzi Lamplough Trust released an article that said to pretent to start to vomit on someone who is getting into your personal space, they'll soon move back!
Linda
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Posted By MichaelM
Linda
Along those lines, I seem to remember vaguely that a potential way to stop a sexual assualt was to claim you had an STD. I don't know if that would stop a determined attacker though.
The vomitting idea might work though as most people cannot stand the idea of being sick or seeing someone being sick.
Michael
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Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas
Hi Folks,
Having worked within the Prison Service and with NHS Mental Health Trusts Lone Workers can be trained in "Breakaway Techniques” this does exactly what it says on the tin “Breakaway” from the aggressor/s and get to safety and/or summon help.
There are also other control measures, which can or should be implemented, for instance the use of Two Way Radios, Mobile Phones, Personal Alarms, Management of Violence and Aggression Training, a Booking In and Out System etc - etc. Cut of times for Staff to phone/report in when they have finished any visits or tasks the have undertaken on there own and protocols tom be implemented if they fail to report back on time.
The use of GPS ID cards a very expensive option. But remember how do we get to our control measures? Lone Working Risk Assessment, oh yes that old chestnut.
Aye,
Rod D
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Posted By Jasonjg
There used to be Breakaway courses on this subject, which taught basic techniques.
I think these have now been replaced with conflict resolution or De-escalation courses aimed more at diffusing aggression in the first place.
As said previously, when you are actually faced with the scenario, many quick learned self-defence tactics are pretty much forgotten or the attempt can make things much worse.
It is also very hard to convince men to carry personal alarms when lone working but an effort should be made along with regular checks via phone or other monitoring equipment.
If it is lone working at your workplace then room design has a big part to play but when it is off site then things get much harder to handle especially in legal terms.
Using mace/CS/karate and kung-foo in someones own home is going to do your employees and yourselves no justice in courts.
I would consider contacting someone who works in the NHS as they face this everyday both on site and when visiting. Look at latest training developments in this area and converse with staff.
One method I have seen was introduced by a friend of mine. His job was as a property manager for a organisation that supplies housing to recovering alcohol and drug users in the Manchester area. Part of the tenant’s agreements was to successfully go through a paced recovery timetable i.e. regular tests, counselling etc. Obviously there were occasional failures and a lot of property damage, no bill payments etc.
His role was to commit eviction proceedings but not before having discussions to try and get things back on track. As you can imagine (in the real world) lots of conflicts would occur, especially when tenants failed tests. His tactic was to have someone available at the office with the pretence of being one of the highest managers in the organisation. When conflicts looked like they would be getting out of hand, a call to the office and tenant believed he was talking to senior figure. It is amazing how attitudes quickly calm down after a phone squabble with a director. Property manager is now thanked for allowing direct communication to powers at be and message is still gotten across. Customer service centre staff know this tactic very well.
His favourite quote (bull **** baffles brains).
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Posted By Jasonjg
Forgot to mention he was 6ft6 22st and had albino type crazy eyes.
Hmmmm maybe it was that that got him through the day.
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Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas
Tyler,
E-Mail me direct and I will send you some "Bumff" regarding Lone Working which I use for some of my NHS clients.
Aye,
Rod D
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Posted By Alex Burbidge
When I was studying at university I worked at the student’s union bar. This involved collecting glasses and assisting security. This meant I found myself in situations where customers would either need to be removed from the premises or defending yourself from an attack.
Training in martial arts was promoted by the university and was delivered by a senior lecture within the law school, who was actually one of the top Ju-Jitsu experts in the country. He advised using open hand techniques, to 'block' and when required 'push' attackers away!! Reasonable force was always mentioned and case law was quoted so that we were aware of the risks.
I would suggest that if you decided to go down the route of providing self defence training then you need to speak with the experts i.e. The Police, your insurance company, the local council and a recognised martial arts instructor.
I must say that use of pressure points on the body can be very effective way of defending your self if the situation occurred!!
Hope this helps.
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Posted By Jasonjg
Alex it helps but not all the time
Do a uk google search on the following line:-
Jason Gould attack Radcliffe
15 years on and off boxing and thats what you get when you dont pay a child for a publicity stunt (joke).
Humour is the best medicine
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Posted By Kinnikin
Jason,
It sounds, from the reports found through Google, that you have been through the mill.
I hope now you are fully recovered and the attacker has been called to justice.
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Posted By Jasonjg
Yes fine now.
Unfortunately the machete did not make it due to my diligent head butting technique :).
Thanks
Jason
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