SEAL Survival Guide (72 page)

IMPROVISED WEAPONS

When it comes to choosing what to use as an improvised weapon for defense, you are limited only by your imagination—and your commitment to using it. The true sense of the word “improvised” means you could make just about anything, from the leg of a table to a stalk of celery, into a weapon. The latter probably isn’t going to be too helpful, and in a situation where you could get injured or killed, you had better pick the item that has the most potential to be effective.

Whatever environment you are in, do a situational-awareness drill and look around at things that you could use as a weapon. If you are in an office right now, look at the things on your desk. What do you think could be used most effectively to disable an attacker? A bit of creativity can go a long way when thinking of what could be transformed into a weapon. For example, while walking to your car, your set of keys sticking out between each of your fingers and gripped in your fist could instantly turn your knuckles into a weapon. A key-spiked punch with this would do considerable damage to an assailant’s vulnerable points, especially the eyes. In a bar, a stool could be used as a weapon and a shield. A thick tree branch makes a powerful club, and even a bench becomes an improvised weapon if thrown at someone. Remember, whatever you use, you must employ violence of action to make it work. This, along with your determination to survive, will help save your life. Here a few of my favorites:

Clothing

• Belts—especially with heavy buckles; wrap part of it around your fist and just start swinging

• Coats—always great as a defensive tool against a sharp object

• High heels—ladies, not only can you walk on them, but they are a lethal weapon if used as a hammer, or both at the same time like a set of cymbals

• Socks—fill with coins or a can of soda

Toiletries (in addition to the obvious uses, you can throw any and all of these items)

• Any aerosol canister sprayed in the eyes will sting like hell

• Nail file

• Straight razor

• Foot powder—same as aerosol

Office supplies

• Laptop computer—can be used as a shield, but even more effective folded up and used to deliver a shot to the throat

• Stapler—use as a striking tool and for smashing in an upward motion against an attacker’s nose; could also be used like a vise, opened and closed on an attacker’s fingers to bend back and break them

• Scissors

• Ruler (use for slashing)

• Computer power cords, printer cables, and Ethernet cords are thick and excellent for whipping and strangling

• Again, you can throw just about any office supply item

On a plane

• Book—use much like a laptop to strike the throat or throw. And if time permits, feel free to open this book, review the section on hijacking, and then crush the terrorist’s windpipe while yelling “
SEAL survival!
” at the top of your lungs.

• Rolled-up magazine—believe me, it will hurt when used with a stabbing motion to the face or throat

• Ball-point pen—can be mightier than the sword if you stab a lot

• Vodka—from the beverage cart to the eyes

• Blanket—throw over the face of an attacker to disorient and blind

Kitchen

• Knives, forks, spoons, rolling pin, pots, pans, lids—need I say more?

• Corkscrew—doubles as a fist pack with protruding point (screw) between knuckles

• Fire extinguisher—throw at an assailant’s feet/legs or engage the sprayer to blind

Garage

• Anything from a toolbox (hammer, screwdriver, box cutter . . .)

• Any sports equipment, not only for use as a weapon but for protection (like a baseball bat and hockey mask)

• Lumber

• Plumbing supplies

• Chain saw (my personal favorite)

• This list could go on and on; you name it, and you have a weapon

In summary, if you find yourself in a situation where someone is trying to harm you, use everything at your disposal to get out of that situation alive. If you can throw it, thrust it, block with it, spray it, crush with it . . . do it.

PART FOUR

Survival Medicine