interesting self defense story on my local radio this morning

[sidheshooter]

A business manager in California was headed in to open up his boat store when he was accosted at the entrance by a stocking-masked assailant wielding a hammer. Evidently, the only potential weapons in his hands were his store keys, and a tall double mocha from the coffeeshop.

Fortunately, our guy had the presence of mind to apply several of Col. Cooper’s principles of personal defense, namely: decisiveness, speed, aggressiveness and surprise; he immediately busted the BG’s pantyhose-covered chops with 16 oz. of steam-heated pick-me-up. As the radio blurb eloquently put it, “the forcibly caffeinated criminal fled the scene…”

I’ll never know if this businessman ever read Cooper’s words, but he did a respectable job of enacting them when the time came. With all the threads of late commenting on the best tactical response to bad situations, particularly ones with responses about not forcing any hands when at a disadvantage, I thought that this short story might serve as a reminder that when it’s on, it’s on, and adherence to basics can still save the day, despite some bad odds.

We also now know that pantyhose are no defense against scalding liquid…

FWIW.

 

[Averageman]

To offer an adjusted quote..
Sometimes a Man (with pantyhose on his face) just needs to know his limitations

 

[JoeMal]

I bet he continues to buy that expensive mocha every morning from now on....

 

[hso]

Good lesson for all of us.

When presented with the need to act, don't hesitate. Act decisively.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Quick thinking on the businessman's part. Mocha and steamed milk are very hot and the panty hose would only hold the liquid against the skin longer.

When you are already committed to a situation...having stepped out of the car...you do the best you can with what you have. after throwing the Mocha as a distraction, the businessman had more options open as to how to proceed depending on the reaction of the BG

 

[bigfatdave]

Makes caliber arguments seem rather silly, doesn't it?

Good on the defender, I hope he gets to spend the whole day being congratulated on his fast thinking.

"SURPRISE!" ... I'm not a victim

 

[armoredman]

What caliber coffee cup for pantyhosed assailants?

Oh, c'mon, SOMEONE had to say it!

 

[JoeMal]

What caliber coffee cup for pantyhosed assailants?

Oh, c'mon, SOMEONE had to say it!

That would depend...did you SUPER SIZE it?!?!

 

[hso]

Gotta be 30.06 because he used a Garande

 

[9mmepiphany]

If he was local, I'd go over just to tell him he did a good job...I'd buy him another double mocha too

 

[Webbj0219]

reminds me of my old defense plan back when I worked the closing shift by myself at a Uhaul center. wasnt alowed to have any formal weopons while at work. And I usually got some pretty aggressive ppl in there. So I kept a spray bottle of high traffic carpet cleaner solution (still concentrated) under the counter, incase I was attacked. I could probable spray it a good 20 ft. and I did a lil training with it when It was really slow. Hey you work with what youve got.

 

[JoeSlomo]

he immediately busted the BG’s pantyhose-covered chops with 16 oz. of steam-heated pick-me-up

In the words of Jeff Spicoli...

"Awesome! TOTALLY awesome!!!"

 

[Sgt_R]

I've had that same thought, though thankfully never the opportunity to put it into action. Glad to see that the real world application lives up to my theorycraft.

R

 

[sidheshooter]

Gotta be 30.06 because he used a Garande...

Odds are pretty good on .470 nitro because he hit him with a double...

 

[rhenriksen]

So now instead of caliber wars, it's going to be 'decaf versus regular'?

 

[Mp7]

lol!

Another good reason not to buy iced-ginger-chai stuff for 8$ a cup.

 

[BMacklem]

So if there was a lid on that cup, was it legal?
after all it was a "splash suppresor/hider"




Ouch.... I even groaned at that one.

 

[Al Thompson]

Years ago, an acquaintance became aware that the convenience store he was in was getting robbed by some jerk with a knife. Our man on the scene filled a coffee cup about 3/4 full of sugar and topped it off with scalding coffee. The hot syrup did an excellent job of burning the bad guys face while said bad guy was getting kicked unconscious.

 

[Sky]

Surprises us sometimes when we react without thinking of the consequences. He could have lawyer ed himself into total immobility and been raped, pillaged, and plundered. There are times when the old adage of, "looks like a good day to die" comes into play; we should always try to insure that bad guy (subjective evaluation) be the dead one when the dust settles.

 

[General Geoff]

A cup of steaming coffee in the face will stop basically anyone in their tracks. Near-boiling liquid is no joke.

 

[bigfatdave]

Anyone have an actual article?

I want it to print out and pass around ... no luck searching for it online.

 

[bigfatdave]

Never Mind ... just spotted it on Fark.com

http://www.centredaily.com/2010/08/07/2138744/store-manager-throws-hot-coffee.html
for anyone interested

 

[Al Thompson]

Another example of coffee as a social interaction modifier:

http://gunnuts.net/2009/10/26/dont-bring-a-knife-to-a-coffee-fight/

 

[sidheshooter]

^^^Another great example. Sometimes I think that Cols. Cooper and Boyd (OODA) together is all one needs to understand (beyond proficiency with one's tools) in the reactive setting of civilian self defense. Coffee may be the hot (ahem) way to crack the loop du jour, but I've seen other objects (car antanae, a violin case, a pencil) used to similar effect. I'm sure others here can come up with even more outlandish examples. It's the principles first; the objects will follow.

Facing the surprise charge of a hammer-wielding crook first thing in the morning is a fairly bad way to start the day; the first guy (and possibly the gunblogger in the second story) likely escaped serious injury by immediately giving the attacker something more compelling to think about than pressing the attack. I'm in favor of almost anything that accomplishes the same goal.

Plus, I like my coffee.

 

[9mmepiphany]

As I said previously, good reaction to an unexpected threat. The face is an excellent target, because we use our eyes to direct many of our actions

I'll just throw out one i came across a while back about using what you have handy. I had a waitress who once stopped a drunken grope with a fork. apparently there is a larger shock value to the multi-prongs making contact together...either that or the back of the hand is a really good target