Barron is a Jodoka that has also been there and done that when it comes to street violence. His book, Real Combat Judo, is a great bridge between traditional Judo and practical self-defense. As a boxer and combatives practitioner, Baron knows how to strike, but he also knows how to effectively throw an opponent to use the ground itself as the striking surface. This comes from Judo.

Real Combat Judo is not your traditional Judo manual. I have a number of those on my shelf too, and they usually consist of a catalog of different Judo throws and techniques. This book has a smaller amount of techniques, but contains instruction on how to actually use the throws in the various self-defense situations Barron covers. The book illustrates how to perform a throw, and then provides drills and training instructions.

The photographs are clear, and the instruction is detailed. I will note that sometimes the descriptions become a bit repetitive, but I find that better than having to refer back to a different page in the book to see the part of the technique being taught that is the same. This is a book to use, not just read through cover to cover.

To use this book, like any martial art instructional manual, you will need a training partner and a safe place to throw each other. If you are not competent in breakfalls, make sure you practice these first. (Barron does provide brief instruction on these at the beginning of the book.) Once you have a partner, location, and breakfall skill, you can start throwing each other with control as you learn these throws. Yes, if you have a back ground in martial arts, it will come easier, and a live instructor or coach will always beat a book or video. However, you can learn from different media if you are committed. As a resource for learning how to actually use Judo for self-defense, Barron Shepherd’s Real Combat Judo should be on your shelf and a go-to book when you are training.

Video Review of Real Combat Judo by Barron Shepherd:

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This book contains an introduction and fifteen easily digestible chapters. Its filled with practical strategies and advice on staying safe and what to do if a predator tries to choose you as a target. The lessons are supported by stories of actual assaults.

This is not a book of “self-defense techniques.” In fact, there are no photos and the chapter on fighting back only contains some general guidelines on how to fight back. The author does encourage readers to get further training and practice in this area.

While some of the lessons are things I’ve seen in other books such as awareness, trusting intuition, how to fail the predator interview, and attacking back and never going to the secondary crime scene; the chapters on modern day slavery, being victimized, collecting evidence, navigating the criminal justice process, and life in the aftermath were more unique and areas that are very important.

The author, a rape survivor herself, provides enough information to help readers, without going too in-depth into topics that many people rather avoid. Besides having lived it, Scarlet’s time with the Marine Corps and her education provide additional background and education to write on this subject. It’s definitely a book I want my daughter to read. (Sometimes we can get through to our kids better by giving them something from someone else…)

There are a lot of books on woman’s safety and self-defense. This one deserves a spot on the short list, and I recommend The Badass Girl’s Guide to anyone who wants to know more about staying safe from the predators out there that want to prey on uneducated and untrained women and girls.

Badass Girl’s Guide on Amazon:

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Besides his own experience of being the person who ended the shooting spree at the hospital, Brown uses information from interviews, reports, witness statements, mental health records, and the gunman’s correspondence and journal entries. He researched the B-52 that happened four days after the shooting just as meticulously, and the book presents both stories in a manner that not only makes you want to continue reading, but shake your head at why the warnings were ignored. The book goes back and forth between the two stories, and both keep you wanting to know what happens next. The only bad thing about any of it is the sickness you will feel when Brown writes about those who died that week.

I also like that Brown shared his own feelings and experiences after the two tragedies and what he went through dealing with the aftermath. The book is not only an interesting accurate account of those events of 1994 and what led up to them, but a book that contains lessons to be learned to prevent future incidences from occurring. I have nothing but respect for Andy Brown, who ran toward the gunfire to save innocent people, and I give this book the highest recommendation for a book in this genre.

Warnings Unheeded video review:

Warnings Unheeded available on Amazon:

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In a nutshell, it’s an inexpensive wicked little sheath knife that is easy to carry and be used in defensive situations if needed, as well as used for anything else you may need the small tool for. Because of it’s price, you are not going to fret much if it is lost, or if you have to ditch it or turn it over because of security restrictions in places you may go. Thus, the “disposable” element in the name. (Please note, I never advise trying to sneak knives or any other weapons past the TSA or any other security personnel.)

The knife is between 6 ¼ and 6 ½ inches long overall with a 3 inch stainless steel full tang blade. It has a black pakkawood handle and a custom Kydex sheath. The sheath has three holes suitable for different lanyards, and the only thing limiting the way you carry this knife is your own creativity. The blade stays in the sheath until drawn. When returning the blade to the sheath, make sure you “lock” it in with the noticeable click.

The knives are made in China and the sheaths are made here in the USA by my friend Phil Elmore. It’s a cheap knife, but for the price they are sold for I was actually pleasantly surprised. It’s a better blade than one would think, and it is actually pretty comfortable in your hand. It’s a wicked little thing, and to have the Kydex rig along with it, it’s a bargain. And remember, it’s intended to be thrown away when necessary, so you should not compare it to custom or more expensive knives.

If you are looking for an inexpensive little fixed-blade knife with Kydex rig, that can be a throw away if needed, head over to my friend Phil’s site Engines Of Mayhem and check them out.

Disposable Pocket Bowie Video Review

Disposable Pocket Bowie website: Engines of Mayhem

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Survive a Shooting Course Review

This was posted on FaceBook by Dr. Marquez after the trainings in
Manassas and Woodbridge Virginia on Friday, April 7, 2017:

“Great active shooter / work place violence training with Alain
Burrese. After a huge ordeal coming from home, Mr. Burrese made it to
VA and delivered the best active shooter training I have ever been a
participant of, and he did it with less than 5 hours of sleep after
having spent almost 24 hours traveling and having lost his luggage.
Talk about incredible resilience, and having an incredible ability to
“Adapt, Overcome, execute.” I omitted improvise as Alain is a true
expert in his field and he delivered an implacably, accurate,
impactful and relevant training not only once today but twice in a
period of 10 hours. I can’t wait for him to come back to town and
spend more time at the center in October. Everyone in the team had the
same feedback and it gets summarized in one word ‘that training was
AWESOME!!!'”

As you can see from the review, the lack of my gear and change of clothes was not going to prevent me from presenting an awesome training. The real proof is in the fact that they already booked me to return in six months.

Learn more and download 10 Tips here: Active Shooter Response

Here are a few picture of the training that were posted on Facebook with the above review:

Alain Burrese teaching at the Manassas Center

Alain Burrese teaching at the Woodbridge Center

Learn more and download 10 Tips here: Active Shooter Response

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It is very light weight and fits comfortably in your right hand. (You can carry it in your left with a little twist of the strap when holding it. But it is designed for the right hand.) It doesn’t look like much and I doubt it would draw much attention. There is an adjustable elastic strap to keep it in place.

My Defense Tool is designed for women to wear while out walking, running, or even out and about doing other activities. I really think it is useful for those out exercising because it will be in your hand when you don’t have a place to carry any other self protection tool. I also like that it is in the person’s hand, rather than hid away where the person can’t deploy it when needed. And because of the strap, you can actually use your hand for certain things without dropping the My Defense Tool. I also like that right on the cover of the box it says, “Helping Women Make Their Greatest Escape.” A woman carrying this doesn’t have to beat a mugger up, or submit a bad guy. Those are not realistic expectations for most people who are attacked. The goal should always be to escape to safety. A strike or two with this tool can provide the opportunity to escape, and that is what self-defense is all about. Getting yourself home safe.

The hammer fist is a very simple strike to learn. It is one of the basics taught in many self-defense programs. I teach it in many of my classes, both self-defense classes and Active Shooter Response courses. I usually show how the strike can be intensified if you hold a pen, a key, or something else sticking out the bottom of your hand. This tool is specifically designed to stick out the bottom of your hammer fist to make your hammer fist strikes more powerful. There are a couple of notches in the striking surface (point, but not a sharp point) that would capture DNA from the attacker you strike to provide to law enforcement later.

No weapon or tool is the be-all-and-end-all of self-defense. There are layers to our self-defense and personal protection plan. These layers include awareness and avoidance, defensive tactics both unarmed and armed, less-than-lethal weapons as well as lethal weapons among others. The My Defense Tool is a very good option for a less-than-lethal tool to be easily carried, especially when out running, hiking or walking.

My Defense Tool Video Review

My Defense Tool website: http://www.mydefensetool.com/

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This product will take many back to yesteryear. For those of you that are younger, it might be something new. Two items that seem to not be around as much any more are the coin purse and the sap. The first was common years ago for people to keep their spare change. You know, back when we needed change for pay phones, Coke machines, and the like. The other, the sap, is a flat, beavertail-shaped leather impact weapon that was usually weighted with lead on at least one end.

You just don’t see either as much anymore. But now, with this leather coin purse made by L.P. Streifel Saddlery out of Vancouver, WA, you can have the best of both worlds. A coin purse sap. Those that like the more rustic look and feel of leather will like this as something to carry their coins, and as an extra benefit, it can easily be used as a sap to defend yourself if you needed to.

The leather wrist strap it tough and fits around the wrist comfortably and allows the smaller end of the coin purse to be held in the hand. You can strike with the other end, weighted with coins, to deliver quite a blow. Check out this video to see more.

Coin Purse Sap Video:

This coin purse sap is hand made by L.P Saddlery, so they know leather. It is stitched well and the zipper works fine. I have not filled it with coins and hit things hard to test it out yet, but I have no doubt that if you hit an attacker in the head with it, you would gain a moment to escape to safety.

If you are interested in a leather coin purse sap, this one made by L.P. Saddlery is a nice accessory that can also be used to defend oneself.

Visit Streifel Saddlery

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The thing I like the most is the size. Next would be that it is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and it feels solid and not cheap in the hand. It runs on one AA battery which is also convenient. A battery is included with the light, and since it is AA, I always have replacements handy.

I think in the video I say waterproof, but that I haven’t submerged it (which I haven’t). However, reading from the manufacturer, they state water resistant, which is more accurate. I know the company sells diving lights that are waterproof, and this is not one of those. With all that said, I’m confident that this could be used out in the rain without problems. And like I show in the video, it comes with a couple extra rubber seals.

The max output of this light is listed at 190 lumens. I don’t have a way to measure that, but for a small light, it is pretty bright. You can see in the video how well it lights up my office and bookshelves on the different settings. (There are four different levels, and then a strobe and SOS on the brightest level.)

Bottom Line: I’ve been very impressed with the lights from OrcaTorch. This OrcaTorch T11 EDC Flashlight is a solid little light that delivers good light for its size, and has the convenience of being very easy to carry. Using a AA battery makes it easy to find affordable replacements. I recommend it to anyone looking for a small EDC (Every Day Carry) light, or an extra to throw in your pack, vehicle, etc.

OrcaTorch T11 EDC Flashlight Video Review:

OrcaTorch T11 EDC Flashlight on amazon:

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One of my friends always says, “You can never have too many bags and backpacks.” While my wife and his may disagree, having an assortment for different things and purposes is nice. Packs that are called “tactical” often have a couple of features other day type packs don’t have. The colors are usually black or “military” type colors. (I don’t really like everything called “Tactical” these days, but I own a number of “tactical” products because I like the functions. I do like the function of this tactical backpack.)

One of the first things you notice about tactical type packs is the MOLLE system. MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment. These are the little loops on the back and sides of the pack. You can attach other bags, water bottles, first aid kits, and other items with hooks or other attachment measures. (In a pinch you can strap things on with some parachute or 550 cord.) This pack has what is called a ladder system that allows you to attach gear on the rows and columns of the loops.

The pack is designed to be carried comfortably with a heavy load. There is padding for the lower back and lat areas, as well as a waist strap to disperse the weight and not have it all riding on your shoulders. Most good packs for camping, hiking, etc. have waist straps as well as padded shoulder straps and padding for the back. This pack has all of those which is a good thing.

The zippers and construction of this tactical backpack all seem tough and durable, and the pack itself is made of a tough water resistant and tear resistant 900D oxford.

Watch the video to see more about this pack. If you are looking for a tactical backpack, this is a good option. Recommended.

Gonex Tactical Backpack Video:

Gonex Tactical Backpack available at amazon:

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This little camping/emergency lantern is a water resistant collapsible camping lantern by Beneray that is a handy little lantern for camping or to have for emergencies and power outages. It’s pretty simple. The bottom unscrews for 3 AA batteries (included), and the top pulls up to turn the light on and pushes down to turn it off.

It is compact and fairly bright for its size. The little handles make it easy to hold or hang. Since it is LED, batteries should last, and the light itself should last a long time.

I was provided this light for free in exchange for an honest review, and it is a great little battery powered LED lantern. Check out the video to see it in action.

Beneray Compact LED Camping Lantern Video:

The Beneray Compact LED Camping Lantern is available from amazon:

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