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Oleoresin Capsicum, commonly known as “OC”, is a highly inflammatory oil based extract from pepper plants in the genus Capsicum. Capsaicinoids are the compounds found in members of the capsicum family. Of these major capsaicinoids, capsaicin (pronounced cap-say-sin) is the compound that provides the burning sensation and heat of the spray. The toxicological effects of oleoresin capsicum are a direct result of the amount of major capsaicinoids, or capsaicin, present in the compound.  In 1912 WIlbur Scoville,  while working at the Parke-Davis pharmaceutical company, devised a test called the Scoville Heat Scale. This test arose from an initiative by the company to improve upon a pain relieving cream called “heet”. His test used human testers, which measured the spiciness of various chili peppers. This measurement is commonly referred to as Scoville Heat Units,  which is abbreviated as SHU. On the Scoville Heat Scale, pure capsaicin has a rating of 16 million SHU.  To put this heat rating into perspective, Tabasco brand Original Red Sauce has a Scoville rating between 700 and 2500 SHU. It contains 0.2 percent of capsaicin. Remembering that capsaicin is the heat bearing and pain producing component of OC, modern Law Enforcement and self defense sprays have 1.33 percent of major capsaicinoids and a Scoville rating of 2 million shu. Commercially available pain relieving creams contain either 0.025 %, 0.075% or 0.1% capsaicin. When a direct exposure of OC occurs it results in a painful burning sensation of the skin and mucous membranes. It causes stinging, redness and an involuntary closing of the eyes. OC can also cause a variety of immediate respiratory symptoms, which could be coughing, gagging and the inability to vocalize. It takes approximately 30-45 seconds for OC to take full effect on someone, and the effects can last from 30-45 minutes depending on the type of decontamination procedures used.  There are not any special decontamination procedures other than flushing the eyes with cool water and normal ventilation when exposed to OC spray. This can include a direct or indirect exposure. Washing of the affected areas with a mild, unscented dishwashing soap can break down the OC resin and speed up recovery time. If a discharge has occurred or the user gets affected, remember to never “rub” the eyes. Rubbing of the eyes can cause damage to the cornea.  Law Enforcement and Civilian Uses of OC Spray There are two distinct tactical considerations when using OC spray. Today, most every Law Enforcement agency uses some form of pepper spray. OC spray has been very effective for crowd control and against resistive arrestees. While there are far too many variables to list, the intended use for Law enforcement is to gain control. This can be accomplished by the proper deployment of OC spray and allowing time for the spray to take effect.   In a civilian setting the primary goal is to create a means of escape during an attack or potentially dangerous situation. The same spray used in two entirely different settings will still accomplish the 3 D’s of defensive tactics, whether it is for control or escape: These concepts can be obtained by incorporating an effective training program that integrates the proper use of oleoresin capiscum and basic body mechanics. It is to note that OC does not affect everyone the same. A 2018 study has shown that pepper spray can reduce aggressive behavior by up to 90%.  Finally, the relationship between officer experience and OC effectiveness is an indication that the enforcement of a potentially dangerous situation is not just a matter of having the right equipment, but also of the ability to handle and resolve confrontations with resistive and combative subjects.

If you’ve done much Defensive Tactics (DT) training, you’ve probably heard trainers or instructors say things like “Our program teaches principles,” or “We’re principle-based,” or the extra-impressive “We use principles of science.” (That last one probably just means gravity and leverage—but hey, it sounds great). Whatever the wording, in my many years in the LE training world, I have found that the term “principles” is often misused. In the context of defensive tactics, a principle is the overarching concept that guides decision-making during a confrontation. A strong tactical principle is timeless and versatile—that is, it’s applicable to a variety of situations and scenarios. A technique, on the other hand, is the method or movement used to apply that principle. Understanding this difference is crucial when building your department’s lesson plans. Students who grasp principles can adapt effectively under pressure—even if a specific tactic or technique doesn’t go as planned. In ASP training, we refer to this adaptability as “forgiving technique,” meaning it is: ·      Easy to recall under stress ·      Applicable in many situations ·      Effective for any officer—regardless of age, athleticism, or experience ·      Flexible in sequence ·      Suitable for all environments Principles also tend to be easier to remember than trying to recall hundreds of individual techniques. There’s a good comparison to be made with music: someone who memorizes chords can play some songs… but a musician who understands music theory can play anything. A real-world example: safe separation Take the principle of safe separation—establishing and maintaining two arms’ length distance from a subject during an interview. An officer may need to create this space quickly if a subject becomes aggressive. But when we talk about creating distance with officers in a training environment, the conversation often devolves to: “Well, I would do this…” “I train to do that…” “If he moves left, I do this. If he moves right, I do that…” And so on. An endless cycle of ideas and opinions and points-of-view on tactics, while the foundational principle—controlling distance—gets lost. Again, a principle explains what matters and why it matters. A technique is how that principle is manifested in action. In the case of training safe separation, We teach three simple forgiving techniques (as outlined above) to turn this principle into action. It doesn’t matter the tactic—the principle remains the same ASP teaches a way—not the only way.* What we’ve learned is that training must be safe and scalable. Whether you’re teaching 100 students or just one, your principles need to be sound and your techniques need to work. They must also be proven on the street and court-defensible. And you shouldn’t need months or years to master them. In-service time is limited. Use it wisely. When designing your DT lesson plans, start with the principle you want to emphasize. Support it with effective, easy-to-learn techniques to drive that point home.

Handcuff neuropathy is an injury due to over tightening of handcuffs that can occur to a subject in police custody. The superficial radial nerve is most often injured due to compression,  which can be severe and permanent. This nerve is most susceptible to injury at the wrist.  Less common, though they still can occur, are medial and ulnar neuropathies. Nerve damage due to handcuffing injuries have resulted in millions of dollars in punitive damages being awarded to defendants. Though it is not an everyday occurrence, Officers should always keep in mind some easy to recall steps when applying handcuffs.  Over Tightening of  handcuffs can still occur, especially when the subject is not compliant. This is where having high quality gear comes into play. ASP handcuffs offer a feature of radiused edges. This means there are no sharp edges on the handcuffs. This provides a safer handcuff that is less likely to cause nerve damage.  If an ASP handcuff is applied too tight, it may be loosened by inserting the key, and releasing the lock. The bow will open to a less constrictive position.This feature is known as “Loosen and Lock”.  Then check for tightness and use the key to apply the double lock. It is not necessary to remove the key or to fully undo the handcuff itself. This feature not only is good for the bad guy, but is a major Officer safety element that is worth its weight in gold. ASP also has an Ultra Plus cuff that has a keyless double lock, which is a push button on the back of the frame that activates the double lock. This handcuff simplifies the restraint process.  Arming yourself with knowledge, high quality gear and ongoing training can keep you and those in your custody safe. 

Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), commonly known as “pepper spray,” is a highly inflammatory, oil-based extract from chili pepper plants in the genus Capsicum. Capsaicinoids—most notably capsaicin (pronounced cap-SAY-sin)—are the compounds that provide the pungency and “heat” of the pepper, and these are the basis of OC chemical irritants. Background and “metrics” In 1912, Wilbur Scoville, while working at the Parke-Davis pharmaceutical company, devised a standard for measuring the spiciness of chili peppers, using human testers. His measurement system became known as Scoville Heat Units (SHU). On the Scoville scale, pure capsaicin has a rating of 16 million SHU. To put this heat rating into perspective, popular hot sauces have a Scoville rating between 700 and 2500 SHU—meaning these condiments actually have a minuscule percentage of capsaicin. Pain relieving creams, many of which also use capsaicin, typically contain 0.1% or less of this active chemical in their formulas. By contrast, modern law enforcement OC (and the highest potency personal self defense sprays) measure 1.33 percent major capsaicinoids, with an SHU rating of 2 million. The amount of capsaicin in the product is what determines the “intensity” of the formulation. In other words, the higher the percentage, the longer the recovery time. Effects of OC exposure Direct exposure to OC results in a painful burning sensation of the skin and mucous membranes. It causes stinging, redness and an involuntary closing of the eyes. OC can also cause a variety of immediate but temporary respiratory symptoms, which could be coughing, gagging and an inability to speak. OC has the potential to work quickly, but full effect can take approximately 30-45 seconds. Effects can last from 30-45 minutes, depending on the individual and any decontamination procedures used. Decon The best way to minimize and shorten the effects of direct or indirect OC exposure is to flush the eyes with cool water, and remain in a well-ventilated area, whether indoors or out. Washing affected areas with a mild, unscented dishwashing soap can help break down the OC resin and speed recovery time. Never “rub” the eyes—this can cause damage to the cornea. Law enforcement vs. civilian use of OC spray Most every law enforcement agency and officer uses some form of pepper spray. It has proven effective for crowd control, and against resistive arrestees. While there are far too many variables to list, the goal for officers using OC is to gain control. In a civilian setting, however, the primary goal of using OC spray is to disengage—to provide a means of escape from an attack or potentially dangerous situation. The same tool, used in two entirely different settings, accomplishes the “3 Ds” of defensive tactics: • Distract: The painful burning sensation and involuntary closing of the eyes can divert the focus, attention and intention of an attacker. • Disorient: OC exposure can confuse an attacker’s sense of movement, positioning or surroundings. The subject’s focus on pain can allow am office the opportunity to gain control, or the civilian a chance to escape. • Disable: A direct result of inhalation of the spray is coughing, gagging and shortness of breath which can temporarily weaken and limit an attacker’s physical movement or actions. Note that while OC does not affect everyone the same, a 2018 study by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine concluded that pepper spray reduces aggressive behavior by up to 90% on average. Also consider that OC devices employing a cone-shaped mist pattern (as opposed to streams or gels) can accelerate the respiratory effects. ASP’s Defender OC products employ this type of spray pattern. Training As with all defense and control skills, success with OC depends on effective training. Such training should incorporate understanding of principles, proper use of the tools, and body mechanics. Finally, in the LE realm, OC—like all of our tools—is just one element in the use of force. Effectiveness and safety in a potentially dangerous situation is not just a matter of having the right equipment. All of your skills come to bear in confrontations with resistive and combative subjects.

Angle of advantage (AOA) is a defensive tactics principle that increases officer safety, situational awareness, and control. As we teach in ASP training programs, Angle of Advantage dictates that the officer stand and/or approach the subject from a 45 degree angle, whether behind or in front of the subject. This is one of those basic principles that’s worth its weight in gold. It can be employed in a wide variety of circumstances and be seamlessly infused with other tactics. Some real-world applications for AOA Include: Field interview  The street stop is a common and critical situation in which to put AOA into use. While interacting with a subject, the officer (or officers) should stand at a 45 degree angle to the front of the individual, standing in the interview position. Officers should position themselves approximately two arm’s lengths away. The combination of angle and distance provides a better tactical advantage than standing close and/or directly in front. Remember, the subject has as many options as you do—the goal is to maintain control and advantage.  Safe separation When a subject has closed distance and made contact with you, a redirect is an effective way to re-establish safe separation. While maintaining contact with the subject, begin to move yourself (remember, it is usually easier to move yourself than to move someone else) to an AOA—in this case, 45 degrees to the rear. At the same time, direct the attacker’s energy away from you by pushing at his shoulder area. The combination of moving yourself to a different angle of advantage and redirecting the subject’s momentum creates angular separation. Compliant handcuffing—position before approach Once the arrest process has been initiated by stabilizing the subject, position yourself at the AOA. Maintain your distance, present your handcuffs, then make your approach and apply the restraints.  Tactical flashlight An officer can use a bright light stimulus to very effective tactical advantage. In ASP training we refer to this as the “Three Ds:” Distract, Disorient, Disable. Once the flashlight has been used to assist in control, move to an angle of advantage, then transition to other tactics—such as handcuffing—as the situation dictates.  Pepper Spray Pepper spray (OC), in a law enforcement context, is another control tool. After deploying the spray, move to an angle of advantage and prepare to spray again, or otherwise escalate/de-escalate as the situation plays out. After gaining compliance Once control is established, the use of force ceases. If control was gained with a baton, it must be secured before applying restraints. The subject may be stabilized in a standing, kneeling or prone position. If you are not already in an AOA position, move to one and secure your baton. Present handcuffs, then approach and complete the handcuffing process.  These are just a few common examples of implementing angle of advantage in everyday police scenarios. The more you work and train, the more you will identify other opportunities to put AOA into action. Like all good techniques, it’s simple, easy to remember and perform naturally, and proven effective.

“I’m going out on the street tomorrow, any advice?”  This is a question most every law enforcement trainer has been asked by recent academy graduates. My first response was always, “Did you pay attention to all your instructors while you were here for the last 6 months?” Unfortunately, that response usually gets the deer-in-the-headlights look. So, for newly-minted officers, and anyone mentoring them, here are four bits of wisdom—passed to me when I myself was a recruit—that served me well throughout my own time on the street: ● Awareness at all times—know your surroundingsDo not become complacent on the job; awareness and vigilance are priority one. Be alert. Constantly scan the street. When approaching people, look at areas accessible to their hands. Put your phone away. Take in as much information as possible from your senses, including your sense of smell (among other things, the deceased have a certain odor that is not soon forgotten). Watch your partner’s back. Literally. Don’t allow people to just walk up on you. Attempt to always maintain safe separation. ● Location is everything—and not just in real estateYou must know your location at all times. Do not rely on GPS to tell you where you are. For example, you have to know that you are at 1234 North Ambush Road, 3rd floor, down the hallway, apartment 43, green door, in the kitchen. If you are calling for help, your life (or someone else’s) may depend on your being that specific.. ● Handcuff correctly—it’s not glamorous, but it’s criticalHandcuff training may not have been one of the most exciting classes you took at the academy, but it’s by far one of the most important. Remember the golden rules of handcuffing: hands behind the back, palms facing out, check for tightness and always double lock. Far too many officers—not to mention those in their custody—have been injured or worse due to improper handcuffing tactics. ● Search and search again—don’t let mundane activities make you complacentAnother daily (for many officers, hourly) part of the job is searching. Be systematic when searching people in your custody. Methodical search practices such as “top to bottom, front to back, and overlap.” are good reference points to remember. Develop your own pattern, but always search thoroughly. Then, have your partner search the subject again if needed. Just like improper handcuffing, awful things can happen when you miss a weapon on a search. These four lessons may seem basic, but they are truly as important as any advice a young officer will ever get. They helped me to survive and succeed in a long career in law enforcement, and they are worth remembering always.

In part one of this series, we covered five pieces of basic advice for officers who want to add martial arts to their training regimen: Now we’ll dig a little deeper into some things to consider when choosing a specific martial arts discipline. Every state has either a POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) council—or a similar board or body that governs what officers are to be taught. This covers firearms qualification, baton, handcuffing, escapes from attack holds, pepper spray, Taser/ECD, riot control, empty hand control and more. That last one—empty hand control—divides the DT world like a fault line. Ask ten training professionals about how best to develop these skills, and you’ll get five… or ten… answers. What we all agree on, though, is that the training you choose should complement your career choice and the real-world scenarios that come with it. Here are two important questions to ask as you consider which martial art(s) might benefit you on the job: Does the art give you realistic skills you can use to protect yourself? First and foremost, an officer must look after his or her own safety. The ability to overcome attacks—whether they are empty-hand or weapon attacks—is critical. Does the art teach realistic escapes from attacks that are simple to recall under pressure? Safe, controlled sparring is the best way to pressure test your technique, but it needs to be in a law enforcement context. That means fully geared up, with different force options available. Not many martial arts schools train this way, but your police academy should. Is the art simple? Is your fighting discipline composed of complex techniques that require hours of private lessons to master the basics? Can it be recalled under stress? Look for training that keeps it short, focused and simple. Bruce Lee famously said “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” When my fellow Trainers and I teach the ASP Instructor Certification (AIC) curriculum, we follow this principle by using the weapon side baton strike, as it is the strike  that’s most commonly used. It is a simple technique, but all ASP Trainers continuously train to master and refine it. I have trained for many years, and it’s safe to say the martial arts played a big role in my ability to do the job in a tough city. Here are my quick thoughts on two arts that I believe are a great fit for the realities of our business. Boxing Boxing—in a quality gym—sets a foundation that all other arts can be built upon. Balance, footwork and movement are fundamental to this discipline. You will also learn distance control, power generation, and fear management; all things that will transfer well to other skills. Movement, of the kind learned and practiced in boxing, is a critical skill that can’t be over-emphasized. If there is a ”con” to boxing, it’s that hard sparring can lead to concussions, broken noses and cuts. You can minimize these risks by doing more technical sparring and using quality gear. Submission grappling arts Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have dominated the MMA world, and the skills they focus on translate well to law enforcement. As an Officer, being able to control a resistive subject on the ground  is a capability well worth mastering. Learning to escape a bad position, and getting up to your feet are skills every police department should be teaching. Grappling teaches a great many things—including learning to be comfortable when things are uncomfortable—that will go a long way in your career. The ”cons” of grappling arts are potential injuries to the back, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers. Reduce this exposure by knowing when to tap, and doing more technical rolling with good training partners. At the end of the day, there is inherent risk in any style of martial art; after all, it’s physical combat. But for a professional who runs the very real risk of fighting every day on the job, the benefits of martial arts training far outweigh the risks. I have found that the styles mentioned here teach skills that transition extremely well to police work, but they are by no means the only ones. Others—such as judo, muay thai or kyokushin—are also worth exploring. The point is to be as well rounded a police officer as you can be. The more you train, the better you will be under pressure, and the more successful and safe your time on the job will be.

As a trainer, I frequently get asked what martial art is best for police officers. It’s a great question, and a topic that’s particularly close to my heart, but there’s really no one answer. There are countless variables—different styles, different students with different abilities and needs, and much more. I know which martial arts have worked for me over my many years in practice, but that doesn’t mean they will be best for you. So rather than pushing officers to one art or another, I find it more helpful to pass on a few tips about what will make them successful in whatever discipline(s) they choose. 1. Find a school you likeI have friends who train in all sorts of martial arts, and they are invariably far more confident and competent on the street than others who don’t train. One thing my friends who train have in common is that they pick—and stick with—gyms, teachers, and styles that they like. You might be drawn to boxing, but if you don’t like the coach, you probably won’t stick around long. If you’re interested in grappling, but the gym is filthy, you’ll probably stop showing up. Look for a school with good people, facilities and culture. Just because a school is renowned for its alumni/competitors, doesn’t mean that it will be a good fit for you. 2. Train ConsistentlyI have found that training at least twice a week at a competent, quality school can build solid skills. As with any learning process, consistency is key. I know how hard it is to work midnights, go to court each day and juggle family life… all the while trying to get some sleep. Committing even just two hours a week to physical skill development can do a world of good in all areas of your life. It also nurtures a positive and prepared state of mind. 3. Don’t make training inconvenientIs there a gym within a 10-15 minute drive of you? I used to drive an hour to spar with different people, but again, what I do isn’t necessarily for everyone. In fact, most people are probably not going to travel 50 miles or more to train. Don’t give yourself an excuse to skip sessions. Find a facility that’s convenient enough that you can honor your commitment to yourself and show up. But again, you must like the gym and the instructor(s)—If you need to pass a few gyms to get to the one you like, the extra drive time is worth it. 4. Be well rounded:Dealing with a cooperative subject is easy; controlling a resistive or combative individual, not so much. A police officer needs to be highly capable in the many scenarios and facets of subject control. Virtually all martial arts and fighting skills help in this area. They also help to build a well-rounded set of physical skills, because they all build on foundations of footwork, movement, body mechanics, distance control and power generation. Learning how to control a resistive person on the ground will come in handy in a lot of situations, and can really determine outcomes. Since all confrontations start standing, arts that excel at clinch control and takedowns can be extremely beneficial. Again, the point is to be well-rounded. A side note: “well-rounded’ extends beyond the empty-hand skills that we’re discussing here: the old police proverb that “a stick in the hand is worth two in the car” reminds us of the importance of training with the baton and other tools of our trade. The increasing number of mass incidents in recent years have driven home this point. 5. Be safeEarlier, I mentioned good school culture—and safety goes hand-in-hand with that. If the school is like “Thunderdome” every minute of class, and puts an emphasis on humbling its students, you can almost bet that safety is not one of its priorities. Training hard is one thing, training unsafely is another. Remember that your profession demands you to be physically ready for every shift. I hope these principles will help prepare you for a long and successful journey into the martial arts. It is one of the best investments you can make in yourself and your career—time and money well spent. The ultimate prize you will win will not come in the form of a competition trophy; it will be when you overcome an attack in the street, and get home safe to your family.

We all know a guy who has every tool ever needed in his garage, while some of us use duct tape to fix just about everything. While we might be able to tape our way out of trouble much of the time, it is best to have the right tool for the job, at the right time… and to know how to use it. It applies to home repairs, but it is also “use of force training 101.” When I was first on the job, The old DT guys would say “Kid, have a lot of tools in your toolbox”. So, like the naive young recruit that I was, I went to the local Ace Hardware and started shopping. I showed up for training the next day with a red tool box with a variety of screwdrivers, hammers, paint brushes, and various other implements. True story. Clearly I didn’t understand the metaphor.  It would be nice if tactical training and readiness were as easy as buying a bunch of gear and keeping it in a box until it’s needed. But in our world, the tools need to be up and ready to go at a moment’s notice. And more importantly, we need to be trained to use them, at a high level of competency—and that means practice, practice, practice.  Shadowboxing—well known to boxers and other combat sports practitioners—is an easy and effective way to master your tools and your tool box (the duty belt). This method of solo training helps you learn where your gear is located and lock it in to muscle memory. It also helps you transition from one tool to the next, and be better prepared for upcoming training or the real world of the street. Here are some tips to adapt and apply the concepts of shadowboxing to the duty belt. Practice the basics Present your baton from the scabbard and open it—in a safe direction, never to the side—with verbal directions (“get back!”) Once opened, secure the baton and present your handcuffs with verbal command ”sir/ma’am, turn around, put your feet together, hands behind your back, lean forward. Don’t move!” Repeat till proficient, and remember, slow is smooth and smooth is fast. You can expand this practice routine to incorporate the flashlight, disposable restraints (like ASP Tri-Folds), and other equipment. Use a Red Gun Another example of shadowboxing is doing force option transitions using a Red Gun. Draw the training gun to a low ready (or high ready, position Sul, etc.). Take a few steps laterally in either direction. Secure the Red Gun and present another tool, such as a baton, CEW or pepper spray). Secure that tool and present handcuffs. Do it again, and continuously self-evaluate: Also note that some new Red Guns, called “enhanced” models, offer the ability to remove and replace magazines, still with 100% safety. This allows you to add basic reload steps to your training repertoire. Dry fire your duty weapon  Dry fire is the shadowboxing of the shooting disciplines; it is simply the execution of all gun handling steps, minus the use of live ammunition. It is a great practice that can help you maximize your range time. You can dry fire at home, or anywhere it is safe and practical to do so. There are many gadgets to improve dryfire practice such as snap caps, dry fire magazines, and a wide variety of laser training aids. It should go without saying, yet always bears repeating that safety is always first, and the universal firearm safety rules apply to dry fire too: Shadowboxing possibilities are limited only by your imagination. During ASP Instructor training, we shadowbox during multiple class evolutions. For example, we use it during baton and flashlight training—specifically, learning how to protect from punches. Skills and drills like this have always been a regular part of my training. One of my boxing coaches always told me to warm up by using Shadowboxing, saying “we ain’t here for fitness, we here to fight.” When done seriously and repeatedly, shadowboxing prepares the mind and body for physical activity, and the critical skills needed in the law enforcement world. 

The very foundation of defensive tactics is knowing what constitutes an attack in the first place. There are three elements that contribute to an attack. They are Intent, Weapon, and Delivery System. All 3 of these factors need to be present for an assault to succeed. If you remove one of these elements an attack can be mitigated. Let’s take a closer look at each of the component parts: Intent Intent is the driving force or motivation to do something. The catalyst. The kindling that fuels the fire. When an assailant is intent on acting and the time and opportunity are right, an attack may occur. Intent may be pre-planned or spontaneous. Either way, it involves identifying the target, method, timing, location and the type of force (weapon or weaponless). In other words, intent includes determining the “who, how, when, where and what” of an attack.  Intent is a thought process. The way to mitigate intent is to change the way someone thinks. Mike Tyson famously said “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”.  Impact can change a thought process, as can a display of force. An Officer that opens his ASP baton to the sky with loud verbal commands can almost immediately change a criminal’s bad intentions. Weapon A weapon is something that is used to inflict harm during an attack. It can be a gun, knife, club or a tool of  some sort. It can also be the personal weapons of an attacker ( hands, feet, knees, teeth). Different weapons cause different effects. Tactics also vary depending on the situation. An interior door of a house would stop a knife but not a bullet.  Another example of this is an assailant who swings a wild punch at a victim, the fist becomes the weapon. If the fist doesn’t reach its target the weapon is momentarily  nullified. Natural reactions, such as moving away from the attacker’s punch, are plausible, as is learning to create and maintain safe separation during a confrontation.     Delivery System: The delivery system is what delivers  a weapon to its intended victim or target. Each weapon needs both a delivery system and intent.  A knife that is on a table is not the problem. The person that picks up the knife and starts swinging it at you is the problem. The arm that is swinging the knife is the delivery system as it’s sending the weapon toward a target. With a wild haymaker attack the arms and torso are the delivery system. Against the empty hand attack the baton is poised for mitigation. Strikes to the center mass of the attacking limb can disrupt and disable the subject’s ability to complete his attack.   When we teach ASP Instructor Certification courses, We simulate the elements of an attack using a Trainer in a RedMan suit as an assailant, swinging wild punches, kicking, closing distance and creating a lot of stress. We start from command presence and verbal commands as a show of force to change intent.This progresses to employing the baton to stop the weapon (punches, kicks etc) from reaching its intended target, by disabling the delivery system (center mass of attacking limb), while controlling and maintaining  distance.  In training and on the street, officers learn that taking one or more elements out of the fight, stops the fight.