Flash Launcher - an interesting self-protection tool

Phantom Services utilizes the FlashLauncher as a key tool in its non-lethal arsenal for Maritime and Personal Security.

The FlashLauncher system combines a flashlight and a pepperball launcher into one product. Its bright 100 lumen flashlight will illuminate your immediate surroundings (such as the inside of your vessel or your weather decks), and allows identification of man-size objects at target accurate range (10 m/30 feet).
I plan on training with one of these systems in the near future, and will write a more in-depth review. From an initial glance, it looks like it may be an answer to keeping attackers from a contact distance, enhancing your survivability. This particular system may also satisfy those who do not care for firearms aboard.

9 Step Push Video Review

The folks at Warrior Body, Buddha Mind have put out another video, this one on the set Gau Bo Toi.

Sifu Christer does the demonstrating of the form, and explains in detail how the body is supposed to move during the form.

This version of Gau Bo Toi is different than the one I have been taught previously (from Yau Kung Mun and CLC Bak Mei lineage). Neither is better – but there is definitely a different feeling in the performance of the form. It's movements, to me, are not as staccato as the YKM version – more of a continuous flow from one set of techniques into the next. Sifu Christer explains and demonstrates how to make the flow occur. 

If you already know the form from CLC Bak Mei or YKM, I still recommend acquiring the video and to treat it as a new form – there are similarities, but also enough new nuances to make it worthy of study.

I am eagerly awaiting the companion video explaining the applications.

Situational Awareness note

Was reading through the blogoshpere, and came across an article from Rory Miller (noted author of 'Facing Violence') - here's the link - Group Monkey Dance.

What piqued my interest is the following excerpt -

"Situational awareness is an over-used phrase.  Without specific education of the things you need to be aware of it’s only words.  Meaningless.  For this type of crime, what you are looking for are patterns of motion.  Groups moving purposefully together.  Groups that cease talking and laughing and split up after spotting a mark.  The patterns of a pincer movement or triangulation.  Staged loitering, where people lounge against walls but with unusual separation, so that when you walk past they are perfectly staged, one in front of you and one or more behind. 

Sometimes, in neighborhoods with experience of gang violence or where a violent group is creating trouble, you can read the flow of other people.  As a rule of thumb, if you’re in an unfamiliar place and all the natives clear the street, you might want to think about it as well."

Too often, we are told to be 'aware of our surroundings' - but rarely are we given examples of exercises/actions to take to actually do this. Mr. Miller's books help bring the theory into life.