2008 Woodie Awards
Kirkwood students fight back
Megan Watson
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
I'm not a black belt and I certainly don't know any fancy moves but I do feel more confident walking back from class now. I recently attended the free self defense seminar held at the Rec Center at Kirkwood Community College.
At the seminar, instead of trying to teach college students how to take down a 200 pound man, the instructor taught simple strategies to get ourselves away from danger.
There was one instructor and about five helpers and the helpers were great. They walked around and made sure we all understood the instructor and could do the moves. We were taught how to get away from wrist grabs, chokes, headlocks and other positions. It did, however, have to fit into 1 1/2 hours.
I learned a lot attending the seminar. Other than strategies to protect ourselves, we learned safety tips while being in a vehicle, on the street, at hotels, on campus and on the bus. I thought this was a good idea, considering college students don't usually stay in one spot too long.
Obviously, we don't know what it's going to feel like being attacked until it actually happens. You may remember every single move or everything may slip your mind and you could go into panic mode. I guess you'll never know until it happens.
I hear some students complain about security not stopping attacks, robberies or break-ins. It's impossible for the security to be everywhere, all the time.
I think it was awesome that students took the time to set this up and the instructors took time to teach people how to protect themselves. And while it didn't benefit the instructors, they all cared enough about the students to make them feel more confident about safety issues.
In my opinion, even if it isn't today, I think someday the 27 students who attended will be glad they went to the seminar.
At the seminar, instead of trying to teach college students how to take down a 200 pound man, the instructor taught simple strategies to get ourselves away from danger.
There was one instructor and about five helpers and the helpers were great. They walked around and made sure we all understood the instructor and could do the moves. We were taught how to get away from wrist grabs, chokes, headlocks and other positions. It did, however, have to fit into 1 1/2 hours.
I learned a lot attending the seminar. Other than strategies to protect ourselves, we learned safety tips while being in a vehicle, on the street, at hotels, on campus and on the bus. I thought this was a good idea, considering college students don't usually stay in one spot too long.
Obviously, we don't know what it's going to feel like being attacked until it actually happens. You may remember every single move or everything may slip your mind and you could go into panic mode. I guess you'll never know until it happens.
I hear some students complain about security not stopping attacks, robberies or break-ins. It's impossible for the security to be everywhere, all the time.
I think it was awesome that students took the time to set this up and the instructors took time to teach people how to protect themselves. And while it didn't benefit the instructors, they all cared enough about the students to make them feel more confident about safety issues.
In my opinion, even if it isn't today, I think someday the 27 students who attended will be glad they went to the seminar.
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