“For those who are uncomfortable with firearms or who are too young for them or who just want a ‘silent’ option to take down prey or use as a self-defense weapon in a pinch, a blowgun may prove to be an acceptable compromise.“
The old man was confident Florida was not fit for human habitation. No offense to the indigenous peoples hereabouts.
Triple-digit heat index and it’s not even summer. A major profession in Florida is Lawn Mower. Only rained twice in the last six months, so lawn only mowed twice. Hard to make payments on those big black pickup trucks.
But it could always get worse.
Bears are fighting alligators and alligators are fighting pythons which ate all the indigenous creatures.
Probably why the bears are so upset.
Meanwhile, the sea – currently at coral-killing hot tub temperatures – is rising. And the Governor has okayed radioactive roadways, likely figuring the runoff will kill the red tide.
That’s not the worst of it.
What about the neighbors? Vermont is not sending their best.
Of course, some house hunters might be put off by the Confederate flags flying on the boulevards, but those people never move in. Those that do, you can just see them now, in their raised SUVs, passing a TRUMP 2024: NO MORE BULLSHIT flag proudly flying o’er a well-manicured front yard, “Oh, Barney, let’s live here!”
Thirty-four felonies. You’d think that would’ve slowed them down some, but you’d be wrong. Nuclear secrets under the glass chandelier in the bathroom? Nothing.
So bad, the folks who drive around with a JESUS IS MY SAVIOR TRUMP IS MY PRESIDENT banner flying from their red, white & blue golf cart turned their American flag upside-down, when they heard Mrs. Alito got called the “C-word.” Speaking of neighbors.
The old man didn’t own a golf cart. Or a flag, for that matter. Behavior like this could raise suspicion.
He just didn’t feel safe. His defensive skills definitely eroded in old age and as seems to happen almost immediately these days after he thought something, a strikingly specific email advertisement arrived. From SurviveDoomsday.com
Buy A Tactical Walking Stick in 2024!
Tactical walking sticks offer the prepper or outdoor adventurer a way to trade the conventional walking stick carved from a hardwood tree branch for something far more versatile and useful, and oftentimes with less weight.
Modern technology and innovation has offered a wide array of different walking sticks that can fit different individuals’ needs and budgets. Many of these walking sticks are so versatile they can eliminate the need to carry gear that would otherwise have to go into a backpack. They can be thought of as the Swiss Army Knife of walking sticks.
Why Hikers and Senior Citizens Carry Walking Sticks
written by Derrick James
Hikers and seniors use walking sticks because they know they help with walking balance and stability. And there are plenty of studies that support this.
A study on ankle fractures sustained at Snowdonia National Park found that:
Encouraging the use of walking poles particularly at the time of descending may help to reduce the incidence of ankle fractures in hill walkers. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19635422/
Another study on the effects of hiking downhill using trekking poles while carrying external loads (pay attention preppers with heavy bug out backpacks), concluded that:
A reduction in the forces, moments, and power around the joint, with the use of poles, will help reduce the loading on the joints of the lower extremity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17218900/
Yet another study on trekking poles used during mountain walking
Trekking poles reduce [rate of perceived exertion] RPE on mountain ascents, reduce indices of muscle damage, assist in maintaining muscle function in the days after a mountain trek, and reduce the potential for subsequent injury. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20473229/
Downhill hiking causes the muscles of the legs to both lengthen and contract at the same time. This is known as an eccentric contraction, and it’s known for causing muscle soreness. If that muscle soreness gets too bad, you can end up with an increased reaction time and an increased risk of injury. Trekking poles reduce the odds this soreness happens in the first place.
These are but a few of the hiker and senior-specific reasons that they regularly use trekking poles. But what about the prepper? There are plenty of reasons seniors should prep, and plenty of reasons preppers should consider tactical walking sticks.
Advantages for the Prepper in a Bug Out
Bugging out necessitates moving through dense brush and uneven, rough terrain. This is prime territory for a fall, especially when you combine it with carrying a 35+ pound pack on your back. But it’s not just fall prevention that makes the case for carrying trekking poles when you’re bugging out.
While trekking poles give all the above-listed benefits to the prepper as well, there are a few other advantages of interest when bugging out.
For starters, a trekking pole decreases the metabolic cost of hiking up very steep terrain. This means you won’t burn as many calories hiking inclines. Considering that in a bug out situation you’re going to need to conserve as many calories as possible since you can only carry so much food on your back, this is a big benefit.
In addition, those that use poles find that they have a lower rating of perceived exertion when they do, meaning they don’t have as hard of a time hiking up the mountain compared to those without poles. This is something to consider if you’re looking at a potential Long Walk Home style situation.
You have to remember pain levels as well. If there are people in your family who are not in the best of shape, or if you have bad knees, trekking poles have been touted as a means to help these people to trek downhill with minimal damage to the cartilage in their needs.
Lastly, consider that tactical walking sticks and staffs are some of the oldest self-defense tools that can be found in every culture on the planet. If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot gain fast access to your firearm, you lost your firearm, or whatever, a tactical walking stick some means of protection.
The old man carried a cane, too short to serve as anything other than a prop when picking up fresh dog turds. Or as a club when fending off the occasional German Shepherd. Oh, also good for that hard to reach back itch.
Needed something more, well, tactical. Apparently then, that old one of Dad’s I inherited won’t work.
Therapeutic metal canes – the ones with a slight hook that you can find in your average pharmacy – are great for walking, but not designed for self-defense. The hook is too small to be useful, which also makes it easy to knock the cane out of your hand.
Other options are also problematic.
An electric cane is a good choice if you haven’t started your cane self-defense training yet. It won’t stop your attacker, but will most likely scare him off. You don’t need martial arts skills to use an electric cane, which is why it’s the perfect protective cane for beginners. For comparison, mastering self-defense with a wood or metal combat cane will take you months (if not years). And even having mastered the art of cane fighting – you’ll still probably be vulnerable to attackers using electric weapons against you.
A gun cane is exactly what it sounds like – a gun concealed inside of a cane. It’s a lethal weapon, and you’ll need a concealed carry permit to carry it in most states. Your gun cane will get confiscated at a security checkpoint if you have to pass through one. This makes the gun cane unreliable for many situations.
Sword Canes have the same problem. You won’t get past security with it. Besides, what many people don’t know is that the swords inside these canes are thin and frail (since they need to fit inside the cane). All in all, you’re better off bringing a knife (or an actual sword, if that’s your thing)
A normally hooked cane is what you’ll want to use for self-defense.
But the hook also needs to be big – shaped like a half-circle. Having a large hook is crucial for trapping the limbs of your opponents.
Having a large hook area will allow you to twist the cane around fast. For situations where someone has grabbed your hand and you need to escape their grasp.
Note: The hook of your typical wooden cane from pharmacy curves inward – it’s too small to trap limbs.
The wide hook is the only feature that your self-defense cane absolutely needs to have. Everything else you can negotiate.
The Pain That Only A Cane Can Cause
Even a simple block with your protective cane can cause your attacker serious pain. (especially if you manage to hit a bone)
With proper instruction, you can learn to do sweeps, takedowns and joint locks. That’s advanced stuff, but your attacker won’t stand a chance.
- You can also use the cane to hook your attacker’s limbs and take away his mobility.
- You can crush his foot with the tip of your cane in close quarters.
- Finally, a strong cane blow to a vital area – head, neck, kidneys, knees – will end the fight really fast.
My point is –
A good self-defense cane is a lifesaver in situations where you don’t have access to other weapons (like your gun and your blade).
Look up train station stabbings from China to London. If caught in one – wouldn’t you prefer a combat cane over a rolled-up newspaper?
If you already use a cane, investing some money in a proper one is a no-brainer.
Because your cane is something you use every day. It’s a part of you.
Don’t use it every day to crack heads. Not yet at least.
Cane Fu
Older adults who are looking for self-defense strategies should consider Cane Fu. Seniors often do not have the physical strength to subdue an attacker, but with the right training and skills, a simple, discreet walking cane can become a deadly weapon.
Aside from its ample benefits of empowering the elderly, Cane Fu is also a safe way to get some exercise. The exercises benefit the body by building arm strength through the use of the cane and also significant know how on how to control and manipulate one selves’ center of gravity can be gained from this new form of art.
What is Cane Fu?
Cane Fu is a new form of self-defense specifically designed for senior citizens. It is a more aggressive style of self-defense than Tai Chi for seniors, which is less direct and combative. This martial art makes perfect sense for senior citizens as the cane is not only a physical walking aid, but it is an unassuming self-defense weapon, perfectly legal everywhere, and – when in the hands of someone that knows how to use it – a formidable weapon.
Benefits of Cane Fu
- Cane Fu is one of the most efficient ways for seniors to develop a healthy relationship with their body.
- It helps enhance one’s self-confidence while subtly building the body. This can be useful as most crimes committed towards seniors involve snatching.
- It is an overall fun activity that can be practiced and mastered with ease. You only need a cane and the will to learn something new.
Senior citizen self-protection is not about promoting aggression, but rather empowering older individuals to protect themselves and maintain their independence in an increasingly unpredictable world. By embracing defense techniques such as Cane Fu, seniors can develop the skills, confidence, and awareness needed to safeguard their well-being.
Remember, it’s never too late to learn to protect oneself, and everyone deserves to feel safe and secure regardless of age.
GO around!
That includes the neighbors, the old man understood.
Pedestrians have the right of way.
Squeezed into their patriotic golf cart, bumper-stickered: Joe & The Ho Gotta Go! Imagine being fat because illegal aliens ate every vegetable and all you could scrounge was bacon cheeseburgers & greasy fries. With your farty-looking dog in your lap.
No, YOU move over.
The old man couldn’t help thinking – I’m gonna get shot, aren’t I?
Fearless Bear Battles Two Alligators Swimming In Florida River
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/07/bear-fights-alligators-video/74014123007