Violence Is, Well, Violent

 It seems that, once attacked or threatened, most people are too shocked by the affront to immediately mount an effective defense.

Like Michael Bane often suggests and blatantly states, you need a plan for actions against assaults before you are actually in a defensive situation.

In addition to that sage advice, I think you need to curate the mindset needed to deal with a situation that might maim or kill you. Many of us could develop very quickly the rage necessary to prosecute blood-thirsty revenge, if someone harms us or a loved one. But could we instantly fight off an assault, when we are attacked?

"... when it's time to fight, you fight like you're the third monkey on the ramp to Noah's Ark… and brother, it's startin' to rain."

- Christopher Woods, Rash'Tor'R