Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 PDF

Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques Lesson 17 Defense Against Edged Weapons Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to demonstrate how to defend against an attacker who is using an edged weapon. You may encounter a situation where a subject is armed with an edged weapon. Knif...

Unit 3 Defensive Tactics Techniques Lesson 17 Defense Against Edged Weapons Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to demonstrate how to defend against an attacker who is using an edged weapon. You may encounter a situation where a subject is armed with an edged weapon. Knife fighting is a sophisticated technique, and this portion of the curriculum provides only a basic knowledge of an edged-weapon attack. ✅ HL4317.1. Demonstrate defense against edged-weapons techniques Defense against an edged weapon, bottle, club, or other blunt instrument may require a deadly- force response. Use empty-hand techniques against edged-weapon attacks only when you have no other options. An edged-weapon attack that involves distance or an impending threat gives you time to plan and respond to the attack. If the attack happens suddenly and up close, you have limited options. Your best defense may be the use of empty-hand techniques. You usually have no time to disengage or select a weapon for defense. If you identify a threat early on, your response can be much more effective. The longer it takes you to identify the attack, the less time you have to react. Awareness will help you recognize cues and early warning signs. Use redirecting techniques to avoid or redirect an attack to give you time to disengage and escape. The minimum safe distance for an officer to be able to react to an edged- weapon attack without injury is about 25 feet. Before an incident occurs, mentally prepare to be cut. Develop a survival mindset to continue to fight, regardless of your injuries, until you are able to stop the aggression. Never give up. Use obstacles, such as furniture, a vehicle, or clothing to create a barrier between you and the subject. Obstacles can slow down an attack and allow you to defend or to disengage from a situation, giving you time to use force options, control, or escape. Knife Patterns A knife-wielding subject is likely to use one of the following attack patterns (see Figure 4-84): straight thrust overhead attack with one or two hands forehand slash Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 329 Figure 4-84 Knife patterns 330 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Defensive Movements The following movements may be used to defend against a spontaneous, close-quarter, edged- weapon attack: evade—move or pivot away from the attacker. secure—capture the weapon arm and secure it. redirect—redirect the weapon arm. Use loud verbal commands before, during, and after the attack. Techniques for defense against edged weapons covered in this lesson include: redirection and evasion techniques defense against an overhead stab or forehand slash with an edged weapon Redirection and Evasion Techniques Use redirection and evasive movements to avoid or redirect an edged-weapon attack. Evasion is simply shifting your body or sidestepping to avoid the attack. Redirection is using your hands to move the subject away. Using evasive and redirecting tactics may allow time to disengage, escape, or use other force options. When redirecting, move in on an angle or circle away from the attacker. Most people can run faster going forward than backward, so the attacker has the advantage. By circling or angling away from the attack, you force the attacker to adjust their direction of travel. Redirection Technique (1) Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the technique. 1. As the subject attacks, pivot backward to evade the subject’s forward movement. 2. Bring both hands up in front of your face to protect vital areas. 3. Push, slap, or strike the subject’s arm or shoulder to create distance from the weapon. 4. Move away from the subject at an angle or circle. 5. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-85) Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 331  Figure 4-85 Redirection technique 1 Redirection Technique (2) Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the technique. 1. Block the subject’s lower right arm with your left arm and bring the subject’s arm across your centerline. 2. Use your right hand to reach across the subject’s body and grasp the back of their right arm just above the elbow. 3. Slightly pull the subject off balance, straightening their arm, pulling their right wrist down- ward with their palm toward you to your right hip. 332 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2  4. Apply downward pressure to the elbow while maintaining control of the wrist. 5. A strike or diversion may be necessary to complete the technique. 6. Move your right leg rearward, rotating your hips clockwise. 7. Drop to your left knee and place the subject in a prone position. 8. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-86) Figure 4-86 Redirection technique 2 Chapter 4 Criminal Justice Defensive Tactics / 333 Defense Against an Overhead Stab or Forehand Slash With an Edged Weapon Use loud, clear verbal commands throughout the application of the technique. 1. Palm strike the subject’s upper right arm near the shoulder with both hands to stop the movement of the weapon arm. 2. Capture and secure the subject’s right arm by encircling it with your left arm. At the same time, deliver multiple disabling strikes. 3. Follow up with the appropriate action(s). (See Figure 4-87) Figure 4-87 Defense against an overhead stab or forehand slash 334 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2