SIMPLE KNIFE PRECAUTIONS FOR ANTIFA ACTIONS

Comrade Draculero
Certified Judo Coach
Snatcher Of Alex Jones' Mic
RAIM Organizing Committee

There have been three major stabbings done by fascists in the past year. Although the total number of victims is around ten, none have died of their wounds as of the writing of this article. Still, any number is too many. In this article I'll show some simple precautions comrades doing antifa actions can take to make themselves safer during actions, based on my experience doing them and my time doing self defense instruction. Note that this article will NOT cover techniques for disarming a knife. There's no substitute for teaching from a competent instructor of martial arts/combat sports and even that can only improve your odds of walking away without serious injuries, not guarantee them. Comrades interested in that should check out a Brazilian Jiujitsu, Judo or MMA gym.

Before I go any further, I'd like to cover some of the common myths about knives. These myths have spread themselves around our communities, aided by macho bragging and the wish to appear more knowledgeable than one is. Especially for male comrades, it's important to understand the limitations of your knowledge and not present yourself as an expert if you're not sure you are one.

MYTH 1: SINGLE STABS ARE LETHAL

This is not 100% false. A single stab in a vital area can be deadly. However the vast majority of stabbings fail to hit those spots (as they are places either instinctively protected by reflex or somewhat shielded by bone). 9/10 stabbing victims survive. Those that don't are stabbed an average of fifteen times.

MYTH 2: IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, YOU WON'T GET CUT

Conversely, some people, especially those who have a little training become dangerous to themselves and others by propagating dangerous myths of their own invincibility. The reality is that the physical characteristic of the weapon and the chaotic nature of the kind of group brawling that characterizes most antifa actions makes avoiding any kind of cut at all very difficult. You will almost certainly be cut at least once.

MYTH 3: YOU WILL SEE THE KNIFE

The vast majority of stabbing victims do not realise a knife is present until after they have been cut. Some don't even realise this until after the fight/attack is over. Sometimes I think that the likelihood of a fascist using a knife and their displaying one are inversely proportional.

The one time I had to disarm a knife (the wielder was spewing anti-Chicano sentiments), I didn't know the knife was present until after I had to disarm it. Fortunately i'd tied this fash up in clinch then secured a technically dominant position on the ground that meant he never had the chance to reach for it in the first place, where I could remove it and throw it out of the area. If i'd squared off to box with him, I might have been stabbed that day.

MYTH 4: THE ATTACK WILL BE WITH A TELEGRAPHED, OBVIOUS BLOW, OR TECHNICAL TRICKERY

Related to the myth above, people raised on diets of movies often believe that knife attacks are done with a large, thrusting stab or a kind of over the top icepick attack. Neither of those are likely. The most common (front side) attack uses the unarmed forearm to shove the victim, combined with the attacker's bodyweight. Quick stabs are then made at the chest while the victim is having to retreat to keep their balance. If you end up seeking training, keep that in mind.

MYTH 5: THERE ARE “KNIFE FIGHTERS”

Again related to machismo issues, there are many men who present themselves as hypermasculine experts on the use and disarmanent of a blade. Logically though, even the hardest lumpen will only have ever used a knife a few times in their life, or they'd be dead or in prison (not to mention the scarring that would be visible all over their bodies). Keep a skeptical eye.

That in mind, here are the precautions themselves.

1: BE AWARE

This can be a tall order in the chaos of the kind of (literally) running fights that characterize the moments in antifa actions when the two forces suddenly meet. The OODT loop can be quickly overwhelmed by all the information streaming at your head. But where possible, you should always try to keep an eye on your opponents. Watch their hands to see if they reach for something and their clothing for suspicious lumps. A person carrying a weapon will often unconsciously touch the weapon, so if you see them touch themselves repeatedly in the same spot, assume they have a weapon there...or a jock itch. This observation can be done during the long, boring time when fash have succesfully holed up behind police lines. Report to your comrades your observations.

2: TAKE MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS

Gauze and bandages should be carried by all capable of it. Basic first aid training is helpful for any squad