For use of force to be justifiable it must be necessary and reasonable. The threat itself must be imminent and unavoidable."
We are operating on the premise that we have no other option but to use a knife or blade like object to debilitate the attacker's physical capabilities and emotional intent. Our sole purpose is to stop the attacker by any means necessary to prevent loss of life or limb.
Primary Stopping Methods
1. Psychological
Psychological stopping power is a "stop" that results from either the fear of the knife itself or the fear and shock that results from a wound of any type. Basically, the attacker shuts down mentally, even though the physical damage he suffered, if any, isn't debilitating.
2. Hypovolemic Shock
An emergency condition in which severe blood and fluid loss make the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body. This type of shock can cause many organs to stop working. (cutting the carotid artery, jugular vein, subclavian artery, axillary artery, descending aorta, femoral artery).
3. Damage to major life-supporting organs
Targeting your attacker's heart or lungs.
4. Damage to the Central Nervous System
Targeting the Central Nervous System-the brain stem and spinal cord-with a knife is an effective and virtually instantaneous method of incapacitating an attacker.
5. Structural Stops
• Cutting muscles and tendons to hinder or impair motor functions.
• Cutting the inside forearm and flexor tendons on wrist and hands to destroy the grip.
• Cutting the bicep and triceps to impede coordination motion of the weapon arm.
• Cutting the quadriceps above the knee and the sides of the knee to disrupt the attacker's mobility and allow you to create distance and seek escape.
• Cutting the Achilles tendon to affect the attacker's ability to walk.