Principles of Personal Defense: Review of Ch 7

Surprise 

 “The unexpected is disconcerting. A disconcerted felon is momentarily less in charge of his own thoughts than the moment just before or just after.” (p. 41) In a speech, Cooper once related that just saying, “No,” to a felon’s orders induces a moment of confusion.

Sometimes, you can create surprise by cognitive dissonance. “Did they tell you your mother called?” Any such question that creates a mental disconnect with the current situation can provide the split-second distraction you need to act.

 A predator expects a victim he grabs will try to get away. It will surprise him when you step in and let him have it.

On this subject, the Colonel says, “. . . I can point out that in every single successful defense against violent attack that I know of -- and I have studied the matter for nearly three decades -- the was totally surprised when his victim did not wilt.” (p. 42)

I would add that if you display the traits of Alertness, Decisiveness and Aggressiveness, your defensive actions will necessarily embrace the element of surprise.