Machete Attack
Here's a story that I've told to several law
enforcement officers and civilians that I've helped to train in edged weapons
awareness and survival.
A friend and co worker Patrick was attached by
his wife's mother's boyfriend. (hope that makes sense) I guess an argument
started at Patrick's house between his wife and her mother. The boyfriend
apparently got involved somehow while Patrick was outside. His wife was going
to call the police if they didn't leave. So the boyfriend headed for his car
retrieved a machete and came after his wife. His wife was holding their 8 month
old baby and was 4 months pregnant with their second child. This was happening
very quickly in their front yard.
Patrick quickly went after the guy, grabbing him
from behind and hitting him. The guy turned to face him and swung the blade at
his head. Patrick closed the distance and put his arms out. The force of the
blade cut into his neck, just under the ear, but didn't cut deep enough to
kill. The fight was on and Patrick repositioned and found himself bleeding and
struggling to get this guy down.
This time the blade ended up on the other side
of his body above his shoulder as it cut into him and the guy forced it down
and through his body. Patrick grabbed and tripped the guy off balancing him and
putting them both on the ground. Patrick was bleeding badly by this time, but
held him down until he started hearing sirens in the distance. He was almost
unconscious when the man escaped his grip and got up. The guy then stabbed him
in the kidney and said, "I'll kill you later".
The man ran from the scene and tried to evade
the police, but was later arrested. (He was a career criminal that won't see
the light of day again.) Patrick had lost so much blood that the EMT and Police
on scene told his wife to call his family because he won't make it. (remember
she's pregnant and has a 8 month baby) When they arrived at the hospital the
emergency room doctor told her that he thought that Patrick might pull through
and make it. If he did they wouldn't be able to save his arm. After 2 hours of
surgery, they said he had a good chance of living. Four hours later, another
doctor said he might be able to save the arm, but wouldn't have use of it.
Today Patrick is alive and well, and remembers
some of what happened that day. His arm works fine, but he has limited ability
with it. He saved his wife's life even though it almost cost him his own life.
Defending against edged weapons his serious
business. Patrick is lucky to be alive. He made a lot of mistakes in dealing
with this attacker, but no fight goes the way it's planned. Surviving violent
attacks like this requires proper training, skill and a little luck doesn't
hurt.
