April Robinson-RECORD STAFF-WATERLOO
Source: http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/448721
Darren Levine demonstrates a hostage situation.
It’s one thing to practise self-defence moves in a studio with padded floors.
It’s quite another to put those skills into action on a moving bus or airplane, in tight quarters and on unsure ground.
“We try to replicate reality,” said Darren Levine, a U.S.-based instructor of Krav Maga, a self-defence system. So when Levine came to Waterloo for a special day-long course Saturday, instructors brought in a school bus to simulate a hostage-taking.
“I want people to understand exactly what they could get into,” Levine said before the drill. “And you need a simple but drastic response.”
Krav Maga is practised by Israeli defence forces and used by law enforcement agencies across the United States. It’s not based on martial arts, but uses practical techniques that can be learned quickly, said Michelle Brawley, of the Waterloo Krav Maga training centre at Northfield Drive and Bridge Street. About 50 participants paid $150 each to take part in yesterday’s seminar.
Levine, 48, is a prosecutor for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office who specializes in violent crimes against police. He has trained celebrities, but he said he gets more satisfaction out of reaching ordinary people.
“I’ve seen the effects of violence on families, officers and communities,” he said. “Everyone’s here because they want to protect themselves. That’s the best gift you can give.”
Before the bus scenario, Levine led the group of men and women through exercises where they blocked a knife or punched an intruder pointing a gun at them.
“It’s all about keeping it simple,” said Craig Silver, who came from Toronto for the session. “That’s the beauty of it. It’s not a complicated process.”
Silver, 56, said he wishes he had Krav Maga skills 20 years ago, when he was involved in a bar fight that left him with a wired jaw.
Laura Earl, 23, of Kitchener, said she became interested in self defence after a frightening incident in a relationship. Saturday’s course was her third time trying Krav Maga.
“It’s intense, it’s realistic,” she said. “It’s skills everybody but especially every female should know.”
