Women, learn how to protect yourselves

In light of the recent murders of two female college students, the public, especially women, are wondering just what can they do to protect themselves. SFC Shawn Bryant of the Iowa National Guard, who is also a reserve deputy for the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, posted on Facebook that he was offering a self-defense class. 

“It blew up,” he said. “Someone told me ‘you probably better rethink this,’ so I added three more classes that day, then added another class.” He scheduled five classes and got responses from over 1,000 individuals interested in signing up.

“I then got messages from realtors, banking associations, doctor’s offices, nursing staff and clinics. All wanting to do a self-defense class. Obviously I can’t take them all, but I’ll do whatever I can. I really enjoy helping people. It’s why I joined the Guard and why I am a reserve deputy.”

Bryant has a class scheduled here in Ogden Wednesday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at the Leonard Good Community Center. There is no fee and pre-registration is not required.

He feels this is part of his job as a recruiter. “I am part of the community. If I have a skill something I can give back to the community, that’s what I want to do.” Bryant has 30-plus years of experience in self defense. He has been holding classes at the National Guard Armory in Boone and teaches self-defense at the seven Central Iowa high schools to which he is assigned. 

Bryant, who says he has watched hundreds of hours on self defense, explained there is no one way you can train for all situations. “I like to focus on prevention. It is the fundamental key to survival.”

The two rules of self defense, according to Bryant are 1) Escape and 2) Survival. Situational awareness, target denial, presenting yourself with confidence, setting verbal boundaries, non-confrontational stance, keeping a safe distance and self-defense techniques will be some of the topics he’ll be covering next Wednesday.