Self Defence.

Understanding self-defence

People often use “self-defence” to mean physical skills for dealing with an attack. It also has a legal meaning: it can justify actions taken to protect yourself or another person.

In Canada, section 34 of the Criminal Code considers whether you had reasonable grounds to believe there was force or a threat of force, whether you acted to protect yourself or someone else, and whether your actions were reasonable in the circumstances.

The circumstances matter. These can include the threat, other ways you could have responded, your part in the incident, any weapons involved, and the nature and proportionality of your response. Saying you acted in self-defence does not, by itself, establish that your actions were lawful.

Read section 34 of Canada’s Criminal Code.

Self-preservation

Self-preservation is the instinct and effort to stay alive. In training, we look at how fear affects breathing, movement, attention, and the ability to act. We also examine motivation and the will to keep going when a situation becomes difficult.

Physical skills are part of this work, along with recognising danger, avoiding a confrontation where possible, and finding a way to leave. We practise making decisions under pressure, including when another person needs protection.

What we practise

Training includes striking, wrestling, escaping holds, and working with situations involving weapons. We also practise awareness and communication, and consider when to disengage.

We discuss what can happen before, during, and after a confrontation. That includes how a situation develops, the choices available at the time, and the consequences for you and anyone else involved.