The final part in a series on defensive tactics for EMS providers.

We have now arrived at the last of DT4EMS' six steps. For a provider to be at this step, several things have happened (for more on each of these, refer to previous articles in this series):

1) The provider was unknowingly on an unsafe scene.

2) The provider was not aware the situation was deteriorating.

3) The provider did not maintain a safe distance from a potential attacker.

4) The provider did not use the double tap parry or a similar skill to prevent the initial strike/grab attack.

5) The provider did not or could not use basic ground defense (see last month's column) to keep an attacker away.

The provider may now find himself in a "mounted" position, where he is supine with an attacker astride and facing him, as if riding a Jet Ski (see Figure 1). This position gives the person who has achieved the mount a tactical advantage in continuing his assault. The danger level here is very high--mounting a victim is an act of severe aggression. For that reason, training to escape the mount is of great importance to self-defense.

In the DT4EMS system, we teach a simple chant: "Buck, trap, buck and roll!" If someone has you mounted, these are the basic movements you need to make. The moment the attacker is on top of you, buck and buck hard. Plant your feet flat on the floor, protect your face and thrust your hips upward, with the intent of throwing the attacker off you (Figure 2) and over your head. When the attacker puts his hands down to catch himself (Figure 3), trap an arm and a leg on the same side (Figures 4-6).

Once the limbs are trapped, preventing the attacker from stopping your escape, buck again (Figure 7), and once the attacker's head nearly touches the ground above yours, roll toward the side you have trapped (Figures 8-9). Then, once you've exchanged positions and are on top, explode backward and immediately return to step #5, basic ground defense (Figure 10).

Do not be in a hurry to stand back up. Basic ground defense can buy you time. Loudly yell, "Stop! Get back!" to alert people to your situation. This tells your colleagues you're in danger, if they're unaware, and turns bystanders into witnesses. When it is safe to do so, stand up and return to step #4, the double tap parry, if necessary to repel further attacks. Your ultimate goal is to move back through the six steps and get off the unsafe scene.

In my experience, the average attack on an EMS provider rarely reaches step #6. Escaping the mount is a skill that should be in your self-defense jump kit for "just in case" moments. Most potential assaults can be stopped even before step #4 by using good customer service, awareness and communication skills. The primary goal in the DT4EMS system is not to be on unsafe scenes in the first place.

While completing this article, I learned of a recent assault on an EMS provider in Florida. In this case, the provider was transporting a patient who allegedly began to spit on and threaten him. Fearing for his safety, the provider exited the vehicle and, according to the news report, watched as the patient smashed out a window. This provider found himself on an unsafe scene (in this case his own ambulance) and used some great awareness (knowing when and where to safely stop the ambulance and exit the unsafe scene) to create a safe distance and forestall an attack. This demonstrates that virtually any setting can become unsafe, and that quick application of the early steps of DT4EMS can prevent the need for its later steps. We hope the skills covered in this series have been useful, and the concepts can help keep EMS providers safe when they encounter aggression in the field.

To learn more about DT4EMS and its techniques, see us at EMS EXPO, Oct. 26-27 in Atlanta, or visit us online at www.dt4ems.net. Kip Teitsort is the founder of DT4EMS. He is a veteran paramedic and police officer experienced as an EMS educator and a certified law enforcement defensive tactics instructor. Kip is active in several martial arts, including Kali/silat, submission grappling and kickboxing. Contact him at dt4ems@gmail.com.

Related:

• Real World Skills for Scene Safety: Part 4
• Real World Skills for Scene Safety: Part 3
• Real World Skills for Scene Safety: Part 2
• Real World Skills for Scene Safety: Part 1