First Strike: Trachea or Other?

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I've mentioned elsewhere that my cousin was a Navy SEAL with multiple black belts.

Whenever there's a family gathering, he and I would go off to the side to spar, or, more recently, I teach his kid (a teenager) while my cousin observes, since we're trained in pretty much the same thing and he's a higher level than I.

At the last family gathering, the three of us got together, and since his son hasn't learned much at all, I was teaching. Reflexes, thinking on one's feet, etc. Fun way to pass the time.

This lead to a discussion between my cousin and myself. Part of it had to do with thinking while fighting (I don't think it's the best way to do things, that it'll slow you down while my cousin believes otherwise, but in the end we were really saying the same thing), and the other had to do with where to strike first.

The military taught my cousin to almost always go for the throat first. That's a great theory and it's one I would use in actual combat where I stood a chance of being killed by an enemy soldier. However, having seen the results of trachea strikes (a couple had to be intibated right there), I argued that in civilian life, I don't think that's best. My tactic has always been to attack whatever part of the body reaches me first. This usually ends the fight I've found, and doesn't kill anyone. (If I need to kill someone, I'd pull a knife or gun before using my hands.)

He and I could not reach an agreement on this. We didn't fight, but we have great respect for each other and agree to disagree, but don't disagree often. In fact, I think this is the first time.

He's older than I and he's someone I've always looked up to, but I simply can't see using a kill strike right away when attacked in civilian life unless the person is armed.

I'd like to hear what you ladies'n'gents think. If you're attacked by someone using his bare hands, would you try a submission or knockout first, or go directly for a kill shot?

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Josh <><