DVD Review: Die Less Often by Gabe Suarez and Marc Denny

[esrice]

I've recently finished watching "Die Less Often: Intro to the Interface of Gun, Knife, and Empty Hand" by Gabe Suarez and Marc Denny.



Its a GREAT DVD and I highly recommend it.

Watching this DVD, I had a "lightbulb" moment. You know, that moment when you realize that maybe the kinds of things you've been training for are far-less likely to happen than you think. That moment when it hits you that being in an empty hand or knife fight is WAY more likely than being in a gun fight. That moment when the idea of having "only 1 life" is very real, and that in this life you don't get "time-outs" or "second chances".

In my head I tend to envision simple scenarios, such as the basic "home invader" or having to draw my gun during an assault on someone else. I spent time training and practicing to draw my pistol, fire my pistol, and hit my target, each time trying to be quicker and smoother than the last. But, I never gave much thought-time to the idea that I may not even have time to draw my gun before getting stuck in the gut or lung multiple times with a 4" blade. Its not that I hadn't considered it before, but its been just recently that the reality of that has sunken in.

The DVD does a couple things that I haven't seen with other training videos.

First, they sprinkle video clips throughout the session to show how a particular technique could be helpful in the REAL world. It was the videos that gave me my first shock. I'm not overly "sensitive" by any stretch, and I've seen my fair-share of violence (real and TV fake), but there is something about the raw aggression of two gang-bangers beating on each other that really turned my stomach. When a living-breathing human being is hit in the face so many times that the only sound he can force out is a gutteral growl, it brings reality right into your living room. It also quickly dispels the myth that fights last any longer than a few seconds. Fights are quick, and they are dirty.

Second, the last 30 or 40 minutes shows students running through different scenarios, and putting what they've learned into practice. Then its taken a step futher and put into slow motion while Marc Denny disects the scenario and shows what was done right, what was done wrong, and where the students could've improved. This was very helpful.

The techincal aspect of the training was good, albeit somewhat wordy and very structured. This isn't always a bad thing, and at least they could always show good reasons why certain techniques worked and others didn't. Much of it is pulled from BJJ and Kali, and they were quick to discuss why not every technique in BJJ or Kalie would work outside of "sport" fighting. The techniques they demonstrated, however, were not for "sport".

I'm a big fan of "one-move-fits-all", and there was a fair share of that. Although they were quite techincal, there were only 4 or 5 basic moves that made up the package. The basic blocking technique was such that it could also be done with a knife in your hand, or a stick, or a gun (as an impact weapon), or even a closed folding knife.

I was very impressed with Marc Denny's instruction. He's not the kind of guy you'd peg for a "fighter", but boy I'd hate to be the punk that demands his wallet. . . . Suarez chimes in from time-to-time with tid-bits, especially when related to incorporating pistols.

The DVD format is quite simple. Its filmed using 2 cameras during one of their classes, with a few guys standing in the middle of a dojo. With the camera work being quite dynamic, it makes you feel as though you're just another observer in the room. Participants cover all age, sex, race, and occupation ranges.

Unfortunately, unlike some other training videos when you can easily grasp and apply the information presented, this particular type of training MUST be done in person. There is absolutely no substitute. After watching this 3 hour DVD I'm no more prepared than when I started. BUT, it certainly provided a good "wake up", and showed what good quality training can yield. It also shined a light on the great big gaps in my training portfolio. I believe someone wiser than me once wrote that its in these "gaps" in which we tend to perish.

If you're in need of a "wake up", I'd highly recommend this DVD.

[tyler34]

nice review! gabe suarez is an exceptional instructor and marc denny is the real deal. for those that don't know he is a founder of the dog brothers.

YouTube - Dog Brothers Introduction

and gabe and marc doing work

YouTube - Dog Brothers and Gabe Suarez

[jdhaines]

I have to agree with Esrice. I'm a big fan of Gabe, and now I'm a fan of Marc. He covered it pretty well, but I'll elaborate on one point that struck a particular chord in me.

I had always, in my mind, viewed a gun as a be-all end-all weapon. If I had a gun, I was at least equal to anyone else with a weapon (neglecting capability). Anyone with other weapons (knives, sticks, brass knuckles, taser, etc.) were below me in danger, and I would win if attacked (assuming I deployed the gun accurately, etc.).

This DVD showed me how very wrong I had been. This video drives home the point that a gun is NOT deadlier than a knife. I believe he quotes 60% of knife victims survive, and 85% of gunshot victims survive. The images he shows of knife wounds were eye-opening to say the least. There were multiple times he showed a scenario where two people went all out and the guy drawing his gun "died" severely by a un-trained knife attacker doing nothing but stabbing and slashing with wreckless abandon. By the end of the DVD you will understand that the age old saying is wrong. You could, and are very likely to, die if you try to bring a gun to a knife fight. Gabe and Marc show some solutions to the problem of dealing with a knife or attacker in the process of getting to your gun safely. I'm sure there are many other viable solutions with other people.

I think previously if a BG pulled a knife on me, I wouldn't have taken it as seriously as I would now. If he is within 15 feet with a knife, he may as well have a gun to your head. My mindset has been corrected. If you have ever thought "It's just a knife" then you should see this DVD.

By the way, there is a sequel as well over at One Source Tactical

[Scutter01]

Originally Posted by esrice

Watching this DVD, I had a "lightbulb" moment. You know, that moment when you realize that maybe the kinds of things you've been training for are far-less likely to happen than you think. That moment when it hits you that being in an empty hand or knife fight is WAY more likely than being in a gun fight. That moment when the idea of having "only 1 life" is very real, and that in this life you don't get "time-outs" or "second chances".

I'm constantly amazed at the number of people who rely 100% on their gun for self-protection. It should be just one tool in your "box o' tricks". I'm glad to see a good review of this DVD that points out that particular feature.

And yes, a knife is WAY more dangerous than a gun. The only thing a gun has over a knife is range and a gun can only hurt what it's pointed at...

[shooter521]

Yet another reason why knives scare the living sh*t outta me. I've had some "kind-of" training in this area, but nothing near what I probably should have.

[Scutter01]

Originally Posted by shooter521

Yet another reason why knives scare the living sh*t outta me. I've had some "kind-of" training in this area, but nothing near what I probably should have.

There's an exercise that we do occasionally using markers as knife-surrogates. The object is to mark your opponent without getting marked yourself. It's virtually impossible. The point is to show that in a knife fight, you are going to get cut. You cannot avoid it. Once you realize that, you can begin to work on how to deal with fighting with a knife injury (cut tendons, blood loss, etc.) Yeah, knives scare the living sh*t outta me, too. In fact, my wife is far more worried about me carrying a knife than a gun.