Course will teach seniors how to defend themselves

Seniors can learn self-defense skills at a class Tuesday at the Columbia County Library.

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"We're going to start out with how to avoid attack," said Melissa Baggett, who will aid the course instructor, Steven Huffman. "There will be a lot of verbal self-defense more than anything."

The class will be held at 6:30 p.m. There are only five available spots for the course, and seniors must register beforehand.

The class will consist of informational material and demonstrations.

Baggett, who has practiced martial arts for 10 months, said she, Huffman and his two sons meet weekly at the library for a karate class. They were contacted by a librarian about holding a self-defense course for seniors.

Huffman has several years of experience in martial arts, she said.

"We're keeping in mind that some of the people who would learn these maneuvers may not be as physically capable ... (as) a younger audience," she said. "Some of the maneuvers are catered more toward people, for example, who couldn't kick very high or would have trouble with grabbing and whatnot."

She said many attackers view both seniors and women as more vulnerable.

During the 1 1/2-hour course, seniors will learn how to use various items, such as a cane and a set of car keys, as weapons to fight off an attacker, Baggett said.

"This is important, because some of the things that they have with them, they may not realize can be used to protect them," she said.

Baggett said she hopes that the seniors in attendance will learn to trust their instincts and acquire additional skills to fight off danger.

"I hope it would make some people less scared to go out, knowing that there are weapons at hand," she said. "You don't have to have a lot of strength to inflict a lot of pain and escape."

For information or to register, call the library's reference desk at (706) 863-1946.