In many of the recent terrorist attacks in the news recently, theres been attacks with large knives. In Europe, they arent able to go about armed for the most part, and, unfortunately, in many places in the states its not legal for many ordinary people to go armed all the time. Never going where you cant be armed isnt really the answer for many of us, we have little choice in the matter due to situations beyond our reasonable control. What sort of response is useful in such situations? In the recent London attacks, one guy fought with one of the knife wielders, and got cut up pretty badly in the process, though he was credited for distracting and occupying the guy while other got away from the place. People were reportedly throwing glasses, bottles, and chairs at them without much effect, though that may have helped keep them away from some groups.
There has to be a better way. What sort of things could either be carried to help ones odds of hindering or stopping such attacks, or things likely to be found at hand in average urban environments? It occurred to me that brooms or mop handles could be used to create space or attack them. Watching people spar with swords, spears, and other medieval weapons, someone with knowledge of such things could likely make a fairly good showing in such a situation, but I know little of such things. Is that a useful skill to work on, improvised weapons? Belts can be improvised weapons, though I also know little of that, and my pants would literally fall off if I took my belt off. Not dismissing it entirely, but it would take some thought beyond just doing it. Using one hand to hold my pants up is probably not a good strategy.
So, any thoughts on this?
Please keep in mind that at least in my situation, working out at the gym or other similar vigorous activity type martial arts things isnt possible at this time due to injury. It may be a permanent issue.