SCC Offers Self-Defense Class for EMS, Healthcare, and Education Personnel

Surry Community College is offering a self-defense class especially designed for emergency medical services, rescue, fire, education, and hospital personnel at the Yadkin Center on Tuesday, Sep. 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The class, entitled “Safer in a Day,” teaches people who work with the public in stressful situations to improve their ability to defend themselves against a sudden assault during the course of their duties.

“Over 65 percent of EMS and fire personnel have stated they have been assaulted in the line of duty. Forty-seven percent of emergency room personnel have been assaulted, and of those attacks, 51 percent harmed patients. Almost one in three, or 33 percent, of teachers have indicated they have faced violent encounters. Not only do these first responders, healthcare workers, and teachers need to protect themselves, they also need to protect those for whom they’re responsible,” said Dr. Douglas Underwood, SCC Director Yadkin Campus and Director of Emergency Medical Programs.

This course integrates principles and tactics from the SPEAR (Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response) System, which has been used by law enforcement and military personnel to protect themselves against sudden assaults. SPEAR Defense utilizes the speed and reliability of the startle-flinch mechanism to convert the human body’s natural response to a sudden attack into a tactical response.

The class will meet in Room YA-216 at the Yadkin Center, 1001 College Drive, Yadkinville. The fee for the course is $71. Visit bit.ly/SCCself-defense to register for the course.

If you’d like to learn more about this opportunity, contact Dr. Douglas Underwood, Director of Yadkin Center/Director of Emergency Medical Programs at (336) 386-3584 or underwoodd@surry.edu.