Overview

This guide helps instructors, community leaders, and organizations in Moscow design and run effective, safe programs that teach personal safety, escape‑focused self‑defense, and basic first aid. Emphasis is on prevention, de‑escalation, proportional response, and timely medical care. Content is suitable for schools, community centers, corporate trainings, and neighborhood groups.

Core principles

— Emphasize avoidance and situational awareness first — most violence is prevented, not fought.
— Teach escape and evasion rather than techniques intended to injure. The goal is to create opportunities to get away and call for help.
— Include verbal de‑escalation and boundary setting skills to reduce confrontation.
— Integrate basic first aid and emergency response so participants can care for themselves and others after an incident.
— Keep all training trauma‑informed, consent‑based, and safety‑focused. Encourage participants to set limits and opt out of physically uncomfortable drills.

Legal and ethical context (Russia / Moscow)

— Self‑defense in Russian law is permitted when necessary to repel an attack, but response must be proportionate. Exceeding necessary defense can have legal consequences. Advise participants to know applicable legal principles and consult local legal professionals for detailed advice.
— Coordinate with local authorities when organizing large public events; obtain venue permissions and follow local regulations.
— Respect privacy and mental health; be prepared to signpost to professional support after scenarios that trigger emotional responses.

Emergency contacts (useful to post at events)

— Unified emergency number: 112
— Police: 102
— Ambulance: 103
— Fire: 101
Post these numbers visibly in Russian as well: 112 (единый номер), 102 (полиция), 103 (скорая помощь), 101 (пожарная охрана).

Target audiences and adaptations

— Women’s self‑defense: focus on boundary setting, assertiveness, escapes from grabs, improvised tools, and bystander strategies.
— Teens and students: situational awareness for public transport, digital safety, and peer‑conflict de‑escalation.
— Seniors: fall prevention, safe mobility, simple escape maneuvers, and quick first‑aid for bleeding and fractures.
— Corporates: workplace conflict de‑escalation, active‑shooter awareness, first‑aid/CPR and AED introduction.
— Families/children: age‑appropriate safety rules, “safe adults,” stranger awareness without fear, and basic first‑aid for cuts and burns.

Sample 8‑week curriculum (90–120 minutes per session)

Week 1 — Foundations
— Risk awareness, common scenarios in urban spaces, personal safety planning
— Warmup, mobility, basic stance and movement (non‑combat emphasis)

Week 2 — Verbal skills and boundary setting
— Assertive language, body language, escape mindset, calling for help

Week 3 — Situational awareness & environment use
— Observational exercises, safe routes on public transport, light home‑security checks

Week 4 — Low‑contact breakaways and escapes
— Simple, repeatable escapes from wrist/grab scenarios oriented to create distance (no complex joint manipulation)

Week 5 — Improvised defenses & use of everyday objects
— How to use keys, bags, shoes to create time and space; legal/ethical considerations

Week 6 — Scenario drills & bystander intervention
— Role plays focused on getting out, attracting help, safe bystander options

Week 7 — Basic first aid I: immediate response
— Scene safety, calling emergency services, controlling major bleeding, shock recognition, dressing wounds

Week 8 — Basic first aid II: CPR & emergency equipment
— CPR overview, use of AEDs, immobilization basics, when to seek hospital care; wrap‑up and personal safety plan

Note: For CPR and clinical procedures, encourage certified training (Red Cross, local medical centers). Practical CPR should be taught by accredited instructors.

Teaching methods and safety measures

— Keep physical contact controlled, progressive, and consented. Use clear stop signals.
— Use protective equipment (gloves, pads, headgear, mats) for any contact practice.
— Conduct medical/physical readiness checks and have a qualified first aider on site.
— Debrief after drills to process emotions and lessons learned.
— Keep group sizes manageable (max 12–15 for physical practice) so instructors can supervise.

Equipment and venue checklist

— Large, well‑ventilated room or mat area; good lighting and safe flooring
— First‑aid kit stocked and accessible; gloves, dressings, bandages, tourniquet (if trained)
— AED access or clear plan to nearest AED/hospital
— Protective pads, focus mitts, and helmets (for higher‑intensity drills)
— Whistles, cones, tape to mark scenarios, and printed emergency numbers in Russian

First‑aid essentials to teach (high level)

— Prioritize safety: check scene, call emergency services (112), and get help.
— Major bleeding: apply firm pressure, use dressings, and seek urgent care.
— Unresponsiveness: if someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call emergency services and begin CPR if trained. Use an AED if available.
— Shock, burns, fractures: immobilize, keep warm, and seek medical help.
— Emphasize that hands‑