Real-world self-defence — grounded in decades of experience, tested under pressure.
Easily learned, easily retained — and more importantly: easily recalled when it matters most.
ESDS provides tactical education for military, law enforcement, medical responders, educators, and civilians. Our instructors bring decades of real-world experience from special operations, police training, trauma medicine and protection. We train for what actually happens — not for theory, sport, or ego.
It’s a system of combative concepts and tactics based on the analysis and observation of human reactions to various stimuli, such as pain, fear and physical contact. Its key lies in its simplicity and proven practical effectiveness.
In real-world violence, simplicity matters.
Our methods help anyone strike fast and hard — ending the fight before it escalates.
All we do is develop that ability to strike powerfully and assertively, so that in the eventuality that you have to fight, you do so hard and fast; thus the fight ends very quickly, with a minimum of damage to both you and the adversary -in this modern, litigious age that fact alone can be important to a great many people.
In today’s legal climate, control and outcome matter.
ESDS has grounding in a great many fighting systems, from the Chinese arts of Yang Lu Chan Taiji and Splashing Hands, through karate and judo.
Yang Lu Chan Taiji Old Style
Trained with Master Erle Montaigue
Instructor since 1993
Black belt, 2nd dan (1994)
Sensitive Areas of the Human Body
Nerve & pressure points
Open hand methods
Splashing Hands
Trained with Master James McNeil
1st dan, since 1996
Conditioning, offensive mindset
Explosive movement & body prep
Over 25 real-world tests, experiments and surveys were carried out by ESDS founder Slawomir Gozdzik — studying fear response, surprise violence, use-of-force reactions and instinctive behavior under pressure.
• IBR / Instinctive Body Reactions to different attacks (30 participants, 2010)
• Knife attack defense (30 participants, 2010)
• Verbal aggression – Police vs civilians (45 participants, 2019)
• Reaction to choke from behind (30 participants, 2008)
• Groin strikes – Sensitive area test (30 participants, 2018)
• Dizzy drill – Balance disturbance effects (20 participants, 2008)
• Up & Down recovery drills (various years, 200–400 officers)
• Open hand vs closed fist – Prosecutor/PD feedback (2008–2010)
• Falling and safe recovery with drawn firearm (30 officers, 2019)
ESDS continues to evolve.
From instinctive-based responses to trauma care and tactical firearms use — the mission is the same: build real skills for real-life.
Whether you’re a civilian or a professional — this system is designed to make you ready.
We are dedicated to teach as many people as possible real self-defence and give them the ability to survive and protect themselves.
