I said this, just the other day on Glocktalk:
The most important skills [Awareness, Avoidance & Deescalation] should be covered in every defensive skills class regardless of whether it's a "gun" class, a "knife" class or whatever. If that's being done, you'll probably get the most use from an unarmed class, since you'll probably be justified in putting your hands on more people than you'll be justified to shoot.
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If all a self defense class teaches is physical techniques and doesn't address mindset/awareness issues, then you are right, it will cause more problems than it solves. If any program preaches that it is 100% effective, run away screaming. Nothing is 100%. There is a local dojo which is laughingly refered to as Abe's [name changed to protect the guilty] School of Self Promotion because "next week" you will learn the amazingly effective "quacking duck defense". Always, next week. Always.
If a program covers mindset/awareness/ect and then teaches a small versatile skillset I beleive that students of such a program will be heads-and-tails beyond most martial artists in real-world defensive capability.
Trophies,huh! The most amazing instructor I ever trained with was a Pekiti Tersia guy. No trophies, no belts, no friggin' building. We trained in a park across the street from his house. Rain or shine, hot or cold. People definitely get wrapped around the axles over trophies, flowing robes, and foreign languages. I don't get that.
As far as small versatile skillsets & concepts;
Aggressive forward pressure
Moving Off-line & covering
Palm Heels & Elbows [depending on range]
SPEAR/Wedge/Tongat Silat Interception
Target the Head/Neck/Throat. Pretty much everything from the sternal notch up and from any orientation [360 degrees]. Your intent should be to cause as much damage to the brain housing group as you possibly can.