Right now, I can't actually join the RLSH movement. I can in about five years or so, though.
I figure that if it's five years until I can join all you RLSH out there, I should use these years to prepare.
What do you recommend I do to prepare for my tansition from mild mannered civilian to superhero?
I understand I need some combat training, which I'm already working on a little bit, but what else do I need (other than a costume of course)?

Great question . . .

(1) I would study a formalized martial arts (such as Tae Kwon Do or Judo).
(2) Follow the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover to get and stay out of debt

Thank you, Blue Rattler, but what aspect specifically of being a RLSH would cause me to go into debt?

Well, if you're like the majority of RLSH you'll want to get a bunch of armor and weapons. That could be pricey. I would personal read the topic I created "My Personal Advice on Training Areas" and "Martial Arts" ; I believe they are both in the training and preparation ctaegory of the board. Hope this helps.

P.S. Once you start training, you should never stop.



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What kinds of weapons would you recommend?

whatever is legal where you are but stay away from firearms and swords

Well, Thanatos has already mentioned stay away from guns and swords. Also knives, I read a message on the public transport that said that if you carrya knife you're more likely to get stabbed with it. Don't know how true this is, but it's a good message.

I wasnt planning on guns or swords. Knives, I would think, would just depend on if you knew how to properly use them vs. just having them and attempting to use them. I was thinking less than lethal weapons. I would most likely carry surveillance/ tactical equipment moreso than weapons. What less than lethal weaponry would you suggest?

pepper spray if legal

batons if legal

tasers if legal

and of course your best weopon....

your brain

Thank you Thanatos. I saw you on the Superheroes documentary (which I've watched multiple times), and I must say that you are one of the RLSH that have inspired me to take my life in this direction.

thanks. I do what I can

Be realistic about your goals. Cash flow from a career is important because it will keep you from becoming sidetracked by financial problems.

I personally wouldn't advise you to carry any weapons. But to each their own.



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I got three pieces advice for you DA.

Some people are more intrested in giving the advice than getting the experience. A fancy name and avatar don't equal (no pun intended) good advice. So be critical about everything on this forum.

Everybody have their own way of doing this. Figure out what suits you best and make it realistic.

My final advice is become a RLSH today. To me you seem more ready than you will be in twenty years. You will have to prepare yourself for the rest of your life anyway, so why wait? You don't need to be able to climb rooftops and beat up badguys to be a RLSH. All it takes is spandex, guts and good intentions. And you don't really need spandex;)

You can always volunteer for the homeless.





Go down to the shelter and ask.

Dress up like a homeless person, ( do not beg for money )

and scope around

I carry a multitool but would never use it as a weapon. A good sharp pocketknife (such as a multitool) can be a real life saver. For example, you never know when you might have to cut a seatbelt to get a victim out of a wrecked car or something.

Martial arts is the weapon that can never be taken away from you and used against you.

This doesn't have to be an expensive pastime. If you go into serious crime fighting, then the body armor can get expensive but it's all relative.

Study. Lots of study.
Physical fitness is important. If you're overweight start losing it, build some stamina, get some good footwear and walk walk walk to get used to lots of hours on your feet.

There's more to study than just martial arts and weapons and all of that.

First Aid, LOTS OF FIRST AID. You will come on accidents and other incidents, and quite possibly yourself, where you will be the first one on the scene to give medical help. Learn to do this.

Language. If you are going to patrol where there is a significant population which speaks a language other than your own, learn it as best you can. At least get the basics. You have to be able to communicate to get the maximum effective results of your efforts.

Learn where you are planning to patrol. Streets, locations of hospitals, fire stations, police stations, etc. Know where you are going to be working.

Anything else of interest. Everything is useful. Electronics, chemistry, whatever.
The more knowledge the better. Absorb anything you can.

Learn the laws in your city/state and be sure you know the citizen arrest law backward and forward. Learn what "determination of force" is and how to apply it on patrol, because it will come up at some point. Get to know people in and around the community you will patrol. Let them get used to seeing you in whatever gimmick you choose to wear, if any. In addition to hospitals, I'd say churches are a good place to be known. They put on charity events all the time that you could volunteer time for, and it is also a great way to make new contacts.

Oh, welcome to the forum Dark Arkham. Also, if you're still in school, keep your focus on that while training your other areas. Don't let the extracirriculars take dominance. A good education is the backbone of effectiveness in whatever you choose to do in life. And eat all of your vegetables!