The keys thing is one I got from a women's self defence class I was helping out with. I believe one long key would be better and would act like a knife. Don't use your own key in case you break it or get AIDS on it. Get a big old key, like a mid 80s truck key.
Women, btw, are vicious fighters. They will kick and bite and scratch. They bruise easy and their bones snap like twigs because most women are calcium and iron deficient.
I was never asked to help out again at the self defence class because apparently I grabbed a few women too hard while taking them through the locks and holds that some had bruises for weeks.
Train to fight. Lift weights for strength, work on your conditioning, take some boxing/kickboxing classes. Learn to throw a punch but also learn to dodge, keep your distance. Never kick below waist high.
Steel toed boots are another good weapon. Kick some asshole in the shin and he will go down.
Do some bag work against a heavy bag to get used to throwing punches. Spar a few times to get used to being hit in the head. Most people are not used to being punched and freak out.
Keep your chin down. Everyone has a glass jaw if punched right and if you put your chin on your chest no one can choke you out.
Beware of wrestling and takedowns. Only take someone to the ground when you have your buddies with you otherwise some cunt will stomp your skull in.
Don't lose your head and try and chase someone down only to be cut off from your buds.
When it comes to throwing a punch mass matters more than strength. Bigger guys just throw harder punches.
Depends on the man. A lot of guys are just in it for weekend cash which was how I started. Some bouncers are hardcore fighters though and I have learned a thing or two from those guys. Sometimes we deal with druggies who don't feel pain.
But I have been involved in brawls where it is 30 bouncers v 100 people. Basic things like holding the line are what matters. A larger group gets in each others way when trying to fight a smaller group.
We have to be careful though. The cops want any excuse to arrest us and make us out to be the bad guys. Go in with the attitude of protecting your friends, not hurting antifa.
Of course, but keys are one of the few things that almost everyone has and that you can deny is a weapon. Anything else, such as a knife or hammer is too obvious.