Martial Arts is not just a way of learning to defend yourself, it is a system to improve the practitioner in all aspects of their life, which is a core aspect of Asian martial arts.
Throughout the world a number of different ways for defending oneself when barehanded have been created.
Here is just a small list
Wing Chun, Kapu Kuialua, Queensberry Rules, Kung fu + Boxeo Marcial, Zui Quan and Boli Khela
Coreeda, Systema + Krav Maga + Kampfringen + Hapkido, Muay Thai + Sumo, Savate, Kinomichi and Tai Chi
The most common minimum time frame to become a karate black belt is 5+ years and a common saying is that only 1 in 1000 who start karate will become a black belt.
Hopefully it won't take you 5+ years to become a Geocaching Kara-te Black Belt.
Good luck and please post your experience, rather than a "TFTC"
Hunter
Congratulations to "The Welder" on the FTF