Training Course Review - ALiCE

 

Oft times something of great value is born of tragedy. On April 20, 1999 two students, heavily armed with rifles, pistols and assorted explosive devices entered Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado and began to herd, hunt and kill 12 fellow students and one teacher. An additional 27 were wounded or injured while trying to escape.

Over a Christmas Eve meal in the home of Greg and Lisa Crane in 2001 an announcement about a local officer who had been killed in the line of duty came across the TV and the conversation turned towards the dangers confronted by law enforcement officers. Greg was an active duty police officer in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and his wife Lisa was a school principal. Greg had substantial training in dealing with active shooters. He knew that there was a “response time” to get to the scene of an active shooter. So he asked his wife a question . . . “What do you do while you wait for the police to arrive.” Her response was telling – here’s a quote from the ALiCE Training Institute:

“When I find out we have an intruder, I put out a “Code Red” over the PA, the teachers get everyone in a classroom, lock the door, turn off the lights, sit in the corner and wait for the police to arrive.”

And an idea was born that has, over the past 12 years, grown into the ALiCE Training Institute – follow the link to their whole history.

“ALiCE” is an acronym for Alert – Lockdown – inform – Counter – Escape. Today I had the opportunity to attend and observe an ALiCE training for the school that my daughter teaches at. If the schools in your community do no other security training this year . . . I strongly encourage you to talk to your school’s administration and your school board to put ALiCE training at the very top of their list.

The training is divided into two sections – group lecture and scenario based training in the classroom. The group lecture thoroughly covers the individual components that make up the acronym “ALiCE”. The second half – the scenarios – provide the school’s staff the experience of being confronted by an active shooter in the school through the use of Simunitions as well as AirSoft pistols. Once the initial jitters were over – there were instances where the seriousness of these scenarios was experienced by every teacher and administration member. Let’s chat about the training in a bit more detail.

ALiCE . . . Alert . . . Lockdown . . . inform . . . Counter . . . Escape

Alert

Most schools today have some very sophisticated camera systems, entry protocols and entry areas where people coming into the school can be fully observed. At the first indication that the day is about to go sideways the school building, local police and first responders are Alerted to the situation. More information is better – where is the threat entering, how is he/she dressed, do they have weapons, can the weapons be identified, is the threat known . . . everything is helpful to the responding police departments and first responders.

This is the beginning of “buying time” for those in the building enabling the police to arrive and directly deal with the threat.

Lockdown

Securing entry to individual classrooms adds to the amount of time bought. This will vary from district to district. Some may choose to have room doors locked at all times. Others may encourage that they only be opened during while the students are moving between classes. Each school will come up with their own plan. It is at this point that ALiCE begins to “change the game” by broadening the mindset of the teacher – and eventually the students. ALiCE teaches ways and methods that the class can become proactive in their defense against the active shooter. Rather than becoming fodder for the shooter by huddling in a corner and hoping help arrives – the discussion revolved around options . . . securing the door, methods of exit, how to counter an active shooter. It began to show that there were options available other than being part of the body count.

inform

As the shooter moves through out a facility, it’s important that their actions/whereabouts be reported over any/all communications systems available – the PA, to law enforcement en-route, to the first responders – again, more communications is better. This information can also include what the shooter is wearing, the direction they are headed in, weapons – anything that is observed, whether the person observing the shooter believes it is important or not. More information is better . . .

Counter

Should an active shooter be encountered, there are ways students and staff can Counter them. Throwing everything from books to chairs can distract the shooter allowing more to escape. Weapons chosen – or prepositioned – in a room can also help. Everything from fire extinguishers to ball bats could be used to buy time and defeat an active shooter. This is one more element in changing the mindset of the students and staff from victim to defender – to give them tools to counter an active shooter’s attack.

Evacuate

Evacuation is obviously the preferred option. Should the opportunity present itself to escape – DO IT! All the preceding elements – the initial Alert, the initial Lockdown, the continuing information and Countering an active shooter you encounter INCREASES you chances of Escape. Does this guarantee that all will survive, that all will remain unhurt? Obviously not . . . yet it provides the opportunity to REDUCE casualties. And there is a lot of value in that.

The Scenarios

Honestly, I’m going to leave these vague. Their purpose was to provide the teachers the “feeling” of confronting an armed shooter – some even experience the welt of being hit by an AirSoft round. Much better than a shotgun round or round from a rifle or handgun, but enough to take the teacher from just a “training” to the experience of being shot. The AAR afterwards clearly revealed that each experienced an instant where the scenario was “real” and how important it was that they reassess their current thoughts about defending against an active shooter.

By the end of the multiple scenarios they were given a broad range of tools and ideas that will act as a beginning point to prepare for a day everyone prays never comes . . . an invasion by an active shooter.

Armed Staff

This was a topic touched on in a couple of discussion periods. For us, in the state of Iowa, citizens with a carry permit CANNOT enter school property armed. This is a right reserved for law enforcement or resource officers with a LEO endorsement. So the whole idea of armed staff is simply off the table. That said, there are many schools throughout the country that have either armed resource officers, staff and do allow citizens with valid carry permits to carry in and on school property. Check your own states rules and regulations.

A morning well spent! Again . . . I would consider ALiCE training a MUST for every school system in the country. Talk to your schools, your school board – make sure they have put an ALiCE training on their calendar in the very near future.

It could easily save your child’s life.

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Training - Don’t put a hole in your ass . . . .

 

There are many important components to keeping yourself safe in today’s world . . .

• Be aware
• Be fit
• Get trained
• Carry a gun
• Don’t shoot yourself in the ass . . .

Let’s chat a bit about that last one.

There’s been a running discussion for the past few days about an article from a paper in Lansing, Michigan about a guy in the Home Depot who shot himself in the butt. The incident came to light in an anti-hit piece that used it as the typical fodder for “reasonable” gun control and a sure sign that all gun owners are mindless idiots. Of course the fellow didn’t do himself or gun owners in general any favors. And the woman writing the article was definitely long on ASS-U-ME and kinda short on facts. Regardless – there was some “meat on the bones” of the article so to speak. This was my response to the FB group.

Agreed on the article - pretty thin on facts and long on anti-opinion. That said, there is some “meat” here to look at.

Complacency can do you real damage. If you are carrying concealed you need to practice your draws so you don’t “mistake” a loaded weapon for a wallet – or anything else.

Your trigger finger is NEVER part of the grip – ever. On target, on trigger - off target, off trigger.

Pocket guns have long/hard trigger pulls, if something feels different when reaching for your wallet – or anything else, STOP.

Really?? His weapon and wallet in the same pocket? Again, details matter and this young woman is playing loose with the facts I suspect.

Says volumes about carrying a “real” gun is a good holster on a sturdy belt rather than chucking a life-saving tool in a pocket. Wonder what would have happened if he’d have tried to draw under stress while someone was trying to stick a knife in his neck?

We have chosen a serious path in self-defense – carrying a loaded weapon to protect ourselves, or family or our friends. It pays to take that decision seriously.

Finally, virtually the same argument applied to this accidental discharge could be made about driving, drinking, surfing, skydiving . . . and the same reality would apply. Do dangerous things stupidly . . . it will not end well.

You – as a defensive shooter – put yourself in real danger from your carry weapon at two distinct times. During the draw – and when you reholster. In this case the man put an extra hole in his ass . . . not good. Imagine what could have happened if he appendix carried. A round – high in the crotch – is a very bad day.

Handguns have a number of “safety” features. I put “safety” in quotes because the ultimate safety is the shooter himself/herself and in most cases where the put a new hole in the body it is done through simply being complacent. The shooter is the best – and ultimately the only “safety”.

As I stated above, there is much that the fellow did wrong. What can you, as a person who carries a handgun as a defensive weapon do better? A few thoughts:

• Wear good gear. I know there are times that pocket carry is your only alternative – I get it. Use a good pocket holster.
• Dedicate a pocket to JUST CARRY YOUR WEAPON!
• Train with your pocket gun/holster/pocket combination so you know how it feels and you can do it smoothly.

Use dry fire practice to work out the kinks of your system. Honestly, this should be part of training regardless of the weapon your carry. I do in excess of 50 draws 4-5 days a week on my dry fire range. If you don’t hone this single part of your skill set – your weapon is worthless. You could be a lethal shot but if you can’t get your weapon out of the holster and on target, your accuracy simply has no value.

Your trigger finger is NOT PART OF THE GRIP to draw your weapon. Keeping it straight until you are on an IDENTIFIED threat and you have made the DECISION THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO SHOOT is a must – period. I teach my students to stick the tip of their trigger finger in the ejection port so it has a “home”. So they have a tactile memory of what it feels like when their finger is off the trigger.

Your finger is the primary safety to any weapon you carry, from handgun to carbine. If you don’t put your finger on the trigger – it isn’t going to go BLAMMM!!!

But – if your trigger finger gets ahead of your brain . . .

If you decide that your trigger finger is just one more piece of your grip . . .

If you don’t pay attention . . . .

A new hole in your ass . . . or leg . . . or your wife . . . or child . . .

. . . is a very real possibility.

Commentary - Please, don’t rush the season . . .

 

Just a thought if you please . . .

Please don’t rush the Christmas season . . .

I know, I know – the tree needs to come down, ornaments need to be stored, houses need to be cleaned . . . I know . . . I know . . .

But why??

Growing up in my house Santa put the tree up while we were at Christmas Eve services. They were long, filled with prayer, worship, song and “The Play”. While the children were anxious to return home to either open presents or put out the milk and cookies and get to bed to try to sleep . . . the service was unhurried and rich in meaning and tradition.

For us, returning home saw my dad waiting and presents around the tree. I have few memories of these evenings honestly as my dad died when I was 7 just prior to Christmas. I can look as I type this and see his last present to me sitting atop the hutch – a spinning globe that was part of a game than neither my mom or I could ever bring ourselves to learn.

Still, our tradition of presents after church continued while tree decorating became a joint effort between her and me. Perhaps she is the one who taught me to savor Christmas – the entire 12 days of Christmas. In fact, mom loved Christmas trees and they usually remained standing until the needles easily fell and clogged the vacuum as they were picked up.

And so it is in our home – our tree usually remains up until the middle/end of January. Opened presents usually remain as well – as do the memories of this year and past years.

What’s the hurry . . . .?

Time passes quickly . . . please, savor time spent with family, friends and Him. Sometimes if feels like folks try to put Christmas “behind” them . . . when it truly should be in front of us each and every day. “He is the reason for the season” and for our family the Christmas tree has always incorporated Him in the decorations both hanging from the tree as well as the Manger scene below. Ornaments are relics of our lives – handmade or purchased with specific purposes. They incorporate our worship of Him and the love of “us”.

Try a different tradition . . . leave the tree a bit . . . let the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year’s die down . . . then take a Sunday afternoon to slowly take down the tree, savor each ornament, each memory . . . . there’s plenty of time . . .

What’s the rush??

Commentary - Merry Christmas 2013!!

 

Merry Christmas to you all!

This time of year always seems to wrap me in memories, and our family tree embodies them for me. Virtually every ornament and length of ribbon carries a story of a time in our life as a family, a memory of one of the 13 exchange students that shared our home and holidays, of time of pure joy and times of blinding fear. It’s all there . . .

But for today – this evening at Mass – and tomorrow, I pray we all take time to remember the reason for this holiday . . .

That a Creator looked at our path and was we were truly lost . . .

That out of His love He looked at his only Son and sent him on a mission . . .

A mission of love and redemption . . .

A mission to show us – by example – how to live our life . . .

A mission to sacrifice himself . . .

For our sins . . .

For the life of me, in the depth of my soul . . . I cannot wrap my head around such a sacrifice, such a gift . . . it is beyond me.

My chrism is “Faith” . . . and I do have faith that the gift is true and real . . .

But “understanding”?

Not so much . . .

Merry Christmas folks, thanks for stopping by.

Survival - Dressing for cold weather . . . Cotton Kills!

 

Well . . . as the song goes “The weather outside is frightful . . .” with a high today of -1F, lows tonight expected to be around -15F with wind chills in the -30s and -40s . . . thought it might be a good time to write a post about dressing for the cold.

First off – there’s “cold” . . . and then there’s “COLD!!!”

That’s NOT to imply that “cold” isn’t dangerous. It’s at that temperature where you are tempted to throw on a light jacket and tennis shoes because it’s “not that bad” out and your only driving a few miles, the snow isn’t falling too quick and the roads aren’t real slippery – a light jacket and tennis shoes will be just fine . . . More people die of hypothermia in these conditions because they use poor judgment, take shortcuts in clothing and gear and end up dead. My advice – pull your head out of your butt and “dress for the worst” – not hope things will be fine.

What I want to chat about is dressing for when it’s “COLD!!!” When exposed skin freezes in the 10 minutes it takes to shovel off the front stoop. When your hands will succumb to frost bite in the time it takes to change a tire. When the “3-Hour Rule” (find shelter within 3 hours) may well claim your life on a poorly traveled back road when you hit some black ice and slide off the road. Lethal “COLD!!!”

Let’s start from the bottom up – boots.

There are two important issues with survival in extremely cold temperatures – temperature management and moisture (sweat) management - including boots.

These are my “COLD!!!” weather boots made by LaCrosse. They are waterproof, lightly lined and Gor-Tex lined. They fit a bit loose with normal socks and just a bit more snug with my cold weather sock combination. You do not want “snug” “COLD!!!” weather boots for a variety of reasons. At tight points of contact blood flow is reduced; this creates a cold spot on your foot and can lead to frost bite. Also, tight fitting boots do little to allow the sweat from your feet to escape – you need to allow for natural evaporation. When fitting these – wear your normal “COLD!!!” sock combination then try them on – again looking for a slightly loose fit.

On these particular boots, if you look at the inside toe of the left boot (as you are looking at the photo) and you will notice a flat spot. We were camping on a particularly chilly winter’s night and I was warming my feet by a fire ring . . . turned out I was touching the fire ring with that part of the boot. Suddenly my foot felt VERY toasty! Even smelled it bit! I had melted a fair portion of the sole away on the outside of the fire ring. Not enough to damage the boot – but enough to take crap for ever since. Head in the game folks – across the board – every day – all the time!

Socks

I’ve always been picky about socks and “COLD!!!” weather only makes me more so.! My base layer for my foot is a polypropylene sock that I pull up over my long-john lowers. An example is provided by my favorite trekking store – REI. It is the Fox River X-Static Liner.

This is then covered by a very thick, well padded, wool sock. Not a traditional Smartwool sock that is my normal hiking fare – but a very thick, well padded, wool sock designed specifically for cold weather. Here is also example from REI. It’s the REI Merino Wool Expedition Socks. Note that the reviews all talk about moisture wicking, temperature management and cushioning. These are things you want to pay attention to!

This combination of a looser fitting boot, a well-padded foot and socks that wick moisture, manage temperature and cushion your foot is the key to keeping your foot warm and dry – even in the coldest of temperature.

Pro-tip! Always carry a spare set of socks – inside a ZipLoc to keep it dry in case you fall through ice or get your feet wet in some other manner. Wet feet, subzero temps – and you may well be a few toes short next winter hiking season.

Underwear

The answer is boxers . . . poly boxers. Again, sticking with REI – their Boxer Jack Underwear is a good example of poly underwear. You are looking for something to reduce friction, wick moisture and a material that will not “bunch” together.

Ladies – I would suggest you forego everything from the thong to the French cut undies and go with more of a boy cut similar to the Patagonia Active Boy Shorts. Again, this provides excellent moisture wicking, temperature management and it’s a material that will not bunch up on you. The longer legs will reduce the possibility of chafing as well.

Finally – powder . . . One of the most tender patches of skin is a baby’s butt. And one of the most ruthless environments known to man is the inside of a baby’s diaper. Trust me . . . been there . . . done that . . . both cloth and these new-fangled disposables . . . I have all the frickin’ T-Shirts!

No possible combination of skin and chemical is harsher to a human’s skin. To that end there is a product with over a century of R&D behind it that is specifically designed to protect this exact region of a human’s body . . . Baby Powder. Yes – I take crap for using it . . . but trust me on this – for long hikes/paddles or days spent in cold weather gear, baby powder will go that last little bit to insure you do not arrive home with a crotch that is nothing but raw meat. Put some in your socks too – your hiking partner will thank you! Get a small bottle, throw it in your gear bag . . . Your Welcome!!

Long Johns

There have been a broad range of synthetic long johns appear on the market over the past 10 years or so. All are some combination of polypropylene based product. I have both “cheapie” sets and some nice, higher priced Under Armour Men's UA EVO ColdGear® Compression Leggings.

These are matched with Under Armour Men's ColdGear® Evo Long Sleeve Compression Mock.

This gear would complete your “base layer” – and yes, there is a “right” way to put it on. Remember, moisture control is one of the goals and you want to be able to allow the moisture to flow away from your body. The air immediately next to your body is what will be warm and moisture filled – you want to provide an exit for this, to allow it to flow easily. Remember, warm air rises – and hopefully you’ll be vertical for most of your time outdoors. This provides the direction of flow – up, and we want to put our gear on in a way that facilitates this process.

Put on your boxers first – with baby powder. Next, put on the long john top. This is followed by the long john bottom that is pulled OVER the top – allowing warm air to flow up, out of the top and over the outside of the top. Next, your liner sock – again with a dash of powder – and that is pulled over the bottom of the long john bottom’s leg. Your wool outer sock is pulled over the liner sock. And there you go, this will provide the ability of the moisture that comes off your body to flow upward and out of any gaps it can fine – open neck, open coat, open outer shirt.

Pants

Here too, a poly blend is the way to go. There are any number of good hiking pants, I find I like many carried by REI and their brand in particular. Their REI Sahara Convertible Pants have seen me through thousands of miles – both summer and winter. Their ability to convert to shorts, their resistance to dirt and their quick drying make them a solid choice. This is the type and style of pant you want to wear – winter or summer.

Shirts

I wear a number of different shirts – from just plain T-Shirts, to polos to long-sleeved shirts in the winter. It’s hard to go wrong with a quick dry shirt from Columbia like their Men's Tamiami II Long Sleeve Shirt of which I have a half-dozen or so. It offers vents to allow removal of body moisture, the material is quick dry and it moves easily within a coat insuring it doesn’t bunch up somewhere.

Fleece

I’m fond of a light weight fleece to go over a shirt. Should the temperatures rise unexpectedly, it can act as an outer garment. And, should the cold deepen, it can act as an additional layer as well.  Columbia offers many varieties of jacket that fits the bill.

Jacket

I am fond of a Jacket system that is waterproof, breathable with a removable inner liner. Again, Columbia does a great job in this area. An example of their current product line is the Columbia Men's Back To Hells Mountain Interchange Jacket. This combination is usable across seasons, allows you to ascend and decent through different environmental regions and will allow you to easily manage your body’s temperature regardless of weather.

Outer Pants

Finally, a pair of outer pants for truly cold weather. These are meant to keep you dry when trekking through show, rain or sleet – whatever nature wants to throw your way. They are not meant for warmth, but for keeping dry. Again Columbia fills this slot in my gear bag with their OmniTech technology. Mine are currently over a decade old but work as well as the day I bought them. Here is a more up-to-date example.

So there you have it . . . everything you need to stay warm when it “COLD!!!” outside. The next step – use it!

Cotton Kills!

What’s with the final tag line in the title – “Cotton Kills!” , what the heck does that mean? Basically, what that means is that cotton absorbs moisture but does not release it easily. Therefore it holds moisture next to your body and accumulates it as you sweat more. Eventually its ability to keep you warm degrades and you begin to loose body heat. Given enough time – things will not end well. Now, this certainly won’t happen in an hour or two hike – or even a day hike. But, on an overnight – when you need to switch into sleeping gear – you’ll be stuck with soaked undergarments. Given enough days, again, things will not end well. Leave the cotton home, move to poly blends that provide both warmth and the ability to wick moisture away from your body.

“Range Work”

In keeping with the general theme of this blog – firearms training and one of the fundamental truths about firearms training – range time matters – so to in working with cold weather gear and cold weather survival. The only way to learn how to use this type of system is to . . . . use this type of system.

Start out with an hour or two walk, move that up to a half day hike, they a full day. Finally, do a couple of over-night campouts. I find in the winter I usually shed the tent or hammock for simply a tarp and ground cloth. Do this in a park that is nearby with your vehicle available in case you have severely underestimated the conditions. Don’t “wimp out” – but don’t succumb to a fatal mistake either. Finally – expand to a 2-day or 3-day weekend trip. You simply must do this a couple of times a winter – it is the only way to hone your skills and develop this skill set.

We’ll work on winter camping another time – that is a series of posts in and of itself!

So there you go – this IS my winter system. Typically only broken out on a training weekend or on days like today – when it’s “COLD!!!”

Develop your own, work with it and make it part of your overall skill set – it may well let you get home some evening on a dark and “COLD!!!” night!

UPDATE:  One of my regular readers pointed out I have forgotten to speak about headgear and gloves.  Heavy Sigh – so I had . . .

Headgear:

Frankly, I’m a baseball cap kinda guy.  From a soft crown cap for most of my daily wear to a wool Detroit Tiger’s cap for winter wear, that is what you will see sitting atop my head most times.  In fact I did a post about Caps and their importance in my life some time ago. 

I find that caps suit me just fine for cold weather. “COLD!!!” weather is an entirely different critter.  For this environment I lean towards a knit watch hat and a hood attached to the outer jacket.  The biggest issue I have with this level though is temperature and moisture management.  The rule of thumb is that an individual looses around 70% of their body heat through their head.  As they say – “if you’re cold, put on a hat!”  A watch cap rides in the top pouch of my pack and is frequently employed in my sleeping bag on chilly nights – “summer” months included.

However, it’s also easy to work up a head of wet hair (for those of you who still have hair!) with such gear as well.  For this I find it frequently take down the hood, take off the watch hat and wipe off my head with my ever present “sweat towel” while letting the hat air dry a bit.  Should the day warm, I always have a baseball cap along and will simply switch to that.

Gloves:

I guess I skipped over gloves because my hands are seldom cold, even in “COLD!!!” weather.  This time of year it’s not unusual for me to spend 2-4 hours on the shooting range gloves free.  While I may stick my hands in my pockets to warm them a bit, it’s not high on my list of concerns.

That said, for wilderness treks and campouts – good gear to protect your hands and keep them warm is a must.  These are grouped into “gloves” and “mittens”.  The difference is obvious – gloves have individual fingers while mittens contain your entire hand in a single protective enclosure.

For “COLD!!!” weather, keeping your hands dry and warm is a must so I lean heavily towards waterproof gloves – especially for treks and camping.  This usually implies a Gor-Tex outer glove and some kind of insulating material inside.  Here too, you need to be mindful of moisture control withdrawing your hands periodically and drying them and air drying your gloves/mittens as well.

The advantage to gloves is increased manipulation of gear and equipment since you have full use of your fingers even though they are encased in a lining of some type.  Their biggest disadvantage is that each finger “stands alone” in staying warm.

With a mitten – your loose dexterity because your whole hand is encased – but you share warmth between individual fingers.  Here too, moisture control is an issue throughout the day.

Both glove and mitten have their place in your pack.  Find a good set of well insulated, water proof for each style and find which works best for you.

A thank you goes out to Brighid for catching this omission – darn good thing someone is looking after me!

Training – Home, Safe . . .

 

I have a friend and LEO who is a trainer for the “Below100” initiative sponsored by LawOfficer magazine. Since 1944 the annual death toll for Law Enforcement Officers has exceeded 100. Sadly, 2013 will be no exception with the 100^th death of an officer in the line of duty occurring in Alabama on December 20^th. While reading through the tenets of the program, it’s history and goals . . . it got me thinking. What 5 tenets could we – as individuals and instructors, who carry and teach personal defense - adopt to give us the best chance of getting “Home, Safe” each and every day? This post are my thoughts – comments and ideas are welcome!

First a review of the 5 tenets of the Below100 program:

• Wear your belt
• Wear your vest
• Watch your speed
• WIN – What’s Important Now
• Remember – Complacency Kills

Take some time and read the linked articles. There is a tremendous about of common-sense information that can go a long way towards insuring that you – while more than likely not a LEO – arrive “Home, Safe” each and every day.

While adopting a number of these tenets, for the civilian they have just a bit of a different slant and emphasis. And a couple are just different. Here they are:

5-tenets of “Home Safe”

Drive your vehicle

WIN – What’s Important Now

Be Aware

Master your weapon

Remember – Complacency Kills

Drive your vehicle

You are the PILOT – not the passenger of the vehicle you’re driving . . . act like it!

When I was young there was a traffic accident just down the road from my home. My dad and I walked down to see what/who was involved. Peering through the crowd and into the drivers-side window the driver could clearly be seen . . . . with the steering wheel shaft driven through his chest. It was the mid-50s and well before the dawn of the seat belt and collapsible steering column. Today, the auto industry is trying to save your life with seat belts, air bags and steering columns that absorb energy rather than driving a chunk of steel through your chest.

The best plan to reduce vehicle deaths in America – and for you – is to DRIVE YOUR DAMN CAR!! YOU are responsible for its path, its speed, the conduct of your passengers. YOU!

• Wear your belt.
• Insure your passengers wear their belt.
• Use child seats.
• Put down the damn phone and use hand-free tech instead.
• DON’T FRICKIN’ TEXT OR READ EMAIL!!!
• Don’t do paper work!! (yes, I have seen people driving 70+ MPH with a file open on top of their steering wheel!)
• Don’t speed!!
• Road Conditions Matter – slow down!
• Don’t drive “under the influence” of . . . ANYTHING!
• Drive “Aware” of your surroundings.

According to the CDC’s National Vital Statistics of 2011 there were 34,677 vehicle related deaths. I suspect many were truly “accidents” . . . yet I am equally certain that many were because the driver had their head buried! Don’t be a statistic!

Drive Your Vehicle!

WIN – What’s Important Now

There is a single instant in time where you can affect change . . . NOW! You cannot return to the past and change events. You cannot leap into the future to view possible outcomes. You only have NOW, this moment, this instant, this second.

What’s important to do NOW, so you get “Home Safe” tonight? So your life continues on the best path possible? Is it time to end your shift or day at the office?  Going to hit the bar with friends, or would going home to your wife/husband and kids serve you better? Should you eat the donut or take a pass? Push back in the recliner or spend 15 minutes on the treadmill?

Are you running late? Would a “little over the limit” get you there on time . . . or dead? When the waiter asks your table if anyone wants a second glass of wine – do you really “need” it?

When it’s a choice between the school play, the kid’s game or the Christmas Concert and a few extra hours at work or a second round at the bar . . . which choice will serve you better?

We all face dozens of moments throughout the day where our choice affects our path . . . as the old knight would say – “Choose Wisely!”

Be Aware

“The best way to win a gunfight is to never get into one!” A well-known phrase attributed to a handful of people, yet filled with common sense. From the NRA’s “Levels of Awareness” to Jeff Cooper’s “Color Code” or Col. Boyd’s “OODA Loop” – all stress the importance of being “aware” of your surrounding and the things going on around you as a key element to your survival.

Move to a state of “living in yellow” – “Aware”. With the today’s fondness for new games . . . like the Knock-Out-Game . . . it just makes sense to scan your surroundings, be aware of people moving towards you, of things that just don’t “feel right”. We all have “Spider Senses” – hone them!

And, along with this new found awareness – be willing to ACT on what you see or sense. If it feels “off”, it probably is. If there are a group of young men locked on you – wishing things to be different will not change the situation. Be willing to move to a safer place, to create distance and – as a very last resort – be willing to defend yourself, your family and your friends with deadly force.

Master Your Weapon

Your concealed weapon is your very last resort to protect your life, that of your family or friend. It’s not meant as a tool to threaten or to warn. It’s meant to be used only if you are unable to evade or escape attack. If you do not employ it in your defense . . . you go home in a ZipLoc. It only makes sense to me that you are its MASTER!

What does that mean exactly – to “Master” your weapon. To me it means that it has become an extension of your body. Its draw, extension, target acquisition is as natural as you pointing your finger at a person. That should events unfold that you have determined your single last resort is to use your weapon to protect your life, or the life of a family member or friend you don’t have to think . . . Access Chest, Grip Chest, Draw Chest, Rotate Chest, Join, Extend . . . your weapon is simply out and on target.

It means that if a malfunction occurs you don’t have the urge to call a little range conference of your friends to determine what the heck happened . . . you simply clear the malfunction.

It means that you take care of your weapon – clean, lube and inspect it with the sure knowledge that at a critical moment, this is the only thing that may well stand between you and your Maker.

It means that you are NEVER SATISIFIED with your skill level. It means that your train diligently on the range, that you continue to take course work and that you work to be the absolute best shooter you can possibly be.

That YOU are its master!

One other thing . . .

Carry the damn thing . . . EVERY DAY . . . WITHOUT FAIL!!

Remember – Complacency Kills

Murphy is a brutal teacher caring little whether you arrive home safe tonight or are lying on a steel table at the local coroner’s office. The feelings of your family and friends matter little to him.

Take a moment – every morning – before you take up your EDC gear and clear your head. Focus your mind. The arguments of the night before, the tasks of the day, the stresses of life – little and large – all can get in the way of your primary task for the day . . . getting back home, safe. Go through your mental check list.

• Weapon?
• Magazine firmly inserted, round in the chamber?
• Spare magazine?
• Backup knife?
• Flashlight?
• Do you have all EDC gear you normally carry?

No excuses . . . “Well, I don’t think anything’s going to happen today – I think I’ll just leave all this crap home today!”

Pick up your scanning . . . and make it your goal to live in Condition Yellow, “Aware”.

Set aside distractions – your iPod/MP3 player, leave texting until you’re at your destination, insure your clothing provides you maximum visibility. All simple things – and that’s the problem. They’re simple to do . . . and just as simple to forget.

It’s your job to keep you head in the game all day . . . Murphy’s waiting . . .

If each of us take these 5 tenets to heart . . . make them a part of our daily life . . . we significantly increase our chances of getting home, safe.

Training – The “ZipLoc” Test . . . .

 

There has been a running discussion on a number of training blogs/Facebook pages that I frequent recently on the topic of when, exactly, would you or I, as a person who carries a weapon for personal defense, inject ourselves and our weapons into a confrontation between two or more other people. A dicey situation to say the least. One that can easily be made much complex if we come into the middle of the situation rather than being able to watch it unfold before our eyes.

There is a well-known blogger/trainer/police officer by the name of Greg Ellifritz who recently related a call he was involved with in an article entitled “A Cautionary Tale for CCW Permit Carriers”. The link will take you to his company page. Take a moment and read the article, it will put the rest of this post in context.

There are many ways this event could have gone sideways. The civilian could have shot the loss prevention officer. Or, the officer could have engaged the civilian. The officer arriving on scene could have engaged the civilian. Thankfully the civilian left, the thief was arrested and everyone went home at the end of the day.

There are other examples floating around out there – and they all give pause to this thought . . . what would YOU do? Let’s talk about this a bit.

I divide this topic into two separate categories – “Accompanied” and “Un-Accompanied”.

“Accompanied”

I am out and about “accompanied” by my wife, friend, kids, grandkids or someone else I would consider as being under my protection. And THAT is where my allegiance lies should I happen upon a situation where it appears that one person is being attacked by one or more attackers. Those people IN MY CHARGE are my primary responsibility and I will do what I must to protect THEM from harm – period! I will guide them away from the area immediately if possible, I will take them to cover if that is my only option and I will remain with them and protect them until help arrives or I’m dead.

There is a great deal you can do that is helpful while you are securing your charges. Call 911, tell them who you are, where you are, what is going on, give full and complete descriptions, tell them you are protecting those in your charge and that you are armed, describe your location, what you are wearing and then stay on the line until assistance arrives. Your moral obligation lies with those in your charge – and nowhere else.

Sound harsh? Perhaps, but if your involvement has any possibility of putting your loved ones in harm’s way – I earnestly suggest you take a pass, protect your charges and then be the best witness you can be.

“Un-Accompanied”

In this case, I am out and about by myself – no charges under my protection. At this point I recommend the “ZipLoc Test”. I see an encounter between two people – and it is obvious that one of them is about to go home in a ZipLoc – the person under attack may be about to be shot, stabbed or beaten to death with some blunt object. At that point I would make the decision whether to intervene or not. Honestly, I do not believe I could take a pass and walk away and let a person be killed in front of me. Gratefully I have never been in such an encounter – but I have thought about it, have gamed different scenarios as I walk the street or parking lot or restaurant or store. And the ZipLoc Test is my go/no go point.

Once that decision has been made – that you ARE going to act, a number of other factors come into play . . .

• One or Multiple Attackers
• Type of weapon/weapons the attacker is using
• Possible “tail gunners” (others involved that are hanging in the crowd to see if there are any “Duddly Do-Rights” like you out there)
• By-Standers
• Do you have a shot?
• Where are the exits and entrances?
• Is cover available?
• Have the police been called?

Once you decide to act, once you have drawn your weapon – you have entered a world where you have chosen to use deadly force to stop the encounter if necessary. From the instant your weapon clears the holster you own everything you do – the words you use, the rounds you fire and the lives you take. You MUST be able to justify every action and every piece of equipment you have on you from your weapon to the rounds in the chamber. You must be able to articulate this in a clear and concise fashion.

And, should the attacker suddenly turn on you – you must be willing to stop the threat. That instant is life changing. It is a grave responsibility to take another life. The time to prepare for an encounter like this, or an encounter that threatens only you – is now, today . . . not with your attorney as you prep for your trial.

You MUST be proficient in the use of your weapon. You MUST understand how to defend your actions. You MUST be able to justify and articulate your actions, your weapons, your ammunition, your training . . . your entire history in the use of firearms. In the course work I teach I continually preach the idea of a “thinking shooter”. I understand the “rush” of the quick draw and the two rounds on target in less than two seconds. But if it is done in situations like those above and done without thought or full evaluation of what is going on . . . your day may not end well.

Obviously the response to a direct “Condition Red” situation is much different than you being drawn into a situation involving two or more other people. In “Condition Red” you are simply reacting to save your own life. But, to inject yourself into someone else’s situation – that demands that your head be in the game, that you be a thinking shooter and not just some guy/gal packin’ heat that decides to go all sheepdog.

Bottom line – YOU are responsible for your actions . . . and you better be damn clear why you took them . . .