Xmas Guntalk

https://www.facebook.com/cedarvalleyoutfitters/videos/325952251576917/

Puck Controversy and the DERP

A few days ago ABC News posted a news article about Oakland University in suburban Detroit handing out hockey pucks to help counter an active shooter. You can read the original article here:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/university-passes-hockey-pucks-defense-active-shooters/story?id=59468711

From the article the purpose of this initiative is "circulating hockey pucks around campus in case of a dire situation, and raising funds to retrofit the school's classroom doors so that they can be locked from the inside."

Predictably the usual suspects in the "shall not be infringed/guns are magic talismans crowd" chimed in making snarky comments, calling people snowflakes and other helpful suggestions. Even Rock and Roll icon and outspoken meat eater Ted Nugent chimed in on his Facebook page "And yet more mushybrained freaks plummet further into the abys of politically correct numbnutness. The desoulling of America on the fastrack to hell. "

The DERP and ridicule was thick. But really what are all these folks upset about? Are they upset that the University is a "gun free zone"? Probably. Are they upset that someone had an idea that didn't involve a firearm and a lethal response? Maybe. Are they sadly living in an open carry fantasy land? Yup

The problem with making fun of initiatives like this is it stifles efforts to promote an aggressive mindset as well as denying reality. Here is a reality check for you. SOMETIMES I DON'T CARRY A GUN. I carry where ever I can legally however If you are promoting breaking the law by carrying in prohibited places as your defensive strategy you are the problem. If your only plan is to shoot something and suddenly you are deprived of the tool you can use to do that then your plan is not a plan at all. Sometime even if you have a gun you shouldn't use it.

Early in my military career I learned about an acroynym PACE. Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency. As in have a plan for all those things. So why not give folks hockey pucks to distract the bad guy and potentially escape or divert attention while someone else tackles them to the ground and beats them senseless? Are we so tied to the gun agenda we can't have backup plans?

Sun Tzu in the Art of War said this "

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

During my decades in the US Army Special Forces I was taught to know my operational environment. Should we be working towards changing schools from gun free zones to a different status? Absolutely, but until then we must operate within the constraints placed upon us. That's reality, not cowboy shoot em up fantasy camp.

Additionally the entire second objective has been missed in all the hoopla. The University is trying to raise money to become a harder target. They are actually raising funds to increase security. Are we so tied to an agenda that we can't see the forest for the trees? The ultimate goal is to keep people safe. You do that by education and infrastructure improvements. Training and mindset cultivation. The gun community needs to quit being assholes and get on board.

IEMSA 2018

I was invited to speak at the Iowa Emergency Medical Association Annual Conference. I talked about the Role of Research in Traumatic Hemorrhage Control and 5 EMS different refresher topics. I also got to audit some other speakers and network with peers. Was a good time.

Tac Med Seminar EMSLRC 11.26.18

Conducted my TAC Med seminar to new paramedic students at EMSLRC

CVO Guntalk Episode 36

https://www.facebook.com/cedarvalleyoutfitters/videos/595694887532804/

https://www.facebook.com/cedarvalleyoutfitters/videos/574235456362641/

Time To Stop The Bleeding

This is the best most articulate response I have seen to the NRA tweet debacle

Sandy Hook Promise: Gun violence warning signs

This video does a good job or pointing out some warning signs prior ti a mass shooting.

CVO Guntalk Episode 35 "Son of Guntalk"

We are back

t=0https://www.facebook.com/cedarvalleyoutfitters/videos/1903804646335023/?t=0

Casualty Care 1 Blackwall Fitness 14 Oct 18

Private IDS Class 10.12.18

Fundamentals of Concealed Carry 9.23.18

Tactical Emergency Casualty Care 9.14 and 9.15, Nauvoo IL

Co taught a Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Course this past weekend. Always enjoy this course 

Intuitive Defensive Carbine 9.8.18

Mandalay Bay FEMA After Action Report

FEMA released its report on the Mass Shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas on 1 Oct 2017.

Some interesting highlights that bolster positions I have promoted for some time in regards to civilian preparedness and medical response.

"Good Samaritan stories of civilians—as well as many off-duty first responders and military—aiding, protecting, and providing care to the wounded were a major success observed in this response. These efforts were essential to saving many lives before emergency medical crews were able to access the site. A medical director for emergency preparedness at a trauma center that received patients from the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 explained, “Time is the most critical factor…People would talk about the golden hour. Really, what we’re talking about is the golden minutes.”3 Transportation and basic first-aid “Stop the Bleed” care provided by local citizens and other concertgoers enabled many wounded to later access the life-saving care they needed "

From the report:
Recommendations: Fire Department and Law Enforcement

 Ensure that response agencies have mechanisms in place to coordinate with civilian volunteers and organize donations, efficiently incorporating these resources into operations.
Support community “Stop the Bleed” first-aid training and education programs. "

CPR/AED/First Aid 8.18 and 8.31.18

Church Safety Team getting skills refreshed

Intuitive Defensive Shooting 8.25.18

Fundamentals of Concealed Carry 8.19.18

Conducted a large Intro to Defensive Pistol/Fundementals of Concealed Carry Class followed by a few hours of private Pistol/Carbine instruction. Long day..good students #eighteenzulu #poweredbycfs #cedarvalleyoutfitters #focc #IDC #IDS

Active Shooter Response Covington La. 8.14 and 14.2018

Helped Bearco training with ASRC

Leg Lasso Knife Defense Craig Douglas Shivworks

I am a huge fan of Craig Douglas and his Shivworks coursework. I have attended several of his classes in the past. Recently Craig posted a video on Facebook which you can find here https://www.facebook.com/384993038366814/videos/876811662518280/ . In the video Craig outlined a grappling position he had been experimenting with in a bladed environment. The video above is another gentleman's rebuttal. This was posted in the comments of the original Shivworks post. Craig thanked him for his comment. That is why I am a fan of Craig. We will not move forward making people better if we can't take a little constructive criticism. I am sure Craig is already on the mat working out some of the suggestions.

Casualty Care 1 Crossroads Shooting Sports 7.22.18

CVO Guntalk Episode 034 "Pigs Don't Eat the Hair"

Active Shooter Response 7.16.18

CPR/AED and CasualtyCare 2 7.14.18

Spent the day with my peeps @ribeirojj_iowacity teaching CPR and Casualty Care 2. Awesome students, awesome host, good questions, a great day #icbjj #ribierojiujitsu #eighteenzulu #beyourownfirstresponder

Casualty Care 1 7.8.18

Private CCW and Intro to Defensive Pistol 7.1.18

CVO Gun Talk Episode 033 Rob Pincus

CVO Guntalk Episode 032 Happy Anniversary?

Intuitive Defensive Shooting 6.2.18

CVO Guntalk Episode 031 Emily Blomme

Active Shooter Response Seminar Pekin Insurance 5.21.18

Gave a daylong seminar to varying groups of employees. Active Shooter Response is an important topic. About 500 employees participated. 

M.A.R.C.H

https://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/video/march-assessment-trauma-management-015217/

CVO Gun Talk Episode 030 "How to Help"

FDHD and FOCC 5.12.18

HeartSaver CPR AED

HeartSaver CPR

Immediate Casualty Care 1 4.7.18

Today’s ICC1 class 

CVO Guntalk Episode 029 with Jason Clarke

CVO Gun Talk Episode 028 Did you hear about HR 5087?

ASRC 3.31.2018

PDN Training Talk: March 15, 2018

I was a guest on PDN Training Talk. Was a great discussion

Hiawatha FD and Iowa County EMS Days

Spoke on Role of Research In Traumatic Hemorrhage and SALT triage system

CVO Guntalk Episode 027 “What Now?”

Run Hide Fight....There is no order

Active shooter response programs teach in a linear format that is designed so that the student can learn the knowledge in a logical order. The ALICE program uses Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Escape, The Department of Homeland Security encourages you to RUN HIDE FIGHT!!! The program I teach talks about Evade,Barricade Respond. What is missed in the national discussion about these programs is that none of them are designed to follow a specific order.

In a chaotic spree killer situation people are going to react as individuals first. They are going to react based on their ability to process information,their experience,training,physical abilities and mindset. Each response will be individual and unique. Any training program that assumes that a coordinated group response is guaranteed is setting victims up for failure. While group action may occur it will only occur after individuals have decided what is best for them.

Evade
Evasion is the act of getting somewhere the killer can not reach us. This is always the best option. However based on the immediate situation it might not be the first option. It is very likely an individual might have to barricade, arm themselves, then run. One may have to run to a position of cover that is short of actually exiting,barricade and fight only to run again.

Barricade
Barricading is the act of making it harder for the killer to get to us. It can involve piling heavy furniture in front of or locking the door. Covering windows,turning off the lights, being quiet. Hiding is a form of barricading. What ever action you can take to make it harder for the killer to get to you is barricading.

Respond
Respond is any act we can do to to keep the killer from hurting us. Should you choose to respond you need to do it like your life depends on it, because it does. You want to attack eyes,joints, vulnerable areas of the anatomy and shut down the attackers "computer". This is not the time for compassion or squeamishness. This is life or death and you need to mentally prepare yourself for that. If the attacker has a firearm as long as you are not in front of the muzzle it can't hurt you. Redirect it, look for opportunities or lulls in fire. Malfunctions or reloads are a good time to act.

All of these things may happen simultaneously or not at all depending on the situation. When you are developing an active shooter response plan you need to develop a defense in depth. Make a minefield for the attacker to hinder their ability to hurt you. Constantly look to improve your situation and arm yourself with improvised weapons. Your plan will evolve based on updated information.

Try this 10 second drill wherever you go

Where are the exits (traditional and non traditional)
Possible cover?
Who looks like a threat?
Who looks like they will help me?
Who looks like they won't?
What improvised weapons do I see?
What plausible scenarios might happen here?

Be safe and keep training

CVO Guntalk Podcast Episode 026 Run Hide Fight?

Active Shooter Response Class 2.3.18

ASRC x 2. A long day but successful.

Shot Show 2018 CVO Podcast Episode 025 with John Sindt

Immediate Casualty Care 1 1.27.18

Another great class

Immediate Casualty Care 1 1.21.18

Immediate Casualty Care 1 in the books. Another great class with great discussion #icc1 #tecc #eighteenzulu 

Immediate Casualty Care 1 Mason City 1.14.18

One of the students had this to say about this class
"Just took the Immediate Casualty Care class given by Mike, and wow!! I'm an EMR and I learned more in this 4 hour course then I did in my EMR courses about mass bleeding. I recommend this course to everyone even if you are not in a medical field, what he taught could be used at home or while you are out with your family."