Eighteen Zulu: stopthebleed

Friday, March 12, 2021

Weaponizing the Common Person

I have spent the majority of my life teaching folks how to be safe. It started when I was a 20 year old Paratrooper and 81 mm Mortar Squad Leader and I had to teach my squad crew drill, immediate actions and all the individual and collective tasks needed to operate at the squad level. Subsequently I have taught everything from weapons maintenance, infantry tactics, freefall parachuting, and medical subjects to conflict de-escalation and defensive tactics. I have been on the periphery of the civilian "training" industry since 2014. First as a contracted instructor and now as a local gun store employee.

With my background I could cater training to all the "tacticool" individuals looking for a fantasy camp experience but I find it more fulfilling and a better use of my time educating the first time gun owner on proper grip and stance or the college age female on how to manage space and avoid danger. I enjoy watching the light bulb turn on during a Permit to Carry class when the individual realizes the awesome responsibility they are taking on by electing to carry a firearm. When those individuals spend their own time, energy and resources with me for additional training, be it firearms, medical or anything else, it truly makes the time spent in curriculum and Instructor development worthwhile.

I am passionate about making folks better prepared. I will continue to concentrate on the "average Joe and Jill" and continue to make them one percent better.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

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. "