Practical Observation Post

Greg over at Active Response Training has an article about boundaries. This article is about a local incident that happened last week. It is a gut wrenching attack that points out being ready for the fight and what is the line that you will not let anyone cross. We all have boundaries. What is your plan if someone crosses yours?

Over Here is a great article talking about the technical aspects of the effects of alcohol and your body in reguards to fat loss and muscle growth. Take a look. It dives pretty deeply into the aspects of drinking and your body. Could it have a positive or negative affect on your training. The old adage is "someone, somewhere is out there training to kill you".

Greg over at Active Response Training has a great article about some stupid active killer advice Here . Honestly I believe that there is more bad information about active killers than there is good. A great class to take would be Countering a mass shooter by the USCCA. In reading this article ponder not only slowing down the attacker but help.

This is an article from a study from an unlikely source. Harvard University studied a link between firearms, crime and gun control. The results are surprising to some but to others they make sense and have been clear for years. More guns = Less crime...

Great article here about maintaining a good balance of welcome and security. This is a major consideration on having a strong welcoming environment that is safe for all attending. Please give it a read and comment what hits you.

Here is a great article from an FBI report with some interesting graphics showing that when an armed citizen is present during an active shooter that the citizen is successfull 94% of the time. That is HUGE. Now consider where you carry and where you don't carry and why you chose.

The four points in this article are really the foundation of a good concealed carrier. Avoiding the fight is critical. The originator of the four points is Tom Givens from rangemaster.  H/T to Active Self Protection

Greg Ellifritz has posted about a great book Warnings Unheeded from Andy Brown, an Air Force Security Police Officer. A few years back I was at a seminar where we were able to listen to Andy give a first hand account of what happened that day and what happened to him afterward. He went into detail on the training he was doing beforehand and the ramifications that he faced after a good shoot. Check out the book if possible. 

Massad Ayoob has a great article titled "Body language and threat recognition" Please give it a detailed read. It has some fantastic points about pre-attack indicators and what to watch out for when dealing with people. Apply this knowledge to not only unknown people but also known people. Attacks can come from people you know too.

A Biblical Argument for Self-Defense Here is a pretty good video and thought process about the Biblical stance on self defense. Have you thought out what your faith says about self defense? I know what I believe. 

Tatiana Whitlock demos how defend your family while around children This is a good video showing some good technique for dealing with threats while carrying a child. Give it some thought on how you carry not only your firearm but how you carry your children. Personally I always keep my child on my off hand side so I have not only the ability to use the firearm from my strong side but also my other defensive tools. Give it a watch to the end. Also the video is sponsored by Crossbreed Holsters. They are my personal choice for concealed carry.

This is a pretty good article. Four things to start with on hardening your place of worship. This is a very short list and is just a start. Please check out the video near the bottom from Active Self Protection. John always has great videos and good stuff.

Aftermath. Have you considered what happens to the people that survive a shooting? Not just the survivors but the people that respond to the shooter and take action. This is an in-depth article about the first person to take action and pursue the Southerland Springs shooter. Give it a read and ponder the points. Notice the different reactions and how family members are coping.

Have you considered how long it takes for EMS to get to your location if you or someone else was injured? Could the time be cut down if you just placed them into a vehicle if possible and get them to the ER as fast as you can? This is and interesting study published stating that considering factors "Patients with penetrating injuries were 62 percent less likely to die when transported by private vehicle compared to EMS." That is a huge number. Transport rate study

Intro: Hello. My name is Jesse and my background is varied across a number of subjects. I am a NRA certified Training Counselor, NRA CRSO, Massad Ayoob Group Deadly Force Instructor Graduate, Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator, Former EMT, trained in multiple disciplines of hand to hand defense and many many other classes. I spent nearly ten years on a church security team and have a unique perspective that I will try to pass on in this blog.  There will be articles that I write for the blog and other articles that will be frequently shared from other Instructors that I respect. At times I will recommend products that help with one thing or another. Most if not all of what I recommend I have used and tested myself.     The point of Practical Observation Post is to show a practical approach to a number of topics centered on self defense and self reliance.