I was doing some skills maintenance work with another trainer last week and he caught me making a fairly common mistake during my after action assessment:  When I’d scan the area behind me, I was moving my head and eyes but I wasn’t really ‘seeing’.  I was just going through the motions.  We catch students doing that all the time.

A proper scan involves many sub-tasks dealing with weapon handling, how we move, when we perform reloads and what kind, etc.  Here, I want to focus (no pun intended) mainly on some of the visual issues of an after action assessment.

So, you’ve just won a fight to your front.  Either the Threat has changed his mind because you won the psychological fight or you’ve had to convince him by shooting him.  He’s down and no longer presents a threat or he’s running away.  What do you do now?

First, remember the Plus One Rule:  If you see one BG, assume there are two; if you see two BG’s, assume there are three; etc., etc.

You’re very probably experiencing tunnel vision so your peripheral vision will be greatly reduced.  I hate to categorically say ‘you absolutely will experience’ ANY of the common physiological responses to stress, but here I’m tempted.  Leaving stress completely out of the equation, the act of focusing on the sights is alone enough to cause some perceptual narrowing.

Tunnel vision is so common and so dangerous we put duct tape on the outer third of each lens of your shooting glasses to force you to deal with the effect during training.  Students are universally bothered by the tape when they’re not on the firing line.  But, not one student has reported being aware of the tape DURING a drill.

Tunnel vision is sometimes called ‘perceptual narrowing’ which does a better job of describing the problem.   And it doesn’t take stress to cause it.  A hard visual focus on something can cause tunnel vision.

If you’re in a stressful or dangerous situation, keep your head on a swivel.  Like a fighter pilot.

So, you’re moving your head.  Good.  Now slow down and actually see.  Don’t move your eyes faster than they can process what they’re sweeping over.  I can’t stress enough how important this is.  One of the tricks we use in defensive firearm classes to train the student to slow down and process is to have other students behind the firing line hold index cards with various words, numbers or shapes printed on them.   Not up, but down where hands are normally held.  The student on the line then has to call out what he sees in the hands of the students at his 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions as he makes his scan.  He should not perform any non-emergency reload until he’s completed the scan and can say for certain there are no other fights imminent.

What door?

Several years ago I was moving through a shoot house at a tactical seminar and confronted with two danger areas:  An open window to my right and a hallway to my left.  I was so busy moving my visual and mental focus from those two obvious danger areas, right and left, that I completely missed seeing the not-so-obvious door in the middle of the wall directly in front of me.  It is SO easy to miss otherwise obvious details because you’re focused on something else.

Check this out (a very important point is made at the 2:48 mark):

You can read more about the phenomenon here:

Inattentional blindness

Back to our problem…

If you see someone during your scan, first look at the whole person.  Every person will fit into one of four categories:

Category 1 =  Friend

Category 2 = Neutral

Category 3 = Threat

Category 4 = Possible (threat)

‘Friends’ are people you know that can and will help you.  That includes those you actually know and those you can categorize as ‘Friends’ by their uniform, actions, etc.  I may not know you, but when you take your place on the line and lock your shield to mine, we’re friends.

‘Neutrals’ describes the vast majority of people (sheep) and may include people you actually know and call friends but who cannot / will not help you.  They just get in the way.

Category 3 is easy.  Category 4 presents a problem.

When categorizing people, be cautious about taking drastic steps based on individual pieces of information, whether that information is in the form of appearance or behavior.  Remember to look at the whole person.  If someone you don’t recognize is shooting AT you or running AT you with a contact weapon, etc., that probably means something.  But, not all strangers with guns are Bad People.

An important point

You may have difficulty recognizing people you know.  The eyes are working but there’s no comprehension.  I have seen people fail to recognize actual real life friends and co-workers during training scenarios where the stress level was presumably less than during a real incident.  Be careful.

Put yourself in their shoes

Should you decide to get involved in someone else’s problem, here’s a recommendation:  BEFORE you approach a Friend or other Good Guy/Girl this stressed, first call them by name [if you know it] and then say yours.  ‘Pat, it’s me, Steve!’  These three pieces of information – the sound of your voice, the fact you know their name, and your name – should help them mentally connect the dots and put you in Cat 1.

I know it sounds bizarre, but this is not an uncommon phenomenon.  Be prepared in case they don’t recognize you.  

In response to the write up of our last BDS, I’ve had a few inquiries about when we’ll do another.  That depends on you.  Any interest in a one day BDS?

Just got a call from Schofield’s ACE Hardware in Florence.  They recently received a shipment of 4K rounds of .38 Special ammunition (Blazer, 158 LRN), selling at $30 / 50.

Also in:  1K rounds of .357 Magnum, selling at $35 / 50.

.38 Special ammunition has been very hard to find lately so consider getting some now if you intend to take a CWP class.  We require a maximum of 100 rounds for a CWP class, although you can get by with less.  Minimum is 50 rounds for the qualification course.

They’ve also got mil-spec AR mags at a good price.

Any questions, call 843-669-6393.

We’re changing our policy regarding deposits and class cancellations.  For our classes at Lake Darpo, you probably know we have to arrange for the use of both the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office range and the Darlington County Recreation Department’s (DCRD) cabin.  In both cases we compete with others for that space.   So, when we reserve a weekend,  we’re impacting other people that may want the cabin or range but got in line behind us.

DCRD has a policy that they be notified of cancellations at least two weeks before the requested date(s) or the requester loses their deposit.   Over the years, we’ve had to occasionally cancel a class at the last minute and DCRD has been very generous with us, because of our non-profit status, and returned our deposit even though we were within the two week period and they could have kept it.  In return, we’ve been very generous in returning deposits of students who have cancelled at the last minute.  If it doesn’t cost us anything, we’re not going to charge you anything.

Due to the ammunition situation, class cancellations are becoming more common and I don’t want to lose the goodwill we’ve developed with the DCRD.  No problems so far; I’m just being proactive.

Here’s the new policy:

If you want to seat in a class, you need to get me a deposit.  If I don’t get a deposit from you, I’m assuming you’re not coming.  That applies to everyone.  If I don’t have the required number of deposits when I reach the two week mark, I’m cancelling the class then and notifying DCRD and the DSCO in case others want to use either facility.  

This doesn’t mean that ALL reservations must be received more than two weeks before a class date.  It means I’m making the GO or NO GO decision for that class based on deposits I’ve received by the two week date.   If you find yourself suddenly able to attend a class inside the two week window, bu all means contact me.  IF the class is meeting and IF there’s room available, I’ll gladly reserve a spot for you once I receive your deposit.

Obviously, if your situation changes and you have to drop out prior to the two week deadline, I’ll refund your payment or apply it to a future class, your choice.  After that, refunds will be decided on a case by case basis.

Again, this isn’t meant to be punitive to our students.  DCRD has a policy (for a reason) and this is what we have to do to operate within it.

Thanks for your understanding.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

The open range day will went last Friday.  Several Paladin alumni came out and took advantage of the opportunity to get some quality trigger time.  Various paper targets were available as were several types of steel.  The Dreaded Rotator was fun (and often enlightening) for those who had the confidence to try it.
Here’s a 3 minute video on the Rotator by its inventor:

Several participants left wanting one.  Contact my good friend Steve Camp at www.ravelingroup.com and he’ll hook you up.

Next time I’ll bring a Dueling Tree.  We’ve got a nice Speedwell Dueling Tree donated by Chris Watkins atwww.gunn-fighter.com.  Not sure why I didn’t take it last Friday.  It would been a good addition.

Most who showed up were graduates of our UBC course wanting to run the scenario.  We’ve added some new barricade / cover elements that worked out well here.

I purchased a S&W MP15/22 (.22LR caliber) early April and Friday was the first time I had a chance to work with it.  Every one I’ve seen or shot has been reliable and accurate and this one is no exception.  I’m convinced the MP 15/22 is a great training tool and I expect I’ll be using mine much in the future to supplement full power training w/ the standard AR15.

The most interesting gun I saw Friday was an MP15/22 with an integral suppressor by Innovative Arms in Elgin, SC.  Using subsonic ammunition, the thing was scary quiet.  All you could hear was the bolt cycle and the impact of the round downrange.

Like the unsuppressed versions, this one was very accurate out to 100 yards (the longest shot we could take).

I’ve heard nothing but praise for IA’s work and customer service.  You can check them out here:  Hush!

It was good to see those who showed up.  And a  big thanks to you who helped defray our expenses with a donation! 

We had a successful BDS last Saturday.  Most of the students had more than one EUREKA! moment when they learned something new and useful about the shotgun.  Also, most managed to complete the class without the expected bruising, ‘rabbit lips’, etc.  Of course, a slip-up in shotgun technique WILL be rewarded with a teaching point, as some found out.

Tactical Genius

A new addition to Paladin’s BDS curriculum is the ‘Biden’ technique:  At the first sign of danger, point the shotgun up in the air and unload it.  Never let it be said we’re not open to new ideas here at PTI.

What an idiot.

Actually, we worked a lot on basic skills like loading and unloading; we learned the pros and cons of different ready conditions; we patterned buckshot at various distances; we learned to engage threats to either side and to the rear while efficiently getting off the attacker’s ‘line of power’; we learned to scan; we learned how to pie corners and take the shot from cover; we did basic work with birdshot and then tested our technique with buckshot; we learned how to manipulate the action properly; we discovered the issues that come from having to fight with a shotgun from unconventional positions; we discovered that a weapon mounted light is not just a useful accessory, it’s an essential.

In short, we learned how to run the gun and hit the target, in daylight and in dark.   All the training comes down to this:  Win this fight, see if there are other immediate fights, get ready for future fights.

A Big Plus

We got to train in the rain!  I am seriously a little disappointed the rain stopped before the night fire segment as that would have added a nice component to the mix.

My relationship with the shotgun as a fighting tool is developing.  I started to say ‘confused’.  I spend so much time on the rifle I don’t think much about shotguns.  True, there’s one nearby as I write this, but I seriously wonder if I’d even think of it should the need arise.  Then, I teach one of these classes and I’m reminded:

The shotgun is an awesome home defense weapon! 

Based on student demand, we only do the BDS twice a year.  I would love to be able to make it part of the normal defensive firearm rotation and do one once a quarter.  It’s worthy of it.

If you want it, let me know.

Paladin Training will begin offering UT CWP training this summer, maybe JULY.  The class will probably take around four hours.  Cost should be in the $75 – $100 range.  Alumni of Paladin’s CWP training will get a discount.

Because our SC CWP class is twelve hours, the UT CWP class will be a stand-alone class and not added on to the end of the SC class.

We’re still working out the details.  I’ve completed the UT CWP instructor class, but still have some paperwork to turn in.  I’ll keep you posted.

I will be manning the range on Friday, 26 APRIL from 9 am to 6 pm for any Paladin alumni that want some range time.

Shooting v. Working on gunfighting skills

Public ranges may provide a nice venue to ‘shoot’, but for good reasons, they usually don’t allow movement or work from a holster.  If you’ve been spending a lot of time training under those constraints, this is a good time to work on those two very critical areas and try to buff out any training scars you’ve picked up.

I will NOT be conducting training, but I will be acting as rangemaster / safety officer and doing what I can to keep the chaos to a minimum.

I WILL have some steel targets set up for your use.  You may also bring your own paper targets or you can use Paladin paper targets for .50 each.

Completed the UBC?

If you’ve completed our UBC class, from 6 pm to 8 pm the range will be open for you to run the UBC course of fire.  Bring your partner or we’ll pair you up.  If no one else is available, I’ll run it with you.

Cost?

A donation to offset travel costs and cabin rental would be greatly appreciated but not necessary.

Please contact me to let me know if you intend to take advantage of either session so I’ll have an idea what to expect, attendance wise.

Come train with us on Saturday, 27 APRIL.  The class will be held at Lake Darpo, Society Hill, SC and will run from 9 am to 9 pm.  There will be a night-fire session.

Contact me if  you’re interested so I can send you the details on what to bring, expect, etc.

About shotgun ammunition…

This is not meant to be a Universal Truth, but based on my experience, I have to conclude that most bird hunters don’t train for armed self-defense… at least not with a shotgun.  We have some in our classes, but compared to the bird and buckshot using hunting population, not very many.  I think this explains why, unlike centerfire and rimfire cartridges, shotgun ammunition is not currently in short supply.  I expect that to change.

If a shotgun is part of your defensive plan, take advantage of this oversight and stock up on the stuff before hunting season starts.  Expect to see shortages here, too, once the hunters start buying.  Don’t wait.

Legal Heat has a useful app that will help you find gun laws of the different states while on the move.  It’s available for both I-Phones and Android systems.

Cost:  99 cents.

Check out:  www.mylegalheat.com