In our last post we brought you a scenario in which an emergency occurred and a Tourniquet was used.  As promised, let’s go into more detail.

Tourniquets are devices that can restrict blood flow by compressing the blood vessels.  This is crucial in extremity wounds that involve trauma, and can severely halt, or even fully stop a bleed.  Your life could very well be saved by this small device.  I strongly recommend learning how to properly use it, as not only could it be used on yourself, but on a loved one or wounded bystander.  
 
In many TV shows, belts are used as tourniquets, as are clothing like sweatshirts and the like.  These methods are ineffective and do not stem (effectively stop) the blood flow; at most these methods may slow a bleed. 
 
Without a stiff and proper windlass (the name for to really crimp down on the limb, it will not work as well as a tourniquet.  As well, belts can not tighten as much as a tourniquet from the get go.

If However, if this is your only choice, then do it.  Pressure to a wound will slow the bleeding and can save your life. When considering what type of tourniquet to buy, you must consider how you will carry it, and what the purpose of it is.   A Special Forces Operator will carry a different one than a SWAT Medic, and the medic’s will likely carry a different one than the average Joe.  I’ll show the two most common and easiest to understand of the tourniquets that are likely to be found in the average civilians EDC kit.

The CAT or Combat Application Tourniquet is a great tourniquet, and will suffice to cover 99.99% of incidents that the average civilian will encounter.  As well, it is easy to use and straight-forward in its construction.  It comes fully apart to wrap around a limb, but only tightens 3 inches when using the windlass, so you have to ensure that it is wrapped tight around the limb prior to using the windlass.  Make sure you have the newest generation of CAT to ensure you have the most updated version that makes up for the deficiencies of the last generations

The SOF-T is an  open-loop tourniquet with a fully metal windlass. Early versions have a narrow strap and a metal “alligator” clip with a locking screw to hold down the strap. There are two plastic D-ring securing points for the windlass once it has been tightened. For these tourniquets, users should make sure the locking screw is engaged prior to tightening the windlass to avoid unintentional loosening of the tourniquet.

Do you have a personal experience of a Tourniquet saving your life? Will you share your story with us? Leave your comments here in the blog and we’ll respond to you personally.

Now that we shared this knowledge on being aware of medical emergencies and how to care for yourself or others if the unfortunate
occurs, check back with us for our final advice on this article

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The assailant goes down in front of his vehicle; you go down next to yours. 
You have a bullet wound in your leg and it’s bleeding badly.  
 
You’re able to dial 911, and EMS tells you help will arrive in 10 minutes, but with the rapid loss of blood, 10 minutes will be too long for you to still survive. What can you do to save your own life?
 
Now we admit in this scenario we’ve been a bit drastic, however there is a point we want to make with you.  How to provide medical care for yourself if you are injured during a self-defense incident.

The truth is, a wound to one of your extremities could cause a severe disability or even death if it is not dealt with immediately and in the appropriate way.  EMS might not always be in close proximity ...especially if you live in a rural area, where the closest medic service or fire station may be well over half an hour away.
 
It is for reason we want to raise awareness on the benefit of carrying a Tourniquet.

Over the next few articles, we’ll go into more detail about how to use and carry a Tourniquet for self-defense medical emergencies.
 
Here is a request: If you have a personal experience of a Tourniquets saving your life, will you share it with us? Leave your comments here in the blog and we’ll respond to you personally.
 
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Recently we touched on the importance of checking the laws regulating firearms and weapons BEFORE you travel if it is your intent to arm yourself. 
 
Rules can vary by state, but they can also vary by county, districts and so on.  During our next few posts we’ll try to lay a foundation for best practices.
 
The current climate of the United States has altered in a manner that has made traveling with a weapon less and less of a consistent process. 
 
Your destination, how you plan to travel, and what weapon you plan to traveling with are all factors in determining the legality of bringing the weapon with you, on your vacation, as well as providing possible extenuating factors, if you need to defend yourself. 
 
There have been multiple instances of people being detained at their destination, or even along the way, on the journey, for possession of a weapon that was legal in their resident location.
So at what point can a weapon go from legal to illegal during your travels?  As stated it can be complicated and each step of the way should be researched beforehand.
 
Such was the instance of a man who was detained in New Jersey with an unloaded firearm he had legally checked into his baggage while at Salt Lake City.  His circumstance was unfortunate, he had legally checked his firearm with his baggage, but was stranded in New Jersey. He chose to go to a hotel to wait for the correct flight.  When he voluntarily disclosed to the TSA officer (Transportation Security Administration) that he was checking-in a firearm, the man was detained for “possession of a firearm in New Jersey without a New Jersey license.” 
 
The man was held for 10 days before posting bail. The police dropped the charges a few months later. The man attempted to sue the police for detaining him, by citing  a law that allows licensed gun owners to take their weapons through any state as long as the weapons are unloaded and not readily accessible.  Regardless of that law or the outcome of the suit, it’s plain that the man did not avoid his detention nor the inconvenience that comes with an arrest.

A woman was detained in New Jersey as well,  for traveling with a firearm that was legal and registered in Pennsylvania, her place of residence, but was not legal in New Jersey, where during her travel she was pulled over for a traffic infraction.  Again, she voluntarily disclosed to the officer that she was carrying a firearm in the vehicle, and this led to her arrest.  She was held for 40 days in Atlantic County before posting bail.
 
These examples are not put forth to discourage people from traveling to New Jersey, (even though NJ arguably has the strictest gun control laws in the country). We share this information as evidence that all precautions should be taken, (with carrying weapons)  whenever and where ever your travels may take you.
 
Just because various weapons might be legal in your resident location, does not mean they are legal at your destination, or even along points to your destination, or in the different modes of transportation you may be taking.
 
Travel/vacation season will soon be upon us and some people travel as a matter of lifestyle! If you’d like to discuss some to the ways you can intelligently research the travel guidelines related to firearms and other weapons, connect with us.  We at SDTG follow the laws and trends related to firearms in the US. We do not provide legal advice, however we can provide you with a starting point for your research.  Follow this link to set up a Q and A session today!  

 Ref: TSA Firearm Guidelines:  https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

Tasers and stun guns, they’re the same thing right?
 
While you may hear the names taser and stun gun used interchangeably, they are actually different weapons.   
 
A taser deploys prongs from a distance and sends the current through the prongs and into the target, which completes the circuit.
 
A stun gun must be used in closed contact to your assailant. . 
 
Police tasers and civilian tasers operate differently.  The police version has an effective range of roughly 30 feet, while the civilian variant has about half the range.  The civilian taser current is effective for up to 30 secs.; this can give you enough time to get away.  The police taser is good for about 5 seconds, enough time for a trained officer or professional, to approach and control the suspect. 
 
The first step in deciding between a stun gun and a taser should be to learn your local laws. Some states bar civilians from owning tasers and some bar civilians from owning stun guns.  Some areas may ban both. Check your local laws prior to deciding on either.

Let’s assume your area allows you to consider both; then the question is do you opt for a taser that offers distance, or the surety offered by the stun gun?  For the taser to be fully effective, both prongs must make contact and be embedded in the target. . If a prong misses or gets caught in clothing, the taser won’t administer the current, and your target is still standing. 
 
If you’re not willing to accept this risk, a stun gun offers a more sure method of incapacitation.  In some situations the mere threat of being tased or stunned is enough to deter a would be assailant. 
 
My personal recommendation,  should your area allow you to own one, is a taser. While the price tag is more hefty, the advantage of maintaining some distance from the target will allow you avenues of escape. Being within grasping range of an assailant is more dangerous, especially if the stun gun does not have the desired effect.
 
This ends our series of non-lethal self-defense weapons.  In conclusion I hope you can see that all of these weapons have viability, depending on the laws in your area.
 
Your knowledge on the use of multiple methods of self-defense is your best defense!  A firearm, pepper spray a taser or even a key chain knuckle on your person allows tiered responses to various threats as well as options for various locations. 
 
If someone is menacing you but hasn’t yet done something to be a threat to your life or the lives of your loved ones, pepper spray is viable.  If you’re somewhere where you’re not sure of your backdrop, which eliminates the safe use of a firearm, a taser might be the appropriate measure.  Check all local and state laws prior to buying a non lethal, and if you’re going on vacation, check the state and local laws of your destination.
 
Follow this link to Connect with us today and start building your defense strategy with firearms training or with more advice on non-lethal defense solutions

As we continue in our series of non-lethal self defense, let’s explore the use of Batons.  Batons are a fairly obvious and straightforward non-lethal option, and yet as with all, weapons there are some pros and cons to consider.

This weapon is more likely to be carried off-the-body, in something like a backpack or purse.
 
The sizes of the batons and the materials in which they are made have a great deal to do with their effectiveness. So while a baton can be intuitive and can massively compound the striking force of the user on their target, much of a successful outcome depends on the size of the baton and what it is made of.

Many of the concealable batons are retractable and constructed of lightweight materials. While this may be a plus for carrying the baton around, it can become a minus if you find yourself in a situation, because a light-weight baton may not provide enough striking power to stop an assailant or it may bend/warp/break or simply not hold up for enough strikes to allow you to get out of harm’s way.  
 
Do your research. Multiple companies make expandable batons, and their weights and construction vary.  When selecting a baton as a nonlethal weapon, you need to determine the value in the tradeoff between weight and strength. Your decision could be the different between successfully defending yourself or not. 
 
Just keep in mind, while heavier batons may not be as easy to carry, they are usually stronger and are more likely to retain their shape for more powerful and effective strikes.
 
Speaking of strikes, even though the baton may appear to be a simple weapon, it can be callous in the injury it can produce.  In trying to free yourself from a situation, aim your strikes for joints and for the torso.

And remember, SDTG is available for advice, training and consultation.  #AreYouDefenseReady? is a question we always want you to be confident in answering. 

Follow this link to Connect with us today and start building your defense strategy with firearms training or with more advice on non-lethal defense solutions

Keychain knuckles are the contemporary variant of a blast from the past, the brass knuckles. 
 
As with its older counterpart, "keychain knuckles" use your own body’s mechanics to inflict damage on an attacker. 
 
These knuckles are manufactured using either metal, stiff polymers or a dense plastic.  They fit in your hand and have holes for your fingers to slip through like in the example shown, and some have grooves on the sides for your fingers to fit in for a better purchase (more secure)

Keychain Knuckle devices are fairly innocuous. Some may even make it past TSA (The Transportation Security Administration)….which I am not recommending!  They are good during the summer when the attire may not allow the carrying of anything on the body.  Most are fairly light, weighing around 5 ounces or so.  Some are heavier, especially if they are made of metal.

So what are the negatives? To be effective, you’d need to be in close proximity, and having to be in a head-on confrontation may not be the best, depending on your circumstances.  Still, if you can throw a punch, you’ll be able to use these effectively. 
 
Some Keychain Knuckles, (structured like the example shown), have “ears” or prongs that allow for slashing and puncturing.  In preparation for using Keychain Knuckles, I recommend heading to a local flea market, or better yet, your local gun show to gain some experience on the look and feel . Slip one on and test the way it feels in your hands.
 
You want to ensure the Keychain Knuckles you select fit comfortably, and not too bulky or too heavy.  I recommend taking a striking class if you intend on purchasing these. The better and more effective your standard punch is.  The more damage you can do to your opponent without suffering as much yourself.

In closing, as with all weapons, look up the legalities in your area.  Some jurisdictions may declare Keychain Knuckles’  illegal, while others may allow use.  Be sure to check the laws of places you’re traveling to as well, as they may have more restrictive laws than your state.
 
As always, SDTG is here to offer you advice and guidance.  We’ll help you create a unique plan to work with your lifestyle.  Just connect with us.

Act:  This is the stage where you act on all the previously stimuli and observations.  It is at this stage you may draw your firearm, use another self-defense tactic ... or leave the situation in its entirety.

Earlier, we mentioned the O.O.D.A loop has two caveats.  If at any point something occurs that changes the situation drastically, the O.O.D.A loop restarts with the new change in the process. 

You may have decided to simply leave a situation, but then someone assumes a fighting stance.  At this point, your O.O.D.A loop resets.  You observe the stance, orient towards the new threat and make a decision.

Maybe now you'll choose to draw a weapon, rather than leave, and act based on the new information.  The loop may be interrupted, once, twice, fifty times, or not at all.
 
The general rule of thumb however falls back to distance, and personal space.  The closer you are to someone, the more you will focus on that, and the less you will focus on the area around you. 

In crowed spaces, people will be close enough to pull your attention away from something important.  Remember, it all starts with observe ... so it's back to "observe everything".

Let us help you develop some of the special skills involved in becoming more observant...schedule a consultation today.

Last week in O.O.D.A, we talked about the first step in the concept: Observe.  This week we'll touch on Orient. The entire concept works in unison.

 The O.O.D.A loop has two caveats, the first that crowds and being in packed lines (like is common for the holidays) make observation extremely difficult.  Prioritization of persons of interest will be the best play here.  If someone catches your attention, something triggered in your brain to pull them out of the crowd.  They may be worth further observation.

Orient:  At this stage you focus your attention on whatever it is you have observed.  In personal space, this is the person you’re speaking to. Should you notice a knife in someone’s hand, or a weapon of any sort, you’ll orient towards the threat.  This stage can end a threat right then, as observation is the last thing a petty criminal wants. 

In crowded situations, put your phone away, observe and orient yourself in your surroundings.  Situational awareness is your first defense.

At SDTG we specialize in helping you stay defense ready.  Use this link to Connect with us for the latest trends and guidelines in firearms and safety.

When it comes to deciding to carry during the winter, one must first answer a series of questions. What body type do you have? Are you slender, or are you stocky? What is your climate? What clothes are you going to be wearing? Finally, do you plan on carrying inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB)?

Answering the questions will enable you to decide which amongst the Glocks will be best suited for you. The Glock 17 is the largest glock and has a standard 17 round magazine, but is the hardest to conceal due to its size.
 
Those with larger body types will be more easily able to conceal it than those of a more slender frame. The Glock 19 is a solid halfway point between round capacity with 15 rounds, and ease of concealment. Finally, the 43 is the easiest to conceal, but does not offer a large round capacity with only 6 rounds in the standard magazine.

When you consider your climate, you need to determine the amount of clothes you will be wearing when outside. The more bulky and heavy the clothes are, the more easily you can conceal, but the harder the draw might be without significant practice. If you are just going to be wearing a hoodie and jacket, you will have an easier draw stroke but a harder time concealing a large firearm like the Glock 17.

The holster you choose pairs with this as well. Should you choose to carry OWB, be aware that the firearm will be a bulge in a place where one wouldn’t normally be.
 
Practice your draw stroke as well, the author has a full sized 9mm pistol in a level 2 OWB holster that required plenty of dry fire practice to achieve a fluid draw stroke.
 
The level of a holster tells you how many layers of retention it has. Level 1 is friction only, and standard for IWB holsters, an example includes the T-Rex Arms Raptor holster.
 
Level 2 has a thumb snap or button that must be defeated to draw the firearm such as found on the Blackhawk Serpa holsters.
 
Level 3 and higher include all of the above and a button of some sort that one must press in order to draw the firearm, you can find this on a Safariland ALS holster.

Connect with SDTG for the most useful information related to your safety and firearms training. 

Credits: Officer Douglas Preston - SDTG