"Two would be better." --Charles Bronson: "The Great Escape"
Posted on 07/23/2012 10:08:01 AM PDT by marktwain
As I continue to read about the terrible tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, I can’t help but think there’s some lessons from my time as a Navy SEAL that I can pass on to the average citizen. So here goes…
Don’t Make Yourself an Easy Target
When at sporting events, concerts, and the movies, choose seats that give you a tactical advantage always. What do I mean? Choose seats that allow good and east vantage points and a hasty exit point. Always stack the odds in your favor. It’s the reason I still combat park (back in to a space) and sit with my back to the wall when I’m eating.
Active Shooter Scenario Advice
Take cover and not concealment. Concealment hides, cover hides AND protects. It’s the difference between hiding behind a movie seat or a concrete wall.
Don’t lie there with your eyes closed and get shot. Think and move. A good decision executed quickly is better than a great one never executed. Violence of action, as we call it in the Spec Ops community, will often change the odds in your favor.
For close quarter combat drills we’d draw a gun with someone over 20 feet away running at us. In most cases you can be on someone before they can draw and take a shot. I’m not advocating running straight at someone but if you have the tactical advantage (jam, re-loading, distraction or the shooter isn’t paying attention) then take the shooter down or get the hell out of there. Deal with the situation with your eyes wide open.
In Aurora, the shooter was severely weighted down with armor and his helmet would have also limited his vision. You can use all this to your advantage.
Flashlight anyone? I have one for daily carry and take it everywhere with me. It’s become another extension of me and has diffused at least two potentially violent confrontations in a non-lethal way. I recommend 200+ lumens.
How to use it in this situation?
I would have pulled my high lumens pocket flashlight and blinded this guy. The high powered beam would have taken away his vision for 3-4 seconds, which is an eternity and enough time to flight or fight. There’s also no shame in surviving and getting you and your loved ones out of harm – especially little ones. Be a Hero to your kids and family for surviving, nobody can expect more of you than that. Like we say in Survival Escape Evasion Resistance (SERE) school, “Survive with Honor.”
Concealed Carry
If you’re lucky enough to live in a state like Texas that not only allows concealed carry, but supports the use of deadly force, then train to use it.
Think seriously about whether it’s worth a Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit in states where you’re likely to get screwed by a jury if you use it. Example: I can get a CCW in CA but I’m likely screwed if I shoot somebody. The mostly liberal (I’m a registered independent for the record) jury will be sure to have my ass and it’s why I own a dog that’s trained to bite and protect (another good option). Nothing makes me happier then visualizing PETA pitted against other wild-eyed liberals.
Bottom line is that if you own a gun and have it as daily carry, you’d better rehearse your use scenarios both physically and mentally, and the same with the gun in the home. Mental practice is extremely valuable after you’ve mastered the basics. FYI, shooting paper at the local range will not prepare you for a defensive shooting situation. Rehearsing defensive scenarios is the only thing that will prepare you.
For most of you, the best bet is to buy a good tactical flashlight, there are plenty on the market. Specs: At least 200+ lumens, waterproof, LED, and a 3volt lithium battery. Use and carry your light with you at all times. It’s the best non-lethal and practical option available, in my opinion. You can take it anywhere – including on an airplane – and if it’s a high lumen model it will blind people in broad daylight. I can’t recommend this purchase enough.
Learn From an Expert
There are plenty of former Military and Law Enforcement that have great self-defense skills. Just vet your instructor carefully, ask for references and proof of service. While there are many solid instructors out there, there are also a plethora of wannabe Rex-Kwon-Do types who are self-proclaimed experts and worse – lie about their service.
Alter Your Lifestyle, and it May Save Your Life
Avoid opening night and large crowds (e.g. go to Disney World during off-peak) that make easy targets. FYI, most domestic and foreign terrorists want the biggest bang for their buck. They want Yankee stadium sold out and not Padre stadium at 60% capacity. It sucks to live this way sometimes but ask the survivors from Colorado if it’s worth a minor lifestyle change. I say it is, and it’s the main reason I’m watching the Olympics on TV and not attending this year. London is too much of a risk for a variety of reasons that I will not go into on this post.
Don’t Be a Victim
Rehearse emergency scenarios before there’s an emergency, the time to practice is NOT when it’s happening.
The world is a dangerous place these days. Be prepared.
A great book I’d also recommend is, Escape The Wolf by Clinton Emerson.
My condolences to the victims and their families in Aurora Colorado.
-Brandon
Brandon is a former Navy SEAL, and worked as a Special Operations intelligence & security specialist in Iraq during 2006-07. He is also author of the New York Times Best Seller, “The Red Circle”.
Maybe it is just me, but I can’t imagine pulling a flashlight out when someone is threatening me with a knife or a rifle (YGBSM!).
Think I’ll keep my 686+ & avoid places that don’t want my business. And I haven’t seen a movie in a movie theater since Lord of the Rings Part 3...may buy a big screen TV for “The Hobbit” & check on when it is coming to a DVD near me!
Great story!
And they probably all went home right after you did...trust but verify...
Always shoot the hostage in the leg an then go for the failure drill...
<. /. Sarcasm>
What have Americans become...a bunch of targets? Get armed! The bad guys are.
I don't want to see a movie where the only people with guns are criminals and killers... If they ban guns, they've banned me.
Excuse my ignorance,but what is combat parking?
Backing into a parking space so you have a fast exit if needed.
OK. Thanks.
Serpentine! Serpentine!
I believe these ‘tactical’ flashlights have beams that DO cut through fog, smoke, etc.
Yes..two would be better...
Your so right. Lots of folks think that if you have a vest and helmet bullets are like spitballs. Nope. At least, the target is pushed aside or back or down. The problem with Aurora is that there were to many sheep and not enough sheepdogs.
Or Country’s Leaders need to reestablish the LETSROLL SPIRIT.
Backing into a parking space rather than pulling in head first. I’d never heard of it either until a CW4 told me about how everyone parks in a war zone. He’s been shot twice and blown up twice and now back in Afghanistan for another tour. Makes for a quick departure for the vehicle either to the enemy or away from him, depending upon the size of the force. (smile)
Marktwain, Thanks so much for posting this.
Also a special thanks to Brandon. And thank you for your service!
I have read there are LED lights which phase on and off in a pattern which will disable a person unless I guess, he closes his eyes. If he keeps his eyes closed then you have a big advantage.
I have never actually seen one of those lights but I sure would like to have one.
Thanks for the ping- I just ordered two more tactical flashlights. ( already had six small ones)
There aren't a lot of rock festivals in America. Leaving out the bar scene, it's mostly 2-5 bands at a theater ranging in size from a few thousand to 50,000 and more. The main rock room at BB Kings would probably go over the NYC limit for people if 200 showed up for a show. Nokia Theater is probably 500-600, and the Nikon Theater in LI holds over 50,000.
The only festival in the US that comes to mind would be ProgPower USA in Georgia. I think it's two days of progressive and power metal bands, with a few scattered things leading up to the two days of big shows. Better though I believe, you don't get the angry crowds that go to more mainstream metal events. Prog and power bands aren't about stuff like that.
Awesome article on living your life while keeping an eye out for danger. And I ALWAYS try to find a space I can either pull thru a parking spot or back my vehicle into a parking spot, even my own driveway!! I also leave at least 1 car length between me and the vehicle in front of me at a stoplight or stop sign in case something happens and I need to get around and away fast. (learned that from ambulance driving training).
Bttt.
\You remind me of a female cousin of mine who, while on a family reuinon camping trip, insisted on walking a creek side path littered with grizzly bear track. She refused any and all protection. No, she did not get eaten that time but lived to repent her stupidity.
I have never actually seen one of those lights but I sure would like to have one.
The Fox Fury MF 1000 is a pretty good example, but a bit largish for concealment/convenience carry. Just recently available is the Streamlight ProTac HL 600 Lumen Tactical Flashlight [circa $75] which puts out just about double the amount of light that my daily carry light does.
Both have *winky* modes generally described as *lighthammers.* Both are deserving of consideration for the applications for which they were designed. But my requirement for a tactical light includes the ability to use it in a range outside of visible light with night [not always, as inside a theatre with the power cut] vision equipment.
Thanks for the info. I am eventually going to buy one of those or something similar but will have to wait at least 3 months while I pay off some car repairs.
I bought a Sure Fire several years ago. It was bright but really ran through those CR-123 batteries. I actually got a little note from the owner of Sure Fire when I ordered a box of 24 batteries. After probably no more than an hours use, the bulb burned out. I checked and a new one plus shipping is almost as expensive as the light.
I saw a good deal on a Browning LED at CDNN. It is about the same size as the sure fire maybe just a bit larger at the bulb end plus heavier, and I think it is even brighter plus the bulb if that is what you call it, is supposed to last extremely long.
This Browning was marked down from $99 to $19 and I really like it. It also takes those 123 batteries and has 3 brightness levels. It is 5 watts so the batteries won’t last really long in it either tho I think it is more efficient than the sure-fire.
Aurora is the location of the home offices for Soldier of Fortune Magazine. Though a midnight showing of a movie with a cartoon character as the protagonist is not the most likely location for a couple of their staffers to be present, it's nice to think about what might have been.
And I expect their forthcoming coverage should be quite a bit different from most of the media spoor that's come out. Not listed for the August issue, so check out September's.
bttt
Not even close to a fair comparison..... unless you live somewhere that crime is constantly around you. I don’t....I do however watch my step when the mountain lion and bears are out.
ping
Here’s another survival hint: Don’t sit next to someone who whips out a flashlight and shines it at the shooters eyes.
I agree.
On reflection, in this post Trayvon environment, I still believe in the S3 mindset with a minor modification:
Shoot
Survive
Slip away . . .
.
Live to fight another day.
NB that the shooter didn’t have body armor.
He had a lot of black “tactical” attire, but he wasn’t wearing body armor. His vest was a “tactical” vest. A .38 S&W would have cleaned his clock.
I have been using the one I have for about a year, and it's like having an extra headlight in your hand except for the size. Slightly large for the pocket, but not too large to carry with you. Mrs. Joe keeps one in her vehicle, too. It also has a strobe function. 2 CR-123A Lithium batteries, and mine has functioned well in all sorts of weather, from -30F to 104 above.
You don't want to look into it.
That is an awesome light. I confess, however, that the first two things I look at is the price and the type of batteries. The price (for what you get) is reasonable. However, for me it is critical that the light either be rechargable or use standard batteries. Preferably AA’s.
Now this is something you should explore if you're impressed with 200 lumens. The helmet light I use on my bicycle is 1200 lumens. It's like a search light. Some of the better tactical lights are built around the same technology, and are simply amazing.
Is it an LED light?
I paid $150 for a 35 watt pair of bike lights powered by a heavy six volt battery in a water bottle that gave me six hours. These 3 watt LED’s are pretty much as bright and $6, run on 3 AAA batteries and weigh practically nothing.
I should have also mentioned that mine is old. It’s a Niterider 1200 pro. Now the newer models have 3,600 lumens and weigh a whopped 1.7 pounds total. 90 minutes of power at 3,600 lumens or 36 hours of power at 100 lumens with settings in between.
Check out this bad boy: http://www.shopbarska.com/Flashlights-1200_Lumen_High_Power_Tactical_Flashlight.html?gclid=CJG4xPzwt7ECFclgTAodV1IA7g
After conducting experiments with my 200 lumen light, I believe a couple of the 1200 lumen ones could replace my car’s headlights and offer more brightness at less than 1/3 the wattage.
That’s interesting - I had no idea. No Lollapalooza or racetrack concerts? I used to love that shite, but something changed in me and I began to loathe them — pissing in the nasty polyvinyl portapotties (and waiting in line to do so), scary drunks, bizarre people, all drunk or on something...
On the dustbin of history? I had no idea. Kind of glad.
That’s interesting - I had no idea. No Lollapalooza or racetrack concerts? I used to love that shite, but something changed in me and I began to loathe them — pissing in the nasty polyvinyl portapotties (and waiting in line to do so), scary drunks, bizarre people, all drunk or on something...
On the dustbin of history? I had no idea. Kind of glad.
Liability insurance, I’d bet.
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