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”.
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.