Guns, knives, and pepper spray are typically what people think of when discussing important defensive tools, but I see it differently. Let me tell you a story.
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Bone Support, Bio Locks, and a Heavy Backbeat
What does drumming have to do with defensive use of a pistol? That is a good question, and on its surface, the answer is perhaps nothing. However, I made a connection one day while playing drums in the studio. I acknowledged the muscle power in my drumstick grip, and why. This realization in turn helped me to recognize the biomechanical lock and bone support in my shooting grip and what it does for my ability to apply skill in context.
Testing ESS Eye Pro
I was introduced to ESS products in 2015 at the NYTOA (New York Tactical Officers Association) show held at the Turning Stone in Oneida, New York. I was shown a pair of their eye-pro glasses that had been tested with a direct shotgun blast of #4 shot at 10 meters. I was amazed that the glasses did their job and convinced me they were worth every cent to anyone who donned them.
Defending Yourself From Criminals and Elected Officials
In defensive training, we talk about concepts and principles of personal or family defense against a violent criminal. These may include awareness, avoidance, and collection and processing of information so that we properly identify an attacker and have an appropriate response. The “verbiage” may change from one instructor to the next or one curriculum to the next, but the core concepts and principles remain constant.
2018’s 3 Best PDN Articles for the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Student
In several past Decembers, I’ve listed the articles and videos that I’ve thought were the best of the preceding year. This year, I’ve singled out 3 articles that I are important for any student of personal defense. As the Executive Director of Personal Defense Network, I have already approved any of the content you see…
The Secret Kung Fu of Stimulus-Response Patterns
Counter Ambush Methodology requires us to learn to be able to process information while performing a complex task. Responding appropriately during a Dynamic Critical Incident (DCI) is most certainly a “complex task.” Stopping an attacker from hurting or killing you or someone you love will most likely require multiple necessary steps.
Developing an Emergency Response Plan for the Training Environment
Frequent and realistic training is necessary for all things: recognition of one’s competency, skill development, learning intuitive responses to learned stimuli, building neural pathways, maximizing our limited cognitive process in a potential ambush context…although there are many ways we can supplement live fire, range activities are essential for realistic training.
Deadly Force in the Protection of Property – A Very Risky Business
“Hell yes! I worked hard for my property. You try to take it away from me, you deserve to die, and I’m just the guy who’ll do it!” The decision to use deadly force to protect personal property involves the question of whether deadly force “may” be used, but equally important, whether it “should” be…
Be a Good Student
When members of the public choose to invest their time, effort, and energy to attend training, they usually research the instructor and/or the class. They give due diligence, prepare, and possibly have some expectations of the results the training will produce. Eventually they enter into a contract with the instructor. That contract is spoken or…
Five Fundamentals of Home Defense Training
As a law enforcement officer, I have a front-row seat for watching crime trends grow or decline. I use that experience to my advantage as a firearms trainer for both law enforcement and the private citizen. HOME INVASION An area of increasing concern is the occupied home invasion, which can be defined as an incident…
