I am teaching a ballistic shield users course in Richland, WA. in April. There are still some spots left in the class but it is filling up quickly. If you're interested, please get in touch with me.
I am teaching a closed course in Wyoming in May, and then I have a Basic SWAT course in Lebanon, OR. in June. If you want to attend the Basic SWAT course, there is still room but I have started to get registrations for that course as well.
I have several closed courses going in the summer and I am trying to schedule time and facilities for two breaching courses in Bellingham, WA. I also have an open Rifle/Subgun Instructor course in Woodburn, Oregon in September. If you are interested in any of these courses or if you would like to host training, let me know and we can work out the details.
I have been incorporating Trauma First Aid into some of my courses. I recently did a Hostage Rescue course in Spokane and I think the Medical portion was well received. I will be expanding this section into most of the tactical courses because I believe it is super critical. There are a lot of guys who still do not carry individual first aid kits or the stuff they are carrying is antiquated. This has to change in our industry, not just for SWAT but patrol as well. I have seen improvements, but we aren't quite there yet. For the guys that are carrying aid kits, the training component doesn't seem to be there. Alot of times in training, I see guys touch the "wound" and say something like, "OK, he is bandaged up" without actually doing it. The same with a TQ. We need to force guys to conduct proper medical on injured teammates, civilians and suspects. If they aren't doing it training, they won't react properly in real life. I can't imagine a team breaching a door, stepping into a house and saying "OK it's clear". You do it so that you get better.
Here are some of the issues that will come up:
Gear placement, can the guys get to their stuff? Don't think that a teammate will be able to assist, if they can that's great, but what if they can't?
Proper technique, do the guys even know how to use the stuff that they have been given?
Can they do it with gloves on, fake blood and in the dark instead of stripped down, dry and in a well lit classroom?
Can they make proper assessment and evac. a downed officer.citizen from a bad spot?
These are just a few issues to consider, and like most things they get easier with training. Force medical onto your team, it may save a life someday. That life might be yours.
Be good, to be safe.
