TEOTWAWKI Medical Skills: Thoughts on Becoming a “Woofer” (Wilderness First Responder), by Richard B.

Background
Most people I know prepare for medical emergencies by buying a first-aid kit, maybe taking a class, maybe buying some additional supplies, and calling it good. In an urban setting we typically expect to have professional assistance in less than an hour, but natural or man-made disasters could change this to days, weeks, months – or longer. I often work and play outside – skiing and motorcycles, construction and heavy-equipment, and off-grid living. I’ve fallen from horses, bicycles, and a roof. I live in earthquake and volcano country, and I’ve helped raise three sons.

I’ve been motivated for more than 40 years to be ready for whatever comes my way – “expect the unexpected”. And part of my prep has led me to study “improvisational backcountry medicine”.
In an emergency, providing medical care requires knowledge, practice, equipment and supplies, and the right mind-set. Emergencies are charged with emotion and unpredictability. In this brief commentary I’m advocating two things: investing (time/money) in a comprehensive training program that provides hands-on, real-world scenarios, and then, putting together a full kit that will meet the needs of your current or probable family/community, and allow you to fully utilize your skills.

As a teen–in the 1960s–I took Red Cross courses (First Aid, Lifesaving, and Water Safety Instructor). Then the Army sent me to Vietnam for a couple of years where I had the “opportunity” to get some up-close and personal trauma-care experience. A decade later I went to back to school and earned a nursing degree. And just recently I took a Wilderness First Responder (WFR or “woofer”) class, eighty hours of realistic instruction and practice with dozens of what-if scenarios (medical and trauma). Without question the WFR is the best program I know for a 360-degree approach to survival medicine.

Wilderness First Responder – The Training

A Wilderness First Responder is an individual who has completed a structured, accredited training program and passed both a written and practical exam. Most of the people I trained with had a professional motivation – they work for an organization that made the WFR credentials a requirement of employment. Our group included river-rafters, mountain climbing guides, “executive training retreat” leaders, a couple of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)s, and Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteers. The program is designed to help you deliver individual medical-delivery skills, but just as importantly to be an effective team-member or even the medical leader (“chief medical officer”).

My class was hosted by The Mountaineers in Seattle, and conducted by Remote Medical International (RMI). There are other good providers, all over the country (and the world). The orientation of my program was wilderness recreation, but my interest is living and working off-the-grid and the training was perfect for that, also.
In class we defined “remote medicine” to mean that you have limited equipment and supplies, you’re an hour or more from additional help, and you may be the only one providing care – or your helpers may know little or nothing, and may even impede you. You are the one in charge, the one responsible. Think about the implications if the individual needing help is you, or someone you love. And then make the time to get ready. Prepare to be a survivor.

A cardinal rule of medicine is “do thy patient no harm”. If someone is down, do you stay? Do you go for help? Should you leave him on his back, on his side, or as he fell?
We used makeup and prosthetic “broken bones”, “internal organs” and protruding “broken bones” to make it all seem more real. The responders were not told in advance what to expect when they came on the scene. We had outdoor night-practice sessions. No matter their background or experience, everyone learned something new.

Quoting from the curriculum documents, here is an overview of what we covered:
Day One: Course Overview & Patient Assessment
Introductions & Course Overview
What is Remote Medicine?
Role of the Medical Officer
Communications/Telemedicine
Medical-legal Considerations
Primary Survey
Physical Exam
Vital Signs
Patient History
Documentation

Day Two: CPR
CPR for the Healthcare Provider
Considerations for Remote Environments
Oxygen Administration

Day Three: Trauma Management
Orthopedic Injuries
Shock
Neurological Trauma & Injury

Day Four: Trauma Management
Wound Management & Infection
Chest Injuries
Dental Emergencies
Lifting & Moving Patients
Patient Packaging & Transportation

Day Five: Medical Emergencies
Cardio-respiratory Emergencies
Acute Abdominal Pain
Metabolic Illness & Allergic Reactions
Medication Administration Lab

Day Six: Medical Continued/Environmental
Genitourinary Medicine
Neurological Illness
Altitude Related Illnesses
Psychological Emergencies & Rescuer Stress
Lightning
Mass Casualty

Day Seven: Environmental
Frostbite & Non-Freezing Cold Injuries
Hypothermia
Heat Illness
Immersion & Near-Drowning
Health & Hygiene
Search and Rescue & Group Management
Austere Patient Care and Survival

Day Eight: Environmental/Logistics
Dive Emergencies
Plant & Chemical Poisoning
Animal Attacks & Envenomation
Pre-Expedition Health Screening & Planning
Remote Medical Kit & Supplies

Day Nine: Testing
Practical Exam
Written Exam
Debrief & Evaluations

The Skills
And here are some of the skills we learned (and practiced, and demonstrated to each other and to our instructors!)
* demonstrate comprehension of the legal concepts related to medical care, and relate their interpretation to patient care.
* demonstrate a working professional vocabulary for communicating their patient assessment and care with other responders.
* demonstrate skill at gloving and de-gloving, and describe the techniques of body substance isolation.
* demonstrate rudimentary execution of a Scene size-up, Primary Survey, and Secondary Survey, assessing and managing the scene for safety; demonstrate rapid, effective moves out of harm’s way, application and management of the tourniquet, verbalize a General Impression, assess the ABC‘s, and effect interventions, obtain multiple sets of vitals signs, a patient history and a thorough head-to-toe physical exam.
* demonstrate a basic skill in making SOAP notes. [Subjective (Location, age, sex, MOI/history of events, Symptoms), Objective (LOC, RR, HR, SCTM, ROM [repeat at 15 min.]), Assessment (Fracture/Hyothermis/ …), PLAN (clean, bandage, splint, …)]
* be able to describe the introduction of pathogens into the body, and the body’s inflammation responses.
* be able to accurately assess and manage oxygen delivery, airway interventions and management, and use of the bag-valve mask (BVM).
* recognize the potential danger of thunderstorms, respond appropriately to an approaching storm, assess and manage related injuries.
* describe the management of submersion incident (drowning) casualties.
* describe and demonstrate the assessment and management of shock.
* assess and manage chest pain, satisfactorily and appropriately perform CPR, and know the backcountry protocols for initiating and stopping CPR.
* demonstrate competence in carefully approaching the study and use of medications.
* communicate the responsibility of the WFR in public health matters (water, food handling, and hygiene).
* understand North American bites and stings; recognize and manage intoxication, envenomations, and allergic reactions, provide wound care. Students can assess, measure, and administer 0.3ml volume intramuscularly.
* demonstrate command of assessing and managing the three levels of injuries to the head and provide long-term care.
* demonstrate command of spinal cord/spinal column assessment criteria, conduct a thorough physical exam for cord injury (“clear” the spine), improvise a C-collar, and demonstrate correct rolls, moves, and lifts with spinal precautions.
* demonstrate recall of prevention, assessment, and management of hypothermia, frostbite, non-freezing cold injuries.
* be able to prevent, recognize, and manage dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps, and sunburn.
* be able to prevent, recognize, and manage high altitude problems (AMS/HAPE/HACE).
* demonstrate competence at safely conducting carries (pacstrap, split-coil, piggyback, backpack, and fireman’s)
* fabricate a manageable, comfortable, and protective hypowrap.
* demonstrate correct packaging, organization, communication, and carrying skills with a spine-board and the Stokes litter.
* demonstrate competence with the fundamental principles and operations of a technical rescue, can safely tie-in, and demonstrate rudimentary team skills with communicating, anchoring, belaying, lowering and raising a low-angle-configured rescue litter.
* demonstrate familiarity with “essential” items, search-victim care items, and radio conduct.
* demonstrate knowledge of the purpose, principles, and parameters for trek planning.
* relate the principles and conduct of SAR operations, the considerations for evacuation options, and conduct around helicopters.
* demonstrate proper management of open wounds, describe infection assessment and care.
* relate the dynamics of missile wounds, the assessment criteria for evacuation, and expedient field treatment for missile, and arrow / spear injuries.
* describe evaluation and management techniques of burn injuries.
* describe the steps and technique for assessing and managing the sprained ankle, and demonstrate effective taping of the ankle.
* be able to demonstrate assessment and management of fractures; apply commercial and improvised stabilizing and traction splints.
* demonstrate ability to assess and manage dislocations, and demonstrate skills to relocate the shoulder, patella, and digits, and forearm.
* demonstrate effective teamwork in managing patients with insults to multiple primary systems.
* demonstrate organizing and managing a response to a multiple casualty scene, rapidly sorting, prioritizing, and managing patients for critical care and evacuation.
* describe the assessment and management of common EENT problems.
* demonstrate thorough, courteous technique in assessing the “medical” patient.
* assess and manage abdominal problems, demonstrate improving skills in getting a medical history, and demonstrate knowing when to evacuate the patient.
* describe assessing for, and managing diabetic emergencies.
* relate the assessment and management of common genitourinary (GU) illnesses, and instruct others in hygiene and prevention in the backcountry.

Reading about this stuff is not enough. There is no substitute for hands-on experience and developing muscle-memory. And by the way, certified WFRs are required to take a refresher every couple of years so they don’t get rusty.

Disclaimer: I mention Remote Medical International (RMI) in this article – they were great, and they provide medical training, equipment, and supplies. I have no financial stake in the firm. There are other great companies out there – search for “WFR” and you’ll turn up a handful.

About the Author: Richard B. has worked as a general contractor, business consultant, US Army combat photographer, Registered Nurse, railroad carpenter and brakeman, and as a forest fire-fighter.

Four Letters Re: A Well-Rounded Skillset Requires Both Range-Based and Force-on-Force Training

Jim:

SF in Hawaii seems to have written in haste. His assertion is based on merely seeing the introductory courses at Front Sight. Just read this course description of Front Sight’s Advanced Integrated Handgun course. This course offers exactly what he’s complains is lacking at shooting schools. – Tantalum Tom

Mr. Rawles,
In response to SF in Hawaii’s comment,. I returned this past week from a four-day defensive handgun course with the one day 30-state CCW [permit qualifying] class at the end. SF is incorrect in several areas, but I will mention two specifically. First, while we may have been stationary during the initial shoot, we were quickly moving after the actual shots were taken – this movement was called “after action” movement. In fact, at one point, I had an instructor standing next to me reminding me to “move, move, move ….don’t stand still.”

During our one day CCW class, our instructor gave us an idea about what the “Tactical Handgun” class consisted of – We were literally running along side several targets and shooting from the running position with the instructor attached to us ensuring that we did not stand still – reminding us the entire time that we must continue to move. Secondly, we were taught how to shoot one handed – and at close range without using the front sight.

We learned so much in five days that will be valuable should the skills ever be needed in a real life scenario. I was so impressed with the level of skill and professionalism of the Front Sight instructors. I was also amazed at the number of military and law enforcement officers attending the class right beside me, some for the second or even third time in an effort to earn their “graduate” or “distinguished graduate” certificate. I also learned from our instructor that they have trained some of our military special forces. If that is not an impressive endorsement, I can’t imagine what would be.

The four-day defensive handgun class may be Front Sight’s entry level course, but with that training, I am able to share information and skills with my husband who has been in law enforcement for 30 years, defend myself and my family should that need arise and will look forward to a second chance at earning my “graduate” certificate. – TC in Washington

 

JWR:
[My advice to SF is that] if you want to practice moving while shooting try IDPA or IPSC. They are both games and have varying amounts of “reality”, but both allow even require moving while shooting. In fact, IPSC is called the “run and gun” sport and IDPA’s standard classifier requires moving while shooting and moving between positions between engaging targets. The first time out you will be surprised at how hard it is to hit a target while moving, but you will get better with practice. Both sports also require reloads while on the clock, another skill that isn’t practiced enough.

Mostly one can use their day to day carry rig. Pocket holsters are generally out. Having said that one of my local clubs did have a “back up gun” side match every month which allowed all sorts of holsters. My
local club let me use my Wilderness Tactical holster that I use while biking and hiking, which was great. If you use your carry hardware you get to shake out any problems you might have and learn exactly what you can and can not do with your pistol. Most people will be surprised. But with a bit of practice, great improvements will be made.

Learning pistol skills are why I started going, but the people were the reason that I started to spend every weekend at one of these events. They are like minded (at least on the firearm side of ideas), friendly, safe, and very helpful with new shooters.- Tacmars

 

Jim,

All the high speed, low drag tactics in the world don’t mean a thing unless you hit with your first shot. Until you know how to shoot consistently and accurately under time pressure, and develop the discipline to stay on the front sight in a fight, which the range training engrains in you, force on force training is a complete waste of time and a gimmick for those trainers who can’t put hundreds of students into their courses week after week. Most gun owners are not ready for force on force training because they can’t shoot accurately enough under pressure to benefit from force on force training. Front Sight offers force on force training for those students who are ready for it in our advanced tactical scenarios courses.
– Dr. Ignatius Piazza, Founder and Director of Front Sight

Economics and Investing:

I got another one of those “when are stock and real estate prices going to bottom?” question e-mails, this time from reader G.R.P.. He was anxious that both the value of his house (in coastal southern California!) and his 401(k) have both already lost about half their value. The plain truth is that we are nowhere near the bottom. The economy won’t turn around until a lot of malinvestment and toxic debt gets worked out of the system. And markets won’t re-liquidify until after asset values get close to a bottom. For now, prices are still marked to mystery rather than marked to market. I’ve twice posted the link to a chart from the Calculated Risk blog, but perhaps its full import was missed by G.R.P. and a few other readers. This chart clearly shows that residential real estate has a lot farther to fall, especially in the bubble regions where NINJA (“Liar Loan”) financing was use extensively. Many of those hundreds of thousands of mortgages were rolled up into Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs)–now next to worthless–and much of that that paper was insured with umpteen billions of dollars in Credit Default Swap (CDS) derivatives. Many of those CDSes no have counterparties twisting in the breeze. The CDOs won’t reach bottom until the waves of subprime, Alt-A and “Interest-only” borrowers’ defaults subside. Then, and only then, can realistic valuations be established for the ocean of toxic debt that is in circulation from here to Reykjavik. We can expect at least another three years of declining house prices. And, as I’ve mentioned before, P/E ratios are still out of whack, so equities have a lot father to fall, too. Tighten your seatbelts. The roller coaster ride is far from over.

D.S. sent this: Wall Street Looks Ahead: Inflation vs. Deflation. A key quote.”We believe it’s quite possible to have commodity-price inflation at the same time you have broad-based deflation,” says Jason Trennert, chief investment strategist and managing partner at Strategas Research Partners. This is accord with my assertions in a February, 2008 SurvivalBlog article.

Items from The Economatrix:

European Protesters March in G20 Rallies

G20 Activists: Why We are Protesting

Fears Police Tactics at G20 Protests Will Lead to Violence

G20 Protesters Expect Agents Provocateurs

Seven Hours to Save the World

Merkel Warns on Further Stimulus

Ron Paul: is There Any Gold Inside Fort Knox?

The Race to Financial Safety is On

Down the Memory Hole, Alan Greenspan Style

Ninth Georgia Bank Collapses (Omni National Bank, Atlanta) FDIC expects failure to cost $290 Million, one of the most costly to date

Stocks Slide as Investors Cash in on March Rally

Soros: Britain May Have to Seek IMF Rescue

Economy Blamed For Jump in Arson Cases

Only United Front at G20 Can Save World

The Dollar’s Days Numbered?

Seven States See Double Digit Jobless Rates Wyoming continues to have the lowest: 3.9%

Odds ‘n Sods:

Semper Cynicus sent us this gem: Chechen soldiers’ Flinstonian phone charger. My father’s often quoted the old “Dollars to Sweat Ratio”. Assuming that hand tools were used, this is obviously a prime example of the “high sweat” end of the scale!

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I just heard that Ready Made Resources. now has just nine of the Warrior Aid and Litter Kits left on hand. If you need one of these very comprehensive medic kits for your retreat, order it soon!

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From FloridaGuy: Urban coyote attacks on the rise, alarming residents

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Thanks to DD for this news article link: Mount Redoubt eruption provides lessons in survival

Note from JWR:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $960. This auction ends on April 15th. It is for a large mixed lot, which includes::

1.) A Warrior Aid and Litter Kit, donated by Ready Made Resources. This is an advanced medic kit package that includes a Talon II 90C folding handle collapsible litter, which normally retails for $560, just by itself. This truly a “full up” tactical trauma kit! This sophisticated medic kit normally retails for $1,500.

2.) A “be ready to barter” box of 26 full-capacity firearms magazines, from my personal collection in JASBORR. This box includes: 4 – Brand new “smoke gray” polymer original Bulgarian 40 rd. AK-47 magazines, 10 – brand new AR-15/M16 USGI black Teflon coated alloy 30 round magazines with stainless steel springs and the latest gray anti-tilt followers, 6 – new condition original USGI M14/M1A 20 round parkerized steel magazines, from CMI (the current military prime contractor) 6 – new condition original Glock Model 20 (10mm) 15 round pistol magazines–the latest production type with “SF” front magazine catch notch . All of these magazines are of recent manufacture (and hence are NOT legal to possess in New York.) These magazines have a combined value of approximately $750, in today’s market. Note: If you live in a state where full capacity magazines are banned, then you must choose to: refrain from bidding, or designate a recipient in an unrestricted state, or re-donate the magazines for a subsequent auction.

3.) A large Bury ‘Em Tube (# 6L, 43″ x 6″ with a 5.1 gallon capacity), donated by Safecastle. (a $199.95 retail value)

4.) A NukAlert compact radiation detector donated by at KI4U.com (a $160 retail value). 

5.) An OPTIMUS Terra Cookset for backpacking, tent camping or even WTSHTF, donated by Safecastle. It includes the ultra-compact Crux stove, plus a special small cookset–all very portable and lightweight. (Fuel canister not included.) (a $95 retail value)

6.) A fresh, sealed case of full mil-spec MRE rations with ration heaters, courtesy of CampingSurvival.com. (a $94.95 value)

Thus, this auction has a combined value in excess of $2,800. This auction ends on April 15th. Please e-mail us your bid. Your bid will be for the entire mixed lot.

Letter Re: Paying Off Debts with Inflated Dollars?

JWR,
I understand when you say that hyperinflation will make the price of things go up and up, like a ten dollar or hundred dollar loaf of bread. But what happens to a financed item, specifically the home [that is] mortgaged? Can the lender change the interest rate or the length of loan? What about other financed items like a car loan? If nothing changes then a person would be paying back the loan with inflated dollars, which might be a good thing? Please explain. Thank You, – RenoFlyBoy

JWR Replies: To begin: You had asked: ” Can the lender change the interest rate or the length of loan? What about other financed items like a car loan?” The short answer is no. But don’t underestimate the ability of politicians to monkey with market fundamentals. In the event of hyperinflation, there could conceivably be some sort of tiered inflation indexing of existing debts. This is very unlikely, but given the entrenched army of banking industry lobbyists in Washington, DC, it is not impossible.

You may have missed these five posts in SurvivalBlog from the past three years:

Letter Re: Is it Deflation or Inflation Ahead? Should I Pay Down My Debts? (2009)

Letter Re: Does Future Inflation Justify a Higher Level of Indebtedness? (2008)

Are Simultaneous Inflation and Deflation Possible? (2008)

Letter Re: With Inflation Ahead, Why Be Debt Free? (2007)

Letter Re: Fiscal Fitness (2007)

Take the time to read all five of those posts.

Given the multi-trillion dollar overspending that is in now progress, I still believe that mass inflation of the US Dollar is inevitable. But we are in uncharted waters, at present. (We have just seen an unprecedented asset and debt bubble go “pop”.) Thus, nobody is sure how long it will take to put the economy back on track, and likewise nobody know how long deflation will persist To be safe, avoid debt for the next couple of years. Also, as I’ve mentioned before, it is not morally conscionable to take out a loan that you do not intend to pay back.

Two Letters Re: Barnyard Junk: The Things that You Do and Don’t Need for TEOTWAWKI

Jim:

Regarding post on junk: Right on! When I recommend the OAR system for preparedness the O stands for organization. It does no good to have supplies you can’t find or access. I see an awful lot of farmers with yards that look like the municipal landfill. It isn’t safe or healthy. True preparedness requires doing the work of tracking supplies and useage so you don’t find yourself short or waste hours looking for the tool that you know is here…someplace. One of the best features of the “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course is the organized inventory lists. For a beginner, this course is a must-have.- Kathy Harrison, author of Just In Case: How to be self sufficient when the unexpected happens

 

James,
I agree wholeheartedly with Jim Fry. Farms that are eyesores are a blight on the land and on the farmer who created the eyesore.

When I was in the Army I used to drive for over an hour to spend weekends on a friends parents’ farm in Kansas. The farmer I “worked” for was nicknamed “Tidy” because right from childhood, he had always been fastidious in his habits. Tidy was a Marine and a veteran of almost the entire Guadalcanal campaign. You know what they say – once a Marine, always a Marine! His self-discipline, professionalism and pride showed in everything he did – just as his inner strength showed through his quiet and self-effacing demeanor. His farmstead was always standing tall, as was his equipment and shop. He had one of each piece of equipment that he used on the farm – and they were all in a fine state of repair, with spares on hand for the parts that were critical and/or most likely to break. Going down to work on the farm for Tidy was always a joy, because I knew that whatever jobs he had for me to do, the equipment would be right where he’d shown me it would be, and it would be ready to go. Everything got done in plenty of time for me to get cleaned up and dressed for dinner (Yes, Tidy insisted that everyone be changed out of their work clothes for dinner – never had to tell me that one, it was just obvious that it was expected – just like at home.) with plenty of daylight left to go down to the pond for a little fishing after dinner in the summertime. Keeping your place clean and organized goes a long way toward efficiency and a good outlook on life.

One thing that Jim forgot to mention is the defensive liability created by having piles of junk scattered around the farmyard and the farm in general. Those piles of junk interrupt your fields of vision – and fire – providing concealment for approaching bad actors, and cover for them once they decide it’s time to strike. If the Golden Horde comes pouring through your gate or woodline, the last thing you want to have done is create pre-positioned fighting positions for them. If you truly think you will need something “someday” maintain it and store it under cover, so it will be of use when you need it — not “someday” after the need occurs. In most areas, you can find a place to cut poles for structural members, and you can usually take down old unused buildings for siding boards and 2x4s — so your total outlay will be for metal roofing. You will take your farmstead’s defensive layout into account when planning for the placement of new equipment storage sheds, right?

If you don’t need it – and don’t have a plan to use it in planned-for contingencies, then get rid of it! Don’t be a slave to your stuff!

Just my de-valued two-bits worth. – Countrytek

Two Letters Re: A Carrington Event Space Storm–A Natural EMP Equivalent

Jim,
When looking for places to store sensitive electronics, consider the old-fashioned galvanized steel garbage can. For about a buck a gallon, you can store just about any and all electronics a household might have, safety protected against EPM and other damaging fields. – Jake Stafford, publisher of the “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course and loyal SurvivalBlog reader

 

Sir:
Here is another perspective on the problems associated with a Carrington event [, from the Mostly Cajun blog]. Sol assaults Mother Gaia – for real? Regards, – Hunter in Alaska

Economics and Investing:

Alyce at The Motley Fool Goes Doomer: The Four Things You Need. (Thanks to Lynne W. for the link.)

Items from The Economatrix:

Credit Union Collapse Signals Depth of Financial Crisis

On Wall Street, Talk of Trust and Civil War

Marc Faber: It Will All End in Disaster

Economic Dirty Bo Goes Off in NY

In NY, a Second, Silent 9-1-1

Accidents Can Happen (The Mogambo Guru)

The End Game Approaches

Ron Paul: Bankruptcy is Economic Stimulus

 

Odds ‘n Sods:

John C. set this this from Yahoo’s Green Home page: Twelve amazing shipping container houses

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Reader Rick D.sent this about detergent smugglers Spokane residents smuggle suds over green brands

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From FloridaGuy: More and more city folk are raising chickens

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Also from FloridaGuy: Toy-gun sales ban advances to Arkansas House. FloridaGuy’s comment: “‘Your sons will play with dolls.’ This is just more nanny-state foolishness.”

Note from JWR:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $760. This auction ends on April 15th. It is for a large mixed lot, which includes::

1.) A Warrior Aid and Litter Kit, donated by Ready Made Resources. This is an advanced medic kit package that includes a Talon II 90C folding handle collapsible litter, which normally retails for $560, just by itself. This truly a “full up” tactical trauma kit! This sophisticated medic kit normally retails for $1,500.

2.) A “be ready to barter” box of 26 full-capacity firearms magazines, from my personal collection in JASBORR. This box includes: 4 – Brand new “smoke gray” polymer original Bulgarian 40 rd. AK-47 magazines, 10 – brand new AR-15/M16 USGI black Teflon coated alloy 30 round magazines with stainless steel springs and the latest gray anti-tilt followers, 6 – new condition original USGI M14/M1A 20 round parkerized steel magazines, from CMI (the current military prime contractor) 6 – new condition original Glock Model 20 (10mm) 15 round pistol magazines–the latest production type with “SF” front magazine catch notch . All of these magazines are of recent manufacture (and hence are NOT legal to possess in New York.) These magazines have a combined value of approximately $750, in today’s market. Note: If you live in a state where full capacity magazines are banned, then you must choose to: refrain from bidding, or designate a recipient in an unrestricted state, or re-donate the magazines for a subsequent auction.

3.) A large Bury ‘Em Tube (# 6L, 43″ x 6″ with a 5.1 gallon capacity), donated by Safecastle. (a $199.95 retail value)

4.) A NukAlert compact radiation detector donated by at KI4U.com (a $160 retail value). 

5.) An OPTIMUS Terra Cookset for backpacking, tent camping or even WTSHTF, donated by Safecastle. It includes the ultra-compact Crux stove, plus a special small cookset–all very portable and lightweight. (Fuel canister not included.) (a $95 retail value)

6.) A fresh, sealed case of full mil-spec MRE rations with ration heaters, courtesy of CampingSurvival.com. (a $94.95 value)

Thus, this auction has a combined value in excess of $2,800. This auction ends on April 15th. Please e-mail us your bid. Your bid will be for the entire mixed lot.

Letter Re: A Well-Rounded Skillset Requires Both Range-Based and Force-on-Force Training

Jim,
I agree with a recent post, Front Sight offers excellent training, and will get the beginning shooter to feel comfortable with their weapon and build in quick and automatic malfunction clearances, but it has shortcomings that all range based training classes share. By default, range based handgun training teaches us:
1) Stand still while you shoot
2) Use two hands when you shoot
3) Focus on the front sight

This type of shooting is a very specialized form of shooting. It is perfect when you are:
1) Target/competition shooting
2) Shooting at the edge of your accuracy range from cover

It is terrible when you are:
1) Dealing with someone shooting back
2) Dealing with potential multiple aggressors
3) Dealing with close range shooters

Why is this? Force on force teaches us that we need to move when we shoot. If you stand and take a traditional weaver stance, you will get a great shot off… and so will your opponent. Of course, neither Front Sight nor any other traditional range will allow you to shoot while you are running, but this is exactly what you need to be able to do.

Force on force teaches us that when we explosively move off the X, we will typically have only one hand on the gun. Why? It’s easier to run that way. It’s instinctual. In a class with Gabe Suarez, after a group Airsoft scenario, he asked the students, “who took a traditional stance?” This was a seasoned class and we all looked around sheepishly. None of us had done it.

I had this assumption that since I had trigger control and sight picture and training, I would be able to outshoot any gang member with his one-handed running shooting. Yes, this is true for distances past 15 yards. Within that distance, (the distance most gunfights take place in) the street style was better. At distances of three yards, a sight picture will just slow you down. Even an untrained gangster at 10 feet shooting as fast as he can pull the trigger will likely put hits on you at the distance despite his lack of professional training and sight picture.

Finally, the traditional sight picture of looking hard at the front sight creates tunnel vision. This is perfect for a sniper shot and stupid for a close range gunfight. You have just traded your peripheral vision for tunnel vision. In one scenario, I was able to put six rounds into my opponent: four body shots and two head shots in under two seconds before he got a shot off at me. Unfortunately, I didn’t even see the second bad guy at my 3 o’clock only 5 feet away as he shot me two times in the side of my torso. Tunnel vision does that. Game over.

You should seriously consider taking a force on force training, not just to learn the skill set, but also to unlearn some range-based behavior that will get you shot in an gunfight. If you can’t get to a class, then buy some Airsoft pistols, [wrap-around] eye protection and a DVD from Suarez International on the subject. – SF in Hawaii

Product Review: AmericaStone Knife Sharpener

Several months ago, I received a sample product that languished on the back off my desk, just for the lack of time available to test it. This is a novel sharpening stone design, dubbed the the AmericaStone. It was not until this weekend that I finally had the chance to try it out. And now I’m glad that I finally did. In the modern parlance, it is “way cool“.

Let me start by saying that the AmericaStone is the best compact knife sharpener that I’ve ever used. For my test, I used my current primary everyday carry pocketknife, a tanto point CRKT Carson M16-02Z. I must admit that this knife gets more than its share of hard used around the ranch, some of which borders on abuse. My only excuse is that this knife is often the only tool available, particularly on the days that I don’t carry my Leatherman Wave. In the past year, this knife has cut umpteen pieces of bailing twine, been used as an impromptu horse hoof pick, a utility scraper, letter opener, and even tasks far beyond its intended design as a wire stripper and as a screw driver. (Yes, I’m guilty of almost habitual expediency!) Its original factory edge was gone, and in fact the knife was downright dreadfully dull. Before my sharpening stone test, this knife was good for little more than a letter opener. But just ten minutes later, it had an edge that was good, if not better than the edge that came from the factory.

The AmericaStone design is unique. It has a patented double beveled edge on one side. I don’t know why someone didn’t think this up years ago. It really works. Take a look at the video at the AmericaStone web site. This is an excellent product. They are quite compact, and they come with a useful belt pouch. The only suggestion that I can make is that for use when at home, it would be useful to have a detachable handle, perhaps with a thumbscrew clamp. But even without that, this is a product that is well worth buying!