Emergency Preparedness Week

May 5-11, 2013 is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada. It is an annual event that takes place each year during the first full week of May organized by Public Safety Canada.

1. KNOW THE RISKS
2. MAKE A PLAN
3. GET A KIT

For more information click here:  Emergency Preparedness in Canada or download Your Emergency Preparedness Guide.

Take care out there.

Phase Line Green Tactical Low Light Course AAR

PLGT Low Light Course was conducted at the Rock Cut Range, outside Powassan, Ontario Canada on 20-21 April 2013. The Primary Training Audience (PTA) for this course is the proficient shooter with the need to operate tactically in adverse lighting conditions. While concentrating on consistency of platform and proven tactics, techniques and procedure (TTPs), the course covered daylight and low-light firearms operation, dry-fire and live fire drills. Earl Green, the owner and chief instructor for Phase Line Green Tactical, has over 18 years of instructing tactical operators for multiple police forces and private teams. He draws on his experience in provincial policing and nuclear security teams which included “uniform patrol, uniform supervision, use of force and firearms training, tactical training, tactical operations, specialized training development and delivery, executive protection and criminal investigations.”

Magpul Dynamics Aerial Platform Operations DVD

Everyone knows about Magpul Dynamics DVDs and their “Art of the Dynamic .....”.Travis Haley and Chris Costa kicked off the series with their Art of the Dynamic Carbine and it has grown from there; encompassing carbine, pistol, shotgun and precision rifle. The knowledge and skills passed on in any video will never replace a proper training syllabus directed by a professional instructor. It cannot be denied that Magpul Dynamics has significantly raised the standard of the firearms training film and driving the firearms’ training market into the mainstream. Since then both instructors have struck out on their own: Travis Haley with Haley Strategic and Chris Costa with Costa Ludus.

One of the most unique DVDs produced by Magpul Dynamics has been Aerial Platform Operations.   Normally information only available to specialized military or law enforcement units, this DVD provides the basic structure of helicopter operations. This is video is not just about shooting from a helicopter.

Kühl Pants, tactical crossover...

Kühl Revolvr Pants

Passing through the Dubai International Airport (DXB)in 2006 to 2012 was a parade of 5.11 Tactical models all vying for attention as the various sizes and shapes of contractors made their way to O’Brien’s for their first pint. This lack of discretion extends to other locales as well. I was in an establishment in Bangkok, Thailand having a quiet iced Singha with an expatriate friend. When in walks a ‘farang’ (that is Thai slang for foreigner) with a Thai bar girl under each arm still wearing his 5.11 pants, rigger belt, desert boots and his company’s polo shirt. This kind of dress and deportment does little to maintain a low profile while travelling, whether insertion or exfiltration  from your operational environment. I have not worked the civilian side of the house, yet. Though, in my current employment, I have had to make international movement in civilian attire while moving through areas of known support for our adversaries and in medium to high threat countries. I attempt to keep a lower profile wearing non standard apparel; in an effort to be less of a target for who wish us harm and to distance myself from those who do not.

NEO Adventurers

'Over Shoe and Gaitor rolled into one'

Living in a northern climate, we have to content with not only winter but the slush and melt of spring and the wet, cold of the late fall before the snow really piles up. This weather is too warm for insulated boots and too wet for normal gortex footwear.  Another reality of operational life is limited space to pack gear for every situation. NEO Adventurers solve a lot of those issues.

Eleven 10 Tourniquet Case

A Kydex TQ holster

One of the medical doctrines that we promote on Whiskey Delta Gulf is the placement of a primary tourniquet (TQ) stored in a pouch within the Diver’s Triangle. The Diver’s Triangle is an inverted triangle with the base between the shoulders and the point at the belt buckle. Every operator must keep their tourniquet in an easy access pouch to protect it from UV and dirt that could degrade or foul the tourniquet when needed. This keeps a viable TQ in a position that can be accessed for self application regardless of body positioning. Rapid application of tourniquets to extremity wounds has been proven to drastically reduce combat deaths.

Handgun Training: Resources and Targets

‘It is in most shooter’s best interest to become as proficient as possible with a handgun. The reasons are very simple; because of amount of concealed carry permits issued around the country most people are most likely to use a handgun in a lethal encounter. In addition, sight alignment and trigger control are most difficult to master with a handgun so this causes a trickle down effect; the better you become with a handgun you are automatically becoming a better shooter with virtually every other small arm.’

-Larry Vickers, MSG, US Army (Ret)

Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm VTAC
The object of this year's training concentration

Ladies Only: She Wee

“Why squat, when you can stand?”

As a female medical operator working in many different environments, I can honestly say that women are at a disadvantage,anatomy wise, when “Nature” calls. Being out in the middle of an open plain with no bushes or any kind of concealment with your crew of male counter parts, it is very discouraging as well as inconvenient when you have to urinate.

A great solution to this problem that I have purchased is the “She Wee”. It essentially is a funnel designed to fit the female anatomy so that you are able to stand up to urinate without the hassle of taking down your pants. This apparatus can  accommodate multi layers of clothing simply by adding an extension to the end of the funnel.

Make Ready with John Chapman: NVG/IR Skill Builder

Recently Panteao Productions and John Chapman have released: Make Ready with John Chapman: NVG / IR Skill Builder in DVD format. Panteao Productions produces instructional videos taught by proven leaders and instructors within the tactical industry. While video training will never replace a professional applied curriculum under the watchful eye of an instructor, training time and funds are always at a premium. The name of their instructional video series is “Make Ready”; produced in a one-on-one training layout. The videos are available in DVD, Blue Ray and internet streaming format. Panteao is currently planning release of their ‘Make Ready” series for iOS and Android platforms.

BUIS: Back Up Iron Sights

Photo from CF Combat Camera

I have noticed a disturbing  trend; soldiers deploying to hostile areas with only a primary sight on their weapon. Those little rubber nubs, that get worn off within a week, on the C79 optical sight are not enough. The Canadian Forces issues a plastic fixed sight with a flip apertures which is more than adequate.  There is much higher quality back up iron sights on the market as well. In some cases, the Quarter Master may be out of the issue back up sights. However, most of these soldiers are dripping with personal purchased equipment but not a decent set of BUIS. I will assume it has never been impressed upon them the importance of a redundant sighting system.