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”.
Very good advice! Thanks!
Excellent advice. Never thought of the flashlight. The rehearsing is the best advice. I don’t rehearse anything and I know that is not good.
Thanks for posting.
Preppers’ PING!
I’ve heard or read that there is no such thing as a “former” SEAL.
Going to buy a flashlight now.
Excellent post. Thanks.
Excellent advice. I’ve seen too many saying they would have gone Walter Mitty on the guy acting like an armchair cowboy, but this is much more rational.
My wife has a tiny little 22 revolver that fits in the palm of a hand. Aint much, but if someone grabbed her she can use it.
She now carries it in her pocket.
Tag for a later re-read.
Good stuff.
Well, another reason to wait until movies come out on Blue ray at Redbox: It’s safer. ;-)
BTW, the 200+ lumens flashlights are amazing. Costco has a three pack for $19. The lights are small enough to put in your pocket and they are almost as bright as car headlights. I’ve compared them. In fact, I believe that if I could wire four of these to my car’s electrical system they would be better than my headlights.
I have an old, large mag lite that, even with fresh “D” cells in it is like a toy compared to one of these things. I’m talking a tenth the brightness.
If you have not purchased one of these three packs, you need to do it. Period. BTW, they take three AAA batteries.
Level-headed fellow SEAL advice.
I wonder if this guy sells tactical flashlights over the internet from his house. I am amazed by how many people are doing that now. There is almost an Amway of flashflights movement out there. Anyone else know what I am talking about?
If you are going to go to this length to go to a theater or a restaurant or anywhere, then you probably shouldn’t bother.
Sorry I am not paranoid enough to let a nut job turn me into a trust no one ever person.
And keep the flames to yourselves I won’t bother to respond. I don’t want your blood pressure any higher than it already is.
The part about the 200 lumen+ flashlight is really good. The wonder of one of them is a threatened person can shoot on suspicion of trouble with near impunity, leave no incriminating marks on the target, and not have to wait to see if he or she feels reasonably threatened with death or great bodily harm. A blast from of of those is likely to deter many wannabe perps long enough to avoid a threatening situation entirely. Just imagine where George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin would be today if Zimmerman had zapped Martin with one of those lights as Martin approached him.
A major contractor in the Iraq war had many civilians driving vehicles in theater. If they caught you NOT combat parking they fired you immediately.
Good post. Agreed.
I carry this one for work..
It’ll blind ya if you happen to point it at your eyes..
I bought the combo listed on the page through my Mac Tools dealer.. I paid more than amazon prices for it but it is worth every penny.. The beam cuts through anything and rechargeable batteries is a huge plus. Mine charges via 110 volt or 12 volts.
It’s also got good weight to it. I am sure if I hit someone over the head with it hard enough they’ed go down for the count and the light would continue to work.
I accidently left mine in the suspension of a XJ12 I was working on. Set the car down on it. Dented the body of the light but it still works just fine :)
Re flashlight idea
Good idea for a brief interruption, and hopefully others close by could over power the killer.
But please remember to hold out the flashlight at arm’s length, i.e. as far away from your body mass as possible.
I always have one with me - small, 380 lumens, and has a strobe setting. Blinding in the dark
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