Knowledge Is Power

One of the biggest problems and issues we face today is not from any outside influences, it’s from ourselves. It’s from the lack of proper preparation, training, knowledge and from not keeping the proper mindset.

We must continually strive to maintain a constant state of readiness as an individual and as a family. One of the best ways to do that is through training on a daily basis. We practice fire drills and tornado drills. Why not practice other drills, as well? “That’s impossible.”, some may say. Actually, it’s easier than you think and it won’t break the bank and kill your budget.

Visualization. Give yourself several scenarios every day while you’re out and about. In your car, in the store, at work and especially at home. Figure out what you will do for each scenario you give yourself and what the potential outcomes will be. Think of it as “dry-firing” for your brain. Go through each step thoroughly, visualizing your every move, to include what you would do after the scenario like scanning, reassessment, activating 911, etc. It’s like exercise for your brain.

Kinesthetic feedback. How many of you dry fire practice with your firearms? You do it to get better, right? So that in that moment you may need it, you’ll be able to act without thinking about the mechanics of the draw, the sight alignment or the trigger press. You do it to increase your survivability in a dire situation. Now…..how many of you dry fire practice with a practice tourniquet??? Are you more likely to have to utilize medical skills or firearms skills in everyday life? We need to see the importance in training for this possibility and make time to practice these scenarios “real time” and run through them utilizing your equipment “for real”. Actually putting your hands on the equipment, both hands, is huge. Work with your dominant and non-dominant hands to gain speed and dexterity. Example: What would you do if you were sitting in your car at a red light and a carjacker’s attempt on the car beside you went bad and a round fired from their gun went through your car door and struck you in the leg, severing your femoral artery. How long do you have to react? What is your first priority? Have you trained with a TQ while being seated and belted into your car? In the dark? How about employing your concealed carry weapon from that position? Getting the “bugs” out before you have to use the training is a huge factor in having a successful outcome. Practice it over and over and the long-term potentiation will assist you when the time comes and you’ll “react” and take care of the problem without really thinking about it as you will be subconsciously skilled from multiple correct repetitions. You’ll see the problem, recognize what it is and fix it. Simple as that.

Mindset. When we wake up, every day, we’ve got to put into our minds, the thought, “Not me. Not my family. Not today. Not any day.” Steel yourself mentally. Don’t give up. Having the proper mindset is key to surviving many bad situations. Whether it be a life-or-death encounter with an armed madman or a life-or-death encounter when your arm goes through a plate glass door and severs an artery, proper mindset is a key to survival.

Knowledge. No matter how stubborn we may be, we have to have the knowledge to back it all up, to ensure an optimal outcome in a life-threatening situation. Knowledge is power and it can give us the power of life. Know what to do and more importantly, why to do it. Realize that each situation is fluid and know how to adjust to it. Be comfortable pushing yourself outside the envelope of conventional thought and be outside “the box”. Be a continual student. Challenge yourself to learn something every, single day. It’ll make you a positive contributor an asset, to society rather than a liability.

It all boils down to personal choice. You can choose to prepare yourself accordingly and live or you can choose to do nothing and accept the less pleasant outcome. It may take some work but the end results are beneficial to you and those around you. If not for yourself, do it for those you love. They may not be afforded a choice and your knowledge and mindset may be the difference between life and death.

Remember, life is complicated enough. Keep your med kit simple.

Think about it.

Simplicity Under Stress