Michigan Tactical Officers Association, 2016 Conference wrap-up

courtesy MTOA FB page

The 2016 show!

The MTOA did a great job overall, it was well organized and there were many different specialties put together for those who wanted to learn, retain a skill, take back a new skill (to their department) or to get certified in a few weapon platforms. The staff was great and very professional.

I almost did not get into the show, the MTOA doesn't let many people in that are non-badged officers or non-reserve military. As the site says, they will make exceptions. For me, after talking to the President of the MTOA and being a TEMS medic, they allowed me to take the course. In other words they vetted the talent to perfection. 

The good: 
Lunch was provided daily, professional staff, great exhibit/vendor area, lots of learning modules to pick from and plenty of speaking events to attend.  The provided water at the remote training sites and the locations were top notch. 

The not so good: 
I put this in, because each show has a few hiccups and issues, this one was not unique. Lunch size was, um...small, now I'm not knocking a free meal but this was unanimously know by each class, small. 
The TEMS class was a B-Con class, taught by a very knowledgeable TEMS medic but it lacked any real effectiveness. Two of the people (out of 8) were medics, the rest were LEO's and well, I'm not sure I would feel safe sending them out to place a TQ on someone who attended this B-Con class. TEMS/TCCC/TECC is a growing concern and this could have been more on par with what is needed for our street and SWAT officers. 


My Conference:
Day 1: 
was all speaking engagements or should I say listening engagements. This is after all a tactical conference. Nicely done by the presenters. 

Day 2:
Part I- featured a Trijicon red dot module that was taught by a very cool and knowledgeable instructor. Shooting hand guns with a red dot sight takes a few minutes of getting used too and then, when you are used to it, it really does make shooting more simple.  We did very unique drills of upside-down shooting and awkward positions. I say awkward, because I cramped in a few holding for the "GUN" command. Great, short and to the point, this block of education was amazing and much more fun that expected. 

Part II- This was the B-Con session. Four hours of education giving the basics of how to control a bleed. There was a pretty amazing looking lady in the class who had lots of questions and wanted to learn about saving others. That, is always a plus. 

From Rob Pincus FB page

Day 3:
The real reason I took the conference! 
This was an 8 hour class featuring Rob Pincus of ICE training. His class was called Combat Focus Shooting. 

Rob is maybe the best, most comprehensive firearms instructor I've had the privileged learning with. He certainly knows his job, knows how to teach and takes pride in that fact. He FORCES his students to ask questions. He demands it. He is a professional. 

His style of shooting is unique, to me at least. He is very strong in his methods and confident he can have you shooting better and more confidently after one of his classes. This was a class aimed at SWAT officers, but I was not the only non-badged member in the class. However, I came away noticing just about every shooter in the class, even the very best, had an issue that Rob found and corrected. 

Neat side note, one of the shooters was an instructor and retired police offier himself. His 1911 that he used in the class had 300,000 shot through it. He was on his 4th barrel. Let me tell you, what an amazing shooter. He made it look easy!

The drills were unlike any others I've done and I won't get into them deeply because they are Rob's and well, he's worked hard enough to perfect them to keep them with-in the confines of the class. You literally walk away knowing how fast you can put multiple shots into a palm sized area under (small) stress. You also walk away feeling more athletic and mobile, not Pro-Athlete mobile but a better you, mobility wise. We also get to see that a shooter that struggled with most drills all day, walk away with a prize which is akin to shooting a bottle cap from 10 feet. Funny how that works. 

This class was like a roller coaster for me. I was doing good, then bad, then corrected and then good again, then bad. Just like with any instructor, I didn't fully agree with or care for everything that was said, but the majority and the methods worked phenomenal. I came away a better shooter. I have a LOT to work on, but Rob never made me or the others, except Kosovo, feel bad for making a mistake. (BTW that was a class joke, it was fun and we all laughed).

You should walk away from this class knowing more, feeling confident and understand the methods of why a defensive shot is always a reaction. Let's hope you take away more than 12oz's of information. 

To contact:
Rob Pincus his web site is: http://www.icetraining.us/
Facebook is: https://www.facebook.com/RobPincusPro/?fref=ts

MTOA: http://mtoa.org/

Embracing the Use of Tourniquets to Save Lives

Embracing the Use of Tourniquets to Save Lives:

By Ron Mason EMT-P 

(29 April 2016)

The use of tourniquets by professionals and lay persons alike are no longer considered as dangerous as they were thought to be in the past. Using tourniquets in the combat field pre-hospital setting by combat medics and Corpsmen has proven highly effective in saving lives.  However, because of the stigma attached to them as being dangerous, the adoption of the tourniquets use in the United States on the street in the pre-hospital setting by trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) and the lay persons is close to non-existent in its use as a tool to save lives. After reviewing all of the supported evidence from the field of battle, one can determine that it is imperative that the use of tourniquets needs to become an accepted form of bleeding control.

For centuries, tourniquets have been used in clinical settings to stop blood loss for minor and major surgeries alike. This is the go-to equipment and solution for doctors. It is a trusted treatment and remains uncontested in its ability to save lives. Shortly after World War II (DeGregory, 2007), tourniquets fell out of favor in both, street medicine and the combat setting. Using a tourniquet was commonly believed to cause limb loss and tissue damage beyond repair. The major oversight in this conclusion was simply this; stopping large amount of blood from leaving the body as quickly as possible saves lives and increases long-term patient prognosis. Somewhere along the way, the old adage “life over limb” was misplaced in hasty need to not have the person bleeding profusely from a bullet wound, traumatic amputation or other puncture wound. There is an aphorism in the medical world that states, “Eventually all bleeding stops” (Benjamin, 2016).

According to an article by BoundTree University (2011), tourniquets swiftly disappeared from the history books until the eighteenth century where the instrument resembling today’s devices, appeared. In “1718, Louis Petit, a French surgeon, developed the screw device derived from the French verb "tourner" (to turn), he named the device "tourniquet" (McEwin, n.d) as it is commonly known today. Subsequently, throughout modern times, the device has gone in and out of favor as professionals debate over the risks they pose to the victim. According to DeGregory’s (2007) article, “they had been shunned by the military since the end of World War II” (p. 16, 2007).

Shortly after a battle in Somalia, the military looked into reevaluating the use of tourniquets (Efficacy of Prehospital Application of Tourniquets, 2008). As depicted in the movie, “BlackHawk Down” (Sony, 2001), without the means of an extraction, several soldiers, died in combat that day from bleeding to death. When the fighting ended, the military commissioned an investigation and looked at what they could do to resolve treatable combat battle field deaths. The two major items they purposed were; a new tactical care doctrine and the use of tourniquets on the battle field. Shortly afterwards, the military adopted the civilian version of Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) and adjusted it to a more combat friendly version called Tactical Combat Casualty Care (Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2013), (Efficacy of Prehospital Application of Tourniquets, 2008).

While the military was instrumental in the fallout of tourniquet usage, they now lead the charge of reviving the use of tourniquets, in the United States. However they have been met with resistance and have been slow to catch on with pre-hospital workers, and even slower with law enforcement and firefighters. That is currently changing but at a slower rate than it should be.

Additionally, tourniquets are still not endorsed or instructed to the civilian population on a wide scale; civilians continue to be taught with literature that is a decade behind. In an article by Barret, he quotes [Dr.] Pons, "It's kind of a radical change in thinking, because for years we have been teaching that tourniquets should be the absolute last resort,” (WSJ, 2013). Quite the opposite is true: placing the tourniquet on as soon as possible has shown amazing results in both combat operations and traumatic exsanguination (massive or complete blood loss) here in the United States. The average adult can fully exsanguinate in less than five minutes and irreversible damage happens in less than three minutes (WSJ, 2013) with 30% blood loss and at this time, the United States military medical community, based on the recent wars and data shown in this paper, has more experience and data on the effects and positives outcomes of the tourniquet than any fighting force in history. No service person is shipped off to war without proper training, an individual first aid kit and a tourniquet.

Traumatic death is the number one killer of all Americans in the age range of birth to 46 years of age and is the number three killer of people of all ages in the United States. (National Trauma Institute, 2014).  Each year trauma counts for over 190,000 people dying and takes 30% of all life years lost (National Trauma Institute, 2014). Roughly 3% or 5700 of these deaths are from traumatic amputation (NHTSA, 2014), 13,286 are from gunshot deaths in 2015 (BBC, 2015), and 475 died from mass shootings (BBC, 2015). Obviously, proficiency with a device to stop bleeding immediately and allow medical personnel to get patients to the hospital is in great need on the streets of America. Why do we have such resistance from the civilian medical world and first responders in implementing the use of the tourniquet to civilians in our country?

The number one concern is that tourniquets cause the loss of limbs or nerve damage to those who have had a tourniquet applied to a limb that suffered damage. In a 2007 study conducted by a combat support hospital in Iraq by the military, 499 patients received 862 tourniquets in the field on 651 limbs (Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2011). Survival rate of 87% was documented for those who had the tourniquet applied. If the tourniquet was applied prior to onset of shock, the survival rate was 96% (Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2011). Only .4% had limb shortening, four patients total had transient nerve issues at the application site of the tourniquet, and zero amputations resulted solely from using the tourniquet (Annals of Surgery, 2009). The study concluded lifesaving benefits and low risk, while stopping the bleeding and preventing the patient from going into shock (Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2011).

There are many statistics and studies showing that tourniquets are not the hindrance in providing life and limb saving medical care and are considered the norm as detailed throughout this paper. Why is there still push back on using this life saving device? In all probability, it stems from a lack of information communicated to EMS providers, doctors who are not current in available information and governing agencies who place protocols for Emergency Medical Technicians to practice. Another reason it is often overlooked stems from the pre-Iraq war days.

Tourniquets used in the field were not consistent across the board; training was negligible, tourniquets were too thin and inadequate to sufficiently stop bleeding and inflicted massive tissue damage. Today, new materials and advancing technology have enabled the average person to be swift and proficient in applying the modern commercially available devices. Additionally, training and education is available via the internet.  One can find expert advice, information, and training videos.

         In an Army Times article by Kime (2014), he quotes Dr. Hunt, an Army veteran and doctor who worked on victims of the Boston Marathon bombing: "Bystanders have played critical roles in emerged threats, things we already face, bombings, active shooters. ... The purpose of our group is to identify actions and tools the general public at large can use to save lives," (p. 8, 2014). Dwyer (2016) quotes [Dr.] “Gupta , “is that there is good training for who needs one, how to apply one, and then making them available and they can really save lives” (p.23, 2016).

Hunt said the White House-led group is working to develop a public service campaign that will have the sticking power of successful initiatives such as "Stop, Drop and Roll" or "See Something, Say Something." (p.16, 2014). "We need to get it right. We have a real opportunity to prevent deaths," Hunt said. (p. 18, 2014). Even after the Boston Marathon bombing, the Red Cross’ position was “Only trained people should use them and only as a last resort” (Lloyd, 2013). As of October 2015, the American Heart Association after all its push back has finally conceded that tourniquets can and should be used after initially trying to stop bleeding with direct pressure. (Red Cross and Heart Association Announce Updated Guidelines, 2014).

The need to give first responders the ability to save lives in the field is crucial. Why is there still continued push back on using this life saving device? Change is needed and there must be willingness for the public and doctors in the trauma centers to accept and learn the lessons of the past. The general public is extremely capable of using these simple devices, and the distance to the hospitals is more than adequate within the studied time constraints to help rather than hurt individuals who have the need to have a tourniquet applied.

References

Barret, D. Tourniquets Gain New Respect Recent Tragedies Prompt Rethinking of Ancient Technique. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303672404579151982256689914

Benjamin, A. (2013, April 16). Events force BAA to alter course at Marathon. Boston Globe. Retrieved from http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/04/15/baa-alters-boston-marathon-after-blasts/KNAF53rH44yECYwrGpD25L/story.html

Burke, P., Kalish, J., Feldman, J., Agawal, S., Glantz, A., Serino, R., & Herish, E. (2008, July 31). The Return of Tourniquets: Original research evaluates the effectiveness of prehospital tourniquets for civilian penetrating extremity injuries. Journal of Emergency Medicine. http://www.jems.com/articles/print/volume-33/issue-8/patient-care/return-tourniquets-original-re.html

Center Disease Control. (2014, February). Trauma Statistics . In National Trauma Institute . Retrieved April 20, 2016, from http://www.nationaltraumainstitute.org/home/trauma_statistics.html

Dwyer, D. (2016, January 9). Tourniquets, now carried by Boston police, weren’t always standard. Boston.com. Retrieved from http://www.boston.com/news/untagged/2016/01/09/tourniquets-now-carried-by-boston-police-werent-always-standard

Guns in the US: The statistics behind the violence. [Online Exclusive] (2016, January 5). BBC.com. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34996604

Kime, P. (2014, August 20). Army doctor promotes use of tourniquets. Army Times. Retrieved from http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2014/08/20/army-doctor-promotes-use-of-tourniquets/14333319/

Kragh, J., Littrel, M., Jones, J., Walters, T., Baer, D., Wade, C., & Holcumb, J. (2011, December). Battle Casualty Survival with Emergency Tourniquet Use to Stop Limb Bleeding. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 590-597. http://www.jem-journal.com/article/S0736-4679(09)00638-6/fulltext

Kragh, J., Walters, T., Baer, D., Fox, C., Salinas, J., & Holcumb, J. (2009, January). Survival with emergency tourniquet use to stop bleeding in major limb trauma. Annals of Surgery. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19106667

Kragh, J., Walters, T. J., Westmorland, T., Miller, R. M., Marby, R. L., Kotwal, R., & Ritter, B. A. (n.d.). Tragedy Into Drama: An American History of Tourniquet Use in the Current War (3rd ed., Vol. 13). N.p.: Journal of Special Operations Medicine. (Original work published 2013) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24048983

Lloyd, J. (20113, April 18). Emergency tourniquets, war lessons saved lives in Boston. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/17/tourniquets-emergency-boston/2091079/

McEwin, J. (n.d.). Tourniquet overview. In Tourniquet.org. Retrieved April 7, 2016, from http://www.tourniquets.org/tourniquet_overview.php

Red Cross and Heart Association Announce Updated Guidelines. (2015, October 15). In American Red Cross. Retrieved April 26, 2016, from http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/Red-Cross-and-Heart-Association-Announce-Updated-Guidelines

Scott, R. (Director). (2001). Black Hawk Down [Online video]. Sony. Retrieved from http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/blackhawkdown/

Snyder, D., Tsou, A., & Schoelles, K. (2008, July 31). Efficacy of Prehospital Application of Tourniquets and Hemostatic Dressings to Control Traumatic External Hemorrhage. . In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Retrieved May, 2014, from file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/811999b-TraumaHemostasisEvidenceReport.pdf

Tourniquets: From combat to commonplace. (2011). In Boundtree University. Retrieved from http://www.boundtreeuniversity.com/Trauma/articles/1001716-Tourniquets-From-combat-to-commonplace

Authored by Ronald Mason EMT-P (Please direct all question and comments to rmason92@gmail.com)

and a special big thanks to my editor Alison Swanson

Amazing give away!

One person will win over $70 in IFAK kit items. 

***Attention *** MEMBERS ~ An unprecedented give away. Brand new Gen 7 red tip C-A-T tourniquet. Head over to https://www.facebook.com/USTEMS/

*To Enter ~ Like, share and comment as to why you like/dislike this page, tag a friend and head over to Valor Training and give them a like.

We will pick one winner on Wed Jan 20th. You must do all of the above to be eligible to win. You must provide an address (US ONLY) to win and respond within 24 hours of notification of winning to obtain prize.

Contents:
-USMC IFAK coyote kit in great shape, not new but no holes.-Brand NEW CAT #7 TQ
-Z-Fold Dressing
-Roller Gauze-Coban-Skin marking pen-Card Sharp knife-5x9 pad-USTEM velcro patch http://www.ustems.com/blog.html

Head over to https://www.facebook.com/USTEMS/ to enter!

OTOA Conference pt. II

This is part II of the adventures of the OTOA 2015 Conference.

Day three - should I be doing this?

I had the jitters about this class and I'll explain why, I haven't done much work with a carbine since getting out of the military 20 years ago. Sure, I've shot them at the range but running and gunning. NO! So basically I've slid down to the GED education level of gun manipulation and well, I was taking a doctorate level class from a world class instructor.

Let's start by introducing the instructor Mike Pannone, USMC Force Recon and Delta operator. Here is Mike's bio from his web page. He is no joke, and the work he has done to become an instructor is second to NONE! Even after his injury, he can still knock the wings off a fly a 50M. He has a daunting presence about him, but don't let that fool you, he loves to teach, he loves to pass on knowledge and does an amazing job at it.

The class started as all should, a brief talk, and when I say brief, I mean it. The bio of his web page took longer to read than he spent speaking of himself. He instead used it to explain his teaching methodology and why were were about to learn what we did. We then we zero'd our rifles then moved into target acquisition and sped up from there.

This wasn't, I'm sure a high speed class, we took our time, shot when needed and we discussed flaws that needed to be fixed. Instead of just putting rounds down range we were taught why we put them down there, why the body reacts to certain movements and then we adjusted. Simply put, when someone this good grabs the rifle and demonstrates what you should be doing, everyone pays attention and everyone adjusts. Mr. Pannone means to take you out of your comfort zone and force you to take the advice and to a man, each one of us noticed marked improvements. The majority of those taking the class were veteran SWAT officers, very few had the experience level I had.

Everyone can put 5 shots in a 4" square while walking to a target in 10 yards, but can you do it while reloading? By the end of the drill, we all were doing it, quite flawlessly too. I'm not sure if it was simply because we wanted to prove we could all do it, but I am sure we all had the proper techniques and guidance which lightened the motor skill learning curve.

After lunch we did a few more drills and then moved into the meat and potatoes of the class. Probably the most beneficial for me. We did malfunction drills. So, maybe you just asked why that would be so beneficial, weapon manipulation and familiarization is now at a whole new level. Not to mention, I can clear just about any malfunction in a few seconds.



We teamed up and practiced jamming guns for our partner. Mike's method of clearing isn't rocket science, it's tap, rack, bang but on steroids. I'm sure you can Youtube him doing his system and too boot he does it blindfolded. After several drills he then had us lay three sets of 5 guns out and we all cleared 5 jams and shot at target (50M) until each one of us were feeling just cocky enough to watch a master do it blindfolded in about 4 seconds per rifle. Fun stuff.

The day ended with 100M shots. By the end of a hot day, this was easy. Right up until the guy next to you bury's his shell casings down your shirt! That asisde, my grouping went from about 6" at the start of the day to just under 3". Not that I'm a master marksman, but after the teachings and day we had, my comfort level with the rifle was never better, my patience never greater and my guide on my journey, I couldn't have picked a better one if I tried. Well done Mr. Pannone - Thank you!

Take away of the day - if you have time to set up, line up your sights and take the shot you want, it isn't a gun fight, it's a shooting. (I paraphrase this but it doesn't take away from the sentiment- that's truth).


Day Four - Drawing from a holster.

The prior day, I was out of my comfort zone and worried. When I woke up this day, none of that was there. I'm good with my pistol, it's what I shoot! In fact I shoot it a bunch. We soon found out that this class would further tell us, what we thought we knew, we didn't....

Let me introduce you to Matt Jacques of Victory First and his class, fighting from concealment. We got the news upfront, this was a 3 day course that he compacted into nine hours. Welcome to an eye opening statement. For the next nine hours we would be on the trigger, drawing from the holster and refining a skill that almost everyone stated they didn't get enough of...ever! Drawing your gun. By days end, that was not going to be spoken again, to the tune of almost 300 times, we learned to draw correctly.

We lined up and started with accuracy drills but slowly and methodically. Drawing each time. This wasn't about speed! We were being ever so slightly indoctrinated into his styles, his system.

From that point on 2/3rd 1/3rd was going to be ingrained into us. Speed happened in the 1st 2/3rd of the draw and the final 1/3rd was putting a proper and accurate shot on target. It was then we heard and knew...A gun fight lasts the rest of your life.

It felt like we did a lot of drills, but in reality we didn't do that many but we did do them properly. Accuracy was improving and then...the steel targets came out. We were no longer looking to put the hole in paper on a line or in a circle. We were going to put it on a steel figure from a much further distance. Because you never knew where a gun fight would happen only that you had the rest of your life to do it!

By lunch time I was feeling good about myself. We've been timed, we worked thru clothes hang ups and put many rounds down range. Then Mr. Jacques taps you on the shoulder and tells you - put one on target, one on each target, two on each target - oh and the class is watching you while I time you and write this down. Without really saying so, he just amped up the stress and put 30 sets of eyes on you. Suddenly, things didn't go as smoothly as they once did. You, just, work, thru, it.

After lunch we worked malfunctions, reloads and smoothing out the draw. We touched on one handed shoots and shooting while holding something. Then came the spot we all wanted to be in. Shooting from cover/concealment from about 30 yards. The targets seems smaller all of a sudden. Technique is the key to this series of drills, but now you are tired, hot and dare I say, over confident in your shooting. No doubt, this is a great towards the end of the day drill.

The drills conclude with a duplicate of the cover/concealment drill only this time, you are racing against the shooters next to you, you shoot, move and shoot until you get tapped out or you win. Simple! Until you start to miss or become tired.

At the end, you have a brief discussion and question period. The eye opening thing is how many got the same bit of good out of the class as I, myself did. Repetitive drawing is something more of us should do and by the show at the end of the class, everyone is on that same page.

Because, you only have the rest of your life in a gun fight.


Wrap it up
Sorry for the length of this blog post. It's been fun writing these and recalling all the tid bits of info I've already filed away. All in all, the OTOA is a top notch organization and their philosophy on training is second to none...everyone should have the training they need.

So to my class mates, instructors and fellow 1st responder, thanks - for not only getting proper training but caring enough about the citizens you serve to get better. To the OTOA people in charge, well done. I wish all organizations would care this much on getting all 1st responders trained to this high level.



To learn more on Mike Pannone classes and here. Facebook page.
To learn more on Matt Jacques classes. Facebook page.

OTOA 2015 Conference

This is part I of II of the 2015 Ohio Tactical Officers Association (OTOA) Conference.

Let me start by saying, I'm going to try and be as brief as I can with this blog post. That will not be an easy task. Ohio did/does an amazing job of bringing in as many people in as they can. As long as you want to learn and should be there, it's a go. None of this, SWAT officers ONLY business that so many of these other shows want to try. That is why OTOA had close to 1000 people at the conference. It was a HUGE success. The banquet stated there were people from 14 states and 2 countries. Nicely done OTOA!

Held at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky Ohio, as soon as you make entrance into the place you know it's going to be a big conference. 

Day one TEMS class. 

This is why I attended the show. It featured the TEMS class. A "break-out" as they call it. We arrived after registration at a off site location. The class started a 8 AM sharp and featured about 15 minutes of safety talk and then went right into a brief lecture. The lecture offered all the new and important happenings in TEMS/TCCC. Nothing ground breaking, but just re-affirmation on what we need to do and the changes that Co-TECC has implemented as of late.

They then broke us off into our stations, the day featured 6 different stations. Some creativity and informational stations lead to not being overwhelmed physically for 40 minutes out of every hour for the rest of the day. Each station had a round table debrief and discussion. Solid information all around. 

#1 Moving Vehicle - Featured treating a live patient while in a moving car/back of a pick-up. We got the scenario and were told where the treat was, the rest was up to us as a team (two man). We waved the police cruiser in and moved the victim in the back while we worked on him. Seems simple, but while the car was swaying, turning and accelerating, it added a new dimension to it. Part two was equally as difficult as we had to load the patient into pick-up truck and tube/TQ/IV while moving as mentioned earlier. All in all, moving in a fast moving vehicle is much different than moving in an ambulance.  

#2 Active shooter - This was a school shooting. We get a scenario and are told to move out as a team with a SWAT team. Upon making 1st contact, shots go off and we have to split the team as the call goes out that others are down. The 2nd victim has a cut suit on. We have to surgically cric this victim while the officers with us are actively engaged in shooting at the perp. The added stress and splitting off from the team definitely makes you think. Cutting into a human (or that close to him) scares you no matter if it's a suit or not. Live actors lead to the drama and havoc of this type of situation.  

#3 A/C joint/Shoulder issues - A bit of a lull after 2 solid fast moving sessions. But I got to say, as EMS providers, we don't get as much rehab info as we need. This was a great session taught by two very educated TEMS medics. 

#4 Training - Maybe the best session of the day. Why? We got to met a VERY creative and budget constrained Medical Control doctor. He wanted his guys to train like they played. He had a great imagination and you could tell he loved his job. His training consisted of a slab of ribs over a Styrofoam (pictured) torso with balloons to mimic needle decompression. A remote controlled fish tank pump that sent blood flying in the air at the push of a button and many other home made props that lead to some impressive training. 

#5 Mass Casualty - The one station that dropped the ball. The communication and scenario were given, we have live role players all day, and the lead proctor seemed to be more interested in telling us not to touch the role players rather than letting us know we had people inside and would have an escort of SWAT. Inside, the scene was made chaotic and hectic by screams, blasts and general poor lighting. Every room we moved too had a person down. We moved the casualties out as fast as we could. Never did we get the call to inform us of an Officer down nor were we told the people standing by the triage area were "not supposed to be there" which lead to us getting a firm talking to about abandoning our patients, etc...Lastly, the officer down didn't get the attention a scene like this would have genuinely had, why? We didn't know he was an officer. Leading to some stern discussion by our team vs. the overly concerned proctor who didn't really do his job conveying the scenario. 

#6 Meth lab - A very well set up and acted scenario. By this time, seven hours into the day, we were tired and mentally drained from the day. This set up made us pay attention. It featured a blown up meth lab with kids inside (we didn't know about the kids prior to entry) and a mom and dad more worried about bickering than helping. Well done done controlled chaos and well, lets just say trying to tube a 4 year old while mom keeps kicking you, adds to the increased stress level 

Overall, the TEMS "breakout" was a solid day of reality based training. I wish I had more pictures to show. We had a brief - debrief at the end of the day that really only consisted of applause for the actors and certs being handed out because each evolution offered great discussion. The OTOA tactical doctors, medic providers and med control did a great job with this session.

Day two - in-conference, conference. 

This day was "vendor day" but featured so MUCH more. There were over 150 vendors in attendance and a LOT to see and do. The OTOA staff did an amazing job of having you visit each booth by giving away cards that were to be turned in at the end of the night, if your card was completely filled out you won a door prize. 

Luckily, I was able to meet, collaborate and rub elbows with those I wanted too. North American Rescue, Eleven 10, Combat Swag, Tactical Medical Solutions, 5.11 and maybe my favorite company Tru-Spec. All of these people were unbelievably approachable and friendly. I really enjoyed dealing with each of these companies. I even got invited to tour the facilities of a several of them. 

Along with the vendor showcase, every hour on the hour a new smaller break out was set up. Dealing with topics that included , long range shots, SABA, TQ usage, ballistics, leadership topics...etc. My favorite of the day was meeting and listening to Jim Smith (former Delta operator and veteran of "Black Hawk Down"). He spoke on preparedness for the 21st century in an ever evolving and challenging profession.  Great guy with a great story and message. Worth going for this day alone. More on Mr. Smith can be found here on his website. 

The day ended with the door prize give away but that was not all, we also had a vendor picnic and got to shoot a variety of weapons provided by the vendors including less lethal munitions. And let me say, they did NOT skimp on what they brought out to shoot. 

Overall, two great days of conference gold. OTOA does a great job. But, this is not complete yet. I have two more days to go. Please check out part II coming tomorrow, which features CTT Solutions and Victory 1st both full day firearm classes held by top notch instructors Until then...

Coming SOON - Product Review!

US Tactical Emergency Medicine is taking on a new project-

We wanted to provide others some insight to the gear I've dealt with. So over the next few months, when time permits, I'm going to provide details, specs, likes/dislikes and summary of gear that.

Why would I want to get into this arena? Simply because there are those that are always looking for honest, simple and respectful, non-paid, feedback on gear we use and have availability too. I'm not going to lie, sometimes companies give me samples, and I will talk about that, but that won't change my methodology for the review and who know, might even help them improve.


So please, give us your ideals and thoughts. Tell us what you want to see and we will do our best to get that feedback too you.

In the works-
Tru-spec Combat shirt
VooDoo Tactical Special Operators Bag
5.11 24 Hour Rush Bag
Oakley Radar Glasses

WWW.USTEMS.COM

Warrior Wedensday 04-01

Doolittle's Raiders - Today's Warrior Wedensday, flashback. Honoring Lt. Col. Hite who passed away earlier this week.

Colonel Hite's story (here)

 Graduated from High School in 1937; Completed three years of college and enlisted as an Aviation Cadet on September 9, 1940 at Lubbock, Texas. Commissioned as Second Lieutenant and rated as pilot on May 29, 1941. Was captured after Tokyo Raid and imprisoned by the Japanese for forty months. Liberated by American troops on August 20, 1945, he remained on active duty until September 30, 1947. Returned to active duty during Korean War on March 9, 1951 and served overseas before relief from active duty again in November, 1955. Decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, and Chinese Breast Order of Pao Ting.

The Raiders!
On 18 April 1942, airmen of the US Army Air Forces, led by Lt. Col. James H. (Jimmy) Doolittle, carried the Battle of the Pacific to the heart of the Japanese empire with a surprising and daring raid on military targets at Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nagoya, and Kobe. This heroic attack against these major cities was the result of coordination between the Army Air Forces and the US Navy, which carried the sixteen North American B-25 medium bombers aboard the carrier USS Hornet to within take-off distance of the Japanese Islands. Here, a pair of alert escorts follow the USS Hornet to protect her lethal cargo of B-25 bombers. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

The Mission and the Man
In January 1942, Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold selected Lt. Col. James Doolittle to lead Special Aviation Project No. 1, the bombing of Japan. Doolittle, who enlisted in the Army in 1917, became a flying cadet and received his commission in 1918. In the late 1920s and the early 1930s, he won the prestigious Schneider, Bendix and Thompson aviation trophies. He made the first blind flight in 1929 during which he took off, flew and landed while being completely dependent upon aircraft instruments. Doolittle left the Army Air Corps in 1930, but when war appeared imminent, in 1940 he returned to active duty. Although the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942, caused only minor damage, it forced the Japanese to recall combat forces for home defense, raised fears among the Japanese civilians, and boosted morale among Americans and our Allies abroad.

North American B-25B Mitchell
The B-25 medium bomber was one of America's most famous airplanes of World War II, and more than 9,800 were built. It saw duty in every combat area, being flown by the Dutch, British, Chinese, Russians and Australians in addition to U.S. forces. Although the B-25 was originally intended for level bombing from medium altitudes, Pacific Theater aircrews often used it at low level to attack Japanese airfields and strafe and skip bomb enemy shipping.

The U.S. Army Air Forces chose the B-25 for the Doolittle Raid because it was the only aircraft available with the required range, bomb capacity and short takeoff distance. The B-25Bs and 24 trained volunteer crews came from the 17th Bombardment Group, Pendleton Field, Ore.

The airplane on display at the museum is a B-25D rebuilt by North American to the configuration of a B-25B used on the Tokyo Raid. It was flown to the museum in April 1958.

The Training
The crews selected for the mission received their training at Eglin Field, Fla. Lt. Henry L. Miller, a Navy pilot from Pensacola Naval Station, provided assistance on how to take off within 300 feet, the available distance on the carrier USS Hornet. The crews also practiced cross-country and night flying, navigating without radio references or landmarks, low-level bombing and aerial gunnery. They completed their training in mid-March and later flew to San Francisco to board the carrier.

The Bombsight
Instead of the Norden bombsight, which was ineffective at low altitudes, Capt. C. Ross Greening, pilot and armament officer for Doolittle's group designed a replacement bombsight (seen in the nose of the aircraft). This bombsight was connected to the cockpit through the pilot direction indicator, allowing the bombardier to give the pilot aircraft turn directions without relying on voice communication. Using materials costing 20 cents, the metal working shops at Eglin Field manufactured the bombsights.

The Aircraft Carrier
The newly-built aircraft carrier USS Hornet was chosen to carry Doolittle's B-25s toward Japan. In March it sailed to Alameda Naval Air Station near San Francisco to load the Army Air Forces aircraft, 72 officers and 64 enlisted men. On April 2, 1942, not wanting to sail at night because of an inexperienced crew, the Hornet's captain, Marc A. Mitscher, left for the secret mission in broad daylight.

(SOURCE)