Use appropriate tools at appropriate times.
What do you use and when? This isn’t a stupid question. Sadly we are often made to feel stupid asking it. As men and women of action we are already supposed to know! Even if we don’t.
It’s simple, and no despite the machismo of IG Experts and Forum Operators, you are not expected to know.
You are expected to learn. Learning what tools you have and what tools you don’t is as critical as learning to use those tools.
The Tools to Have
1. Defense
A gun is excellent. So is a knife. Pepper spray is a spicy surprise. A taser is meh but better than nothing perhaps. Some hand to hand knowledge could get you out of a bind too. Just having a plan in case your situation goes sideways.
All of these defensive elements will have a level of relevance based on your individual situation. The key is knowing how and when to apply them. For that… training. Take a course and read then back to a course and then onto another book. Do not let your defensive tools become dusty, rusty, and stale.
2. Medical
First aid for punctures, scrapes, bumps, bruises, lacerations, heart attacks, seizures, and gunshot wounds. These things happen with varied frequency but they ALL happen. Being ready to deal with them, even as simply as calling 911 and effectively getting paramedics on the way.
Medical is about prior planning and knowing both the capabilities and limits of how you can respond where you are at. Be as effective as you can be and do not panic.
Now what is your plan to take your effectiveness to the next level? Are you missing gear? Training? Both? Set a plan to get it.
3. Communication
How are you set up to communicate. Who are your emergency contacts? No not your wife, husband, or mom for insurance purposes on a liability waiver. Who are you actually going to communicate with and how.
Example: A recent medical emergency with a friend of mine. This emergency was happening outside my view, occuring on the other side of the state. Emergency communication started between myself and my small coordinated ground. I tried local services but was routed away over and over by electronic phone trees. 911 being GPS based could not route me to his jurisdiction although they tried.
Using the internet, calling into local jurisdiction business where my friend worked, and getting the emergency dispatch direct phone line EMS was finally properly dispatched.
It was a coordinated effort to get help to our friend, who was on his own and unable to summon it himself.
The strength of the communication plan isn’t in checking boxes. A strong emergency communication tool can problem solve, collecting and disseminating information where it needs to be.
