Defend Yourself! A Logical Look at Real Self-Defense

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Defend Yourself!

A logical look at real self defense.

(a version originally published on the Personal Defense Network)

Recently, I took a step back and asked myself what areas I was lacking on in my self-defense plan. I asked myself what I could do to improve my overall ability to defend myself (and my family). After giving it some thought, I answered with some items on a “self-defense to do list” that might surprise you. Most of you that have read my articles on this sight realize very quickly that I love to shoot, teach shooting, and write about performance related subjects that will improve your ability to run a gun in any situation you might find yourself. This article will be a bit different. My goal is to lead you through a checklist of items that I have prioritized, in an effort to think about your self-defense from a different angle. Here is the list of to do items that I gave the student:

  1. Find a qualified first aid course and take it. Work your way up to advanced level emergency life saving techniques.
  2. Take a second look at your fitness level; embrace a lifestyle of fitness and healthy eating.
  3. Take the leap of communicating your self-defense plans to your family. Ensure each member has an “If-then” plan.
  4. Address the weaknesses of your residence. This includes simple items like getting the kids to lock the doors, to higher-level security concepts.
  5. Find a qualified instructor that teaches quality empty-handed combatives, and train to a high level of skill with these techniques.
  6. Research and employ intermediate levels of force options. This might include chemical sprays, electric stun tools, and other items that would be used instead of lethal force.
  7. Research the crime trends in the areas that you frequent, and practice avoidance of those areas or awareness while in them. Educate your family members.
  8. Continue your education and training with your primary weapon system (handgun in this case), and get additional training with any additional weapons you might use for self defense (such as a home defense rifle).
standard range training

For those of us who really like to shoot, going to the range and training is easy and fun…but there are certainly other things you should be addressing that will complete your self-defense picture.

Are you shocked to find firearms related training last on the list? How can this be, coming from Mike Seeklander, the guy who promotes, teaches, and constantly tells you to train harder on the range?   The simple answer is that there is much more to self-defense than just training to use a firearm. While that aspect is critically important, consider the likelihood of having to use your handgun to defend yourself versus the chance that you might have to perform a life saving first aid technique such as CPR or the Heimlich (choking victim) technique on a loved one. Imagine being well trained with your carry gun and having the ability to fend of any attacker only to have your child die because you did not have the first aid skills to save them! The second item on the list is fitness. Why? Simply because being physically fit will aid you in the fight… and even more importantly, heart disease is one of the number one killers in the U.S. Open your mind and consider that defending yourself is bigger than just getting a carry permit and going armed.

I think you get the point, so let me break each area down in a bit more detail. This will allow you to address each concept, assess your plan, and do what is necessary to address your individual weaknesses. Some items on the list may not apply to you (or me), so pay particular attention to your weak areas and addressing them.

Find a qualified first aid course and take it. Work your way up to advanced level First Aidemergency life saving techniques. This is one that has always scared me. I have always worried that something would happen to a family member and I would not be able to help them. I think I got real serious about the time I had my son as an infant, and knowing how fragile the little guy was and how different first aid was in reference to someone that age. I recommend starting simple in this step and simply taking a first aid course that can often be found in your area through the Red Cross. Often times these courses will be taught in the community or at a local college. Sometimes they are free, but most of the time they are cheap, and well worth the investment. Once you have secured the knowledge of simple first aid techniques, consider taking some advanced courses that might be more applicable to a situation where you had been involved in a high stress encounter and someone got severely injured. You never know, you might end up having to treat yourself.

image 2

Fitness is important from a general health aspect, and you are much more likely to face a health issue than an armed attacker. But, if you are involved in a fight for your life your fitness level might make the difference between success and failure. Get “fighting fit!”

Take a second look at your fitness level; embrace a lifestyle of fitness and healthy eating.   Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S..  Imagine that! You are statistically much more likely to be effected by the choices you make in reference to diet and exercise than you are to be attacked and killed by an armed intruder. Yet most people continue to dump deadly levels of refined sugary foods and drinks into their bodies daily.  I often run into “gun guys” who have a great excuse for being extremely overweight and out of physical shape by telling me that is why they carry a gun…because they are just going to shoot someone rather than fight them.   First of all, it is not always that simple, and secondly those guys are much more likely to die at a much younger age due to complications caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. There is so much information out there about getting fit (at any age) and eating healthy it’s almost confusing. My recommendation is to follow the advice of a good trainer that understands your goal and is not just focused on “bodybuilding”.   I spend the majority of my fitness time doing functional moves that directly compliment my combative skills. For example, spend thirty minutes hitting a heavy bag versus doing useless cario on a elliptical machine.  I guarantee you the heavy bag will give you a workout!   For more, check out  The Ultimate Functional Fighting/Shooting Cardio Circuit.

Take the leap of communicating your self-defense plans to your family. Ensure each member has an “If-then” plan. This is one area that is an absolute must and I have found is often ignored by most people who carry a gun. No communicating what you plan to do, and what you want them to do can have life threatening consequences. Imagine your child running into the line of fire and getting struck by you or the attacker if they did not know what to do in a high stress situation like an active shooter. The only way you can possibly expect them (your family) to act under this level of stress is to develop a plan and practice it. I recommend that you develop some simple communication phrases that will cause an immediate response from your spouse and/or children. Its also important that both you and they understand key tactical concepts such as the “line of attack”, and simple ballistics so that your family understands where they should not be during a shooting situation. Once you have your plan discussed, practice it in a controlled setting. Make sure you communicate to your family that you will never “cry wolf” and practice your plan in public, and that if you ever use your key phrase out and about, it will be for real.

Address the weaknesses of your residence. This includes simple items like getting the

Something as simple as this suction cup can be used to leverage and open a sliding glass door. Have you tested the security of your home?

Something as simple as this suction cup can be used to leverage and open a sliding glass door. Have you tested the security of your home?

kids to lock the doors, to higher-level security concepts.

I am amazed at how often I have to remind my own family members to lock the front or rear doors while they enter the house. Often times I think that we get caught up in the “I live in a safe neighborhood” thought process and forget that predators prey on victims who are the most unprepared. If you visit the roughest parts of town, you will find street-smart families and people who have learned not to be a victim. In areas much like the one I live in, you find unaware residents who think the location of there home keeps them safe. This method of thinking often leads to the victim mentality where “it can’t happen to me.” Address the weaknesses of your residence. This might include unlocked doors and windows, garage doors that can be opened without a code or lock, sliding glass doors that are not locked properly, poorly lit areas that might hid an intruder, etc. Violent home invasions are not uncommon these days, and they happen in nice neighborhoods. Learn the trends and discuss how these predators prey on their victims and discuss the security measures you need to take with your family.

Find a qualified instructor that teaches quality empty-handed combatives, and train to a high level of skill with these techniques.  If there is one thing I have come to the conclusion on time and time again in relation to real self-defense, it is the importance of having

Integrating empty-handed skills and firearm skills is a complex process that relies on having a solid foundation of striking and grappling techniques. In this photo I am working on striking and shooting at the same time, an advanced skill that would allow me to defend my handgun from a grab yet still utilize it if lethal force was warranted.

Integrating empty-handed skills and firearm skills is a complex process that relies on having a solid foundation of striking and grappling techniques. In this photo I am working on striking and shooting at the same time, an advanced skill that would allow me to defend my handgun from a grab yet still utilize it if lethal force was warranted.

empty-handed skills. The ability to defend oneself against the physical attack at close range before weapons come out is a huge part of the equation. Getting the gun into the fight where there is justification also requires empty-handed skills at the closer ranges. One of the most important reasons to have solid empty handed skills is the ability to have a tool other than lethal force for certain situations. If I can deflect an attack utilizing unarmed skills and diffuse the situation rather than resorting to a weapon, that is going to be a win-win in any case. Another side benefit is the confidence I will possess by having solid unarmed skills allowing me the option make choices other than lethal force, if they exist.   If possible, not using lethal force is always going to be the best choice.

I strongly recommend that anyone serious about self-defense, and especially those that are less skilled with empty hand combatives, consider other force options such as chemical sprays and electronic stun tools. While lethal force may still be necessary, its nice to have the option to resort to something less deadly.

I strongly recommend that anyone serious about self-defense, and especially those that are less skilled with empty hand combatives, consider other force options such as chemical sprays and electronic stun tools. While lethal force may still be necessary, its nice to have the option to resort to something less deadly.

Research and employ intermediate levels of force options. This might include chemical sprays, electric stun tools, and other items that would be used instead of lethal force.   This is an area that I myself have fallen short on. I have always armed my spouse with some sort of chemical spray, but have not always had something myself as I am always armed. The problem is that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. While I am confident of my empty handed skills, using them means that I have to get very close to someone, close enough that they might realize I am armed. Chemical spray is a great intermediate

solution to an aggressive assault that might not warrant deadly force at that moment. Not having something like that available limits your options and forces you to close with and use empty handed skills, move away and create distance (not always easy with small children), or resort to a firearm. Once again, having other options is my choice and if possible at all, I would recommend utilizing something that allows me to defend myself without using lethal force. Electronic stun devices are great tools in this area, but my last choice since they often times require such close proximity to use. I prefer an option that allows me to maintain more distance yet is still effective.

Research the crime trends in the areas that you frequent, and practice avoidance of those areas or awareness while in them. Educate your family members. This is one that seems to be common sense, but that we often times forget. It seems that the only source of information we count on these days for pertinent facts is our local major media channels. You will be way ahead if you have a keen eye on the crime trends in your area, and specifically the locations they are occurring. An area that has a high number of violent assaults over a given period of time is one to be avoided, yet often times the news media will not tie those trends together well. Ii recommend contacting your local police agency to see if they track crime statistics (I can almost guarantee they do), and find out what data they can provide. Avoidance and awareness are terms we preach in training classes, but avoidance is the first step in the process, and to avoid anything you must first be aware of it. Remember that criminals are creatures of habit, and if they are preying on innocent victims in one area and having success, they will likely stick to that area. If you know where those places are, you can simply avoid them, or if you are forced to be there, practice increased awareness while so.

non-standard positionContinue your education and training with your primary weapon system (handgun in this case), and get additional training with any additional weapons you might use for self-defense (such as a home defense rifle).   Just because this one is last on the list, does not mean it is least important! I am a guy who strongly believes in training regularly. This means committing to a range visit weekly or at least utilizing dry fire or alternate methods of training such as an airsoft gun to hone or maintain your skills.   Years ago as the lead instructor for the firearms program, I used to tell the graduating students in the Federal Air Marshal Academy classes to “take responsibility for your own survival”. I knew that they would have obstacles to overcome when they reached their field offices, and often times training takes a back seat to the mission. In your case, its easy to find excuses for your failure to train with your firearm/s, but in the end you will have to deal with the consequences.

Once again, your action plan steps:

  1. Find a qualified first aid course and take it. Work your way up to advanced level emergency life saving techniques.
  2. Take a second look at your fitness level; embrace a lifestyle of fitness and healthy eating.
  3. Take the leap of communicating your self-defense plans to your family. Ensure each member has an “If-then” plan.
  4. Address the weaknesses of your residence. This includes simple items like getting the kids to lock the doors, to higher-level security concepts.
  5. Find a qualified instructor that teaches quality empty-handed combatives, and train to a high level of skill with these techniques.
  6. Research and employ intermediate levels of force options. This might include chemical sprays, electric stun tools, and other items that would be used instead of lethal force.
  7. Research the crime trends in the areas that you frequent, and practice avoidance of those areas or awareness while in them. Educate your family members.
  8. Continue your education and training with your primary weapon system (handgun in this case), and get additional training with any additional weapons you might use for self defense (such as a home defense rifle).

In closing, I hope you take some of these “self-defense” thoughts and act on them, as action is always stronger than intent. Most importantly, address your own self-defense strengths and weaknesses and step back and objectively look at areas that you might have previously forgot about.

Until Then – Train Hard!

Mike S.

You’re Going To Be In A Gunfight Tomorrow!

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You’re going to be in a gunfight tomorrow – are you prepared?

Do you carry a gun religiously?

Let’s get right to the crux of it –  if you’re going to be in a gunfight and want to win, you have to have a gun.

But the truth is that even those of the population that have taken the time of get their concealed carry permits rarely carry a gun.   I have heard less than one percent!  Really?  I could not find verification of that number, but even if it is close to correct I am very disappointed.   I ate dinner at a nice Mexican restaurant two nights ago and deliberately paid attention to each person who walked through the doors.  I did not notice one that was likely armed.  Granted, there could have been an incredibly smooth operator with a hidden gun in the place, but the skinny jeans and tight shirts on most guys and girls in the place quickly told me that it was very likely no one was armed.

Carrying a gun might be uncomfortable at first, but after a few weeks you will rarely ever notice the gun. You will want to find a carry holster that is comfortable and allows you to carry a gun you would want to fight with.

Carrying a gun might be uncomfortable at first, but after a few weeks you will rarely ever notice the gun. You will want to find a carry holster that is comfortable and allows you to carry a gun you would want to fight with.

I get it.   Guns are uncomfortable.   Tom Givens recently held an instructor development course in the Chander, OK area and had a great epiphany about carrying guns.   It is much like an infant and shoes.   When an infant is born, we often try hard to find the most comfortable shoes possible for their first pair.  Unfortunately, after being born barefoot and living weeks to months that way, the first time we place shoes on those little feet they throw a fit.   Right?  But alas, after a few weeks they become accustomed to them, and it is likely you are wearing shoes as you read this, but have not thought a single thought about them all day.   Wearing a gun religiously is the same, at first it sucks and you might tend to whine about it, but after some time (2-3 weeks) with the right gear, you will pay no more attention to it than your shoes.   Start going armed!

So back to your gunfight.  It is with going to happen.   Tomorrow.   Guaranteed!
So…if with 100% certainty you’re going to be in a gunfight tomorrow, would you prefer to be in a gunfight with that J frame lightweight revolver that has a really heavy double action trigger pull, carried in your front pocket where it is very difficult to access with relative speed?   Don’t get me wrong, I know good revolvers have their place (back up guns), but think about what you will pick for your fight tomorrow with some logic.  Revolver people, don’t bother getting all worked up over this.   Think objectively.

If you knew you’re going to a gunfight and your shooting hand might be injured forcing you to shift and the gun and shoot it with your support hand at an assailant holding your child, would you pick a handgun that was difficult to hit with relative accuracy at speed?  Would you pick a small pocket pistol with a very heavy, creepy double action trigger pull for every shot that was also very difficult to manipulate under stress?

Or instead  would you pick a medium sized, modern semi automatic, higher-capacity, concealable handgun that was

Full sized or compact, either of these guns is going to be a solid choice. Think about it, would you rather be fighting with a five shot revolver with a heavy trigger pull or a good semi-auto with 13 rounds in it?

Full sized or compact, either of these guns is going to be a solid choice. Think about it, would you rather be fighting with a five shot revolver with a heavy trigger pull or a good semi-auto with 13 rounds in it?

very reliable? Don’t you want to have one that you can operate at good speed with good accuracy and that was street proven?

I know my answer and I can guess what yours might be if you know tomorrow’s gunfight is going to happen.  Both of us are probably going to pick the gun that gives us the most advantage.  Most of the pocket pistols out there as well as a large majority of the handguns sold at gun stores recommended by gun store commandos are probably not the ones you should pick in preparation for your gunfight tomorrow.

One more thing, if you are a female and “the expert” told you to carry a revolver due to it’s simplicity and the fact your lower level of training dictates you need something simple, I want you to do two things.  First, slap said “expert” since he/she insulted you by saying that you could and would not train to a solid level of proficiency.  Second, do a little test.   Shoot your revolver on a target five yards away with only one hand.  Fire five shots as fast as you can get hits, one time with your gun hand and one time with your support hand (two separate strings of fire) into the O ring of an I.D.P.A. target.  Count your hits in that circle.  Then, go perform the same test with a high quality small to medium sized semi-automatic like a Glock 26 or 19 and see if your hit ratio and speed goes up significantly.   I have had female students that could not even pull the trigger with their weak hand on their carry revolver….have you tried with yours?

The $500 dollar gun in a $15 dollar holster. I hope you have spent the time and money to select your gear wisely. You get what you pay for!

The $500 dollar gun in a $15 dollar holster. I hope you have spent the time and money to select your gear wisely. This holster and gun will be ripped off the body in seconds if someone gets their hands on it.  You get what you pay for!

How about your gear? Have you tested your carry holster or carry method hundreds if not thousands of times to see if it’s going to allow you to consistently present the handgun very quickly from the holster?  Have you taken it a step further and jumped up and down laid on the ground and rolled around a little bit to see if your handgun is actually gonna stay in your holster?  Your fight tomorrow will be more dynamic than simply standing still and shooting, like you do on the range.

Your fight is coming, have you trained for it?   Have you properly prepared?  To answer that question, we must look at how fights occur and more importantly we must look at how we’re going to be attacked.  There’s a significant amount of data out there these days and I highly respect Tom Givens of (of Range Master in Memphis) and credit him with what I believe some of the most crucial data I’ve come across in 15 years of teaching.  That data shows basically how assaults occur, how you’re going to be attacked,  and also shows what worked in those fights.  It also indicates what ranges the shootings happened at, and how many rounds they fired.

This data from Tom Givens show the distances of the gunfights his students have been in. Tom has had more than 60 students get into shootings that he has debriefed. The distances mimic the distances you would find FBI and DEA agents get into shootings (versus uniformed officers that get into closer range fights).

This data from Tom Givens shows the distances of the gunfights his students have been in. Tom has had more than 60 students get into shootings that he has debriefed. The distances mimic the distances you would find FBI and DEA agents get into shootings (versus uniformed officers that get into closer range fights).

In relation to your gunfight, it’s probably going to occur in around three seconds, at three yards, and around three shots will be fired by you.  Have you spent the majority of you practice on your presentation from concealment (that’s how you’re gonna be carrying it) practicing to draw and hit with 100% certainty and 100% consistency with as much speed as possible?  Remember that you are responsible for each round you fire.  Are you confident that you have practiced enough to hit with all of your shots tomorrow?   If not, are you prepared to deal with the aftermath of shooting someone innocent, like a child?

How about your one-handed shooting?   Statistics show that you’re highly likely to be injured and hit by a bullet in one of your arms. In addition there is a significant amount of our normal daily life duties that require one of our arms to become occupied, therefore the likeliness of us having to fire with one arm is a very good possibility.  Have you trained to control the recoil on your handgun, manage the trigger, and get accurate hits with one arm only? I hope so, I am pretty sure you might have to shoot like this in your fight tomorrow.

How about movement?   It’s been demonstrated over and over again that movement will increase your success in a fight by moving out of the way of the flying bullets.

Drawing fast is one thing, but movement while doing so is a skill everyone should possess. Have you worked on offline movement?

Drawing fast is one thing, but movement while doing so is a skill everyone should possess. Have you worked on offline movement?

Obviously a moving target is more difficult to hit, but more importantly when you present a moving target you surprise the attacker and get out of his line of sight.  Have you practiced your presentation while moving off-line to the left or right?  Getting successful hits while moving is different than doing a fast draw while standing still.   Hey, you’re going to be in a gunfight tomorrow!  Don’t you think that’s a skill you will want to have?

Ok, let me ask the blunt question.  Did you spend some of your time and money on training, ammunition, or information? Or did you drop it all on that new surround sound system and plasma TV for the fall football season?   Hey, you spent the money to get your carry permit right??  That card should suffice since the carry permit course is so intensive and certainly prepared you for the fight tomorrow, didn’t it?  Right!  Much like a teenager is prepared to drive well after they get their license.   I hope you are ready for your fight.  It’s yours to win or lose, not mine.

Let’s talk about your mental preparation.   Having a gun is one thing, carrying it daily is another, but are you prepared to use it?  I’m not talking about some hard-core mental training routine that makes you a cold-blooded killer but I’m talking about doing some sort of mental exercises with the thought process that says not if but when.  Think about it for second.  Anytime you expected anything to happen to you,  remaining relatively calm and comfortable was easy because you were in your comfort zone.  So knowing you’re going to be in a gunfight tomorrow,  wouldn’t you rather have the thought: “I knew this would happen, let’s take care of business”, versus: “oh shit I can’t believe this is happening to me!”?  Surprise might cause hesitation and you to freeze up or make slow decisions.

Do you want to make slow decisions in your gun fight tomorrow?

How about the element of your preparation that assumes that something bad might happen during your gunfight tomorrow.  What if you get shot?  Are you mentally prepared to deal with the consequences of actually getting shot?  If you have done your research you would find a significant number of handgun wounds are not life threatening and allow the person shot to go home in a day or two.  Truthfully, handgun bullets really don’t do much.  When your gunfight occurs tomorrow obviously you don’t want to get shot, but the possibility exists that in a gunfight you might get shot.   If that happens do you want your mentality to be surprise,  anguish, or paralyzing fear?

Mental preparation might include pushing yourself and preparing for the violence of a fight. If you know it is going to happen, don't you want to be comfortable in that situation?

Mental preparation might include pushing yourself and preparing for the violence of a fight. If you know it is going to happen, don’t you want to be comfortable in that situation?

Or or would you rather prepare your mind so that your response is anger instead, one where you get pissed off that they shot you, decide to hunker down and return accurate accurate fire, destroying your opponent? The point is if you expect the possibility of getting shot it won’t be a surprise.   Whether you live or die depends on how you react to it at that moment and what you do.

How about your family?  Does your wife or husband have any clue whatsoever what you’re gonna do and what you expect them to do after you walk around that car in the parking lot and a bad man jumps out of the shadow and points a gun at you?   It’s going to happen tomorrow.
Will they expect you to give up your wallet?  Or draw your handgun and shoot?  Or potentially move off-line aggressively, which if it’s toward them is gonna be slightly disrupting, and draw?
Will they know to move and if so, what direction will they go?  Will they stay in the line of fire, or move laterally and hopefully to a safer spot?  Do your children know what you will do when bad things happen tomorrow or will they have any idea what to do?

The fight is coming.   Are you ready?

Until Then – Train Hard!

Mike S.

Low Light Flashlight Shooting – Old School vs. New School

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Ok- I admit that title was designed to suck the old warriors in as well as the new.   The term “old school” applies to me as well so I can use it!   I admit I learned everything I know from the “old school” warriors that taught in numerous academy or other classes, wrote in published works, or gave me advice one on one.   Since then I have been evolving by questioning everything I thought I knew, and attempting to test as objectively as possible.  What I offer in this post is my opinion, but most I think you will find logical and hard to argue too much with.  That said, it seems like low light shooting is one of the most “opinion” based subjects we have in the tactical/defensive community, so I won’t be surprised to hear someone does not agree with all of this material.  No problem!  Find what works for you and keep an open mind.

Enter Facebook discussion via a picture I posted a couple days ago.  This is the picture posted that started the discussion:IMG_9234

 

 

 

The picture, which depicted the use of a flashlight shooting technique and extreme close quarters position at the same time against an attacker was mistaken for a pseudo “coal miner” technique.   The actual use of it in context is better depicted in this photo:

This picture better depicts what the shooting position above was showing. Of course, in this picture I have defended my head and protected the gun, the next step would be to get into a position to get the muzzle into position to shoot if warranted. Remember, it is a fluid fight that I am reacting to, not one static perfect flashlight position.

This picture better depicts what the shooting position above was showing. Of course, in this picture I have defended my head and protected the gun, the next step would be to get into a position and orienting the muzzle to shoot by turning my body and driving into the attacker if warranted. Remember, it is a fluid fight that I am reacting to, not a static perfect flashlight position.

Now you can clearly see what I was doing.  And yes, I realize the muzzle is pointed slightly low, this is somewhat by design as I retract the gun to protect it.  The flow of the fight would then transition to me throwing counter strikes with the light and/or positioning the gun to shoot by varying the angle of  the muzzle of my gun into an effective position.  Keep in mind that I do want the gun pointed at the lower abdomen and pelvic girdle though, as there is a possibility that my other hand might be extended somewhere in the upper quadrant of the attacker.   If I have my hand high, I want the bullets going a bit lower!

Ok, so let’s break down flashlight technique selection and use.   First, some general principles and thoughts:

  1. Flashlight shooting is much easier with a weapon mounted light.  This is a no-brainer.  The problem is that there are a huge amount of circumstances where we don’t have said light.  Most folks don’t carry bigger guns with rails and lights on them as there everyday carry unless they are carrying in a duty holster.
  2. All low light shooting techniques require you to use the flashlight, and hence illuminate it and become a target.   The light will probably get shot at, this is unavoidable.
  3. There is no way to hide this light, or in real shooting, the muzzle flash.  Hence, there really is no reason to think you can hide your existence and will not be shot at.  Use of cover, good tactics, etc. still prevail.
  4. Low light shooting is not static, and testing a flashlight technique standing still while in a simulated gunfight against attackers does not replicate the needs of the full search/engage system.
  5. Lastly, we should not ignore the data that Tom Givens has relayed over years of research and feedback from his students, and that is that real flashlight use and shooting by those other than uniformed law enforcement is incredibly rare!

Next, the guidelines that govern what flashlight technique I select, train with and use.   My needs are as follows:

  • First, we must stop thinking about flashlight techniques as static shooting positions for range use, and start thinking about selection of our techniques in the real situation we plan to use them in.  If you are searching with a light, you are in a bad situation anyway, a fight most likely… in the dark.
  • My flashlight position must allow me to:
    1. Search a variety of areas with it while by moving the light where I need to illuminate whatever areas I am searching.  Keep in mind that my search position of the light is flexible, yet I like to keep the light in a position where I can quickly index it to my head and do any of the following-
    2. Defend my head with it by using a cage or half cage (imagine a boxer cover up only higher on the head) position.
    3. Strike with it (for when I can’t shoot).  This for me is normally a hammer type strike using the light to maximize the effectiveness of the power.
    4. Shoot with it from medium to longer ranges where I would extend my shooting hand.
    5. Shoot with it from extremely close ranges (while still illuminating the light).

Given the above needs, two handed techniques for defensive situations are eliminated.   Why?  because tying the hands up makes if very difficult to do numbers two, three, and five.  I admit I do use two handed shooting techniques with a light in competitive matches, but remember that I am shooting at paper targets and not searching a space where someone might punch me or hit me with a club.

This is why I don't like two handed flashlight techniques.

This is why I don’t like two handed flashlight techniques.

So, what do I use?  My preference is a one-handed indexing technique that I call the eye index technique.  It allows me to have the light in any position I want while searching and yet quickly index it along side my face (near eye level) and illuminate the threat by putting the bright spot in their eyes while extending the gun to shoot if necessary.   The exact same position allows me to throw a strike out toward someone with the light, or slide my hand higher up my head to protect it from incoming blows. Why not always just shoot you may ask?  Simple, imagine a situation when you are searching and attempting to get to your child’s room and are attacked near their door.   Not knowing where your young child is, would you just automatically shoot?   Or better yet, imagine that someone jumps out of the darkness and swings an object at you, and you protect your head and pull the handgun back and automatically pull the trigger.  Only to find that it was your teenage son who had also heard a noise in the home and thought you were the intruder.   The point is that you might be forced to defend against an attack for a moment before you have a chance to shoot.   Two-handed techniques fall apart quickly in this situation.

One-handed eye index technique, this is my preferred technique. It allows me the most flexibility in terms of use.

One-handed eye index technique, this is my preferred technique. It allows me the most flexibility in terms of use.

Why index the light up near the eye?  Because having it lower like on the next or near the chest actually causes the light to wash off your own hands back into your eyes, blinding you if it is really dark.   The corresponding shadow you create from backlighting your own hand covers the threat and makes it harder to see what they are doing.   You need that information quickly in order to make your decision to shoot or not.

Notice the shadow effect from having the light in the wrong position. This is why I don't want the light around my chest or neck area.

Notice the shadow effect from having the light in the wrong position. This is why I don’t want the light around my chest or neck area.

 

Am I afraid that someone might shoot at the light?  Yep!  That is why I would use cover, movement, etc. to the best of my advantage.  Try this, stand in any dark room and use any flashlight technique.  Have someone stand across the room and tell you what they see.  Illuminate the light.  Now try illuminating it while holding it away from your body.  You/they will notice a few things right away.  First, it is very difficult to point the light with precision while holding it out away from your body.   Secondly, no matter where you hold the light, you are still a target because the light illuminates most of the room.   Imagine now that you are holding the light out away from your body, and shooting.  Even if the light beam is an arms length away, take a guess where the muzzle flash is?  Yep, it’s right in front of you once again making you a lit target.   My point is that there really is not a flashlight technique that will not expose you as a target, because the simple fact is that you are turning a light on.   My preference is to use the light quickly and effectively in a position near my face that allows me to dominate them with my light by putting the bright spot in their eyes, hopefully giving me a few

Dominate with the light, make your decision, and use effective fire to stop the fight. Worrying too much about your light attracting bullets is useless because you can not hide your light or muzzle flash. Use good tactics, positions, and cover to mitigate this.

Dominate with the light, make your decision, and use effective fire to stop the fight. Worrying too much about your light attracting bullets is useless because you can not hide your light or muzzle flash. Use good tactics, positions, and cover to mitigate this.

seconds to make a decision and then shoot from the exact same position if I need to.

Don’t misunderstand me, I am not going to stand still and leave the light on and hope it does not get shot at.  If I am in search mode the light gets turned on briefly, then off and I will move.  This keeps me mobil and I will not be in the same spot.   If during my illumination I spot a person, I immediately get the light in their eyes and build my shooting position (eye index technique).  This domination with the light gives me the advantage and time to shoot.  Test this, in a darkened room with enough light to see, have a friend flick your hand with theirs as you hold your hand out in front of them in different positions.   Have a good carry light in your hand and after several flicks from them, illuminate the light directly into their eyes.  Then immediately present another target.  You will notice it takes a good three or four seconds before they can do anything, much less flick your hand again.  You disrupted their system!   That is the time you would use to make your decision to shoot, move, strike, or communicate.   Remember, this is a flexible fast moving environment!

I hope this post gives you something to think about in terms of selecting a flashlight shooting position that meets not just your static range shooting needs, but searching, defending, striking and fluidity needs in a real life environment as well. My choice is obvious, but in the end you must select what will serve you the best!

Until Then – Train Hard!

Mike S.