You are on your own

[Van Canna]

This of interest from John Farnam of Defense Training International

Hostage!
26 Aug 10

Hostage!

From critical incidents world-wide, it is painfully obvious that " hostage/kidnap incidents" seldom have happy endings!

Whether being held for ransom by local bandits/insurgents, being taken hostage by a desperado during a bank robbery, or any other scenario where your personal freedom is usurped, and you find yourself under the control of violent criminals, you will likely not live through it!

Hostages are rescued, unhurt, from such desperate circumstances only a small percentage of the time, and I suspect even fewer will survive in the future as the entire world situation continues to grow ever more dangerous and barbarous.

During kidnapings, even after ransom has been paid, hostages are almost always permanently maimed/mutilated/traumatized. Most don't live through it, and are never seen again.

And, when you're physically restrained, confined, blindfolded, isolated, and weakened through starvation, dehydration, and physical abuse, options incrementally evaporate.

How does one avoid becoming a hostage:

(1) Lower your personal profile. Don't appear to be "important." Don't hang around with "important" people. Don't stand next to "important" people when they're photographed.

Don't be interviewed on TV, don't give speeches to large groups, and don't get your photo published in newspapers/magazines. Having a face, physical appearance, and status that is well known and immediately recognizable carries with it enormous risk, especially now!

(2) Minimize your time in airports, banks, political events, and foreign countries.

(3) When entering any building or vehicle, immediately identify all exits and potential exits. Sit close to one. Always have an exit plan!

(4) Be alert and aware. Get out and away at the first sign of criminal activity. When told to "stay put" by "authorities," get out!

(5) Be self-contained. Always have cash, credit-cards, blades, and guns on your person. Have a rifle, magazines, and a trauma kit in your car.

(6) Be willing, and fully prepared, to shoot your way out, immediately! This may well be your only viable option, and, the longer you wait, the weaker you become. Options disappear rapidly the longer the event goes on.

(7) Don't wait to be rescued. Be constantly looking for opportunities to avoid/escape/evade. Act at the critical moment. Depending on circumstances, rescuers may not be on their way at all, and the ones who do show up may not be particularly helpful (as in Mumbai). In fact, they may even be in on it (as in Beslan), or just bungling buffoons (as in Manilla).

The entire System may be overwhelmed and paralyzed, and coldly indifferent political forces, even in this country, may well consider you "expendable" and may already have written you off.

(8) It can't be said too often: You're on your own!

/John

[Van Canna]

Here's a good one from Farnam

Proud to be Stupid?
23 July 10

"Who are afraid to fall on their face, will invariably fall on their ass!"

Tempestuous comments from the willfully naive, with regard to my last Quip:

"I'm perfectly happy, and willing, to deal with the consequences of my choices, because my choices are guided by a Higher Wisdom than are yours and have protected me from extensive, life-threatening, multiple perils in my life, without a gun ever having to be present..."

She says that now, while comfortably fat, dumb, and happy! Philosophical discussions are always best done on a full stomach, eh?

It is astonishing to me that there are still so many of these vain, conceited, self-satisfied twits, ever-dripping with religious overtones, who smugly insist that God will shield them from all the uncertainties of life, because they are apparently so wonderful that they have somehow earned it!

When it is pointed out to them that nearly all old-testament prophets, along with new-testament disciples and apostles alike were ultimately homicide victims, they continue to arrogantly claim that "divine protection" is their right. God apparently owes them!

When disaster strikes, her egotistical "amour-propre" will precipitously, piteously be converted to anguished cries of "... this is so unfair!"

... always the "famous last words" of losers!

/John

[Van Canna]

Making Breakfast!
07 June 10

"... going to guns!"

In any domestic personal-security emergency, where a deadly-force response is clearly indicated, or reasonably anticipated, getting pistols deftly drawn from concealment and aimed, or at least leveled, at the threat(s) requires a finite amount of time, usually exceeding a second, and for many, approaching two.

But, that is the fastest component!

We must add the time it takes us to mentally go from condition "yellow," through to "black," so our deadly-force response can even download, and ultimately initiate.

It is here that denial, indecision, and dithering represent fatal errors.


You can practice extensively, responding to a whistle or any other signal, drawing and firing. And, as you progressively eliminate unnecessary parts and motions, you can get your times down to about as short as they will ever be. And, without doubt, we should all do that!

However, without the addition of scenario-based exercises, dithering will still predictably add as many as five seconds to your response time, rendering your lightening-draw, and the balance of your finely-tuned physical skills, all but irrelevant!

Through scenario-based training, we learn what to look for. We also learn how to integrate verbal, postural, movement, observational, and deadly-force skills into a coordinated strategy.

We learn how to disrupt our opponent's plan, slowing his ability to concentrate, disturbing his focus, dis-coordinating his deception scheme, and delaying/befuddling his physical attack.

These skills are every bit as important as gun-skills, and, like gun-skills, must be hard-wired through extensive practice.

Just because you skillfully operate a toaster, doesn't necessarily mean you can "make breakfast!" "Making breakfast" calls for a number of integrated skills, of which "operating a toaster" is, for all its grandeur, only one.

By itself, "operating a toaster," no matter how masterfully, will not get breakfast served!

/John

[Van Canna]

When tempted to insert yourself into a dangerous situation, in which you are not otherwise involved, think twice! When going in too fast, and too soon, in an attempt to take control "before things get out of hand," you will often discover you're in over your head before you know it.

Uniformed officers has radios and backup. You have neither! There is surely a time and place for overt aggressiveness, but, when by yourself, it is all too easy to paint yourself into a corner. Be extremely cautious with irreversible commitments!

When interacting with strangers, particularly potential panhandlers, there is usually no cause to be cold and non-communicative. You can smile and say "hello." However, be ever-prepared to disengage immediately.

Do not answer questions nor allow yourself to be drawn in a conversation. For sure, do not respond to uppish challenges.

In order to get a reaction from you, panhandlers will often cast about for "hot-buttons" sexual, racial, territorial, religious, et al. Don't fall for it!

Politely dismiss them as you move on.

_ Farnam

[Van Canna]

Don't mumble! Soft-spoken mumblers and routinely selected for victimization by VCAs. Confused, indecisive, hesitant mumbling always projects weakness and confusion of purpose. Speak clearly, and in complete, coherent, English sentences!

Finally, don't spend a lot of time standing in the open. Always be aware of nearby objects that represent good cover, and have a plan to move toward them when necessary. When the situation starts getting dicey, get moving toward cover. Get something between you and the threat.

....Farnam

[Van Canna]

Here is the sad truth: Trash is trash, and will predictably act like trash. Behavioral patterns are set for life and are unlikely to ever change. Ask anyone who works in a jail or prison!

Don't allow trash into your life, no matter what age, even "relatives." Have nothing to do with them. You will be gratuitously exposing yourself, and your family, to great peril, as we see!

/John

[Van Canna]

Interesting view:

It struck me all at once:

Most Americans will never seek out competent training, never carry a pistol concealed, never even own a pistol, nor any other kind of gun. And, when 'the Test' comes, they'll be utterly unprepared, having never even thought about it.

They'll all perish, of course, and the last emotions to go through their minds will be amazement and indignation!

'This is so unfair,' will be the final, naive thought to pass through their brains.

Even in death, most will never take personal responsibility for their own destiny, never admit to themselves that they have been willingly duped and deceived by the false philosophy of 'learned helplessness.'

Boldly, audaciously, and automatically facing a threat, and preparing to fight, may never be the leftist, 'politically correct' response, but it is always the right one!

Of course, who no longer even knows right from wrong, courage from cowardice, will never translate the foregoing, nor will any of it ever make much sense to him. Not, at least, during this life!"

Comment: In view of world history, naively believing that you will never have to fight to protect your own life, and the lives of others you care about, is self-deception in just about its purest form!

And, in view of current world history, few of us will have to wait much longer to test that theory!

"Personal weapons (along with the skill to operate them proficiently, and the judgement and decisiveness to employ them at the critical moment) are a source of comfort when you're not fighting, but essential when you are!"

D Kahn

[Van Canna]

Your attackers are at their weakest and most disorganized at the beginning of the ordeal. As the confrontation goes on, they will increase their control, as your options dry up, one by one.

When you assume the posture they demand, allow them to search you, allow them to tie you up, et al, in the end you'll have no options. Likewise, when you allow them to escape with a family member under their control, you'll likely never see that family member alive again!

A student says, "... when someone has me at gunpoint, if I move, they'll likely shoot!"

There is no satisfactory, nor comfortable answer to that. All I can say in reply is, "You're dead anyway!"

When you act with precise, but overwhelming, force, you may yet prevail. When you dither, there is little hope for your survival.

Everyone wants the "no-risk" solution. This is fantasy! There is no such thing. "Doing nothing" is never risk-free, nor is any other solution you 're contemplating.

_ Farnam

[Van Canna]

'I'm sorry Sir. I can't help you,'

Lessons learned/relearned/confirmed:

(1) A 'bad neighborhood' is coming to a place near you! Violent predators are everywhere. Bad things can happen anywhere.

(2) Stay alert and keep your head up, no matter where you are. Don't allow trivial distractions to inordinately command your attention.

(3) Be immediately suspicions of incongruent circumstances. When something is 'not right,' straightaway look for more things that are 'not right.' You'll likely find them!

(4) Get off the 'X!' Disrupt his plan. Don't stand flat-footed in one place.

(5) Don't answer questions!

Even saying, 'No,' will be interpreted as an invitation to more questions.

Abruptly (but politely) dismiss him and his unwanted queries with, 'I'm sorry Sir. I can't help you,' no matter what he says or asks. Repeat as necessary.

(6) Don't wait for him to complete his sentence, pause, change subjects, nor stop talking. Break right in with the above tape-loop.

(7) Speak authoritatively, clearly, and with an uncluttered command-voice, loud enough to be heard by witnesses.

(8) Take advantage of his hesitation. Disengage and separate without delay, while he dithers.

(9) Finally, be prepared to instantly escalate, going 'all-the-way' when necessary!"

[Van Canna]

Abruptly (but politely) dismiss him and his unwanted queries with, 'I'm sorry Sir. I can't help you,' no matter what he says or asks. Repeat as necessary.

Don't wait for him to complete his sentence, pause, change subjects, nor stop talking. Break right in with the above tape-loop.

[Van Canna]

With regard to answering your door, particularly at night, when you're not expecting anyone.

Don't! There is no law that requires you to answer your door.

When you do answer your door, always be armed and ready to react. Being armed, even while at home, has become a necessity!

Electronic speakers, that allow you to talk with someone at your door without opening it, are highly recommended.

_Farnam

[Van Canna]

Poignant thoughts

When It's Least Expected....!
29 Oct 09

Three off-duty, OIS (Officer-Involved Shootings), fatal and near-fatal, in NY, from a friend in the area:

"Three off-duty police officers, wearing plain clothes, fatally gunned-down knife, and bat-wielding attackers in three, separate cases last Tuesday.

Two officers fired their pistols at close range during separate car-jacking attempts. "... car-jackers selected their victims most unwisely," wryly commented a police spokesman. Suspects in both cases were DRT.

Later the same day, two suspects, armed with baseball bats, assaulted a detective as he was vacuuming his personal vehicle at a local car wash. In the ensuing gunfire, one suspect, struck multiple times, was DRT. The other fled, but was apprehended by responding officers a short time later."

Comment: In all three cases, "victims" emerged victorious and unharmed, not because they happen to be LEOs, but because they were armed, trained, and eminently willing to defend their own lives with precision gunfire.

Result: Three officers, none-the-worse for wear, three VCAs who will never commit another violent crime (nor any kind of crime for that matter), and one VCA under arrest.

What's not to like?

The only ones "disturbed" by this kind of happy outcome are liberal politicians, who live for the creation of victims who will "need' them!

The lesson here for the rest of us is: Always be armed, because you can't know when the Test will come. The chronically unprepared have no right to complain about perpetual "victim" status.

Once more: When it's least expected, you're elected!

/John

[Van Canna]

Most Deadly Weapon!30 Sept 09

Shod feet, the most deadly weapon!

From a friend close to this story:

"A teenage boy was beaten to death, in public, by a gang of thugs in Chicago last week. Much of the attack was recorded on video. The murder took less than a minute. To the bitter disappointment of the city's gaggle of hand-wringing, pseudo-sanctimonious politicians, no guns were involved!

Once again, we see how absolutely lethal are kicks to the head of a downed victim, particularly in the context of multiple assailants.

Although the initial impact that sent the victim to the ground was inflicted via a board or club or some kind, fatal damage was subsequently inflicted by the shod feet of the assailants.

This format of attack is common, and is far more dangerous than is realized by most. Fatal head-injury can be easily inflicted within seconds. Head trauma is extremely dangerous, and, due to the enclosed nature of the cranium, swelling of the brain will likely exacerbate injury."

Comment: From our perspective, it is imperative that, during such an attack, we avoid being rendered unconscious. Once on the ground, we must protect our head from multiple kicks and other blows, employing lethal force when necessary, and regain upright footing as rapidly as possible.

When your head is in contact with a solid object, blows directed at it are infinitely more injurious than when you are upright,, and your head is free to move with the blow.

Protect you head. It's the only one you have!

/John

[Van Canna]

Comment: From our perspective, it is imperative that, during such an attack, we avoid being rendered unconscious.

Once on the ground, we must protect our head from multiple kicks and other blows, employing lethal force when necessary, and regain upright footing as rapidly as possible.

When your head is in contact with a solid object, blows directed at it are infinitely more injurious than when you are upright,, and your head is free to move with the blow.

[Van Canna]

Legal Advice11 Sept 09

More sage legal advice, from a well-known trial-lawyer and student:

"One is well-advised to quickly and discretely retreat in the face of dangerous threats, assuming retreat can be accomplished in relative safety. There are many practical advantages to extracting oneself from threatening situations. One is that no court has ever sent anyone to prison for retreating!

From the standpoint of defending, in criminal court, the actions of my client, putting forth the tedious argument that he was legally entitled to majestically defend his position with gunfire, never giving an inch, is far from my favorite approach. I've been in this business a long time, and I promise you that wearisome, hair-splitting pedants do not successful trial-lawyers make!

However, even when some sort of 'retreat' is required by law, but doing so will likely get you killed or seriously injured, then you're just going to have to deal with the situation as best you can, worrying about legal ramifications later. No law, anywhere that I know of, requires one to retreat, when doing so puts him, and/or other innocent parties, in peril.

My best advice:

(1) Adopt a personal lifestyle that deliberately avoids dangerous places and situations (2) Be alert and aware (3) Exit potentially threatening circumstances early on, when you can (4) Shoot (with precision), when you have no choice (5) Stop shooting when threats are clearly abrogated (6) Stay alert and get to a place of relative safety (7) Call police at your first practical opportunity (8) When police arrive, tell them just enough so that they understand whom you are and what role you played (9) Otherwise, politely insist that your lawyer be personally present before answering questions, and thereafter (10) Exercise your right to remain silent."

Comment: In addition, understand that whatever you do, chose not to do, or fail to do, it won't be perfect! Everyone, from media commentators, to investigators, to judges, to lawyers, to plaintiff's experts will wearisomely point out where, and how, you could have done it better.

And, to one degree or another, they'll be right!

Fortunately, the law doesn't require you to be perfect. The law only requires you to be "reasonable," whatever that means!

/John