If you knew that you would be in a fight for your life in six months, how would you train? How about six weeks? If you knew that walking out the door of your station on your next tour of duty, within minutes you would be in a life and death struggle for your very life, how would you equip?
Survival Goals
Take these questions right now and sit down and put pen to paper. Make an honest assessment of how prepared you are to not only survive a life threatening encounter, but to win it. Assess your abilities in each category from one (lowest) to ten (highest). Rate yourself in the following criterion:
- Knowledge of the law: Do you know what comprises reasonable suspicion? Probable cause? Do you know when you can detain, frisk for weapons? Do you know your state law so you can make proper decisions on when to arrest? Do you know the constitutional guidelines on non-deadly and deadly force in this country? Do you know when you can and can’t shoot?
- Knowledge of tactics: What was the last article or book you read on officer survival? The last course you attended that specifically addressed officer survival tactics?
- Overall fitness: What are your aerobic capabilities? Anaerobic? Do you, honestly, have the strength and stamina to successfully control a resistive suspect?
- Empty hand control skills: Are your physical control skills up to par? Are you confidant in your abilities to use these skills to control an assaultive or combative suspect?
- Intermediate weapons: Are you skilled in the use of all your intermediate weapons? From pepper spray to baton as well as Taser®, do you have the skills with these tools to effectively control a violent suspect?
- Shooting skills: Are your abilities with your firearms such that you could reasonably deliver fire on a deadly threat at all ranges in all conditions (extreme close range, close range, or at a distance, in low light, or with your long gun)?
- Decision making: Finally, have you tested your abilities under confrontation simulation conditions? Have you engaged in force on force or role playing exercises using all your force options to pressure test your abilities?
Blueprint for survival
You now have areas to focus on to build a blueprint to improve your survival competence and confidence. You see, confidence on the street comes from competence, which is only gained in training. To improve your chances of winning, you must be a well-rounded performer in all areas. In order to make good decisions based on the law and sound tactics, you must be able to effectively deliver force on all levels and make these decisions under fight or flight conditions. Now that you’ve critiqued yourself, write down some goals (most people never take the time to write their goals down) and importantly give yourself a timeline to achieve these goals. The timeline should indicate realistic short-, mid- and long-term goals. Where do you want to be in a month, six months and a year? Then map out a strategy of how to achieve these goals. What persons or programs will help you achieve these goals? You must make a commitment to invest the sweat equity to achieve these goals. Without this intent, writing goals on paper is meaningless.
Get to it!
With goals in mind and a plan to achieve them, the only thing left is the fun part, the process of achievement. It may not be easy — few things in life worth achieving are — but the rewards will manifest themselves in so many ways. For instance, increased confidence and fitness will reduce the effects of stress as well as improve overall happiness in life (yes, partners, there is truly more to life than police work!). At the SHOT show in Vegas I watched as shooting champion Todd Jarrett demonstrated his draw from a Blackhawk Serpa® holster (the same holster I carry each day) to a two handed Isosceles stance. Todd was able to draw and fire one shot in six tenths of one second! He didn’t achieve this ability in one day. He, like anyone else that achieves mastery of a skill, worked through a progression of training that lead to high performance. So can you!
To paraphrase former Detroit sergeant and noted police survival authority Evan Marshall, “survival is not a book or course — it is a way of life.” The above areas are not the only ones, but comprise a core of knowledge areas and skills that must be trained and maintained throughout your career. In that they are a destination that is never truly reached. But like most good vacation trips, the enjoyment should start once you begin your travel. Begin your life’s survival quest today and you will immediately reap the benefits, and if placed in harm’s way you will be better prepared to win the day and go home at the end of your shift!
