Advanced CCW Training

[rycerz]

Today I had the opportunity to go through an advanced CCW course. What was the course about? Using your head: literally and figuratively. What do I mean you say? Well if you want to find out, read on:

Imagine this: you have trained at the range your draw, your aim, your response time and suddendly you are presented in a situation where you see a man with a gun. What do you do? Pop quiz hotshot! Most people instinctevly will have the tendency to draw and act (don't deny it till you try it: it's a bad reaction, but it's instict and adrenaline driven). Sometimes (if not most of the times) walking away or trying to blend in the wall is the answer. Why? Because things are not what they seem. Sure, you can sit here and theorize and go through what if's but it's not going to be the same. Bottom line is, be a witness, now matter how hard it is, but while making sure that you are going to be a good witness, make sure that you don't become evidence.

The other part of the excercise is making folks realize how bad observers and witnesses they are. 6 people watch the screen. 5 witnesses, 1 participant. None of those 6 can agree on all the details. maybe half will agree on 50% of the details (important ones). Couple comments from today come to mind:
Q: what was the breed of the dog that walked out of the house?
A: what dog? There was a dog? Where was the dog???

I wish I could explain it better, but seeing is believing. There are things that you cannot explain. This is something that has to be experience because even though I just went through it again and I have recent scenarios playing out in my mind, I am also replaying in my mind the older scenarios (ones from about 3 weeks ago).

All of them make you think HARD and at the very end of the day, they still feel real!

More info on the course will follow within next couple days. I know you all are dying to take it, but please bear with me as I"m getting all the details so that I can post them.

[BexSoCal]

One word. WOW!

The adrenaline headache that I got after my 3rd scenario. I think I'm still shaking.On that one I'm glad I headshot the guy then continued to scan.

The one before it. I'm glad I didn't fire a shot.

Absolutely the best training ever!

Finally, thanks for the awful dreams last night of guns that wouldn't load and bullets that had no affect.

[rycerz]

Btw, the simulation was done in the PRISim system.

Advanced Interactive Systems

More details will follow.

[Hoser]

Rycerz: are you gonna give us a hint where the class was, who's class, etc?

[OCResident]

I was there too, for the second time. This was potentially life saving training. WAY different than shooting at paper targets.

I learned:

• I had a tendency to "spray and pray". I learned to do a better job slowing it up and aiming better while under stress
• Proper use of cover is very important
• Hesitation will cost you your life (or at least a nice welt from the shootback cannon)
• I need to be more observant of my surroundings
• and much, much more

It was equally interested watching as a "witness" and learned just as much.

[akulahawk]

Originally Posted by Hoser

Rycerz: are you gonna give us a hint where the class was, who's class, etc?

Probably won't ever be a regularly scheduled class.

[akulahawk]

Originally Posted by OCResident

I was there too, for the second time. This was potentially life saving training. WAY different than shooting at paper targets.

I learned:

• I had a tendency to "spray and pray". I learned to do a better job slowing it up and aiming better while under stress
• Proper use of cover is very important
• Hesitation will cost you your life (or at least a nice welt from the shootback cannon)
• I need to be more observant of my surroundings
• and much, much more

It was equally interested watching as a "witness" and learned just as much.

What you learned is the same kinds of things that new Paramedics learn during their initial training. Yes, I spent 1200 hours learning how to be one. About half that was bookwork. If that was all that was necessary, I'd have been done in about 600 hours. And I would have SUCKED MOST HORRIBLY even though I was a VERY experienced EMT. In general I learned:

• Slowing down a little can often make you MUCH faster
• Having actions preplanned is invaluable
• Hesitation can cost you YOUR life or your PATIENT'S life
• Being observant can yield many clues to your patient's problems
• Being observant can keep you out of harm's way...
• Sometimes people fight "The Uniform" no matter what it represents
• How I handle stress, especially at 3 am
• Sometimes, scenarios can be no-win... and are designed to make you THINK...

Knowing all the above, even without going through that training, getting that kind of training and feedback is absolutely invaluable.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by Hoser

Rycerz: are you gonna give us a hint where the class was, who's class, etc?

It was my class. The simulator can be seen at
Self Defense Firearms Training - AIS Professional Range Instruction Simulator

I set it up as needed for founding, senior members.

[Dan M.]

I was priveleged to participate in this class also. A day and a half later, I'm still running through the scenarios in my head, thinking of different ways they could've gone and different ways I would hope to react. Not only that, being out and about while carrying has a new feel. Not that I consider myself any kind of expert in such matters, but I feel like I took a large step forward in training. As has been said by some of those who took part, witnessing scenarios being experienced by others was every bit as educational as running through it in person (without the adrenaline). I look forward to being able to participate again. Awesome class!

[Hoser]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

It was my class. The simulator can be seen at
Self Defense Firearms Training - AIS Professional Range Instruction Simulator

I set it up as needed for founding, senior members.

Copy that...I was thinking that might be the case! Sounds like fun!

[rycerz]

Because this is advanced training course, it is setup as a continued education offered through CCWI. The prerequisites are prior participation in one of the classes offered by CCWI as well as an approval (to insure that one has already aquired the skills that would allow him or her to benefit from this advanced class).
To find out if you qualify please contact Greg (aka CCWI) directly @ greg@firearmstraining.com

[sdphoto]

I have used the simulator for fun @ my local range and now they are tearing it out.. Real bummer!

Drug Wars was my favorite.

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by sdphoto

I have used the simulator for fun @ my local range and now they are tearing it out.. Real bummer!

Drug Wars was my favorite.

Drugs wars, Mad dog McGree and Bounty hunter are not simulator training. Those are video games that were uploaded to the simulator. You must be talking about a range near magnolia.

[sdphoto]

That would be the one, I live like 5 min from there, Not sure if Adaline still owns it.

[X-ffdo]

Simulators!!!!!!!! ...Did someone say.... Simulators? You mean, I am going to have to do this again?????
"You have simulator scheduled for tomorrow.......briefing at 04:00......"
Oh no!!!!!......back to the simulator!!!!!!!!! (Nightmare like thoughts).......can I call in sick?....No!...just bring your Pepto Bismol!