Readiness

By Thom Bolsch and Ron Mullins

A little over a year ago, we wrote on the subject that if we are witness to an event; we are effectively
the first person with the ability to respond to the event.
We pointed out lives can be saved as a result of the actions of the “first person” on scene. The first person may NOT be police, fire are medical professionals; it may be you! In the earlier article, we coined the phrase “Citizen Responders” for those who take action in such incidences.

Are you prepared to take action if you come upon a medical, or other type of emergency? Are you a “Citizen Responder”?

For the Boy Scouts out there; you’ll recall that one of our mottos is “Be Prepared”. Now, you don’t have to be a Boy Scout to be willing to step in as a responsible member of society and help someone.

Anyone could can witness an incident or come across a situation that requires immediate action. Are you prepared to take that action? For those of you that are students of being prepared, you know first, you must learn the appropriate response needed. If you witness a Cardiac Arrest, you know CPR can save that person’s life.

Should you witness a vehicle upside down in a ditch, you know to first insure it’s safe to approach,
then address any victims with your “Stop the Bleed” training. If you walk into a cell phone store and ‘actors’ are robbing the place; are you going to protect the pregnant woman standing in the corner?

And last, but not least; living in the South; we should know what to have and do before, during and after a hurricane. (We hope Barry brought that awareness to the forefront for this year’s season!) With each incident, there are tools that may make your response actions more impactful.

CPR – You need the know-how and a phone to call 9-1-1.
Arterial bleeding – You need clean cloth, and maybe even a tourniquet. Violent altercation – Some type of defensive tool.

What do you have with you, or on you, every day when you leave the house? How well are you prepared to act in an urgent situation?

Let’s consider the probabilities of an incident. How often is the average person going to encounter a gun battle, or a car wreck or a co-worker passed out in the hallway? We train regularly at the range; do we gain know-how by taking classes in First Aid or bleeding control?

If you watch the evening news; you are introduced, several times a week, to an incident. Would you be able to act if you were witness, or involved, in one of those news story?

The subject is readiness. We want to discuss the tools you have available when, not “if” – but “when,” you witness an event and must act to save a life.

What would that Boy Scout need to “Be Prepared”? What would you need? What would you want?

You can find dozens of articles on what to have in a ‘go bag’. Let’s focus on what you carry with you every day when you step out into the world. This concept is referred to Every Day Carry (EDC) – what you have on you every day. Each person’s EDC is personal and customized to their lifestyle, skill set and environment.

As an example; I carry a first aid kit, with blood clotting bandages, nitrile gloves, band aids and a tourniquet. Additionally, in my EDC; I have two pocket knives, a tactical pen, a kubaton with parachute cord, handkerchief, flashlights (yes, that’s plural – one is a back-up phone charger), whistle, disinfectant wipes and lotion, carabiner, cell phone and a Sig Sauer 9mm. This is in addition to a calculator, ruler, various writing instruments, a laptop, power cord, notebooks and glasses (required with age).

My “briefcase” is a military style sling bag with lots of pockets and straps allowing me to have all this at my disposal when I walk out the door. When preparing your own EDC, you should you encounter an event to which you will respond; you must consider your lifestyle, your training, your daily activity, your mobility and how you carry those items.

If your activities prevent you carrying a backpack with you during the course of your day; you’ll be limited to what you can carry on your person. If your activities have you in and out of federal buildings or schools (or locations posted as 30.06); your defensive tools will be limited to non-fatal.
What you determine you need to be prepared is personal.

How you determine to carry what you need is predicated on your lifestyle and daily activities.

Below is a list of various items that are carried daily by a random group of people we polled last week:
 Cell phone
 Pocket knife
 Metal pen / Tactical pen
 Flashlight
 Firearm and extra magazine
 Lightweight Medical Pouch

It is our responsibility to protect ourselves. It is our responsibility to look after our neighbor. It is our obligation to respond – and we must know how to respond; and have the tools necessary to affect a positive outcome.

If you’re just starting in this arena of preparedness – “Citizen Responder”; take a Hands Only CPR
class. Next step is a ‘Stop the Bleed’ class. Follow that up with a defensive striking course. If you
carry a firearm, take a tactical pistol class.

Stay Alert, Stay Safe.

Readiness

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