Post by Hachelen on Feb 1, 2007 12:29:18 GMT -5
Originally posted by Jinsei
What's In Your Fanny Pack?:
Must have tools for everyday carry
You never know when it's going to happen. So you need to be prepared, because no one has as much a vested interest in your safety as you do. Unfortunately, most people don't have the will or the skill to help you much and the cops are at least two to three minutes away (in some jurisdictions it might be more like 20 to 40 minutes). Remember the acronym YOYO -- it means "you're on your own".
That means you will need to carry -- or have access -- to lifesaving and life-preserving self-defense tools. For operators and officers, this will invariably be some of the same tools you carry on-duty. For the prepared and safety-minded civilian, some of these tools will be new, but you should consider nonetheless.
Cops, operators, bodyguards and other professionals carry a staggering amount of "stuff". Many of these pros have what they call a "battle bag" which they can transfer in and out of their vehicles. I've seen these bags carry virtually an entire SWAT team member kit. I've also seen them packed with various tools for emergency auto repair, socks for the gym and old forms from the office. So the contents can be widely disparate.
But here's what most professionals carry:
Firearm
This can be your duty firearm or a backup weapon that is more suitable for concealed carry and casual clothes. We are invariably talking handguns here. As Col. Jeff Cooper says, the handgun is the only firearm that can be worn and not borne. Massad Ayoob once told me that he would advise everyone to carry their duty weapon for familiarity, power and legal defensibility. You probably shoot your duty weapon more so you are more comfortable with it under stress, it fires a full-power cartridge and -- since it is documented that you qualify with it at least once a year -- it is more defensible in court if you ever are involved in a shooting. Steve Krystek advocates that your secondary weapon (after a suitable handgun) that should be carried in your car is a shotgun filled with slugs. The slugs provide superior stopping power and penetration in the typical urban and vehicle environment. Others like buckshot in their 12 gauges.
I've recommended against buying or carrying "too much" gun before. I've seen people of smaller stature or less experienced shooters who are poorly served by trying to shoot a full-sized .45 or .40. They immediately do better with a 9mm. I would also contend that the .380 you have in your pocket is vastly superior to the .357 you left at home. Don't be afraid to look at .38 Special snub nose revolvers as well as the smaller .380 and .32 automatics. The point is, when you need a gun, you desperately need a gun.
Knife
I'm not a big knife person -- I don't want to make the mistake of taking a knife to a gunfight. I also can't justify using a knife in a fistfight. However, a knife has a prime role in your self-defense kit. It can be used for combat (I've kept my hand on my Emerson during a few tense moments with three punks inside a convenience store when I didn't have my Glock) or for any one of the crazy scenarios you can come up with for a cutting tool. I've also carried a Spyderco during travels to Europe when, obviously, I could not carry a firearm.
A knife does not necessarily have to a combat folder. I carry a Leatherman tool in my fanny pack ("bum bag" for our UK friends). I know Scott Wagner advocates carrying the Gerber Mulitplier multi-tool. I've also trained an executive protection specialist who carried a hooked knife designed specifically for safely cutting seat belts. Smith and Wesson has a knife designed for police and rescue personnel with different blade and a windshield punch for freeing trapped car accident victims.
You'll probably use the screwdriver or pliers on the multi-tool hundreds of times before you have to use your combat blade in a fight.
Having said that, however, I do carry an Emerson CQB-7 folder in my pocket or clipped inside my body armor and a Cold Steel push dagger in my boot when I'm on patrol for last ditch weapons. Guys like ex-SEAL Team 6 member Chris Caracci routinely carry as many as three knives on them at all times.
Flashlight
Mostly I'm talking about the small, personal flashlights like the Sure Fires or the Scorpions. Most professionals don't carry a gun without carrying a flashlight since most shootings happen in reduced light situations.
Besides illuminating your target, light can be used to temporarily blind or disorient an attacker. If you are forced to fight, a small personal flashlight makes a great yawara. You use the crown of the light to hit his vital targets while it is firmly clenched in your fist.
A larger C or D-cell flashlight like the MagLite also makes a great baton. I've found the 5 battery C-cell MagLite is perfect. It slides in my baton ring and the length and weight is just about right. The 4-battery light is too short and the 6-battery light is too long. The D-cell lights are too fat.
When the power goes off and you're forced to evacuate from the 87th floor, you'll thank me that you have your light.
Pepper Spray
Off-duty officers need to carry pepper (OC) spray for the same reasons they carry it on duty. If you have to defend yourself, the court will want to know why you didn't have an intermediate force tool available instead of just deadly force weapons.
For many civilians in certain regions of the country, pepper spray might be one of the only weapons they are allowed to carry.
Afraid that your buddies are going to give you grief about it? Hey, Ken Good of Combative Concepts is a former Navy SEAL who advocates carrying the spray all the time. He's pretty tough, so I don't think you can question his masculinity for electing to carry pepper spray.
If I would have had my canister of pepper spray with me I would have been in a much better position to deal with the five guys sitting on my car.
The bigger canisters provide more reach, more duration and more chemical, but you'll never carry one. I don't have a problem with recommending you carry one of the smaller canisters that fit on your key ring or your belt. The rule is to have one with you.
Cell Phone
Cops don't go anywhere without their radios and you shouldn't go anywhere without your cell phone. Think of it as your "radio". With it you can summon the cops, the paramedics and firefighters.
Soon most 911 systems will be able to track your cell phone to within a 100 yards should you not be able to give police dispatchers your location.
I've also seen some remarkable retreats by bad guys when they see their intended "victim" dialing a cell phone -- presumably to the police. By having a cell phone and letting the bad guys see you talking on it, you've tapped into their second biggest fear: the fear of getting caught.
Besides your firearm, your phone is a top priority piece of equipment.
Note Pad
This might be a surprising one, but virtually every professional I talked with said a note pad belonged with you. You need it to write down license plate numbers, descriptions, phone numbers; anything important. When you are under stress important information tends to evaporate quickly from your memory. You get on the phone to the police and you suddenly cannot remember anything. Write it down before you call.
If you don't want to write it down on an old-fashioned pad, I've found two new methods that work great. One is to dictate the details to yourself. Besides any of the plentiful models of pocket tape recorders, you can now do this on many MP3 players and even some cell phones. The second method that works well is to scribble the notes on your PDA. Some of them, like the Palm, have an option that lets you write freehand on the screen. Some PDAs also have a dictation option as well. Dictating the information seems to work the best for me as I can continue to drive without having to jot down the info. In a jam I've even used my cell phone to call my own voice mail and dictated the info quickly knowing that I could retrieve it later if need.
For hard core note taking, you might also consider running a camcorder. If you are doing any investigation work, documenting a crime in progress or such things as unruly behavior at your nightclub, I've found a small video camera to be wonderful. Obviously, you can capture the action on video outright. This is usually the preferred option. But don't forget that the microphones of most newer video cameras are exceptional. You can get all of the verbal exchanges, threats and comments on tape even if you are not pointing the camera at anything. Simply holding it down by your leg while you are recording can capture a great deal. However, be prepared to handle some very aggressive behavior when you point a camera at someone. The standard challenge from the person you are taping is usually, "Get that cameral the f*** outta my face!" Get ready for him to make a snatch at your camera, a shove or a haymaker punch.
Gloves
As a public safety officer or prepared citizen, you probably have a heightened sense of duty to help others. That's why many people get into the public safety professions.
I contend that you will encounter more medical emergencies on a daily basis than violent acts that need to be stopped as you watch them unfold. If you help, you will need to "defend" yourself against potentially harmful blood borne pathogens. Gloves help protect you from contact with someone else's fluids and they help protect the patient as well from any bacteria you might have on your hands.
Other Items
While researching this article, I frequently encountered two other items that were recommended, but I consider secondary items.
One was a baton. In keeping with the police officer's usual accoutrement of tools, some pros advocate carrying an expandable baton (or at least keeping one in their car). This is potentially tricky for civilians. Baton strikes are usually classified as a high level of force. Most states consider batons, bats, nunchakus, saps and clubs to be dangerous weapons when used to beat on a person. Some consider expandable batons to be a "dangerous instrument". However, the legal principles of self-defense dictate that if you are allowed to use a high level of force to save yourself or someone else from a serious or deadly assault, then you are allowed to use what ever instrument is appropriate for that level of force. Check with an attorney familiar with the laws in your area if you have any questions in this regard.
Those who are well-trained with batons are virtual zealots when it comes to singing the praises about this tool. The expert stick fighter is an awesome adversary and a baton in their hands is a versatile weapon. The baton gives you superior reach and can be used to disarm someone, to strike to sensitive areas forcing the attacker to retreat and to entangle and ensnare an attacker generating some painful holds. Even the sight and sound of an expandable baton opening can be intimidating.
Another advantage is that it is difficult to kill someone with a baton -- unless you hit them in the head or choke them with it. And therein lies the biggest problem for civilians with a stick, cane or baton. The overwhelming tendency of non-trained people is to use their baton to hit a homerun with the guy's melon.
If you want to carry a full-size baton, chances are you are not going to have it on your person when you need it. That's why the expandable batons are so handy. They are more portable. They are even better when you put one of the cool new flashlights that can fit on the butt end of the baton. With this accessory you'll be more likely to carry it when you are taking a walk, walking the dog, or running. But you need to be willing to put in some training with your baton or you won't be competent with the tool and you'll probably not have it near you.
The other item which is often recommended that I can only put down here as a secondary item is handcuffs.
Some pros carry their regular handcuffs and a great deal more carry the plastic flex-cuffs that look like giant zip ties. If you are in a position that entails holding someone for a long time before authorities arrive, then you might consider them. If you are a flight crew member and you need to subdue and detain a passenger until the plane can land, then you need handcuffs or similar restraining devices. If you are a loss prevention officer taking shoplifters into custody for a long period of time, you need them.
However, if you are the average guy on the street, there are very few scenarios where you actually want to detain someone. Most of the time you want distance from the bad guy. Drive him off, let him go.
Carrying all your stuff
Figure out a way to carry the most essential items conveniently so that you will make a habit of it.
Ever notice how you only get a flat tire when you don't have a spare? The same goes with your self-defense and safety tools. Most likely you'll never need them when you have them -- the balloon will probably go up when you decide to leave them at home because it is too much of a hassle to carry them or put them in your car.
Some people keep all their stuff in one place. Others spread it around.
Fanny packs and safari-type vests allow you to carry all your tools in "one" place. You can pick up your pack or your vest, put it on and you're set. You'll find yourself stashing your pack or your vest in your trunk as you go in and out of places where it is not legal to be armed like courthouses, schools and airports.
Spreading your tools around usually entails having some sort of holster for your firearm, pockets for other items and putting your spray on your key ring.
Guys will alternatively use ankle holsters and various other concealment holsters for their handgun that can be disguised as a pager, a knife pouch or a cell phone pouch. Concealment holsters can also be worn on the belt that hide the handgun in the small of the back or under a shirt.
Your system
There is no one method that seems to work for everyone.
You'll probably find, as most of us have, that you'll switch back and forth to a couple of different modes of carrying all your tools depending on your dress and your circumstances. The key is to get serious and find a way that is fairly consistent so you will always have your tools with you.
God forbid you'll ever need them. But better to have them with no need, than to need them and not have.
For more information on expandable batons or to look at different lengths of batons for purchase, click here.
Brad Parker
From www.defendu.com/tools.htm
What's In Your Fanny Pack?:
Must have tools for everyday carry
You never know when it's going to happen. So you need to be prepared, because no one has as much a vested interest in your safety as you do. Unfortunately, most people don't have the will or the skill to help you much and the cops are at least two to three minutes away (in some jurisdictions it might be more like 20 to 40 minutes). Remember the acronym YOYO -- it means "you're on your own".
That means you will need to carry -- or have access -- to lifesaving and life-preserving self-defense tools. For operators and officers, this will invariably be some of the same tools you carry on-duty. For the prepared and safety-minded civilian, some of these tools will be new, but you should consider nonetheless.
Cops, operators, bodyguards and other professionals carry a staggering amount of "stuff". Many of these pros have what they call a "battle bag" which they can transfer in and out of their vehicles. I've seen these bags carry virtually an entire SWAT team member kit. I've also seen them packed with various tools for emergency auto repair, socks for the gym and old forms from the office. So the contents can be widely disparate.
But here's what most professionals carry:
Firearm
This can be your duty firearm or a backup weapon that is more suitable for concealed carry and casual clothes. We are invariably talking handguns here. As Col. Jeff Cooper says, the handgun is the only firearm that can be worn and not borne. Massad Ayoob once told me that he would advise everyone to carry their duty weapon for familiarity, power and legal defensibility. You probably shoot your duty weapon more so you are more comfortable with it under stress, it fires a full-power cartridge and -- since it is documented that you qualify with it at least once a year -- it is more defensible in court if you ever are involved in a shooting. Steve Krystek advocates that your secondary weapon (after a suitable handgun) that should be carried in your car is a shotgun filled with slugs. The slugs provide superior stopping power and penetration in the typical urban and vehicle environment. Others like buckshot in their 12 gauges.
I've recommended against buying or carrying "too much" gun before. I've seen people of smaller stature or less experienced shooters who are poorly served by trying to shoot a full-sized .45 or .40. They immediately do better with a 9mm. I would also contend that the .380 you have in your pocket is vastly superior to the .357 you left at home. Don't be afraid to look at .38 Special snub nose revolvers as well as the smaller .380 and .32 automatics. The point is, when you need a gun, you desperately need a gun.
Knife
I'm not a big knife person -- I don't want to make the mistake of taking a knife to a gunfight. I also can't justify using a knife in a fistfight. However, a knife has a prime role in your self-defense kit. It can be used for combat (I've kept my hand on my Emerson during a few tense moments with three punks inside a convenience store when I didn't have my Glock) or for any one of the crazy scenarios you can come up with for a cutting tool. I've also carried a Spyderco during travels to Europe when, obviously, I could not carry a firearm.
A knife does not necessarily have to a combat folder. I carry a Leatherman tool in my fanny pack ("bum bag" for our UK friends). I know Scott Wagner advocates carrying the Gerber Mulitplier multi-tool. I've also trained an executive protection specialist who carried a hooked knife designed specifically for safely cutting seat belts. Smith and Wesson has a knife designed for police and rescue personnel with different blade and a windshield punch for freeing trapped car accident victims.
You'll probably use the screwdriver or pliers on the multi-tool hundreds of times before you have to use your combat blade in a fight.
Having said that, however, I do carry an Emerson CQB-7 folder in my pocket or clipped inside my body armor and a Cold Steel push dagger in my boot when I'm on patrol for last ditch weapons. Guys like ex-SEAL Team 6 member Chris Caracci routinely carry as many as three knives on them at all times.
Flashlight
Mostly I'm talking about the small, personal flashlights like the Sure Fires or the Scorpions. Most professionals don't carry a gun without carrying a flashlight since most shootings happen in reduced light situations.
Besides illuminating your target, light can be used to temporarily blind or disorient an attacker. If you are forced to fight, a small personal flashlight makes a great yawara. You use the crown of the light to hit his vital targets while it is firmly clenched in your fist.
A larger C or D-cell flashlight like the MagLite also makes a great baton. I've found the 5 battery C-cell MagLite is perfect. It slides in my baton ring and the length and weight is just about right. The 4-battery light is too short and the 6-battery light is too long. The D-cell lights are too fat.
When the power goes off and you're forced to evacuate from the 87th floor, you'll thank me that you have your light.
Pepper Spray
Off-duty officers need to carry pepper (OC) spray for the same reasons they carry it on duty. If you have to defend yourself, the court will want to know why you didn't have an intermediate force tool available instead of just deadly force weapons.
For many civilians in certain regions of the country, pepper spray might be one of the only weapons they are allowed to carry.
Afraid that your buddies are going to give you grief about it? Hey, Ken Good of Combative Concepts is a former Navy SEAL who advocates carrying the spray all the time. He's pretty tough, so I don't think you can question his masculinity for electing to carry pepper spray.
If I would have had my canister of pepper spray with me I would have been in a much better position to deal with the five guys sitting on my car.
The bigger canisters provide more reach, more duration and more chemical, but you'll never carry one. I don't have a problem with recommending you carry one of the smaller canisters that fit on your key ring or your belt. The rule is to have one with you.
Cell Phone
Cops don't go anywhere without their radios and you shouldn't go anywhere without your cell phone. Think of it as your "radio". With it you can summon the cops, the paramedics and firefighters.
Soon most 911 systems will be able to track your cell phone to within a 100 yards should you not be able to give police dispatchers your location.
I've also seen some remarkable retreats by bad guys when they see their intended "victim" dialing a cell phone -- presumably to the police. By having a cell phone and letting the bad guys see you talking on it, you've tapped into their second biggest fear: the fear of getting caught.
Besides your firearm, your phone is a top priority piece of equipment.
Note Pad
This might be a surprising one, but virtually every professional I talked with said a note pad belonged with you. You need it to write down license plate numbers, descriptions, phone numbers; anything important. When you are under stress important information tends to evaporate quickly from your memory. You get on the phone to the police and you suddenly cannot remember anything. Write it down before you call.
If you don't want to write it down on an old-fashioned pad, I've found two new methods that work great. One is to dictate the details to yourself. Besides any of the plentiful models of pocket tape recorders, you can now do this on many MP3 players and even some cell phones. The second method that works well is to scribble the notes on your PDA. Some of them, like the Palm, have an option that lets you write freehand on the screen. Some PDAs also have a dictation option as well. Dictating the information seems to work the best for me as I can continue to drive without having to jot down the info. In a jam I've even used my cell phone to call my own voice mail and dictated the info quickly knowing that I could retrieve it later if need.
For hard core note taking, you might also consider running a camcorder. If you are doing any investigation work, documenting a crime in progress or such things as unruly behavior at your nightclub, I've found a small video camera to be wonderful. Obviously, you can capture the action on video outright. This is usually the preferred option. But don't forget that the microphones of most newer video cameras are exceptional. You can get all of the verbal exchanges, threats and comments on tape even if you are not pointing the camera at anything. Simply holding it down by your leg while you are recording can capture a great deal. However, be prepared to handle some very aggressive behavior when you point a camera at someone. The standard challenge from the person you are taping is usually, "Get that cameral the f*** outta my face!" Get ready for him to make a snatch at your camera, a shove or a haymaker punch.
Gloves
As a public safety officer or prepared citizen, you probably have a heightened sense of duty to help others. That's why many people get into the public safety professions.
I contend that you will encounter more medical emergencies on a daily basis than violent acts that need to be stopped as you watch them unfold. If you help, you will need to "defend" yourself against potentially harmful blood borne pathogens. Gloves help protect you from contact with someone else's fluids and they help protect the patient as well from any bacteria you might have on your hands.
Other Items
While researching this article, I frequently encountered two other items that were recommended, but I consider secondary items.
One was a baton. In keeping with the police officer's usual accoutrement of tools, some pros advocate carrying an expandable baton (or at least keeping one in their car). This is potentially tricky for civilians. Baton strikes are usually classified as a high level of force. Most states consider batons, bats, nunchakus, saps and clubs to be dangerous weapons when used to beat on a person. Some consider expandable batons to be a "dangerous instrument". However, the legal principles of self-defense dictate that if you are allowed to use a high level of force to save yourself or someone else from a serious or deadly assault, then you are allowed to use what ever instrument is appropriate for that level of force. Check with an attorney familiar with the laws in your area if you have any questions in this regard.
Those who are well-trained with batons are virtual zealots when it comes to singing the praises about this tool. The expert stick fighter is an awesome adversary and a baton in their hands is a versatile weapon. The baton gives you superior reach and can be used to disarm someone, to strike to sensitive areas forcing the attacker to retreat and to entangle and ensnare an attacker generating some painful holds. Even the sight and sound of an expandable baton opening can be intimidating.
Another advantage is that it is difficult to kill someone with a baton -- unless you hit them in the head or choke them with it. And therein lies the biggest problem for civilians with a stick, cane or baton. The overwhelming tendency of non-trained people is to use their baton to hit a homerun with the guy's melon.
If you want to carry a full-size baton, chances are you are not going to have it on your person when you need it. That's why the expandable batons are so handy. They are more portable. They are even better when you put one of the cool new flashlights that can fit on the butt end of the baton. With this accessory you'll be more likely to carry it when you are taking a walk, walking the dog, or running. But you need to be willing to put in some training with your baton or you won't be competent with the tool and you'll probably not have it near you.
The other item which is often recommended that I can only put down here as a secondary item is handcuffs.
Some pros carry their regular handcuffs and a great deal more carry the plastic flex-cuffs that look like giant zip ties. If you are in a position that entails holding someone for a long time before authorities arrive, then you might consider them. If you are a flight crew member and you need to subdue and detain a passenger until the plane can land, then you need handcuffs or similar restraining devices. If you are a loss prevention officer taking shoplifters into custody for a long period of time, you need them.
However, if you are the average guy on the street, there are very few scenarios where you actually want to detain someone. Most of the time you want distance from the bad guy. Drive him off, let him go.
Carrying all your stuff
Figure out a way to carry the most essential items conveniently so that you will make a habit of it.
Ever notice how you only get a flat tire when you don't have a spare? The same goes with your self-defense and safety tools. Most likely you'll never need them when you have them -- the balloon will probably go up when you decide to leave them at home because it is too much of a hassle to carry them or put them in your car.
Some people keep all their stuff in one place. Others spread it around.
Fanny packs and safari-type vests allow you to carry all your tools in "one" place. You can pick up your pack or your vest, put it on and you're set. You'll find yourself stashing your pack or your vest in your trunk as you go in and out of places where it is not legal to be armed like courthouses, schools and airports.
Spreading your tools around usually entails having some sort of holster for your firearm, pockets for other items and putting your spray on your key ring.
Guys will alternatively use ankle holsters and various other concealment holsters for their handgun that can be disguised as a pager, a knife pouch or a cell phone pouch. Concealment holsters can also be worn on the belt that hide the handgun in the small of the back or under a shirt.
Your system
There is no one method that seems to work for everyone.
You'll probably find, as most of us have, that you'll switch back and forth to a couple of different modes of carrying all your tools depending on your dress and your circumstances. The key is to get serious and find a way that is fairly consistent so you will always have your tools with you.
God forbid you'll ever need them. But better to have them with no need, than to need them and not have.
For more information on expandable batons or to look at different lengths of batons for purchase, click here.
Brad Parker
From www.defendu.com/tools.htm