Nature throwing us a bone

Not even three weeks passed from when we did our Personal Protection seminar at Masada Tactical, and one can say that we have predicted everything to the tee.

In our seminar we identified the major risks we need to train and prepare for as: Crime, Terrorism, Civil unrest, and natural disasters.  Sure enough, the week following the seminar we witnessed the seemingly spontaneous rising of "Flash Mobs" that attacked and ransacked shop owners in Montgomery County, Washington DC, and Philadelphia, PA. The following week we had a terrorist arrested in Ellicott City.  That same week the eastern coast experienced one of the strongest earthquakes in the region in history, followed by hurricane Irene.

Now if that does not encompass everything we discussed, I don't know what would.  Were you ready when things happened?  Did you have a plan?  Did you set things in motion to keep yourself and your family safe?

This blog is not about patting ourselves on the shoulder (although, we most definitely deserve it).  But to use these events as a learning opportunity.  I titled this blog "Nature throwing us a bone" and not "Nature throwing us a curve ball" for a purpose.  You see, I think nature did us a favor.  True, many suffered.  Some more than others, but in my opinion this by no means was as bad as things could have been.  For most of us the extent of the storm was loss of power, no lives lost, no physical damage, and no injuries...for most.  Nothing compared to Hurricane Katrina for example.

So, that said, I think nature gave us an opportunity to test ourselves.  Were we ready?  What is your answer?

I also think I am not the only one that used this opportunity to test reaction and planning.  Many hospitals, law-enforcement agencies, and preparedness organization mobilized in excess.  I do believe it was done on purpose and as means for them to test their reaction and plans.  Using this storm as a full dress rehearsal for when the real emergency occurs, should it be man-made or natural disaster.

Plan, stay ready, and stay safe.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical
www.MasadaTactical.com

It’s Time to Fight Back against Bullying……Literally

Today, a big focus is put on preventing bullying. Bullying in schools is destroying kid’s lives, creating internal, fundamental, emotional issues, and helps to form a flawed and broken identity for the rest of one’s life.  Without belittling prevention in any way (prevention is just as, if not more important than treatment/action), but with this piece I want to put a stronger emphasis on defense. Yes, prevention efforts to stop physical abuse on a child or teen is essential, but all that prevention goes out the window when the lunch table bully has a good choke hold around you or your child’s neck.  What would happen if the teen or child getting bullied knew how to defend himself against that physical and emotional threat?

Let’s take a look at another scenario. The 12^th grade bully approaches a teen, grabs him/her around the neck and shoves him into a locker. In a confident move the teen brakes free of the hold and is able to gain access to a teacher or friend. This will most assuredly end up with the bully defeated, and this teen that would have walked away from this situation broken and hurt, now walks away with confidence and a feeling of self worth.  

Although for a person who has been bullied all his life has most likely accepted the  fate that this will be a permanent theme throughout his life, learning how to defend yourself as described in the situation above is a REALITY. I know because I have seen it happen in my own classes. Every day people sweat and push themselves, learning the skills necessary to turn a sticky situation into a positive one. Prevention won’t prevent everything, and when faced with a physical threat the tools to learn how to defend yourself are right in your backyard. Don’t believe me? Come in to Masada and let me show you. Don’t continue being a victim!

Personal Safety in the Age of Terrorism

You are a target.  It's as simple as that.  From everyday thugs who want your wallet, to random shooters who are angry at someone/something, to the obvious terrorist trying to create as much carnage as possible to make a point.

You can try and pretend it isn't so, that you live in your secure house, in a good neighborhood, and that you just don't go to where "bad people" hang.  But reality is that someone at your office may be having a bad day, that your office just happens to be located next to government building, or that you drive a car made in a country that pissed someone off.

Have you ever considered the following:

• Is your office in the same building as a mall?
• Do you live downtown or in a commerce district of the city?
• Do you work or live near a large famous (or infamous) company?
• Are there any landmarks next to where you live/work?
• How do you commute to work?  Do you drive or use public transportation?
• Is your occupation categorized as "essential"?
• Do you travel often?  If so, where to?

These are just a few of the many variables that one must consider when assessing his/her own risk factor.  Like it or not, terrorism is everywhere, from downtown NY to railroads in Spain and summer camp sites in Norway.  Not to mention cafes in Tel-Aviv, or police stations in Iraq.  And if you think that is a far fetched reality for you, consider the students at Virginia Tech and Columbine high-school.  They thought they were safe!

But with all this said and done, there is plenty one can do to increase his/her safety.  Starting with a detailed personal threat assessment, on to means to mitigate those risk factors.  Lastly, putting in place plans for emergencies for yourself and loved ones.  

When was the last time you ran a fire drill at home?  Or when did you last assign a meeting point for you and your family in case of a natural disaster and you can't make it home?  Did you decide on a place to go from there?  How will you get there?  Is your bail-out kit ready and what's in it?

So many questions that we will be answering together on August 14 starting at 12:30 at Masada Tactical.  Join us for the Personal Protection seminar.

This class will provide participants with the theoretical knowledge of how to perform threat assessments, how to design emergency plans, and various possible scenarios and solutions will be provided.

This class is largely an adaptation of tools designed by Yuval Aviv, a former Israeli Counter-terrorism and intelligence officer.  Mr. Aviv acted as a special consultant to the US Congress and Fox News following the events of 9/11.

Spaces are limited for this unique class.  It is open to all members and guests.  This is not a self-defense class.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical