Stage Sonny Puzikas - Novembre 2011 - Belgique

[** Serge **]

http://users.telenet.be/systema/seminar%20Sonny%20Puzikas.htm

SCHEDULE / TOPICS

Friday, 25 November: 19.00-21.30 (registration 17.30 till 19.00)
Saturday, 26 November : 11.00 -13.30 / 14.30-17.00
Sunday, 27 November : 10.00-13.00 / 14.00-16.00


Training to Eliminate Gaps vs Training Action
Short work. Empty hand training and tactics.
Weapon access denial in a clinch situations.
Surviving the blade : inside the reality of a knife fight. Direct, simple, reality-based tactics.
The psychology of weapon defense.
Surviving the Gun + the reality of the gun : tactics and strategies for facing the gun empty-handed.

The seminar will be conducted in English.

REGISTRATION CLOSES ON 14 NOVEMBER 2011
Whole seminar 140 €
One day 80 €
Half a day (Friday only) 45 €

http://www.gospelofviolence.com/

Je ne cautionne pas. Mais signale, car c'est probablement un des stages les plus ' intéressants ' annoncés sur la francophonie, pour cette année.

[** Serge **]

Ooopppsss.

http://gunnuts.net/2012/11/13/sonny-puzikas-shoots-instructor-during-training-class/

[Oim]

Je vais me méfier un peu alors quand tu recommandes des stage Serge ...

  im

[** Serge **]

J'ai bien dit que je ne " cautionnais " pas, mais trouvais très " intéressant "  

All.
Detailed account, mistakes made, lessons learned. Coming soon.

[** Serge **]

http://www.icetraining.info/balancing-risk-benefit-in-training/

Balancing Risk & Benefit in Training

November 14, 2012

As many in the training community already know, there was an accidental shooting during a training course in Texas recently. An Instructor shot one of his assistant instructors while making a solo run through a dark live fire shoothouse. The individual was apparently either mistaken for a target or was standing adjacent to one when the instructor entered the room with no flashlight or weapon mounted light and shot three times, striking his assistant in the arm twice and torso once. There was also a student in the room at the time, who was reviewing his own performance with the assistant instructor. Based on statements made by the instructor and the range owner, it appears that the incident occurred at the end of a training day and that the instructor assumed (his own word) that the house was empty when he began his run. The Instructor has accepted responsibility for the incident and the victim is in the hospital recovering. Obviously, I am not getting into the exact Who  & Where of this incident at this time, because it really isn’t relevant.

In less than an hour, I will begin running an Advanced Pistol Handling Course in St. Augustine, FL. I will do so with a renewed dedication to safety procedures and protocols. An instructor in this industry literally takes the lives of his students, and anyone else within reach of the bullets being fired during training, into his hands every time he runs a course.  At I.C.E. Training Company, we stress that safety is solely the Responsibility of the Instructor running the course. If there is an assumption to be made, it is that no one else can be held accountable for rules, procedure or protocol that will keep people safe.

When I wrote the Tenets of Professionalism for Defensive Shooting Instructors, the first one had to address safety:

 1. I am committed to the safety of my students, and hold that the expected benefit of any training activity must significantly outweigh any known or perceived risk of that activity.

There are many Known Risks of running live fire training in a shoothouse. Those risks multiply dramatically when there is more than one instructor running the house. They multiply again when it is done in the dark. Violate protocol and they can multiply well beyond acceptable limits. According to the range owner, in this case, anyone running the house was supposed to be guided by an instructor who would literally “hold on the the belt” of the student going through. The Instructor violated that procedure and someone got hurt.

As I get ready to leave my hotel and head to the range, I know that today this class and the students in it will be training in some very unorthodox positions and that we will do some things that some ranges don’t allow and we will be pointing the guns in directions that require special attention (including over the berm, while students are on their back and holding the gun in the ready position). This is an advanced class. The Risks & Benefits of this course have been examined and there are procedures and protocols (such as needing to have successfully completed a Combat Focus Shooting Course prior to attending) in place to mitigate the higher levels of danger involved and control risks. Someone could still get hurt. I could be the subject of another instructor’s blog article at this time tomorrow because of mistakes, misjudgements, negligence or accidents that occur under my watch this afternoon.  I could be responsible for someone getting terribly injured or killed today. That is, and should be a sobering thought for anyone in this line of work and for anyone considering being a student in these courses.

The justification for any action that I take or that I allow my students to take today must be that the Expected Benefit significantly outweighs the known or perceived Risks. There cannot be any bravado, complacency or rationalization about why we are going to do what we are going to do the way we are going to do it. The only reason it is worth confronting the dangers of a live fire training environment is because we are developing potentially life saving skills.

As the industry learns more about this most recent accidental shooting in a training environment, if nothing else, let it remind us about our responsibility as instructors to do everything we can to ensure that our students remain safe while developing personal defense skills that might help them protect themselves or others in a worst case scenario. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to the man who was shot and sincere hope that the instructor in question takes the opportunity to rededicate himself to the safety of his students and empowering other instructors  and making the industry stronger by continuing to be contrite and honest about the circumstances of the shooting.

Train Well… and that includes training as safely as possible !

Rob Pincus

http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/articles/instructor-profile-series/rob-pincus/

[** Serge **]

Larry Vickers says:
November 8, 2012

I teach home defense and Mil/LE room clearing classes every year and I can tell you first hand you have got to be 100% on top of your game as an instructor to pull off a safe class

Many individuals who perform fine on the flat range get overloaded in a house clearing scenario and can do dangerous, unexpected things at almost any time

Of all the open enrollment classes being taught it is the highest risk as experience has taught me there is a reason only a select few units in the US military conduct CQB operations at the highest level- and why the US Army’s Tier One Unit tasked with this role is world renowned for a CQB skillset that is unmatched by any SOF organization ; past or present

Very carefully evaluate any instructor who is teaching this topic in an open enrollment format; bottom line in my opinion if the instructor does not have extensive US Special Operations experience I absolutely would not attend the class

Certainly some allied SOF units could qualify in terms of instructor criteria but it is very difficult to adequately vett an instructor from overseas so my gut instinct would be to pass on a class being taught by a foreign instructor

As far as instructors whose credentials are outside of US SOF or NATO Special Operations forces – such as Warsaw Pact – I would avoid those instructors at all costs as my experience is despite what hype may surround said instructor their actions and weapon handling techniques speak volumes about their true competency ; in other words stay away no matter what

http://vickerstactical.com/

[** Serge **]

CQB Training – Let’s Be Careful Out There

Close Quarters Battle training has become the latest rage for the ‘new golf’. While some might argue whether this skill is justified for civilians, I feel it is a valuable skill considering most of us own weapons to defend our homes. Employing a firearm in such ‘close quarters’ requires a new set of skills rarely learned on the flat range. Oftentimes, this form of training for those who are not military or LE is referred to by another name such as house clearing or home defense. No matter the name, the principles remain the same.

By now many of you know that there was an accidental, non-fatal shooting last weekend during a CQB-style course in Texas. Details have begun to emerge and the instructor has manned up and accepted responsibility. This is not the first time this has happened and unfortunately, won’t be the last. So, I thought this would be a good opportunity to point out some common issues encountered by prospective students.

The biggest issue associated with this form of advanced training is that you should seek out instruction from someone that knows what they are doing. As CQB-style training becomes increasingly popular, more and more instructors are going to offer it. Some are excellent and some have no business doing it. One thing to ask a prospective instructor is about his credentials. There is one popular instructor out there who recently began offering this form of training and only started offering it after he attended someone’s else’s course.

Conversely, don’t lie about your experience. If you haven’t done it before, admit it. Once you find the right instructor, listen. Ask questions. Participate in dryfire. You can learn a lot about movement and procedures during practice runs. Finally, practice, practice, practice.

No matter who you decide to train with, pay full attention at all times and remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility. Listen to, and comply with all range commands. Col Cooper’s four rules of firearms safety are just as critical here as anywhere. In fact, probably more so due to the inclusion of the ‘fog of war’ where the shooter must face the unknown.

1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

Whether in a home environment or in a strange building, remember, there will most likely be civilians. Identifying targets and what is beyond them is crucial to their safety. Remember your rounds may go through walls. Consider this both in training and in the real world. Pursuant to this, train in properly constructed facilities.

If you are going to engage in CQB-style training, train with people who know what they are doing, remember the fundamentals, listen to all range commands, and don’t let peer pressure place you or others in danger. Remember, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”

There are myriad factors involved in this advanced form of firearms employment. Stick with professional, competent trainers and learn to do it right. Training is crucial to success, but let’s be careful out there.

http://soldiersystems.net/about-us/

[** Serge **]

Statement from the Range Owner Regarding the Recent Accidental Shooting

Since a lot of readers have been inquiring about it, I am publishing this statement by range owner Len Baxley in its entirety as it provides a great deal of detail on the recent shoot house accidental shooting involving trainer Sonny Puzikas. If anyone has any additional amplification regarding the incident or factual conflicting information please feel free to share it.

Hello,

My name is Len Baxley, and I am the Founder of the Texas Defensive Shooting Academy (TDSA), not to be confused with other TDSA’s. I started the original TDSA in Texas in 1995. The other TDSA firearm training organizations are located in Tulsa, Missouri, Kentucky and Canada. I trained them how to shoot, then taught them how to teach, then allowed them to use the “TDSA” name in a hand-shake business arrangement. With the exception of Kentucky, none of them are associated with me any longer, even though they still use the TDSA designation.

I am also the owner of the TDSA gun range, founded in 1995, located just outside the city of Ferris, Texas.

As many of you have already heard there was a tragic (non-fatal) accidental shooting at my range on Sunday, Nov. 4th 2012.

I have intentionally not commented on this incident for several reasons. I do not know if that decision has been a mistake or commenting now is the mistake.

I was not present when the incident occurred. I had just left the range. As range owner, Sonny Puzikas gave me his account of what happened. So in the interest of correcting the inaccurate information I will tell you his account and I will follow it up with my personal comments.

Just a short lead in for everyone to understand how it got to this point;

Sonny is a range member of TDSA. He asked to rent a portion of the TDSA range for a two-day class. He expected a large number of students and he advised he had one main assistant instructor, Maxim Franz, and several other assist instructors. I estimated there to be two to four extra assistant instructors. But I am ONLY estimating that number.
The first day was static type shooting, which I observed while I was doing my other range owner duties. Other then YELLING at a few students for forgetting to wear their glasses I personally observed no safety issues. The second day was going to be using a section of the range we call the city. The city is a 200-yard long live fire area with multiple ballistic rooms. Due to heavy rains Saturday night that section of the range was not usable so I built a three room shoot house for them in the front of the range. I closed down the range so the class would not have to worry about regular range members getting in their way.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that everyone know I inquired of Sonny and Maxim as to how they wanted to use the shoot house. At that time both Sonny and Maxim stated they were going to run each student through the shoot house one at a time while the instructor held on to the shooter’s belt. They then said, and that will only happen after several hours of dry runs (empty/unloaded) firearms. After hearing their training plan I agreed to them using the shoot house.
Skipping back to day two. After building the three room shoot house that morning, several hours past. I later observed Maxim conducting exactly what they had previously described. Maxim appeared to have half the class and was teaching them how to maneuver through the shoot house with unloaded guns. I DID OBSERVE GENE (Asst. Instructor that was shot) in the room with the class while Maxim was conducting the training.
Fast forward to late in the day, sometime past 5:00pm. I know this because it was getting dark. With the recent time change, the class was now getting into the darkness due to the large class. I advised Sonny I was leaving the range. Sonny then said, “We promised them a live fire run through the shoot house and we are not going to break that promise. We only have two students left though.” As a TDSA Range member, Sonny has access to the range front gate. Sonny said he would lock up so I left.

I was later notified about the shooting and went back to the range. Gene had already been transported to hospital and the Dallas Sheriff’s Office was on the scene.

AND HERE IS WHAT SONNY SAID TO ME:

“I was standing out front of the shoot house talking with students. I was taking some money and shaking hands and saying bye to students. I had heard the last shooter’s number called out, #41. (It seems that 41 was the last student that day) So I knew the last shooter was going inside to shoot. I heard the shooting stop. I did not hear shooting for a while. I finished saying good-bye so I decided to make a run in the house before I left. I made the statement, “I am going to do a run” and then I heard a person standing behind me respond to me saying, “OK” I did not turn around so I don’t know who said OK to me. I, wrongfully, assumed it was clear to go. I pulled my pistol out and set up and started coming around the corner like this. (Sonny then demonstrated to me how he did that, which was pieing the corner) I shot three quick shots at the far left target, then three quick shots at the far right target and then three quick shots at the close right target just inside the room. I then heard someone say, “You shot me” so I cleared my pistol and ran over and ask him where are you shot, he said, “the stomach” so I ran back out of the house and yelled for the trauma bags and to dial 911 and to ask for a helicopter. I then went back in to attend to Gene.
Gene was standing near the first target I shot at and was hit with all three rounds. He was hit once in the right hand, once in the right bicep, and twice in the lower abdomen. The student was also in the same room and bent down to check on Gene. Sonny said, I never saw them in the room.”

Points to emphasize:

*Gene was shot with the first three rounds fired. SO, he had NO warning and could not have yelled out or done anything once rounds started being fired.

*Gene was NOT in the second room, but instead in the first room.

*Sonny was not doing a failure drill and was not aiming at a head shot of a paper target or of course a person.

*Sonny, did announce his intent to shoot in the shoot house, and believed he was being given clearance to enter.

*The actual live fire training during the class was done one student at a time with an instructor holding onto the student’s belt.

*Sonny did then and still does accept responsibility for his actions resulting in Gene’s injuries.

*Very qualified medics, including a former Special Forces 18D Medic (now currently a Doctor in Private Practice) and an Army Medic with recent combat experience were ON scene during the class and treated Gene within minutes of the incident.

Under the heading of potential bias in writing this:
I want everyone to know that read my account my opinion. So you will understand I am not “taking up” for Sonny.
I am not a student of Sonny’s and have never been. I fall into the category of AK’s and anything related to them are horrible and AR’s are the way to go. I have been privileged to train shooting fundamentals to American Special Forces and don’t understand why any American would want to train with Russian Special Forces. AND to drive home that, when Sonny introduced me to his class on Saturday he actually said, “This is Len Baxley, the range owner, and he HATES AKs!!”
BUT !! That being said, I personally saw people in this class that I knew with the following backgrounds: USPSA Master Class shooter, Former US Special Forces Medic (yep, the Doc!) and a recent former 82ndAirborne soldier.
SO, before you totally dismiss this Class or Type of Class or Sonny for that matter. There is a obvious segment of good Americans that think enough of it/him to pay good money to travel along way and take this/his training.

Now for my personal comments, if anyone is interested in reading. I make these comments for several reasons: I have spent the better part of the day contacting news reporting agencies correcting in-accurate reporting. Mainlydue to “quoting” other reports. It seems NO ONE wants to take responsibility, but instead just keeps repeating, “We just want to get the story correct sir, so tell us the real story?” Of course after they got it wrong!!
So,for the current TDSA Range Instructors that have been wrongfully blamed for causing this accident in local and national news agencies and for TDSA Range members that have called to see how our range could “cause” such an accident I made this statement.

Gentlemen/Ladies, I have worked over 18 years to build the TDSA Range. A range that allows shooters the ability to shoot the way they want, without the stringent rules imposed likemost other ranges. One shot every two seconds, no moving, no drawing and generally, NO FUN. Hopefully, TDSA range members realize we allow a lot of freedom on our range while trying to keep it as safe as possible, “GIVEN THE FREEDOM YOU ENJOY” The hard truth is freedom comes at a cost, to use a very true statement. For instance, the freedom to run and gun means someone might trip and fall and accidently discharge their firearm and hurt themselves or others. I think about this frequently as a range owner. I have to way everyone’s desire to utilize the “cool” things we have on our range with the possibility/probability of an accident occurring.
Just think about how many other ranges have a 40 ft. shooting tower, live fire street, live fire 200 yard city capable of 50 BMG. I think they are all very cool stuff but as proven even an experienced instructor made a small mistake that had grave consequences resulting in a life threatening injury.
To my Texas Defensive Shooting Academy Instructors, thank you for your discretion and professionalism in this matter. Your restraint shows character. I am proud to have you as instructors and friends. We have made a true difference in many lives: civilian, law enforcement and most recently military.

In closing, I wish Gene Smithson a quick and successful full recovery.
Furthermore, I hope the friendship Gene and Sonny have will not be torn apart but instead strengthened in this very difficult time. Remember, what makes a man is not what happens to him, but how he responds to what happens to him. So can be said for a friendship.

Len Baxley
Founder TDSA
www.tdsa.net

[** Serge **]

Tolerance stackup. As in mechanical tolerances. As Jeff Cooper said, you can usually get away with breaking one safety rule, whatever set of rules you may find appropriate. When you start breaking more than one at a time, bad things frequently happen.

There's a hypothesis among some shooters, trainers, and range owners that observing a SET of safety rules is incompatible with having fun while shooting and while conducting safe and effective training. Nothing could be further from the truth. I've seen it done correctly many times and have done it myself plenty of times. I feel fortunate to have had sound mentoring in the process.

But it does raise the capability requirement to include effective management and control of each shooter and of the exercise(s). Therein lies the downfall for some people who won't hold such exercises or who have unfortunate incidents like this happen during classes. Sonny is not the only instructor who has made such m...
istakes. We have had two police officers killed here in Georgia during Academy exercises by their police instructors because the instructors thought the safety rules didn't apply to them. Obviously, they were wrong as two left legs.

One of the very first maxims I was taught in the 101st was "fuck around, fuck around, get yourself killed." Guys who were Class A cutups in garrison became humorless dicks in the field and their example was a positive one for me. They had collectively survived 100s of years of combat in Viet Nam for good reason.

I hope Gene makes a full recovery. I'm also glad that it turns out Sonny shot him with a pistol and not an AK. It's unlikely he would have had a good life after that.

http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/about-us/#ClaudeWerner

[Moleson]

Disons il y a des choses à dire.

La première c'est l'état d'esprit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vP-c_SsAGoA#t=14s

Pas vraiment ma tasse de thé.

La deuxième c'est l'analyse de l'accident.

C'est pas un accident du au non respect des 4 règles, mais au risque inhérent lié au CQB et à la configuration des lieux.

Si on peut retenir un point, nous avons raison d'être obsessionnel sur le contrôle de l'absence de toute personne dans les lieux de tir.
Dans la mesure ou les parois sont perméable au balles et que l'on peut s'exercer dans des conditions de faible luminosité un protocole de sécurité adapté est obligatoire.
Ce qui a manifestement pas été fait dans ce cas.

Moléson

[** Serge **]

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/02/13/baltimore-police-trainee-remains-in-critical-condition-after-being-shot-in-training-exercise/

[Moleson]

Gros soupir......

C'est à ça que sert la simmunition et les armes adaptées avec lesquelles on ne peut tirer rien d'autre.



Si on emploie des balles à blanc, c'est le principe des 4 yeux qui compte avant de commencer.

Moléson