Life and death or serious injury does not occur in minutes, it is within seconds. In that worst case scenario moment life and death is in tenths of seconds. The large majority of our population is not prepared for a home intruder or natural disaster. For that matter, the world as a whole is not prepared. The “it will not happen to me” syndrome is a disease. As, with any disease not all of us contract the same life-threatening disease. The disease depends on genetic or environmental factors. This example is similar to home safety. Some people will never deal with a natural disaster or a home intruder. However, some will experience these life-threatening tragedies. Like the disease, they didn’t expect it, they didn’t prepare for it, and now they are in a life-threatening state. Just like that your life can change in a matter of seconds. 

When you introduce children or family members into the natural disaster or home intruder equation it changes everything. The factors of them not being able to move as quickly and incapable of defending themselves causes your process of reaction to slow greatly. A reactionary state is already a state of being several steps behind. The feat of overcoming a surprise situation (an ambush), no matter if the ambush is by a person or natural disaster, requires precision reaction from a neuromuscular point of view. 

Take for example an intruder confronting you and your family huddled in fear. The intruder requires that you stand. Imagine your children and spouse behind you and the firearm is pointed at your chest. The following processes should occur within tenths of seconds in your mind. It is night. Daytime intruders target homes while owners are away to forgo confrontation. Burglars at night are more likely to confront homeowners and willing to harm the owners to forgo being caught. Most untrained people take one second plus from brain to finger to pull the trigger. It is too much time to disarm the firearm vertically because of the travel from chest to head. Disarm has to occur on the horizontal plane. If, the burglar discharges one round my family could be shot. The burglar is holding a semi-automatic pistol. Disarming requires a technique that clasps my grip around the frame and slide of the firearm, so the slide will not cycle and discharge a round. When, the burglar commands a movement that is my opportunity. While, the burglar is commanding me to move he is thinking. From a neuromuscular point of view he has reduced his brain to finger response time (tenths of seconds matter). The burglar is expecting movement and that creates the opportunity of surprise. I could delve further into the response, the possible fight, and so on, however, I think you as the reader clearly grasp the thought processes. 

I will now share with you many of the home safety areas one must be prepared to react to and fundamentally what should be in place from a civilian preparedness point of view. Tornado, earthquake, hurricane, home intruder, long term power outage, transportation line disruption (food and household item shortage), looters, and rioters. I chose these because we all are quite familiar with these occurring in the past year. 

Fundamental List: 

1. Blueprint with color coded responses and locations of safety for natural disasters
2. Blueprint should include positions of advantage/dominance to counter an intruder 
3. Tactical knowledge to conduct 1 & 2 person clearing 
4. Know the caloric needs of your family and have at least six months food supply (I recommend one year)
5. Water purification for each person for .75-1 gallon each day for six months to one year
6. Vitamins, medications, etc.
7. Home fortification devices to provide you more response time against an intruder
8. Alarm system/security lighting  (glass break, motion sensor, direct line to law enforcement, etc) 
9. Physical security considerations (weapons) taking into account knowledge and ability 
10. Whole house generator (practical investment) 
11. First aid for many types of injuries (know CPR and basic triage) 
12. Carbon monoxide detectors 
13. Bug out bag (never bug out unless it is a last resort) taking into account everyone

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. If you want to prepare your family for home safety or any civilian preparedness (travel safety, anti-kidnapping, vehicle escape, restraint escapes, personal protection, self-defense, close quarter battle, escape/evasion, active shooter, etc.) all our courses are conveniently online. We worked tirelessly to provide our courses to hardworking Americans in an affordable way. Don’t say it won’t happen, don’t be a victim, be prepared to keep you and your family safe. 

Matt Estridge is a retired counter-terrorism agent, tactics instructor, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security lead active shooter instructor. He conducted covert missions with the primary mission of retaking hostile environments that were unconventional via small team tactics. Many of the missions were international and middle-east focused. He has instructed many three letter federal agencies in specialized tactics (i.e. DSS and CIA), and has thirty-two plus years of mixed martial arts training. He describes being mentored by tier-one special operations' personnel as a true blessing, and the reason he has this unique knowledge. Matt is passionate about helping civilians to become prepared. He believes it is a tremendous responsibility when teaching people lifesaving strategy. The trust a client gives to the instructor regarding the preparation for a life and death scenario is the highest of honors. This is why he provides a plethora of online content. He states, “action is the ultimate proof, you either can perform expertly or you cannot. If someone is not willing to perform their knowledge do not trust them with your life.” 

Tier One Tactics staff are veterans of military special operations, counter-terrorism, and federal agents. They are specialized in the areas of critical incidents, strategy, active shooter, risk/vulnerability assessments, tactics, team building, and behavior recognition. The staff holds the highest certifications in their areas of expertise. Most importantly, is their professional experience and motto of leading by action.

To learn more about Civilian Preparedness courses visit  Tier One Tactics. 

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