On November 12, Delta Tactical Training Group, in conjunction with HITT Industries, will host an Introduction to Tactical Medicine training course in Antioch.
This course was originally designed to teach law enforcement and military operators the basic principles of care under fire and dealing with the main elements of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). Through classroom lecture and practical application. You will become familiar with the application of the lifesaving tools and techniques normally reserved for first-responders.
By the end of the course, you will have acquired a basic understanding of the advanced techniques of recognizing, treating, and managing trauma and the top three causes of preventable death in the Tactical environment.
According to instructor Matt Willette, originally this class was designed for armed professionals such as law enforcement and security, however, then gun industry people such as firearms instructors and range staff recognized the value of having these skills.
On November 12, this course was re-designed for civilians.
“Now and partially as a result of recent active shooter events, private citizens are seeing the value in acquiring life-saving skills that go beyond first aid and CPR. Progressive thinking entities and companies with the task of protecting people realize that in a crisis people look to cops and security personnel for direction and they know having trained officers is essential to managing these events,” explained Willette. “ I teach for a number of entities such as Strategic Threat Management that recognize the value of this not only for their officers but for their clients. They see that these incidents are not going away and are stepping up in a big way to provide this capability for their clients.”
The course attendees will learn a variety of skills and life saving measures in intense situations.
Willette explained that Tactical medicine differs from standard first aid/EMS medicine in that EMS medicine primarily deals with medical calls. While they absolutely deal with trauma, the majority of the demand for them is for medical incidents such as difficulty breathing, cardiac issues, etc.
“While possessing skills like CPR are essential, tactical medicine’s focuses on dealing with bleeding control usually from penetrating trauma, mostly due to gunshot wounds. Students learn to deal with the top 3 causes of preventable combat death; Uncontrolled hemorrhage, tension pneumothorax, and airway,” said Willette.
Willette is an Advanced EMT, Tactical Combat Casualty Care Instructor, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Instructor and have been teaching tactical medicine for 12 years primarily to law enforcement, defense contractors and military.
He notes that while there are many high level training programs out there, the key is being able to relay the information in a way for attendees to understand and retain the information.
“I feel my strength is delivering the information in a way they may understand and retain it and two that conveys that I am really trying to help them and not just impress them with what I know or what I’ve done,” said Willette.
Willette noted that although he has been teaching for 12-years, he loves seeing people walk out of the course with confidence.
“I know a lot of good instructors in this industry but there are also a lot of guys who have the backgrounds and knowledge but are not very good at teaching it. When I instruct I try and put myself in the students’ shoes and constantly imagine them in the scenario I am trying to teach them and then format it in a way they will remember in that real scenario. I try and not inundate them with medical vernacular but instead make it as easy as possible to retain,” explained Willette. “I love seeing people walk out with more confidence knowing that if they are in a critical situation they have the knowledge to do something and not feel helpless.”
With regards to impact, he says many students have reached out to him saying the skills he taught them were used to help people and save lives. Although he calls it unfortunate people even have to use the skills, it does save lives.
“Fortunately and unfortunately I guess, I have had several past students report back that they have used the skills they learned and as a result were able to help people and even save lives,” said Willette. “I have had a police officer that left the class on one day and on his first call the next day ended up saving an 11 year old boy using techniques we taught him. I have even had officers who had to shoot people and then rendered aid and saved the subject. I have had students come up on major traffic accidents and save people. Most recently I had a former student, a civilian, administer aid to people in the Las Vegas shooting and reportedly ended up saving two lives there. She sent me an emotional text saying “Thank you, your class saved lives.” That was great to hear.”
Larry Treat, owner of Delta Tactical Training Group and Strategic Threat Management, says he brought the course to Contra Costa County as a way to be proactive in saving lives for not only our medical and law enforcement professionals, but also civilians. In light of recent traumatic events across the world, this level of training is desperately needed.
“It takes 5-6 minutes for first responders to arrive on scene to a traumatic injury call,” said Treat. “It only takes a minute or two for a badly injured person to bleed to death. Instead of standing by and watching people bleed out, we want to offer our local community training that will provide them knowledge and confidence so when the time comes they won’t hesitate to step in and possibly save a life.”
Treat says first-aid training is fantastic, but when someone is shot or stabbed, much more than basic first-aid is required to successfully stop severe bleeding.
“Why just stop at first-aid training? If you’re truly of the mindset that you’re going to help a critically injured person if the need were to arise, then go one step further than a first-aid certification and get this training too,” says Treat. There is no other civilian training for civilians that I’m aware of in East Contra Costa County that will better prepare you to deal with a traumatic bleed injury and how to stop the bleeding quickly while you’re waiting for medical personnel arrive on scene.
As part of registration, a D-TAC Bleed Control Trauma Kit will be provided to each student.
This course consists of 8 hours of classroom lecture and training of practical application with a 1-hour break. Course fee is $275. As part of registration, a D-TAC Bleed Control Trauma Kit will be provided to each student.
To register or find out more information, click here.
