Workout Wednesday -- Today We Check Out Max Velocity Tactical

 Max Velocity Tactical is a training school for Small Unit Tactics. Now I'm not the biggest fan of the average citizen spending  a lot of time and money on such subjects, but hey, to each his own. The owner is former UK military. The link below and the included video represent the minimum level of physical fitness/conditioning required to be able to train with this school

As "Max" says in the intro, this the minimum level of fitness required, and he encourages potential students to work for a higher level of fitness. His training is primarily outdoors based and requires a lot of walking, sprinting, carrying some sort of field grade LBE as well as your firearm through the woods, and up and down in hilly terrain.

Now, for full disclosure,  I did this test myself. The several circuits are supposed to be completed in 6 minutes or less. It took me just under 7 minutes. But, I'm an old guy with a laundry list of accumulated chronic injuries.

Your Mileage My Vary!

So give it a try, and see how you do. 

 

 https://maxvelocitytactical.com/tactical-classes/fitness-prerequisites/

Welcome To NYC

 Only in New York Boys and Girls, only in new York!

Sunday With Blackthorn -- Today We Discuss Using A Common Item For Defense Against An Edged Weapon

Lee Morrison demonstrates the practical use of a Backpack, Shoulder Bag or Briefcase as both a defensive and/or offensive tool. No fancy bullshit, or complicated footwork needed. As well, he gives recommendations for attributes to look for when purchasing the above mentioned items.

 

 

Emergency Trauma Skills Redux

A little over 4 years ago I did a 5 part Series on Emergency Trauma care. I'm talking about skills that are practical for regular people to learn. Classes in these subjects are readily available from The Red Cross, The American Heart Association, and other organizations at very reasonable costs. 

I'm putting the links to these 5 blog posts up again partly as a refresher for the longtime Blog followers, but more so for the newer  people who, according to my statistics page, have been reading the Blog. 

In any event, I hope at least some of you get something useful out of it.

 

wwwblackthorn.blogspot.com/2020/05/emergency-trauma-care-part-1.html

wwwblackthorn.blogspot.com/2020/05/emergency-trauma-care-part-2.html

wwwblackthorn.blogspot.com/2020/05/emergency-trauma-care-part-3.html

wwwblackthorn.blogspot.com/2020/05/emergency-trauma-care-part-4.html

wwwblackthorn.blogspot.com/2020/05/emergency-trauma-care-part-5.html

Workout Wednesday -- How To Improve Your Speed

 To be clear, reflexes and speed are heavily dependent on genetics. Not everyone is born with the genetics of a professional athlete. However, there are ways to improve the physical attributes you were born with.  In this video Lee Morrison will present methods that will help you to make the most of what you have.

 

The Unbelievable Influence Of The Cartels In Major Mexican Shipping Ports

If this article isn't a wake up call regarding the power/influence of the Central American Cartels, I don't know what is. Mind you, this article isn't out of a News Media outlet, it's an Industry site that is specific to the international trade.

https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ports/powerful-cartel-in-full-control-of-mexican-port-as-shipping-drug-seizures-spike/2-1-1678380

 

Sunday With Blackthorn -- Today We Discuss The Use Of Misdirection And Artifice In Personal Protection

 I first heard the word Artifice used in a self defense/personal protection context from my old instructor Carl Cestari. He picked it up from W.E. Fairbairn the WW2 combatives instructor. This video from Lee Morrison gives a good presentation of how the bad guys use it against their intended victims, as well as how the average citizen can use it against them.

 

News Alert!!

 

Lee Morrison On The Dynamics Of A Pre-Emptive 'Blitz' Defense

 Because as the old saying goes, 'The Best Defense, Is A Good Offense'.

 

The Man Who Gives Combatives The Worst Reputation Is BACK

From the man who gave us such great systems as  ComRach Bas, Gladiator Fighting, Combat JKD,etc., etc., etc. Is BACK! 

Yes! Christophe Clugston has returned to give us Viking Destruction Art!!

The Amusement never ends with this guy!  

 

Wheelgun Wednesday -- The Story Of The .38 Special

 And where would modern revolvers be today without the .38 Special?  Here's  a well done video of the history of one of the most iconic rounds in revolver history.

 

UPDATE On AT&T Data Breach

 Simply put, nobody's digital data is safe. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

 https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/07/hackers-steal-phone-sms-records-for-nearly-all-att-customers/

Sunday With Blackthorn - Today We Get A Demonstration Of Close Combat For Stand Up Grappling

 We all have (or should have) a plan when we're out and about and either a criminal assault for robbery or a person with psychological or substance abuse issues suddenly decides that we're the incarnation of Satan and need to be destroyed. However despite your best laid 'Plan A' fails, ie: paying attention to where you are and what's going on around you or your immediate counter-attack fails,  you wind up forced into a standing-grappling "clinch" type of situation. 

Close Combat self defense at that range becomes different in that it becomes harder to deliver strikes that close in when you and the other guy are grabbing each by the arm, clothing, neck, etc. 

My old instructor the late Carl Cestari showed us how to make the most of abilities in that situation. The video below  from Lee Morrison is actually a very good representation of the methods I was shown. Hopefully you'll be able to get something useful from it.

 

Workout Wednesday

 Here's a Video From Lee Morrison using Resistance Bands to improve your ability to explode from a standing stop into a full bore rush into an attacker.

 

And here's a video from Father Mitch of Heritage Martial Arts. And yes, he's a real Catholic Priest. He's also in his 60's. So for all you couch potatoes who think you're in shape, have fun with this.

 

 

Today We have Paul Harrell And His Brother Reviewing The Henry Arms AR-7 .22lr Survival Rifle - Plus - A Cybercrime Alert From MalwareLabs

 This article is a review of the Henry Semi-Auto Takedown AR-7 rifle. Now to be clear, this review is being done from a Prepping point of view. Not from a Self Defense aspect. 

As an aside, while I do not own  this particular rifle, I can personally attest to the quality and reliability of Henry Arms  in general from first hand experience.

 

 ***************

Cyber Crime Alert From MalwareLabs

Any of you guys ever hear of something called the "Evil Twins Attack" ?

Neither have I. So click the link and read on.

 https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/07/personal-data-stolen-from-unsuspecting-airport-visitors-and-plane-passengers-in-evil-twin-attacks-man-charged

Sunday With Blackthorn -- Today Some Basic Combatives For Personal Protection

 Today we have three videos from Lee Morrison of Urban Combatives. Nothig pretty, nothing fancy, nothing overly complicated.  Just some basic brutal Combatives.

 

 

More Attempts To Track Firearms Purchases Through Credit Card Sales

 They never give up, do they? 

I have one word for this situation. Cash.

 https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/should-gun-store-sales-get-special-credit-card-tracking-states-split-on-mandating-or-prohibiting-it/ar-BB1p8LYv

Happy 4th Of July!!

 

Workout Wednesday -- Do You Consider Your Endurance Level Of Fitness Adequate For Emergencies.

 Now I'm sure some of the people who read this blog really do exercise regularly and take care of yourselves. Then there are those of you may not be in the shape that you think you are. And finally there are those of you who would probably benefit from an eBook from Tom Furman called "You Can't Outrun A Donut".

Here's the link, and no, I don't get a cut.   

https://www.tomfurman.com/product/cant-outrun-donut-7-steps-lose-extra-pounds/

Now, on to today's suggestion for checking on your level of fitness.

There is a website  called Max Velocity Tactical. Max is a former military operator who trains average citizens in, well essentially, Small Unit Tactics.  Personally I can think of better ways to spend my time and money in terms of preparing myself for typical self defense scenarios, or an emergency situations like  storms, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, chemical spills, injuries from accidents, etc. 

But, to each his own.

Now if you want to go get training at  the MVT school, you need to prove that you have a minimal level of fitness, considering that the curriculum revolves around military style Light Infantry tactics in the field. This involves a simple 6 minute exercise that using a couple of calisthenics movements, and carrying some moderate weights for  short distances, for 4 circuits in 6 minutes.

I'm putting the Video up below, and a link to the MVT page with a written description and rationale for this particular qualifier. Anyway, I hope you guys get something out of it.

 

https://maxvelocitytactical.com/tactical-classes/fitness-prerequisites/

Blackthorn Special Alert -- Data Breach At Ticketmaster

 A hacker calling himself Sp 1 Der breached the Ticketmaster servers and stole the data for 560 million Ticketmaster customers. Ticketmaster refused to pay the ransom money and as a result, the Hacker released the information of 1 million Ticketmaster customers on the Dark Web. 

The link below will take you to the Malwarebytes Webpage with the entire article. 

Fucking Ticketmaster couldn't care less about it's customers.

 https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/first-million-breached-ticketmaster-records-released-for-free