Defense Training Northwest LLC.
Learn to Defend Yourself
Advanced Defensive Handgun Course, Yakima WA Sept 27-28, 2008 What to expect during a DTI training class
Below is information pertaining to the John Farnam Defense Training International (DTI) Advanced Defensive Handgun. This class is being held in Yakima, Washington on September 27-28, 2008.
Tuition for this class is $495.00. A non refundable deposit of $150.00 is due by Friday, August 15, 2008. The remainder of your tuition fee is due prior to the beginning of the class. This class is limited to 15 students. We encourage you to register as soon as possible.
If you have any question please contact Damien Vaught, Joe Bobovsky or Michael Cole.
Many Thanks,
Damien Vaught, Joe Bobovsky and Michael Cole
DTI Washington State Instructors
DTI Advanced Defensive Handgun
The Advanced Handgun course is intended for graduates of the Basic Handgun course. Because the basics are only covered by a review, beginning students may find themselves in the uncomfortable position of being expected to know things that they do not. To avoid this situation, which is unpleasant for everyone, students who have graduated from other Basic Handgun programs are encouraged to contact DTI directly on contact Damien Vaught, Joe Bobovsky or Michael Cole
to determine if all the prerequisites for this course have been covered. Beginning students are strongly encouraged to attend a Basic Handgun class before attending the Advanced class.
Subject covered in the Advanced Handgun clas include:
Upon receiving a deposit for your class, Defense Training International sends each student confirmation for their attendance. After signing in, the course begins with a classroom session where students introduce themselves and John Farnam presents an overview of the course activities. When students move to the range, each firearm is carefully inspected. Instructors will also inspect each of the student's belts, magazine pouches and holsters. During the next section, students will go through "administrative" drills concerning loading and unloading their firearm, as well as charging their magazines or speed loaders. Once John is satisfied that students have accomplished these tasks, we move on to live fire.
DTI courses are taught using reactive steel targets. The student knows immediately if they have made a successful shot. After warming up, students will begin drills that allow them to become familiar with a grip and stance that works best for them. As the day continues, students will learn to draw from concealment and work on reloads and stoppage reduction. Tactical training is conducted in a realistic manner, stressing the correct use of cover, movement, challenges, and other important individual tactics.
Later in the course, there will be another classroom session concerning the force continuum and use of lethal force for self-defense. John Farnam is an expert witness with many years experience. Many students consider his session on courtroom savvy one of the highlights of the course. Other classroom subjects include:
· Situation awareness
· Threat evaluation
· Risk identification and reduction
The second day of the class will include cover and movement, performing under stress, and precision shooting combined with shoot no shoot drills. The low light shooting session is designed to allow students to practice target scanning and quick identification both with and without a flashlight. To register for Advanced Defensive Handgun, please email us at dtinw_info@comcast.net. We will then email you the course description and registration form in .PDF format.
The class ends with the DTI basic proficiency test. There is no sufficient test to determine whether or not a person is ready to survive a life threatening encounter. One will only know that he/she was ready for any particular encounter when he/she walks away a survivor. But with that in mind, it seems both prudent and necessary to be able to measure a student's progress and basic proficiency, so we require that students pass this test before receiving certification through DTI. A student achieves a passing score if he/she hits all the shots, does not commit any safety errors, and does not commit any procedural errors (e.g.: improper event sequence on reloading.) Students qualify only at one hundred percent hits. Even one miss means a failed attempt.
Many students who attend Defense Training International courses find that they are physically tired at the end of the two days, but they have acquired a tremendous peace of mind as they are confident in their ability to use a firearm safely and correctly. They feel more comfortable about their options for personal safety and are proud of their accomplishments in learning or improving their shooting skills.
If you are seeking information and instruction in the use of firearms we invite you to contact us. We welcome the opportunity to further discuss how our training programs can benefit you.
Defense Training International, Inc.
PO Box 917
LaPorte, CO 80535
USA 24 Hour Voice/Message: +1 (970) 482-2520
USA 24-hour FAX/Message: +1 (970) 482-0548
Guns and Accessories to bring to your DTI Course
We are serious at DTI about your safety and survival, and we don't want you to waste your time and that of other students with unrealistic and impractical equipment. You will need to supply your own firearm, holster, extra magazine pouches or speed loader carriers and ammunition. If you do not have your own equipment, contact the course sponsor or DTI directly.
Modifications such as extended slides, "accuracy jobs," wide, target triggers, trigger shoes, long barrels, vents, compensators, oversized grips, grip weights, external magazine funnels, light triggers, etc only serve to make your gun unreliable under heavy use, difficult to carry, and dangerous. Accordingly, we don't want to see these kinds of guns and modifications at DTI training courses. Nor do we want to see competition holsters and other impractical competition accessories. Stomach holsters, cross-draw holsters, low-slung holsters, etc will not be permitted.
Also, do not wear a thin, dress belt to the range. It will not support your holster and gun properly. You will need a stout gun belt and sturdy trousers.
You will need a quality, concealable handgun that is serviceable and within factory specifications and you will need a quality, concealable holster, belt, ammunition, and accessories. You will also need all your safety equipment, including clear safety glasses, sunglasses, sunscreen, a baseball cap, non-prescription pain reliever, necessary prescription medications, Band-Aids, and hearing protection.
Understand that the shooting range that we will be using is isolated, your ability to purchase important items that were left behind is extremely limited. Therefore, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WILL NEED WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARRIVE. We want you to get the most out of your DTI Training Program; unreliable guns have historically been a plague to students. The secret is to bring only high quality defensive handguns that are properly sighted in and keep them well maintained and appropriately lubricated. If you have a tricked-out, super-accurate, fragile, competition target gun or a "mouse gun", PLEASE DON'T BRING IT TO OUR TRAINING PROGRAM. Weapons chambered for 380 Auto are permitted at DTI ranges, and are recommended for some people. Pistols chambered for lesser rounds, such as 22 rim-fire, the 25's, and the 32's, are not permitted as primary guns. We do not consider them to be serious calibers, and pistols chambered for them are seldom sufficiently reliable to get through several days of heavy shooting.
DTI recommended quality auto-loading handguns and revolvers. Antiques, heirlooms and collector pieces are not suitable. If you have any questions regarding firearm selection contact Damien Vaught, Joe Bobovsky or Michael Cole.
Discussions of "accuracy" have been the source of much confusion when it comes to the topic of defensive shooting and defensive handguns. Reasonable and acceptable accuracy in a defensive handgun means that the weapon will shoot inside a fifteen centimeter (six-inch) circle (from a machine rest) at a range of fifty meters. This degree of accuracy is more than adequate for nearly any imaginable defensive shooting situation, yet can be attained without adversely affecting the reliability, durability, or carry-ability of most handguns. In fact, most factory handguns are readily capable of that kind of accuracy right out of the box. On the other hand, an "ultimate accuracy job" on a factory handgun, that is, one where everything is sacrificed for the sake of the greatest possible accuracy (e.g. three centimeters at fifty meters, from a machine rest) is best left to esoteric target handguns. In order to achieve that degree of accuracy, the gun itself must become bulky, temperamental, and extremely sensitive to rough handling, lack of meticulous maintenance, and dirty environments. That degree of accuracy is unnecessary in defensive shooting, and the sacrifices necessary to achieve it are obviously unacceptable.
If you decide to modify your new handgun, you are particularly cautioned to avoid trendy, novelty, and gimmicky add-on's, like trigger shoes, grip adapters, buffers, compensators, target grips, sight ribs, grip expanders, grip weights, etc. That kind of accessory does not belong on a carry gun and may disqualify the gun for use at DTI shooting ranges.
Modifications:
Weapons brought to DTI classes should be rugged and capable of combat accuracy. Target Pistols, “gamer guns” and heavily modified pistols generally are not reliable enough, concealable enough, and tough enough to survive DTI courses. Modifications that make the guns more accurate at the cost of reliability are not recommended. If you have any questions about acceptable modifications please contact Damien Vaught, Joe Bobovsky or Michael Cole.
Leather/Kydex Gear:
Practical, comfortable, and concealable holsters and ammunition carriers (spare magazine or speed loader carriers) are required of all students. We only allow strong-side (forward facing), belt holsters on the range. Cross-draw, low-slung, and shoulder holsters are not acceptable except in special cases. Your holster must cover your pistol's trigger and trigger guard when the gun is holstered. Exposed triggers on holstered guns are not permitted. Holsters must hold the gun securely enough so that it will not fall out inadvertently during running, jumping, etc. If a holster has a thumb-break snap, it must be snapped every time the gun is holstered.
Plastic or Kydex holsters designed for concealed carry are very acceptable and are recommended. A stout gun belt is also indispensable. Dress belts are not satisfactory. Very good concealable holsters and magazine carriers are available from any of our recommended holster manufacturers on the DTI website.
Ammunition:
We specifically DO NOT recommend any pistol ammunition manufactured by Norinco, Sellior & Bellot or Wolf. We recommend 1,000 rounds of factory loaded full metal jacketed, high quality ammunition. Remember we may be shooting in a remote area. You will not be able to run to the store to buy more ammunition.
Dos and Don'ts:
If you have a hearing problem Do invest in a set of electronic hearing protectors, so that you can hear verbal instructions clearly.
Do go to a local range or pistol match and get accustomed to being around other shooters. Five or six people together shooting in an enclosed area can be disconcerting if you are not used to it.
Do bring a good flashlight. You will need it for the low-light shooting exercise if low-light shooting is included in your training course. Cheap, dim flashlights will not suffice. High-intensity flashlights are expensive, but they are worth it. It must have an on/off touch button. There are several excellent choices from Streamlight, Mag Instruments, Pentagon and Sure Fire.
Do bring a second gun, preferably the same type, model, and caliber as your primary gun. Your gun will receive heavy use at your DTI class, it is very common for handguns, both revolvers and autoloaders, to break, seize, or otherwise become inoperable during the training program. Sometimes we can fix it. Other times we can't, particularly if a critical part is broken or missing. If you brought a second gun, this will present no real problem. Your simply press your second gun into service and continue your training. If you did not bring a second gun, you may not be able to continue.
Do bring at least two magazines for your autoloader (at least two speed loaders for your revolver). Two is a minimum. Six would be better. Much teaching is done between drills and strings or fire. It is best if you do not have to focus on topping off magazines between each drill and string of fire.
Do bring suitable eye protection. You will not be allowed on the range without it. All students will be required to wear safety glasses all the time they are on the range. We recommend that you bring two pair of safety glasses, one dark tinted for the daytime portion of the course, and one clear set for the low-light shooting. Prescription glasses are acceptable if they provide adequate coverage and protection. Reading glasses and "Granny glasses" are not acceptable.
Do bring a baseball cap. All students are required to wear baseball caps all the time they are on the range.
Do bring suitable hearing protection. Severe and permanent hearing damage can occur when hearing protection is not used on a firing range. Therefore, we require that adequate hearing protection be worn by all students all the time firing is taking place. Ear muffs and ear plugs are acceptable.
Do bring RAIN GEAR and cold weather gear in the appropriate season. Our range training proceeds regardless of the weather. As you can well imagine, warm clothing and good rain gear are indispensable.
Do bring an expendable sports, suit coat, jacket or other cover garment. This is necessary for concealed gun training, but it will probably be damaged during the exercises, so get an old one from the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries. All testing is done from a concealed draw.
Do bring plenty of water; staying properly hydrated will enhance your DTI course experience. Many students find a Camelback type hydration systems useful.
Do bring plenty of snacks and your lunch on both days of the class. We will be training in a remote area, so bring whatever you need with you.
Do bring sunscreen lotion. Sunscreen should be used daily on all exposed parts of the body, particularly the face, arms, hands, and neck.
Do bring a bottle of non-prescription pain reliever, and a box of Band-Aids. Headaches are not uncommon, and hands tend to get beat up.
Don't bring contact lenses. We may have high winds and blowing dirt and sand at the range. Your contact lenses will quickly become unusable and will have to be removed. If your eyes require corrective lenses, bring regular eye glasses (see above), and leave your contacts at home.
Don't bring expensive, uncomfortable, or impractical clothing or shoes to the range. There will be physical activity (running, moving suddenly over uneven ground) required of every student at the range. Clothing and shoes take a beating! Wear practical and comfortable clothing and shoes. DO NOT show up in sweat pants, tight slacks, or shorts. YOUR TROUSERS MUST HAVE BELT LOOPS THAT WILL ACCOMMODATE A HEAVY GUNBELT.
Don't bring homemade, reloaded ammunition! Experience has shown it to be typically unreliable, underpowered, and filthy. Bring only new, factory ammunition or factory reloaded ammunition, loaded to full power, from a reliable and reputable source. We shoot only jacketed ammunition. Unjacketed, lead, pistol ammunition is dirty and gummy and will turn your gun into a gummy mess within several hundred rounds. We specifically DO NOT recommend any pistol ammunition manufactured by Norinco, Sellior & Bellot, or Wolf.
Addendum for Female and Male Students:
The following checklist contains information intended primarily for female students attending our defensive firearms training, although some of the points enumerated on this checklist apply to all students.
Hair styles must accommodate the wearing of a baseball cap. A baseball cap must be continuously worn by all students. Long hair should be tied back or otherwise secured so it stays out of your eyes.
Fingernails should be short, as long nails may interfere with the proper handgun grip and with the correct pressing of the trigger.
Large or dangling earrings are not permitted on the range. They are a hindrance when wearing the required hearing protectors.
Pants must (1) allow for ample freedom of movement, (2) have functional and useable pockets, and (3) have belt loops that will accommodate a sturdy leather belt. Belts simply buckled around the waistband of sweatpants or other types of pull-on pants will not work and will make it impossible for you to safely participate in the course.
As noted above, a sturdy gun belt is a must-have to properly support the holster and accessories. Be prepared for the realization that wearing a sturdy gun belt, handgun, holster, extra magazine, and magazine carrier may cause some initial discomfort around the waistline on someone not used to doing so.
Hands, fingers (particularly trigger fingers), and arms can become very weary. The days are long and strenuous. Some arm and hand strengthening exercises, done in advance, are often very helpful.
As mentioned above bring adequate clothing for cold or inclement weather. You will also need rain gear, sunscreen, and a water bottle, canteen or Camelback. Your instruction will continue day and night in rain, heat, or snow. Being as comfortable as circumstances allow helps you keep your concentration. Sturdy shoes that lace up the front are best (such as athletic shoes or hiking boots).