Posted on April 17, 2022April 17, 2022 by True North Tradecraft

The Importance of Foot Care in Disasters and a Tour of JB Fields’ Sock Factory in Toronto.

A common question asked of me when discussing preparedness as a topic, is “what are important things to carry” or “what stuff should I prepare for a disaster”?

As an addition to my previous posts on Preparedness (see HERE) one often-overlooked or not thought-about part is how important one’s feet are in the overall picture of being prepared for a disaster.

One of the most important aspects of preparedness is mobility. Oftentimes, the best way to avoid a bad situation (especially if you have advance warning of it) is to not be there. However, there will be times when there is little or no warning and staying put then changes to moving out. Relying on a vehicle to get you where you need to go is convenient, but may not always get you all the way there. Vehicle breakdowns, blocked roads, extreme weather – all can contribute to the need to transition to a moving on foot. At that point, you are ultimately going to have to rely on your own feet and their ability to get you through.

Be sure to include at least one spare pair of quality socks into every kit and bag you have. If you have a family of four you need to plan for, the same applies. Buy a good pair of hiking socks which will provide cushion, wick moisture away, insulate, breathe and wash/dry easily for all members of your group. If you need to transition from mounted (in a vehicle) to dismounted (on-foot) to cover distance and terrain to your destination, being able to change your cocksure both supportive of foot care and help boost morale. There is a wonderful feeling one has when you are cold, wet, sore and exhausted but you change your socks for a dry, clean pair. OH! It makes a world of difference. Just ask anyone who’s done a lot of hiking or been in the military. Dry, clean socks are game-changers.

In addition to the above, invest in the best footwear you can – solidly built, broken-in and in good repair. Depending on the profile and expected terrain you may be traversing, you may be looking for something more suited to the wet and cold of the outdoors or the roughness of the urban environment. Either way, research what works for you and get something you can rely on. You should also consider packing some Advil, Moleskin and duct tape. And an extra pair of laces (made from 550 paracord wouldn’t hurt you either).

I recently had the opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes look at the making of some of my favourite socks, right here in Toronto! J.B. Fields makes an array of high-quality socks from premium materials. Living in a colder region, I have been partial to their Icelandic wool socks and hikers for their incredible warmth and versatility for some years now.

Full disclosure: I am NOT being paid for this endorsement nor have I been furnished with any consideration, I just really like their socks AND I like that they are an old, Canadian-based company making a quality product at an affordable price.

I reached out to JB Fields and connected with Sid, one of their employees, and set up a meet to go in and pick up some end-of-season deals at their factory store. Sid graciously offered to show me their factory and how the socks are made, along with the features that make them the quality they are. (SEE PHOTOS AT END OF POST)

There are three styles which I really love:

the Merino Wool Weekender: 96% Merino wool. VERY comfortable but not very resilient, so don’t get them for hiking of boot socks. But casual wear for comfort, yes!
The Medium Hiker: 74% merino and both tough and comfortable.
Icelandic Wool Sock: for warmth when you really want it.

Regardless if you go with JB Fields or other great sock manufacturers (such as Darn Tough or Smart Wool are both VERY good choices), just be sure to invest in a quality sock for supporting your mobility in an emergency for your preparations.

Having appropriate footwear (boots, or shoes), keeping your feet in good health (clean, dry, free of infection/fungus, nails trimmed, space to breathe in shoes, etc) and investing in quality socks will be a key foundational piece to build upon. Getting blisters, frostbite or other foot injuries can be crippling very quickly and ground you, thereby taking away your potion to move from a bad situation. Movement and mobility are life-giving and without hem, you are at the mercy of circumstance and other parties. Stay capable, maintain the capacity for mobility and invest in preparations BEFORE you need them.

Till next time, stay safe and #staycrafty!

A few facts about this old, Canadian company and their socks.

A selection of their fine Icelandic wool socks. So warm!

Unfinished socks prior to washing and finishing.

Sock-weaving machines and spools of thread ready to go.

These machines require constant attention to maintain up-time.

More spinning machines pumping out socks.

This thing makes a tube of a sock using various types of yarns and colours. Very cool.

Shapeless tube socks being formed into foot-shapes.

Finished product – a very well-made and reliable sock to protect your feet.

I keep a pair in my go-bag at all times. You should too!

Posted on December 7, 2021December 13, 2021 by True North Tradecraft

The Last Page: Recoil OFFGRID Issue 46

I am very humbled to share that Recoil OFFGRID has allowed me to contribute to their magazine again – this time it was The Last Page: a book review.

The editors suggested that I review the infamous ANARCHIST COOKBOOK, and to furnish my thoughts about it to their readers.

So, if you go to HERE , you can read the entire review.

THE ANARCHIST COOKBOOK REVIEW: A RECIPE FOR CONTROVERSY

OUR REVIEW OF THE INFAMOUS 1971 COMPENDIUM OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRUGS, WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES, AND GUERRILLA TACTICS.

For those of you who have never heard of it, or ever read it, do give the review a read.

https://www.offgridweb.com/preparation/the-anarchist-cookbook-review-a-recipe-for-controversy/

Till next time, stay safe and #staycrafty.

Posted on January 9, 2021January 28, 2021 by True North Tradecraft

The True North Tradecraft Pandemic Measures Guide

Our new publication for best practices to keep you safe from the pandemic.

We had been working on this publication prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Our e-book on pandemic best-practices will arm you with key information and knowledge to better protect yourself against infection and disease. Check it out on our store HERE and on Amazon.

Stay safe and stay crafty.

Posted on August 31, 2019November 29, 2019 by True North Tradecraft

2nd Edition: The True North Tradecraft Disaster Preparedness Guide.

Available in Paperback and e-book formats.

It is with great pride and excitement that we announce the release of the Second Edition, newly revised, expanded and updated with more information, more lists, photos and resources to prepare yourself for when disaster strikes.

Now available through the True North Tradecraft Store (in Paperback & PDF formats) and through Amazon in Paperback and Kindle).

If you live in an urban or suburban environment you owe it to yourself to invest some effort in preparing for the unexpected. Get yours today!

Stay safe and stay crafty!

Posted on January 1, 2019November 29, 2019 by True North Tradecraft

The True North Tradecraft Disaster Preparedness Guide

Are you ready for 2019? Make sure you are by picking up the The True North Tradecraft Disaster Preparedness Guide: A Primer on Urban and Suburban Disaster Preparedness.

PDF AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR STORE HERE
Paperback and Ebook available worldwide through Amazon.

Over the past long while, we have been working on a guide for urban & suburban disaster preparedness. This book is meant to be an accessible planning and development blueprint for those wishing to establish and maintain a reasonable level of preparedness to be resilient in the face of a natural or man-made disaster.

It outlines the basics of survival and preparedness in an urban & suburban context. This gives you a foundation to create your own preparedness plan and build emergency readiness kits. For instance, have your plans and supplies in place before something happens.

Many to whom I have spoken about preparedness are uneasy about starting, stating their biggest challenge was not knowing where to start. Most importantly, this book gives the beginner (as well as the seasoned planner), a solid foundation on which to build.

This guide covers:

Disaster Planning
Preparedness Psychology
Priorities and Strategy
Water
Shelter
Fire, Heating & Cooking
Food
Medical & First Aid
Health, Santitation & Hygiene
Communications
Light, Electricity & Backups
Special Considerations
Recommendations
and so much MORE!

It is also specific in two contexts:

It does NOT get into wilderness survival (as this is a topic all it’s own) and;
It is written from a Canadian legal perspective.

This is our humble first edition to offer the tools of knowledge necessary for those who wish to prepare themselves and their families for future challenges, but don’t know where to start. It also contains tidbits which should be useful to even seasoned veterans in preparedness.

When you fail to plan you plan to fail…don’t let not knowing stop you. Get started today to be ready for tomorrow.

Stay crafty. Be ready.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!!!

Paperback and ebook versions available from Amazon in various markets.

(Search: True North Tradecraft)

Posted on November 23, 2018November 29, 2019 by True North Tradecraft

Winter Is Coming: 8 Tips for Getting Your Vehicle Winter-Ready

As we make our way through the last weeks of Fall and approach Winter, it’s time to do our twice-a-year vehicle change-over. For those of us who live in areas where snow and extreme cold are realities, being prepared for weather-related challenges is a wise investment.

As extreme and inclement weather, coupled with low temperatures, can negatively affect driving conditions, sometimes without warning. This time of year (approaching Christmas and New Year’s) sees us travelling to visit our friends and family, attending parties and generally spending more time on the roads. Roads that can sometimes go to hell real fast.

Be sure to get plenty of rest prior to a long road journey, stay hydrated and nourished and for the love of all that is holy, do NOT drive while impaired.

Winter weather brings with it snow storms, white-outs, icy roads (including black ice), freezing rain, traffic jams and accidents, breakdowns and more. A few well-focused steps and some essential equipment can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience, extreme discomfort or (in extreme cases) death. (Read a news article about a very unfortunate situation like this here.)

As the extreme cold and weather can hasten death under less-than-ideal circumstances, we look to some basic Survival Priorities to ensure a better chance of survivability. These principles include:

Shelter
Fire
Water
Signalling & Communication
Food
Security

*NOTE: These principles and their order of priority can and will change depending on your immediate circumstances. However, I have put them in this order at this time as a general theme and to illustrate their importance. The rationale is that, if you find yourself in a blizzard, shelter is paramount as you’ll freeze before the other considerations even enter into the equation. Then fire for warmth inside the shelter (car), and then water to keep your body functions going. Signalling for help would be next (flares, chemical lights, using a cell phone or radio) followed by food and security.***

Seasonal tires and Service. If you live in an area prone to winter weather, get snow tires, the best you can afford. Sure, you’ll have to switch between your All-Seasons and Winters, but well worth it for the better traction on snow and ice in colder temperatures. Also, be sure to get your car serviced at the same time to ensure maximum reliability through the winter. Have them check your battery, fluids, belts, lights, anti-freeze, windshield washer fluid (the -40 deg C kind) and the rest.
Don’t Run Dry. If heading out of the city or for a longer drive, don’t let your car’s gas tank drop below half-tank on your journey. Stop frequently, top-off your gas tank and stretch. It also helps fight fatigue and gives you the opportunity to get food and drink regularly.
Power-Up! Ensure you have a DC plug (cigarette plug) USB charger and charging cables for all your cell phones/devices. If there are more people in the car on your journey, run cables to as many phones as you can and charge them while driving, thus ensuring a full battery on as many devices as possible and a better chance for contacting help if needed.
Your Spare. If your car allows it, get a full-size spare tire and an appropriate tool kit. It should include a wrench for the lug nuts, a jack, nut lock tool (if your car has them), a small can of WD40 or similar, a small bottle of de-icer, block of wood for under the jack and a pair of warm work gloves. If you get a flat, you should know how to change it quickly and safely. Practice it in good weather so you know how to use all the tools and that the spare is in good repair.
Get a Grip. Stock a small shovel or entrenching tool and a bag of sand/gravel/cat litter to dig a wheel out of an icy patch and sprinkle the bag of sand under the tires to aid in the wheels gripping better. If your jurisdiction allows for chains, consider adding these to your kit and ensure you know how to put them on.
Be Seen. Carry emergency triangles, at a minimum, and consider a few road flares or an electronic LED road flare to increase your visibility to other motorists. If the visibility is low, the likelihood of people seeing you and stopping is low. By the same token, if they can’t see you, you may be struck by other vehicles in the dark. In these situations, visibility is your friend.
Keep In Touch. If you’re travelling longer distances, communicate with your hosts and let them know when you’re leaving and when, approximately, you plan on arriving. If possible, let them know the route you’ll be taking. If it changes, send them a text to keep them updated. If you fail to show or get in touch by a pre-set time, they can call police on your behalf and search for you.
Stock a Winter Emergency Kit. Split between your glove box and a backpack or duffel bag in your trunk with some emergency essentials can mean the difference between life and death in extreme circumstances. No, I’m not being dramatic, I’m being realistic. If you have ever spent a few hours in -35 in the middle of the night in a broken-down vehicle without and equipment hoping for someone to help, you’d appreciate it. I have. And despite knowing that “help was coming”, it was still terrible and very cold You can include the following items in an emergency kit as a start and add-on for your specific circumstances later. Here are the essentials:

Snow brush & ice scraper;
2 emergency candles in a metal tin & 2 Bic lighters;
Flashlight & spare batteries, A few glow stick Chem lights;
First Aid kit with tourniquet (if you’ve not been trained, GO GET TRAINING!);
Warm blankets or sleeping bag;
Extra clothing (hats, gloves, socks, fleece jacket);
Winter boots (like Sorel);
Small bottle of lock de-icer or rubbing alcohol;
Food (such as a few Cliff Bars or similar);
A few bottles of water, plastic so as not to freeze and shatter);
Metal cup;
Consider a thermos filled with a hot drink;
A quality multi-tool;
Solid, full-tang knife;
Seatbelt cutter (stowed above driver visor or accessible in centre console);
A few contractor garbage bags;
Whistle;
25′ of paracord;
Small can of WD40 and small roll of duct tape;
Basic tool kit for car;
Wet wipes, small toilet paper & hand sanitizer;
Jumper cables (for you and to help others);
Extra cash and change (in small bills);
Fire Extinguisher (small);
Tow strap (if it can be attached to your vehicle);
Extra fuel;
Anything else you feel is necessary.

Staying in your vehicle, if possible, is the safest place to ride out a storm. It is a metal cage which protects you from other vehicles, but also from the elements. With the candles, blankets and extra clothes, you should be able to stay warm enough to survive. Adding food and possibly hot water, your chances go up even more. Adding to that higher levels of visibility and communications, your chances begin to climb higher.

If you do find yourself stranded, take immediate action to prepare yourself for a long stay.

Stay CALM.
Take stock of your situation. Stay in your vehicle.
Attempt to make contact with Police or anyone who may be able to render aid.
Remove your survival kit from your trunk to the back seat and break out its components while your engine is still running or is still warm.
Deploy your visibility markers and, if visibility is low and it’s night out, consider your glow sticks, LED flares and chemical road flares.
Use your shovel to clear the area around your exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide from being pumped into your vehicle.
Run the engine for 10-15 minutes at a time to conserve your battery and fuel.
Ensure all unnecessary power expenditures (radio, phone use for games, etc, are cut. Only use your hazard lights if possible.
Use the items in your kit to their maximum.

I trust this will serve as a solid primer to preparing you to deal with many unforeseen eventualities this winter driving season. Use common sense. If the weather is bad, stop. Reschedule. Turn Back. Get a hotel for the night. It’s not worth the risk. Don’t be caught unawares and unprepared this winter. Prepare now and get home safely.

Stay safe and stay crafty.

Posted on October 22, 2018November 29, 2019 by True North Tradecraft

Tactical Solutions Magazine – Training Review Article

Very excited to have my work featured in Tactical Solutions Magazine, the official publication of the International Tactical Training Association (ITTA) based in Chicago, IL.

From the ITTA website:

The International Tactical Training Association (ITTA) is always on Mission to provide members with advanced tactical and technical programs of instruction formulated and directed by a core council who possess extensive Law Enforcement and Military experience. We seek to transform, keep you ahead of the curve, and one step ahead. Semper in Via

ITTA retains a broad spectrum of instructors with Special Operations backgrounds and current post 9-11 operational and instructional experience. We are here to transform, keep you inside the loop and one step ahead with best practices, hard learned lessons, and disruptive technologies.

You can go directly to the issue and article here. Be sure to check out their entire website and read their other publications for fantastic content.

https://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=533077&ver=html5&p=17#{%22page%22:16,%22issue_id%22:533077}

Enjoy and stay crafty!

Posted on September 22, 2018January 30, 2021 by True North Tradecraft

Review – Brite Strike APALS personal light beacons by Fiser.

Brighten up your day with Fiser Innovative Solutions.

There are a lot of flashlights out there. When you need light, there are many varieties of portable lights from which to choose. Sometimes you need lots of light, sometimes less. Sometimes under water, sometimes they need to be small. Whatever your specific need, there are solutions.

When I was introduced to the Brite Strike APALS mini LED lights distributed in Canada by Fiser Innovative Solutions, I didn’t know what to think of them. (APALS stands for All Purpose Adhesive Light Strips). They were small, I didn’t expect much but so what? Then I turned one on. BRIGHT! As I played around with the tiny light in my hand, Tom Fiser (Owner), gave me a rundown of the many technical specifications of these lights along with the ingenious uses they have integrated them into.

(Update & correction: Fiser is the Canadian distributor. Brite Strike Technologies Inc. is the manufacturer, they are made in the US.)

Here is a photo for sizing comparison:

2 Fiser lights, end-to-end, against a standard Bic lighter for size comparison. The 3M adhesive backing shown to view both sides.

They are very thin, weigh next to nothing and can stick to just about anything. Here are some technical specs:

very small, 2″ long, almost completely flat;
featherweight at less than 5g;
Visible up to 3.2km(2miles) on land, 4.8km(3miles) from the air;
Up to 200 hours or run time;
Waterproof to 200FT;
Modes: Fast Strobe/Slow Strobe/Steady On/Off;
Available in 5 colours (Red, Orange/Amber, Blue, Green, White);
Heavy Duty 3M® Adhesive Back Tape;
Easy Pull Tab;
Waterproof, Dust-proof & Shockproof.

Here is a pdf of their info sheet:

On the Fiser website, they list several innovative and creative uses for these mini lights. They even make gloves with little sleeves for them for Police working traffic duty, police on bicycles, SCUBA divers, hunters, cycling & roller sports, outdoor adventure and even for pets! I’d feel comfortable in adding that, for such a light package with 3 modes, high-visibility and 200hrs of run time, you could throw a few in your car, home, go-bag, any emergency kits, keep one in your first aid kit. They’re so versatile. For those doing plain clothes work, members of your team can keep one in their pocket for activation for hi-viz identification by peeling off the backing and sticking it on themselves. They can be used to mark entrances, evidence, route or trail marking, bike light, land or water recovery…the possibilities are quite vast.

I’ve even put 2 in my Nanuk 935 roller case (both red and green) for backup light and low-pro options. They stick to the lid and do not obstruct anything and are almost invisible (see below):

Green light turned off because it was too bright for the photos head-on.

This kind of setup can be adapted to closets, cabinets, safes, gun safes, medicine cabinets, suitcases, etc as a back-up in case you need it, especially during a power outage.

I also popped one into a glass of water for a half-hour to see how it did:

Here’s a short APALS video of it blinking too!

Overall, I’m very impressed with these little lights. They last longer and are brighter than glow sticks and are smaller too. I like the 3-mode options they have and that they are almost weightless.

They even sell them in 10-packs for expeditions or teams. Pretty great. Canadian too, from Hamilton, Ontario.

If you are looking for a different kind of light to augment your situation or if these sound useful, reach out to Fiser Innovative Solutions at their website.

Till next time, stay safe, stay visible (when you want to be), and stay crafty.

https://fiser.ca

Posted on June 22, 2018 by True North Tradecraft

Book Review – 375+ International Prisoner Survival Tricks

A while ago I heard about a book which chronicled the history and evolution of skills and tips for the Prisoners of War (POWs) or captives in a foreign land. After much digging, I contacted the author, Mr. Joseph A. Laydon Jr., and arranged to purchase a copy to be shipped to Canada.

Mr. Laydon was very kind and forthcoming in his communications with me and I received my copy (and a bunch of other goodies) from him shortly afterward.

Mr. Laydon’s compendium is a ~350-page tome of well researched historical material. He has dug deep into the world of POWs (in an American context, specifically) from the US Civil War to Cold War-era and their methods of survival, escape and reunification through simple tips as well as in-depth case studies.

As the nature of warfare has changed with the introduction of ever-advancing technologies, the realities of captivity remain. Allied soldiers have been held captive in more recent conflicts such as the Gulf Wars, The Balkans/Former Yugoslavia and in the Middle East. And though one never knows in advance the circumstances of one’s possible captivity, a study of historical methods (both by captors and captives) is beneficial. It gives scope and depth of knowledge which may be adapted in given circumstances. In some current theatres of conflict, one’s adversaries may tend to be on the less-technologically advanced side. If one is to be effective in combating such foes, a study into their “low-tech” methods will yield insight into their weaknesses. To that end, studying past historical methods of captivity and restraint allows for the operator or agent to understand the weaknesses in those methods and train to exploit those weaknesses to one’s advantage.

As an example, “high tech” security features, such as locks and handcuffs, may be in use by one’s own forces, but in some areas in the world, technology may be 50-80 years behind the times, often using outdated and “low tech” restraints and locking mechanisms. Awareness and training in the exploitation of these are crucial to one’s survival.

You never know where you’ll end up. Prepare now.

I would also argue that even by reading through it in a non-military or operational context, if one were to find themselves kidnapped or held in unlawful confinement, some of the points discussed in this book may be of help, again depending on the circumstances. But the more you know, the more options you may have.

To bring this around full circle, Mr. Laydon does an excellent job of providing a thoroughly researched historical account of survival methods used by POWs and also the captivity methods of their captors and aggressors over a very long period of time across a wide range of theatres. Even more useful are his personal notes from his time in the Military and through various survival schools. All very useful information. There are many practical and informative (and genuinely interesting) tips and tricks covered. It is not an instructional manual, per se, but rather an in-depth reference highlighting many historical and contemporary methods and ideas for use in such environments. The author has augmented historical methods with personal anecdotes and experiences to bring context. There are no pictures or diagrams to see (though there are a few exercises to learn some of the tricks shown) however the sheer multitude of referenced tips and tricks leaves one much to internalize and think about. I would recommend this publication to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of this subject matter. Sometimes, the saying “what’s old is new again” may come to pass. You never know, it may come in handy some day.

Though the information in this book is good to know, Would highly recommend finding training in these skillsets in-person. Nothing beats hands-on instruction and personal first-hand experience.

Joseph A. Laydon Jr. can be reached through www.survivalexpertbooks.com or at [email protected] and this book can be found on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca . He has written many other books on various other survival-related topics, similarly sized and deeply researched.

Till next time, stay safe and Stay Crafty.

Posted on June 16, 2018January 31, 2021 by True North Tradecraft

Training Review: Counter Custody and Hostage Survival with 4TAC5 in Chicago, IL.

Training Review: IRETC with 4TAC5, Chicago, IL, May 2018

In May of this year (2018), I travelled to Chicago to expand my skills in the field of Counter-custody and counter-kidnapping but attending the IRETC Instructor Certification with Karl from 4TAC5.

For the longest time I had been working towards attending the counter-custody instructor certification course with 4TAC5 – IRETC (International Restraint Escape Training Course). I had tried for months to connect with them and was planning to travel to their training base in England to attend it when I was referred to Aaron Cunningham of the ITTA (International Tactical Training Association) as they were going to be hosing IRETC in Chicago. As luck would have it this made things much more convenient and less expensive.

Upon arrival I made contact with Aaron and he picked me up from the airport. I treated him to breakfast for the courtesy. As I had only had communications with him through e-mail to that point it was good to finally put a face to the name and get to know him. After breakfast, Aaron and I took a little tour around Chicago (he showed me some of the sights and gave me some background to the respective history and current situations with specific neighbourhoods we were traversing) and then we did two more circles to the airport to pick up other attendees and finally to pick up our instructor, Karl, and make our way to the training facility and our lodgings.

There were 4 of us with Karl and Aaron. A small but diverse group of LEO/MIL personnel.

***I will not speak to the identities of the others in the training as they are currently operational with their respective security services, nor will I get into specifics of the training due to it’s nature. ***

Over that first evening we all had a chance to get to know one another and discuss the upcoming week of training. Admittedly, I was very excited to get the training started and build upon my existing skills.

The next day training started and we covered a LOT of ground. The content for day 1 was vaguely as follows:

Overview of material, counter-custody principles, kidnapping & hostage survival;
Detailed review of improvised restraints and manufactured restraints;
Improvised tools against restraints;
Mindset and tactics

I felt as if I’d been overloaded with information and it took me a while to process what I was learning. So much amazing stuff was coming to me – efficient and effective techniques and principles to put to use immediately. My hands and wrists were smashed and raw by the end of the day but it was well worth the pain to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience in a controlled environment where mistakes can be made and learning can occur. Very helpful when you get yourself in a pickle and need someone to cut you out so you can try again.

Day 2 was much the same in so far as having a firehose of info shot my way. After a great breakfast, we got fuelled up on coffee and a recap of the previous day’s material and dove right in.

Recap Day 1;
Tools, carry, concealment and deployment;
Handcuffs (various, identify, function, features)
More mindset and tactics;
Special tools (contents, function, use)
Anatomy of abduction and custody (phases, counter-intelligence, immediate actions)
Captivity & custody Exercise

Day 2 was a long day filled with more work, soreness and trial and error. However, the more exhaustively we practiced, the more confident I was with the little curve balls that were thrown our way and, with patience and focus, they could be overcome.

Day 2 dinner was another great time gelling with the group and expanding on the day’s lessons.

***BTW the food in Chicago was AWESOME!***

Day 3 was the Big Cahuna. Exercise after exercise after exercise, more scenarios and practice. Very involved to test our newly acquired skills and assure we’d assimilated the little tricks and remained focused on the task regardless of the negative stimulus applied. I found this culmination was a thorough test of my skills and my ability to apply them under stress and in unknown conditions.

As a finale to the week, Aaron arranged a tour of the Chicago Police Marine Unit (with associated boat ride and waterfront tour) and topped it off with a ride-along with the Chicago Police Aviation Unit aboard a CPD helicopter above downtown Chicago. And, as it was Tuesday, what better dinner to have than tacos? I guess you really haven’t lived till you’ve watch a White Sox game at Wrigley Field from a police helicopter. Karl and I had a blast. What a great night.

The following day included a debrief, discussions, clean-up and certification presentations. My trip to the airport was bitter-sweet. I had made some new friends, learned and experienced some top-tier training and was leaving a very Toronto-like city (minus the 14 people who were shot while I was there).

I extend my sincerest thanks to Aaron Cunningham and the ITTA for hosting the training and for their wonderful hospitality. True professionals doing a great job.

To Karl of 4TAC5, thank you for your knowledge, patience and great sense of humour during the week.

To the Chicago Police Marine and Aviation units – thank you for your hospitality and for the amazing ride-alongs. Stay safe out there!

And to my fellow attendees, thank you for the laughs and lessons. Stay safe in your respective areas of operation and keep in touch.

For those of you who are in Canada looking for counter-custody and hostage survival training, keep your eyes peeled for our offerings for both civilians and military/law enforcement (restricted content) or contact us directly for private training solutions for your group.