Month: September 2008

Training is the heart and soul of Tactical Anatomy Systems™. Our courses are primarily designed for active law enforcement, security, and military personnel, we also offer training to qualified civilians as well.

A self-described “training junkie” himself, Dr. Williams has studied firearms, defensive tactics, and the use of deadly force under many of the leading trainers in the world. This input—in combination with his medical training and experience—has shaped the curriculum and content of the Tactical Anatomy Systems™ syllabus.

Local or regional agencies/academies may engage a Tactical Anatomy Systems™ course dedicated to their own personnel, or host a class open to neighboring law enforcement personnel. Through our many partners in law enforcement, we offer classes in various locations throughout the year. See UPCOMING CLASSES for a course coming to a location near you.

Tactical Anatomy: Shooting With Xray Vision

Our trademark class and the core of the TAS training philosophy, Tactical Anatomy is an 8-hour course for law enforcement that will take your officers from a state of basic handgun competency to proficiency in 3D target organ visualization. Topics include:

• Ethics of the Use of Deadly Force
• Statistical realities of Officer-Involved Shootings
• Terminal Ballistics Review
• Dynamic Realities of Officer-Involved Shootings
• Gunshot Wounds and Incapacitation
• Vital Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Visualization of Anatomy in Three Dimensions

Dr. Williams uses a combination of anatomic models, drawings, photos, Xrays, and computer modeling techniques to train personnel in the elements of anatomy as they apply to the police marksman. Topics are presented in a manner and at a level that is easily grasped by non-medical personnel.

Moving out of the classroom, the fundamental concepts are reinforced with simple yet effective practical exercises using computer simulator training (FATS, MILO, etc), and/or force-on-force training.

This course has proven to be very effective in improving OIS hit ratios in the real world, and the learning is highly retained.

Class size is limited to 20 students. Please see Upcoming Classes for scheduled classes, or to host a class contact us for facilities and pricing.

Tactical Anatomy: Shooting With Xray Vision for SWAT

Demands placed on SWAT, Tactical, and Sniper team personnel require them to operate at a significantly higher level of proficiency than their brothers and sisters in patrol division. This interactive course includes the topics covered in basic Tactical Anatomy, but spends significantly more time on topics pertinent to special teams, including:

• Terminal Ballistics
• Bullet Design and Performance
• Effects of Intermediate Barriers
• Body Armor: Yours and Theirs
• Hostage Rescue Shooting
• Immediate Medical Care
• And much more…

Because each agency’s special teams have unique composition, equipment, and tactics, each SWAT class is tailored to the specific agency’s needs. Input from your agency is heavily relied upon in planning of each class.

8-hour and 16-hour classes are offered. Please contact us for facilities and pricing.

Tactical Anatomy Instructor (Advanced)

This course picks up where the basic Tactical Anatomy course leaves off. This is a 16-hour class designed for the police firearms instructor. Trainees receive teaching tips and techniques in addition to thorough coverage of the core curriculum. After completing this class, an instructor has all the tools needed to fully train patrol officers in the concepts and practices of Tactical Anatomy.

The topics included in the basic Tactical Anatomy class are covered in more depth and detail, and in addition Advanced topics include:

• Adult Learning: Theory and Practice
• Effective Training Management
• Exercise Planning
• Diagnosing and Correcting Student Errors
• Multimedia Presentations
• Accessing Specialized Equipment

This is a highly interactive class. Attendees are expected to “bring their brains”, to ask and answer questions, and to challenge fixed ideas and dogmas that block effective learning.

Tactical Anatomy Instructor is very popular class that consistently receives “10 out of 10” ratings from attendees. See ABOUT for comments on this class.

Please see UPCOMING CLASSES for scheduled classes, or to host a class contact us for facilities and pricing.*

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Tactical Anatomy: Shooting With Xray Vision for Civilians

Every year the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report and other Department of Justice documents demonstrate that private citizens used deadly force justifiably in self-defense roughly twice as often as police do. Dr. Gary Kleck in his landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Assocation in 1996 proved that private citizens use firearms in defense against criminals more than two million times annually.

Given these facts, and recognizing that Americans’ right to keep, bear, and use firearms is guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the Constitution, Tactical Anatomy Systems™ is honored to offer the same training in 3D target visualization to qualified private citizens as we offer to police. By “qualified”, we mean anyone who can legally own/carry a firearm and provide proof of good character.

Our 8-hour Tactical Anatomy for Civilians class includes all the classroom topics covered in Tactical Anatomy: Shooting With Xray Vision. Practical exercises may be limited in scope due to facilities and equipment issues. Special attention is given to self-defense topics unique to women and physically disadvantaged citizens.

Please see Upcoming Classes for scheduled Tactical Anatomy for Civilians classes. Practical firearms training is a recommended prerequisite, but is not strictly required.

Tactical Treatment of Gunshot Wounds

Tactical Anatomy Systems^TM  offers several options for training in the treatment of trauma in the tactical setting: 4-hr Basic, 8-hr Intermediate, and 16-hr Advanced  level courses. Both the Intermediate and Advanced courses are detailed enough that upon completion you should have all the Instructor tools you need to go home and train your whole cadre or department. These courses are designed for SWAT and military personnel, not EMT’s. Their purpose is to train operators in the core techniques needed to save the life of a buddy, a civilian casualty, or even oneself in the tactical environment.

These courses have been developed over several years out of my trauma experience as a certified Emergency Physician, an EMS Medical Director, and after taking tactical medicine classes offered by colleagues around the country. The curriculum of these courses continues to evolve as more information comes my way from tactical medics and docs returning from the Sandbox and elsewhere.

So what does Tactical Anatomy ‘s  TTGSW class consist of? To be honest, it depends on how much time you allot for training, and the level of skill and training the class has coming in the doors. My most basic TTGSW class is a 4-hour block that covers the basic principles of field treatment of gunshot wounds, edged weapons wounds, and blast trauma, with hands-on practical exercises in using the basic survival tools that every soldier or cop should have on hand in a violent confrontation. If we have a more advanced group with more time, we go into more advanced scenario-based training incorporating simulated wounds and simulated-fire and live-fire environments, officer-down extrication procedures, airway management, and IV access. 

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FIREARMS TRAINING

Tactical Anatomy Systems™ , in conjunction with training partners in the Midwest and from around the nation, has offered top-quality innovative firearms training to law enforcement and private citizens since 2001. Our instructors are all certified by NRA and/or law enforcement authorities.

We strongly emphasize safety in all our firearms training courses. Basic proficiency in safe gun-handling and the manual of arms with the weapon(s) in use for each class is a prerequisite. Safety violations are swiftly and sharply dealt with.

Tactical Anatomy Systems™ Patrol Carbine

Patrol Carbine is an 8-hour, 500-round rifle course emphasizing the basics of fighting with the semiautomatic/select-fire carbine or rifle. This is not a shooting class, it is a fighting class. Attendees may use any reliable semiauto or select-fire carbine/rifle, but we strongly recommend that attendees use the same weapon or type as issued by their department. Bear in mind that our courses are built on the AR15/M16 platform. See ABOUT for comments on Patrol Carbine from some of our past trainees.

Topics include:

• Safety Review
• Ballistic Capabilities of Carbine and Rifle Calibers
• Shot Placement
• CQB Stances
• CQB Sighting
• Use of Cover
• Shooting With Movement
• Shooting From Positions of Disadvantage
• +/- Full Auto Techniques

Please see UPCOMING CLASSES for scheduled Patrol Carbine classes, or contact us if you wish to host a class for your agency and/or neighboring agencies.

Tactical Anatomy Systems™ Defensive Rifle for Civilians

At Tactical Anatomy Systems™ we firmly believe and support the Second Amendment. As such, we freely offer the same training to qualified private citizens as we do to law enforcement, within statutory limits. By “qualified”, we mean anyone who can legally own/carry a firearm and can provide proof of good character.

Modeled on our Patrol Carbine class, this 8-hour, 300-round class is an introduction to fighting with the semiautomatic carbine or rifle. Attendees may use any reliable semiauto or select-fire carbine/rifle, but we strongly recommend that attendees make every effort to bring a quality firearm to class. Limited “loaner” carbines may be available. Bear in mind that our courses are built on the AR15/M16 platform and the .223/5.56×45 cartridge.

Topics include:

• Safety Review
• Ballistic Capabilities of Carbine and Rifle Calibers
• Shot Placement
• CQB Stances and Sighting
• Cover Stances
• Shooting With Movement

Please see UPCOMING CLASSES for scheduled Patrol Carbine classes, and contact us for pricing or if you wish to host a class.

Tactical Anatomy Systems™ Force-on-Force for Civilians

Defensive-minded private citizens’ opportunities for taking force-on-force training has been extremely limited until now. Tactical Anatomy Systems™ is pleased to offer this cutting-edge training modality to qualified private citizens. This training provides the closest possible experience to being in an actual deadly force situation, and through widespread use in law enforcement has proven to save good people’s lives.

Force-on-Force for Civilians consists of four 4-hour blocks of instruction. Each block consists of a series of deadly force scenarios designed by our certified force-on-force instructors. Trainees receive two-on-one individual instruction from our personnel.

Block I is the mandatory prerequisite for all other blocks of training, and includes our comprehensive safety briefing. Blocks I and II include multiple force-on-force scenarios using Airsoft-type weapons. Blocks III and IV may only be taken after successful completion of I and II, and involve use of SIMUNITION™ training guns, ammunition, and safety equipment.

Please see UPCOMING CLASSES for scheduled Force-on-Force classes, and contact us for pricing or if you wish to host a class.

Tactical Anatomy Systems™ resources are provided in a variety of forms to suit your agency’s needs and means. Although we sell Tactical Anatomy targets, t-shirts and Instructor Manual, we strongly recommend that you have us train your firearms instructors in the use of the system first. See our TRAINING page for dates of upcoming classes, or contact us to arrange a class dedicated to your personnel.

Tactical Anatomy Instructor Manual

This Manual was written by Dr. Williams based on his experience training officers in the Tactical Anatomy Systems™ Shooting With Xray Vision method. It is intended to give any law enforcement or military firearms instructor the material he needs to teach three-dimensional target visualization to his personnel. Designed to be a ‘turn-key’ package, the manual consists of a 127-page full-color printed textbook and a CD-ROM with three dynamic PowerPoint slide presentations. The Manual is broken down into 5 lesson plans, with supplementary and background material to aid the instructor in presenting the lessons to his classes.

While the original Tactical Anatomy training system was designed to be an 8-hour class that would take trainees from ground zero to full 3D visualization–and this can still be done–the Manual provides options that allow the instructor to go with a half-day (4-hr) introductory course, a full-day (8-hr) basic course, or a two day (16-hr) advanced course.

The Manual begins with Dr. Williams’ Introduction to the principles and theory of Adult Learning, and gives a strong treatment on the safety considerations the instructor must build into his lesson plans to ensure safe and effective learning.

The body of the Manual is broken down into five separate lessons:

Lesson 1, ‘Rationale’.

• Explains why traditional ‘square-range’ training is failing to prepare personnel for real-world firearms combat
• Ethics of the use of deadly force
• Realities of gunshot wounding and incapacitation
• Dynamic realities of gunfights
• How 3D target visualization is a vital aid to gunfight supremacy

Lesson 2, ‘Building an Anatomic Model’

• is a step-by-step guide–complete with 53 full-color illustrations–to guide the instructor in building a three-dimensional anatomy model in the classroom in less than an hour.
• Supported by two PowerPoint presentations on the CD-ROM for the instructor to use as his teaching resources
• This lesson gives the instructor all the information he needs to bring 3D anatomy to life in the classroom.

Lesson 3, ‘Laser Sight Exercise’

• The first step in translating 2D visualization to 3D visualization in the trainees’ mind’s eye.
• Innovative laser sighting methodology.
• Includes lesson plan, tips and techniques for the instructor.

Lesson 4, ‘Force on Force Exercises’

• Actually two lessons in one.
• Computer simulator training scenarios (FATS, MILO, etc.)
• Force-on-force / reality based training (RBT) exercises using non-lethal training ammunition (NLTA) such as SIMUNITION.
• The two components of Lesson 4 may be stacked, or taught separately as stand-alone modules.
• Depending on class size and resources available, this lesson provides instructional options to branch out into a two-day class if time and resources permit.

Lesson 5, ‘After Action Review’

• A guide to consolidating your trainees’ learning at the end of the day.
• Safety and ‘homework’ issues are hard-wired.

The manual is priced at $59.95 plus $5.00 S&H. International orders please add Overseas Shipping to your order.

The Tactical Anatomy t-shirt is not a target, but a training aid. These are high-quality cotton t-shirts with durable silk-screened printing. The high-contrast version, suitable for classroom use or under a covering garment on the sims range, are blue-on-natural.  The low-contrast version is available in light tan printing on a natural cotton shirt but can be printed in any color combination on special order.

Standard versions of the Tactical Anatomy t-shirt are available at $15. Discounts are available for larger volume orders. Please call for pricing on orders over 50 shirts.

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Tactical Anatomy HRT Target

Currently in prototype only, we are partnering with manufacturers to bring a realistic and durable  HRT (head) target to meet the needs of SWAT/sniper law enforcement teams. Specifications include high ballistic tolerance (able to stand up to at least 100 rounds of .308 ball ammunition), ease of use, and instantaneous verification of each hit in the vital brainstem zone of incapacitation.

Check back on our website soon for information on availability and pricing.

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Peace officers in America are required by exigent circumstances to use their duty firearms against armed and aggressive criminals every day of the year. Although each individual officer hopes to never have to use his weapon in the line of duty, we train our personnel for just such an eventuality.

Unfortunately, statistics tell us that the effectiveness of police marksmanship in armed encounters is not as high as it could be, and as a result, good men and women are being injured or even killed in the line of duty. Armed criminals who have taken less than effective fire are not incapacitated and as a result are able to return fire on police officers, sometimes with disastrous results.

While touting qualification scores in the 80% range or better, most law enforcement agencies document OIS handgun hit ratios between 9% and 65%, depending on agency and conditions. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that there is a critical gap between firearms training and OIS performance.

Standard targets used by most police forces for training and routine firearms qualification have little or no correlation to the vital structures of human anatomy.  As a result, police officers often have only a vague idea of where to aim when faced with an armed, aggressive felon. They’re trained to shoot at the “center of mass”, without defining what it means. In most officers’ minds, “center of mass” translates, to “shoot somewhere in the middle”. Yet the vital anatomic structures that need to be hit in a deadly force scenario are not in “the middle”!

This middle-muddle sets up the officer for failure—failure to hit vital structures, failure to neutralize the armed attacker, and by extension, failure to protect himself and the community from a dangerous criminal.

Tactical Anatomy Systems™ offers a range of training and products specifically designed to address this critical training gap.

The centerpiece of the TAS array is the Tactical Anatomy (Shooting With Xray Vision) course. This lethal force targeting method was developed by an Emergency Physician and police Medical Officer who was tired of seeing good men and women go down in gunfights that by rights they should have won.

Tactical Anatomy Systems™ is not merely another “new” target, but is rather a system for learning to direct righteous gunfire where it can rapidly and reliably incapacitate an armed opponent. Tactical Anatomy training uses simple but accurate representations of anatomy on humanoid models. The system explains relevant anatomy in a manner that can be easily grasped by non-medical personnel.

Employing Tactical Anatomy Systems™ tools and training in the classroom, the simulator, the force-on-force shoot house, or in live fire range sessions, increases the likelihood that shots fired by your trained officers will strike where they need to and quickly finish the fight.