South Mag South Issue 71 | Page 78

's THOMAS DEMAIO (LEFT) IS LIBERTY FIREARM'S TRAINING'S CHIEF MEDICAL INSTRUCTOR. WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES ARE YOU READY? By KELLY HARLEY I YOU’RE OUT TO DINNER WITH YOUR FAMILY AND THE MAN AT THE TABLE NEXT YOU TO STARTS CHOKING. YOU’RE WALKING INTO THE MALL AND YOU NOTICE A WOMAN ON THE GROUND WHO IS UNCONSCIOUS. OR WORSE, YOU’RE SITTING IN CHURCH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HEAR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE FIRE CRACKERS. IN EACH OF THESE SCENARIOS, WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO? f you don’t have a clue as to how you would respond, you now have the opportunity to take action. JDX (formerly Patrick’s Uniforms and Gun Range) and Liberty Firearm Train- ing are teaming up to offer lifesaving training that could change the way you respond to an emergency situation. “Gone are the days where people’s mentality can be, ‘I’m not going to think about it’, you have to be responsible,” said Jack Tripp, chief opera- tions officer, Liberty Firearm Training. Responsibility comes with ensuring you’re properly trained to handle an emergency situation. One of the basic courses taught through the JDX and Liberty Fire- arm Training partnership is CPR and basic trauma first aid. Tom DeMaio is a trainer with Liberty Firearm and teaches students what to do if someone isn’t breathing. “You’re the most important person on the scene because you’ve had the training,” coaches DeMaio. Students re- ceive instruction in JDX’s classroom facility, and then get hands-on with a mannequin. Some of the other course instruction includes learning the Heimlich Maneuver and how to stop bleeding. JDX owner Jon Hartley recently had all of his employees complete the training. “I think our country needs more people who can help,” said Hartley. “Wheth- 78 S OUT H M AGA ZI NE.C OM er that’s helping in an emergency, or helping someone hold a door open. We’ve kind of lost that touch with each other.” It’s not just about the basics, JDX and Liberty Firearm Training offer high-level training to citizens. A recent home defense course was a huge success. In this class, participants are taught how to protect themselves in their homes; what emergency supplies you need to have and where to place them; and where to safely store your guns, especially if you have children in the home. Other high-level training offered includes gun safety and active shooter response. Courses that are sadly becoming more necessary. In just the past three months, our country has wit- nessed horrific incidences. In early November, a gunman opened fire inside a Texas Baptist church killing 26 peo- ple. A month earlier, a gunman opened fire at a Las Vegas county music festival. Fifty-eight people were killed and more than 540 were injured. In September, a gunman killed a parishioner leaving a Tennessee church before going inside and indiscriminately shooting others. “The world is becoming violent. It’s important to know what to do if there’s an active shooter, because the likelihood of dealing with a situation is pretty good,” said Tripp. jdxinc.com and libertyfirearmtraining.com EVER WISH THAT THEY HAD A KIT THAT WAS READY TO ROLL? BLUE FORCE GEAR BASED IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA HAS AN ALL INCLUSIVE MEDICAL KIT THAT IS READY TO BE ATTACHED TO YOUR BELT OR GEAR AND INLUDES MUCH OF THE MEDI- CAL EQUIPMENT YOU NEED WHEN FACED WITH AN EMERGENCY. MICRO TRAUMA KIT NOW!: > Being prepared to respond during an emergency situation means having the right gear. Blue Force Gear offers an innovative product called the Micro Trauma Kit NOW!. The kit is intended for every day carry. Designed to hold essential lifesaving medical sup- plies on a belt, law enforcement professionals, prepared citizens, or hunters will find it useful. You can fill your kit with Blue Force Gear’s recommended basic first aid supplies to include, one hemo- static dressing for wound packing/ clotting, a 4" emergency trauma dressing, six 9" pieces of medical grade easy tape, a Tourni-Kwik compression tourniquet and one pair of heavy duty medical gloves. Order your kit by calling Blue Force Gear at (912) 330-9166 or go to blueforcegear.com A TRAUMA KIT READY FOR ACTION.