Mick-Boy's work gear (what and why)

[Mick-Boy]

You nailed it. Situation and weather dependent. I don't like the loss of dexterity but sometimes it just can't be helped.

The most dexterous gloves I've used in wet/cold(ish) weather are the Hatch Specialist gloves. They're cheap, the neoprene is warmish, and the palms stick really well in wet conditions. However, they're not really warm, they wear out quickly and they're not Fire Resistant (important for use aboard aircraft that might crash or vehicles that might get blown-up).

The OR Overlord gloves are fairly dexterous, fire resistant and hold up very well. But they're expensive as hell and they're not cold weather gloves.

I've been issued both the Cam SV and the Tactician AR gloves from Arc'teryx. The Cam SVs are my favorite for cold weather (Note - In Arcteyx speak; SV denotes gear made for Severe weather. AR denotes gear designed for All around use). The Tacticians are good gloves but they're kind of a "jack of all trades, master of none" pick. They're not really warm or really dexterous. But they are warmer and more dexterous than an option that does one or the other really well. If I could only have one pair that might be my choice.

I've used the Mechanix gloves for training at home and they worked fine but my favorite were the Southwest Motorsports hot weather gloves. When Camelback bought SWMS the gloves went away for a bit. Camelback now makes the Vent Glove. It's almost identical to the old SWMS offering except in black. I haven't played with the Heat Grip from CB but I might try a set when I'm at home next time. And of course there is the old standby of military issue Nomex Aviators gloves. Which, if you can find them for the right price (under $20 for me) are probably one of the most cost effective solutions out there for a "disposable" tactical glove.

[Hoser]

Excellent info. Thanks for taking the time to post it all up.

It is nice to get actual hands on, no-shit, info from someone that has actually been there and does that.

Keep your head down.

[cmailliard]

Regarding the Combat Application Tourniquet. Mick does carry his CAT in the non traditional way of keeping it set up with the double routing vs. the standard single routing. This is a preference and as long as everyone on his Team sets it up the same and can be ready for the same setup there is no big issue with this. That said I just got a new study that was done to show the Single vs. Double Routing. Good info in this study, some surprising. Take a look at it and if you have any questions let me know.

HERE IT IS

[275RLTW]

Regarding the Combat Application Tourniquet. Mick does carry his CAT in the non traditional way of keeping it set up with the double routing vs. the standard single routing. This is a preference and as long as everyone on his Team sets it up the same and can be ready for the same setup there is no big issue with this. That said I just got a new study that was done to show the Single vs. Double Routing. Good info in this study, some surprising. Take a look at it and if you have any questions let me know.

HERE IT IS

Thanks for the link on the study. I've always prepped my CATs through the inner route. This way it was faster and 1 hand friendly for arms; for legs, I (potentially) have 2 hands free to route through both and provide a better hold on much stronger muscle groups.

[Mick-Boy]

I've got to head out the door here in a minute but a couple of questions/points I got from scanning that study;

-Was the TQ prestaged in a single/double threaded configuration or was it completely unsecured and the subjects had to thread it through one or both?

-They acknowledge that the patient was not transported at all.

-They acknowledge that dirt/mud/blood/cloth wasn't a factor.

I can take a video when I get back to my computer tonight with how mine is set up and how I apply it to an arm/leg if that would help answer any questions. I think it's highly likely that single threading would hold just fine under most conditions. Particularly in a non-combat/civilian application. I also think it's likely my T1 will work with no problem... I still have my back up irons zeroed.

More when I get back.

[cmailliard]

I would guess the CAT is not setup in the double route as your's is Mick. This would have a positive affect in the time to application in your case. Also very important that mud, clothes, etc. was not involved, this will affect CAT performance.

[Mick-Boy]

Alright. Here's a 2min video where I stumblingly explain the how and why of my TQ prep.



Regarding threading the TQ through one or both buckles, I see it as limiting the potential for failure with very little cost. I might be able to get a single threaded TQ on a hair faster, but I know I can get a double threaded TQ on pretty quick and I'm not just relying on the velcro to hold it in place while I'm dirty/bloody/moving all over gods creation.

[Mick-Boy]

Excellent info. Thanks for taking the time to post it all up.

It is nice to get actual hands on, no-shit, info from someone that has actually been there and does that.

Keep your head down.

My pleasure. I hope some folks are finding some of the information useful.

As always the "We're all victims of our frame of reference" truism is in play. This is stuff that has worked for me in my applications. I have had very heartfelt disagreements about what constitutes "mission essential gear" with guys who've got just as much, if not more, experience as I do. What's good for guy A might not work very well for guy B.

Yep. My time in Iraq, the difference between hauling ass back to the armor vs continuing the conversation was knowing what what was normal and when you were standing outside of it. Got out of the vehicles once and no less than three minutes later, my translator (an Iraqi-American with a TS and years of experience) said "this isn't right, nobodies outside and everyone's home"

Gotta go... see ya. We red-zoned that village permanently.

this is just such a huge point. You can do everything right, but you fail to listen to your gut telling you something isn't right and that is when crap goes bad.

Sir, I'm sure you're familiar with "The Gift of Fear" and "Blink". Gut feelings can save your bacon for sure... If you're paying attention.

Something I've found very interesting is that my fiances 5 year old son can pick out people who don't look "right" almost as well as I can when he and I have sat and watched people. He knows what a relaxed human being looks like and he can tell when someone isn't. It was amazing to watch how willing he was to trust his gut where adults might second guess themselves.

[cmailliard]

Alright. Here's a 2min video where I stumblingly explain the how and why of my TQ prep.



Regarding threading the TQ through one or both buckles, I see it as limiting the potential for failure with very little cost. I might be able to get a single threaded TQ on a hair faster, but I know I can get a double threaded TQ on pretty quick and I'm not just relying on the velcro to hold it in place while I'm dirty/bloody/moving all over gods creation.

Good vid, Mick.

[TheBelly]

Thanks for sharing this. Since I'm 2/3rds of a moron, I really appreciate the video to help me see the concept.