The more force options you have, the more training you need to ensure proficiency. The purpose of a distractionary device (or “flash bang”) is to create a “pause in combat.” This pause can be both mental and physical, creating a mental fog, vision impairment and, for a moment, loss of motor skills.
Remember, in order to get the maximum effect from a distractionary device you need the element of surprise and accuracy.
Here, RedMan Training Division director Dave Young gives you a training exercise to keep you up to speed:
1. Have the officer stand behind cover position:
- While wearing a protective mask
- On command remove DD from pouch
- Select target area
- Shallow in room is 0-5 feet from entrance
- Deep in room is –5 feet from back of room
- On target is 0-5 feet from inmate
- Just before throwing have officer make safe as team enters room to secure threat
- Goal is have officer make device safe (either by replacing safety pin inside fuze, taping lever to body or throwing it in a designate “bang out” area – which is a safe place designate for the DD to go in case of an emergency
2. Have the officer stand behind cover position:
- While wearing a protective mask
- On command remove DD from pouch
- Select target area –
- Shallow in room is 0-5 feet from entrance
- Deep in room is –5 feet from back of room
- On target is 0-5 feet from inmate
- Goal is have officer throw accurately 4-5 to designate target
3. Have the officer stand behind cover position;
- While wearing a protective mask
- On command remove DD from pouch
- With the target moving throughout the room have the officer select target area
- Then deploy on THEIR command
- Shallow in room is 0-5 feet from entrance
- Deep in room is –5 feet from back of room
- On target is 0-5 feet from inmate
Goal is have officer throw accurately 4-5 to designate target
