In-Service Training

Had my yearly in-service training for work this past week. I started out feeling like I was getting gipped, because we didn't get to shoot revolvers this year, or any pistol for that matter [they had some issues with some of them, so it looks like we might be going to something else soon].

Monday was the longest day - over 10 hours. We did all of the classroom stuff for fire safety, bloodborne pathogens, etc. That part was boring, as usual, but we did get to do CPR refresher training, which is always a good thing. They added some stuff on defibrillators too, which I thought was helpful. I still don't like the change the AHA made where you "scan for signs of circulation [movement]", instead of checking for a pulse, but the instructor made a good point - most people will be so freaked out they'll feel their own pulse & think it's the victim's.

Tuesday was the beginning of the self-defense stuff. We started out with short baton training. I had it at the unit just a few months ago, but the refresher was nice. The class is kind of fun - sort of like a weird dance/aerobics thing. We also started the unarmed self-defense training on Tuesday, after lunch. We learned a few pressure points, but none of them worked on me. I thought that was cool, cause they work on most people - at least it'll give me an edge if I'm ever in a fight or confrontation with someone who tries to use them on me.

We finished unarmed self-defense on Wednesday. The warm-up was the toughest part - one of the instructors is is military and totally cut, so we did a lot of jogging in place, "jumping rope", crunches, and push-ups. I was so glad to finish warming up and get to the actual training! We learned more pressure points, which still didn't work on me, so I'm an official "freak of nature" :). I'm also the first female he had seen that none of them worked on - cool beans. I guess it was from the work-out, but I was on this huge energy high all night - it felt really great, and has me all inspired to start working out again.

Thursday was the last day, and we were done by noon. This was firearms training day - the one I wait for all year, because we get paid to shoot. No pistol shooting today though, because our revolvers suck so bad they're literally falling apart. Still got to shoot the rifles & shotguns today, and I got in on the first firing relay, so I got to shoot twice [the "test run" & qualification]. Scored pretty good with the rifle, but not perfect, so there's room for improvement. Sucked with the shotgun, but still qualified. I have the worst habit of anticipating the recoil and shooting high, because I flinch and jerk up when I pull the trigger. One of the instructors worked with me on my stance some, and just raising my elbow more helped, but it's something I still need to work on. It's like school - I sucked at math because I hated it and wouldn't do my homework. Shotguns are the same way - I like rifles & pistols much better, so I don't shoot a shotgun enough to get any better with it.