The Self-Initiative Project

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 35, Guns Are Not The Answer To Your Personal Safety

Think a gun or some tool is going to make you safe?

We take a few minutes to discuss these honest facts and more:

• If guns went away tomorrow, you would still have the right and the ability to defend yourself.
• If you have a gun, you are not just magically safe, even if you feel safer with it.
• And owning a gun does not absolve your of all your other personal safety responsibilities.

Join us as we talk about some of the fallacies out there about owning guns; and how to be better prepared with or without a tool, like a firearm.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 31, Safety While Hiking and Camping

The woods and the mountains are the places I find my Zen. Camping is something I have always enjoyed doing, including the occasional hike or backpacking trip. Spending time outdoors can be spiritually relaxing.

There are several aspects to being safer while hiking and camping too; and this episode we talk about several of them. We cover topics from the importance of carrying a basic trauma kit to handling blades of various types to why it is important we stay on the trails to the potential impacts if we do not keep our distance from the wildlife. We also talk about the importance of practicing situational awareness, listening to our intuition, and even proper fire management.

There are even some crazy stories in the mix as well.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 29, Realities of Violence with Randy King

Randy King, of KPC Self Defense and Randy King Live, joins us from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where we talk about all things self-defense, including many of the fallacies students face.

We talk about the reality of knife attacks, the fact that 70% of what women will actually face is with a known assailant, and that most folks may not even be capable of dialing 911 under duress. Additionally, Randy talks about the importance of meeting people where they are in their journey to learn more about self-defense and keeping themselves and their loved-ones safer.

We also talk about his program, Realities of Violence, that everyone is likely to benefit from with information and data to make them think and potentially keep them much safer.

Randy and I discover we might actually be kindred spirits in that he also believes education and information is as, if not more, important than physical skills when it comes to self-defense and personal safety. And we have both sold electronics in our former lives!

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 28, Your Personal Safety During a Pandemic

Your personal safety AND your health are your responsibility, now more than ever.

In this episode we talk about:

• The importance of knowing basic first-aid and trauma care
• The changes with 911 and what you need to be prepared for
• Scams through text, email, and phone calls
• Your children potentially being targeted through video chats
• Basics on how to deal with rioting and civil unrest
• The overall importance of avoidance, getting away, keeping those egos in check, and listening to your intuition

COVID-19 (coronavirus) and this pandemic has brought some new challenges. Are you ready? We aim to give you some information to help you through these times.

Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 26, What if... ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios

How can you start considering your personal safety or taking it more seriously? How can you be better prepared for disaster and things when they go sideways? Think through scenarios.

One of the best things you can do is think through scenarios in order to become better prepared. Thinking through possible situations, their outcomes, and what you would do can put you into a position of being better able to handle those situations. Because you have thought through things ahead of time, you are better able to formulate a plan, putting you in a position of advantage.

Thinking through things ahead of times allows us to see where we may have shortcomings, so we can address them; and most importantly, it allows us to put a plan in place ahead of time.

Don't have the time to think about your personal safety? You can think through scenarios at any time, including in the car or even in the shower.

Be better prepared. Learn areas where you may need some training. Think through scenarios and what you would do. Get a plan in place ahead of time, before you need one.

What would you do if... ?

Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 7, How to Make Your Trauma Kit(s)

This episode we talk about the differences between blowout and boo-boo bags and what you should have in your trauma kit.

You do not have to be a doctor or nurse to provide basic help should the need arise; but you do need to have some basic gear and knowledge to render that aide. You never know when you could be first on the scene or when you or a loved one need help and fast...  the moment when you need to become your own first-responder. We talk about how to make your own basic trauma kit(s) with a focus on severe bleeding.

You should have both first-aid as well as trauma kits on hand, and know the differences as well as how AND when to use what is inside of each.

We will hopefully get you pointed in the right direction.

Sit back. Relax. Listen.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 3, Stop the Bleed

Gina Solomon, BSN, RN, CCRN TCRN, Trauma Program Manager, Trauma Services of Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA joins us to talk about Stop the Bleed (bleedingcontrol.org), a program designed to train civilians on the basics of how to stop severe bleeding.

Gina and I talk about the ABC's of Bleeding, including the use of tourniquets, and the effort to get more people trained in what to do in case of severe bleeding and hemorrhaging. Severe bleeding is the #1 cause of preventable deaths.

Active shooter scenarios and combat are not the only situations where severe bleeding could be an issue. Car wrecks, sport accidents, backpacking, the gun range, and even incidents that might occur in your backyard (think chainsaw) could create incidents where one might have to deal with severe bleeding. Reality causes us to be our own first-responders in a number of situations. Listen and learn what you need to know to be your own.

Thanks for listening.