USCCA Online Community

We find the best way to learn something new is to jump in and put all fear aside.

Ok. This might not be the best solution for everyone or every situation, but with the USCCA Online Community Forum, we all have the ability to read and learn at our own pace. Whether you’re new to the self-defense realm, professional gunsmith or a self-defense lawyer, there are many topics to dive into.

The neat thing with this community, it’s open to everyone. Non-members can join the conversation and get real world knowledge and feedback from Firearm enthusiasts, Professionals and even corporate USCCA moderators to get answers quick. Take the time to create a profile today and join the conversation.

Not going to lie, we’re fairly new to the community forum, but it’s an awesome way to connect, learn, and build relationships.

The USCCA Community Forum has (4) four main categories: Training, Guns & Gear, Legal & Political and Miscellaneous. From there, find hundreds of different topics per category. The best way to find a certain topic is to use the search bar. Trust us, scrolling sucks, BUT one can find some interesting content/topics. If a topic cannot be found, create one.

Take a few seconds to create a profile and join us.

Also, be protected right away and join thousands of Certified USCCA / Delta Defense Members.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us. We’ll point you in the right direction.

Stay well and stay safe!

One of the Most Useful Survival Kit Items

This may come as a surprise, but every single person reading this has access to this useful survival kit item. With no cheating, guess the item with the least amount of hints or clues. We have listed the top survival uses for this specific item below.

  1. Tourniquet – By folding this item 2-3″ wide, wrap it 3-4″ above or below the wound, but not on a joint. A stick or pen can be used to tighten and if available, use the included jaw string to hold the stick or pen in place. (Take our Emergency First Aid course to learn more.)
  2. Shower – By filling the item with clean water, tie it to a tree or fixture overhead. Take a pen or stick to poke a couple small holes to let water out. Can use rubber bands to temporarily close holes to preserve water.
  3. Sucking Chest Wound Seal – If a puncture wound is showing signs of a sucking chest wound, simply cut the item into a 4″x4″ square, place over the wound and tape three sides with a waterproof tape. (Our Emergency First Aid course includes this.)
  4. Waterproof Bandages – As introduced above, you can cut this item and use as a cover to protect any wound from further infection. Use waterproof tape to seal and protect the wound for an extended period of time.
  5. Splint Tie – If we don’t have access to a SAM Splint, we can use a solid branch, tent poles, etc. Use this item to affix the splint and hold in place. (Take our Emergency First Aid course to learn more.)
  6. Sling – By cutting this item in half, diagonally from corner to corner, we have access to 4 triangular splints. This also can be used for many other first aid emergencies.
  7. Hypothermia Prevention – With this use, we want to rapidly increase the body temperature by insulting and using the heat the body produces. Remove damp or wet clothing and wrap skin with this item to insulate the body. This will help increase the body’s core temperature.
  8. Insulation – Need a little extra warmth on a hike or camping trip? Use this item as long underwear to hold in precious body warmth. Affix with the use of waterproof tape.
  9. Parka – This item can be cut and placed over the body to keep necessary gear dry. Keeping dry, especially for long, outdoor activities is crucial for warmth and to help limit many other injuries.
  10. Gear Cover – Keeping a backpack with food rations or medical kits dry is critical. This could create a life or death situation real quick if critical gear is soaked. Use this to safety protect gear from the elements.
  11. Shoe Covers – As stated above, for long hikes or travels on foot, we want to keep dry and most importantly our feet. Soaked feet, in this condition, can cause many injuries that will immobile or completely stop the avid outdoorsmen.
  12. Pillow – Take this item and fill it with dry leaves or other soft, dry debris. It may not be a MyPillow, but it will keep you comfy and assist in being well rested in a harsh environment.
  13. Clothes Washer – Fill this item with non-potable water and a detergent/soap/disinfectant wipes on hand. Shake the bag and physically scrub clothes in bag to agitate the water. Rinse clothes and hang to dry.
  14. Floatation Device – Save crucial lung muscles and whip this item in a figure 8 motion, open side forward, and collect air. Close by tying the end. This will help keep a single person afloat. Be sure to not puncture or rupture during use. A pair of pants can also be used as an emergency floatation device.
  15. Fish Netting – Take a pen or stick and puncture holes about 3 to 4 inches apart so water can easily flow through, but doesn’t take away from the structural integrity.
  16. Food Bowl – If there is a stocking cap or other hat accessible, use this item as a liner.
  17. Trail Marker – At some point, going away from camp to find resources will be crucial. If needed, use this item to flag or mark so finding the way back will be an effortless task.
  18. SOS Signal or Flag – As a last resort, use this item to spell out SOS or as a flag to signal aircraft or any passing individuals on higher terrain. This item can also be used to block wind if a signal fire needs to be started.

Still stumped? Click here to find the answer.

4 Rules of Firearm Safety

Going back to basics, regardless of industry, is a great way to support a foundation for further growth. This is no different for firearms. For this specific post, we are going to take a deeper dive into the firearm safety rules, explain the WHY and provide detailed scenarios of each.

Take a second to read the rules below and understand that they all promote safety. They also support one another and remember that no one rule is more important than another.

Treat Every Firearm As If It Were Loaded

Is a water gun, dart gun or toy gun considered a “firearm”? This debate can go back and forth for days and can get very heated for parents on all spectrums. Especially when we consider children and firearms, we want to build muscle memory for safety. These toys can be fun (and they are), but they can also create an arena for complacency. 

Muscle memory can take up to 2 to 4 weeks to establish, but on-going refresher is needed to maintain memory. Firearms training is physically and mentally challenging. What happens to human muscle mass if conditioned at the gym for 4 weeks straight and then stopped for 1 month? According to healthline.com, we can see diminished performance just after 4 weeks of not working out. 

All of these safety rules require motor skills and motor skills are perishable, meaning that to maintain or improve firearm skills takes continued, on-going practice.

A simple maneuver, such as properly retrieving a firearm laid on the nightstand in the dark can create many safety concerns or complications. Is it pointed in a safe direction? Is the safety on or not? Are there items blocking it? Is the firearm in a locked safe? Can the firearm even be identified in the dark? Is the firearm equipped with night sights and/or light? Regardless, there are many questions to consider beyond the basic safety rules. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s cover the 4 basic firearm safety rules.

Never Point the Firearm at Anything You Are Not Willing to Destroy

As mentioned above, treating all firearms as if they were loaded. This safety rule is compounded by focusing on muzzle control. The muzzle is the front part of the barrel and for on-going practice, think of a high-intensity laser coming out the front of the firearm. It would ultimately destroy anything in its path.  Especially for beginners, having a laser or light on the front of the firearm as a constant reminder during practice may help amplify that muscle memory.  

This is especially important when holstering, presenting, firing, maneuvering, SUL/Temple Index stances, etc. The more motion we incorporate, the higher probability of complacency in muzzle control.

Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger Until Ready to Fire

This rule can be a bit misleading and for safety reasons, we need to add “Off the Trigger Guard” as well. During many maneuvers, the Trigger Finger should be above the guard and touching the slide. 

During movement, our grip shouldn’t be compromised, but in real life situations, things will never be perfect and that “perfect grip” will get lost. Reassessing grip position with the Trigger Finger on the slide won’t compromise safety.  This safety rule is also imperative during the holstering process. Physically look and slow down. We have all the time in the world to holster the firearm.  

Be Sure of Your Target and What is Behind It

Last, but not least we need to focus on the target and what is behind it. All these rules apply to Dry and Live Fire and when setting up targets for in-home, Dry Fire we always make sure the chamber, magazine well and magazines are clear, as well as removing all live ammunition from the room. What’s even as critical is setting the targets up in a safe direction.

What’s in front of the target? What’s on the backside of the wall? Are neighbors living close or on the other side of the wall? Are there other  potential safety hazards, for instance: propane tanks or other flammable/explosive materials?

Have questions about any of these concepts? Contact us HERE and would love to help. 

Stay well and stay safe!

Welcome to Nomadlund

My name is Cory Ley, Founder of Nomadlund Outfitters and Certified Firearms Instructor with USCCA. As a USAF Vet (2x Afghan Vet), supporting/defending our constitutional rights are first and foremost. Also, living by three (3) Core Values:

1) Integrity First

2) Service Before Self

3) Excellence In All We Do

At Nomadlund, our beliefs hold true to these basic principles. We are a new and upcoming outfitter in Central Minnesota that’s focusing our initial efforts on Permit to Carry, Home Defense, Self-Defense, Emergency First Aid and other courses for Minnesota residents. As we continue to grow, we’ll be offering outdoor rental equipment, (CPR) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification courses, attaining our (FFL) Federal Firearms License and additional certifications to fully support our customers. Our goal is to offer an array of high-quality, outdoor, survival, tactical products/services online and in MN, USA.

Thanks!

Cory Ley – Founder of Nomadlund

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