Defensive Tactics for EMS

Defensive Tactics for EMS www.dt4ems.net

© Kip Teitsort email: [email protected]

Defensive Tactics for EMS

Everyone in EMS has a passion. Some have a passion to care for the sick and injured period. Some have a passion to be the best at reading 12 Leads and treating cardiac related emergencies. Some have a passion to be the best educator they can be. All of these are equally “accepted” in EMS. My passion is not so readily accepted. My passion is for the safety of EMS Providers. The reason it is not so readily accepted is still a mystery. According to a recent study jointly commissioned by the NAEMT and McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals reported that: 4 out of 5 medics are injured on the job: 52% assaulted by a patient 50% exposed to infectious disease 47% have sustained a back injury 21% have contracted an illness from a patient. What is the highest number? Why do these studies pass like a flash in a pan? EMS providers will post a story of how they were attacked on scene then people in a forum will jump on them and ask “Where was scene safety” or talk about how they would have never let that happen to them. More so than not, a person who had not been assaulted will be the biggest nay sayer, claiming that never happens. Well, tell that to Dave Dubay who had his back broken by a patient and ended his EMS career. Tell that to the female medic who had her face smashed with a pipe. Tell it to Woody who was shot with little warning by patient he transported several times in the past with no problem. Tell it to the medic who got her leg broken in the back of the ambulance recently. Tell it to ME when I had my ambulance car-jacked while loaded with a patient!



Just look at the “Body Assault Log” at http://www.emsnetwork.org and keep it in perspective. You are told to glove up prior to getting out of the ambulance. A great preventative measure to address the infectious disease portion (50%). You are told to check for scene safety. Again great preventative measure (The scene is not always as safe as you thought it was). You have to take a “back test” and get trained in proper lifting of the stretcher……..well that’s the 47%er. Where is the training to free you from actual assaults the biggest number up there? Now get the training for all “4” battles with DT4EMS. The battle of your mind, the actual physical assault, the media and the courtroom. If your training isn’t giving you skills for each it is lacking. www.dt4ems.net is my passion in EMS. Warning: The concepts contained within this article are for when the EMS Provider is faced with what is perceived to be a deadly force encounter. The TTS are not to “stab, cut or slash, but to act as an impact tool to help free the provider from the deadly force encounter.

Introduction to Tactical Trauma Shears (DT4EMS-TTS)



In considering the use of the trauma shears as a weapon of opportunity, the provider must have a good understanding of the Assault Response Guidelines ™ covered in the DT4EMS program. Most providers have some sort of pants or trousers designed with a pocket for the carrying of the Trauma Shears. This means a tool can be readily accessible in a self-defense situation.

Notice (above) how I inserted my finger into the hole. With practice, you would never “look” but rather feel where the scissors were. You wouldn’t take your eyes off of the threat in a real situation.

The Draw---

The Grip If done correctly your hand is protected!



Just like with every other technique taught in DT4EMS at the first opportunity ESCAPE! All of the techniques taught here assume you had no option other than using force to create the “Space to Escape”! Any self-defense technique or tool you use for self-defense can be justifiable as long as it is “reasonable” and you can articulate your reason for the choice. This is the basis for protecting yourself in all “4” areas of DT4EMS (Mind, Actual Assault, Media, Courtroom). If you are not prepared in all “4” you may find yourself losing even after you have won.

Here a parry has taken place then the choice of a distraction strike must be made. Notice the Elbow Control.

In this case the attacker swung with a club strike. The first movement of the provider was the first movement of the DTP. Talk about “commonality in training”.



There is something important to notice about the shape of the Trauma Shears. With the unique angle of them, you can use them to “hook” and guide a part of the attackers anatomy. The angle in with you do it is actually unimportant as you will see later in this article. (Reverse Angle)

I an attempting to “shield” myself from the incoming thrust here. This is an extremely dangerous situation. The attacker has a “live” blade. Do not practice with a live blade. I have included this pick to show how the angle of the trauma shears will cause the attacker damage when he strikes it. It would only be a momentary block to allow me to parry the knife., strike and escape. (Forward Angle)



Another option for the use of TTS could be when a smaller female was being attacked on the ground. In this picture you can see how she would have access to the pocket containing the TTS. Access could be made easier if she were to simply bring her leg up to her hand.

A great way to create “The Space to Escape” would be to drive the TTS into the rib area. At the very least it would cause the attacker to shift his weight allowing for the “Space to escape”. Remember not to rely on only one strike. It may take multiple strikes to remove the attacker.



The Tactical Trauma Shears class is an advanced class of DT4EMS. You must have a good understanding of the basics of DT4EMS prior to moving on to the advanced. Just like all self-defense training, you must practice. Don’t just practice the skills without practicing your mind. You must have mental preparation and knowledge of the law for your training to be complete. The goal of DT4EMS is to prevent at least one person, patient or provider from becoming a victim of an assault. You can host a DT4EMS course in your area or attend one of ours. DT4EMS is accepted for 16 CEU’s in Missouri and Arkansas. The TTS is not a part of DT4EMS-1 (Initial). Check out more tips and videos at www.dt4ems.net because the safety of EMS Providers is my passion.

Even in the one hand choke on the ground the Tactical Trauma Shears could play an important role. Here the provider simply drives the blunt end into the back of the hand and twists. The goal would be to have the attacker remove his hand or defend against the TTS. See the endless option when you use “Commonality in training”?

Defensive Tactics for EMS

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