What's Up Sheepdogs? Ryan here with Tampa Carry.

In a high-stress situation, there are two hormones released into your brain: adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol is the  hormone that creates the feeling of stress on the body.

After a self-defense shooting, your natural instinct is to attempt to justify what you did. You have to fight that.

Everything you say is going to be used against you. So, you have to say what you're required to say, and then you have to shut up immediately after that.

What The Hell Is That?

Many years ago, Tiffany and I went on vacation down in the Miami area, and we were staying at a very beautiful Hilton Hotel. All of a sudden, we heard a very loud crash.

It was so loud that people started coming out of the bedrooms and looking over the balcony to see what just happened. So I got out of the pool, I walked over and I saw a big honey-baked ham lying on the ground. It was really thick meat and the whitest bone I've ever seen.

I looked in the planter and there was a big blob of something. Now imagine if we took an air compressor hose and put that hose underneath the dirt and turned the air compressor on. What would happen? Dirt would spray everywhere. 

So, I'm looking at this pile of something, and I'm watching dirt spray across the lobby of this Hilton Hotel. I remember thinking to myself, “What the hell is that?” Then I looked over at this honey-baked ham and realized it was a leg because it had a shoe attached to it.

A 62-year-old man had jumped off the 11th floor of the building, and he landed right on the edge of a concrete planter. He hit this concrete planter so hard that it severed his right leg below his hip. The thing in the planter was his torso. His rib cage was cracked open and organs were visible.

Do you remember the thing spraying the dirt? This guy's face was in the topsoil, and he was gasping for air. Every time he would exhale, dirt would shoot across the lobby. 

What was interesting was how everybody responded to this moment. Tiffany burst into tears hysterically. I got very angry and was trying to get control of the situation. So, I was yelling orders to people.

There was so much stress in the air that when the police and the firefighters arrived, the police officer put his hand on my chest and said, “Step back.” I slammed his arm down and said, “I was here first.” Everybody was very overwhelmed.

There's a dead guy, there's body parts, there's blood, and pushing the police officer was a natural reaction.

Your Basic Instincts Will Take Over

The reason I share that story is when you are in a self-defense shooting and you get on the phone with the 911 operator, your basic human instinct is to start talking.

Your natural reaction is to start trying to justify why you did what you did and what just happened, which is why we've got to really take that moment to calm down. Really think about how critical this moment is to the rest of your life. This single phone call could determine whether you're going to spend the rest of your life in a cage or go home to your family. 

When calling 911, you must follow these simple rules:

Rule # 1. Identify yourself as the victim. It's very important that we describe ourselves as the victim. You want to say something like, “A guy tried to kill me. We need an ambulance and police at this address.” That's it; don't say anything else. 

Rule # 2 . Stick to the script. You need to stick to the script. One of the common mistakes people make is that they use words that they don't truly understand. Here's an example:

911 Operator: 911 What is your emergency? 
Victim: This random guy assaulted me, so I shot him. 

In the state of Florida, we are not allowed to use or threaten the use of a firearm over an assault. 

By making the statement that he was assaulted on a recorded line, the victim has unknowingly declared that his perception of the attack was an assault, which is a relatively minor crime that does not justify the use of a firearm. Can you see how that can get out of hand? 

Rule # 3. Say enough without saying too much.

Rule # 4. Get off the phone. 

Conclusion

Most Florida concealed carry permit holders never think about what they are going to do after a self defense shooting.  How you prepare now will determine weather you spend the rest of your life in a cage or at home with your family.

That's all I have for today. So until next time keep training and stay safe...

Ryan G. Thomas

P.S. You’re one step away from getting your Florida concealed carry permit….FAST & EASY…

And for a limited time you can watch the concealed carry course online for free... Click here to get started...