Jump to content

TFO / Paramedic Firearm Carry Question


Recommended Posts

How do the TFO's carry their firearms in your unit? My department has decided to start wearing a MOLLE vest with a flotation collar similar to an AIRSAVE vest. We're trying to figure out how to utilize a holster option on the vest. My TFO's are also paramedics as we run medevacs so that is something to consider as well.

 

Just looking for some thoughts... Do any of you all wear thigh rigs or gun belts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How do the TFO's carry their firearms in your unit? My department has decided to start wearing a MOLLE vest with a flotation collar similar to an AIRSAVE vest. We're trying to figure out how to utilize a holster option on the vest. My TFO's are also paramedics as we run medevacs so that is something to consider as well.

 

Just looking for some thoughts... Do any of you all wear thigh rigs or gun belts?

 

The TFO's (TFD's) that work patrol ships will still carry on the waist. They are not medics and don't do any rescue work. The guys working rescue ships (H3's) have too much already between vests and D rings and harnesses, so they carry on the thigh.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How do the TFO's carry their firearms in your unit? My department has decided to start wearing a MOLLE vest with a flotation collar similar to an AIRSAVE vest. We're trying to figure out how to utilize a holster option on the vest. My TFO's are also paramedics as we run medevacs so that is something to consider as well.

 

Just looking for some thoughts... Do any of you all wear thigh rigs or gun belts?

On deployment none of our Black Hawk pilots wore hip or thigh holsters, although the modular type that could be attached to MOLLE on the vest or a belt were popular. Crew some chiefs wore the thigh holsters but the shoulder rig was most common.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will probably take some heat on this but here it is anyway. The area I fly over is 90% city. We also patrol about 8 miles of coastline as well as a good sized harbor and bay. In 17 years I have only landed 3 times to take affirmative police action. There just are not that many places to land in a very urban environment. If you are going to land to take action you have a good minute to 2 minutes from the time you decide to land and the actual landing. If you are landing so close to the suspect that you have to jump out and immediately engage him you are probably landing to close in my humble opinion. All that to say you have a bit of time from the moment you decide to land and take action until you actually take action. I fly with a regular Sam Brown style belt that is seat belted in on the back seat. When the time comes for action I reach back, release the belt and get ready for action. Upon landing and stepping out it takes about 5 seconds to put it on. Now the major contributing factor to my decision was going through dunker training. After going through the training I decided very quickly that I did not want to swim with all that extra weight. If you are wearing a shoulder holster and you go upside down, (and you WILL go upside down) it just tangles your arms all up. A Sam Brown is not much better because it will ride up on you and twist around. I have not tried a thigh holster. I want to be wearing the least amount of gear possible ie vest and HABD if I go for a swim. Your situation might be very different than mine and you might be landing 10 times a flight and contacting people regularly. That would probably change the way I operated as the dynamics are not the same. As always these are my experiences and your mileage may vary.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...