AIWB Holster by 508Holsters review

First off let me express that I am in no way affiliated with 508 holsters. The product I am reviewing was purchased by me at full price minus the LEO discount.That said I cannot speak better of a holster manufacturer than 508 holsters. Erik is truly an artist when it comes to Kydex. Did I mention the turn around time is only 2 Weeks ; that's right 2 Weeks not over 2 months. Fast turn around, great workmanship , competitive pricing, and outstanding customer service; what more could you ask for. Let's get down to the product itself. It's an open bottom appendix carry inside the waist band holster. This is an older model and has a g-code style clip. The claw versions came out later and I've not tried that product. The kydex is contoured extremely well to the pistol. There are absolutely no imperfections or ripples in the kydex. It has a wonderful positive retention. While easily removable the holster "snaps"(positive feedback) around the weapon. It will not fall out unless you pull it out. I recently road amusement park rides while wearing it with no issues. The trigger guard is 100% enclosed with no possible way for fabric to get in it. This means you can rest assured that you won't have a misfire while wearing the holster. Even though the tigger is completely covered the bottom of  trigger guard near the handle/grip is not. This allows the product to remain safe and extremely functional. You can get a positive grip on the weapon at draw  and be in the fight instead of repositioning your hand. The edges are rounded and polished. There's not a sharp place on this whole holster it's buttery smooth.  I have had the holster for almost a year and the screws have not worked their way out yet. The only negative thing I have found is that my screws are beginning to rust. That being said I'm extremely hot natured and live in an extremely humid area. The holster itself is extremely comfortable to wear. I wear it direct center. I never liked appendix carry , but this product made me fall in love with it. It took me about 2 weeks to get use to having something press against my boys, since then I have even forgot I had it on . I'm a bigger guy about 6' 230 and I have no issues concealing the pistol without "branding." It conceals very well in just a t-shirt untucked. It conceals just as well in dress shirts tucked in. I've worn it just about every place you can imagine; hospitals, football games, church etc and have yet to have anyone look at me funny or say anything. I've worn it while driving up to 4 hours and have worn it around town for up to 16 hours with no discomfort.  The good thing is if it starts giving discomfort while driving you can take it off . When you get to where your going you can put it back on without getting out of your vehicle. You would be hard pressed to do that with an iwb worn at 5 o'clock. For all the reasons above; if you have ever considered an aiwb or are just looking for a new holster I highly suggest you give Erik's products a chance. www.508holsters.com

C.A.T Tourniquet

C.A.T Tourniquets are an invaluable piece of equipment. They save lives it's as simple as that. They are used stop arterial bleeding in limbs( arms/legs). They do this by completely cutting off the blood flow to the limb. In case your wondering yes it hurts like hell, but it beats the alternative. A lot of Departments are seeing the need and supplying officers with tourniquets or IFAKs. If not there are a few ways to get your hands on one. Your rescue squad may be able to get you one if you ask. If you know a a military medic or someone in supply you may be able to acquire some expired supplies. Yes they have an expiration but these are one item that will work just fine past it's date. Or you can purchase online from multiple suppliers.  A common question is the following: Does combat gauze and a tourniquet do the same thing? The  answer is no. Israeli Bandages are just bandages that have a handle and wrap preattatched. They allow you to apply dressing to a wound and the bar allows it to apply pressure; it however does not create enough  pressure to stop blood flow. These are great for areas that either don't require a tourniquet or are in places that a tourniquet can't be applied minus the chest. It's also important to know that C.A.Ts are not intended to be used more than once. The big Question I have is to those of you that have them? Where is it when you work. The most common place is going to be the car or IFAK. If your department lets you wear an IFAK your lucky no need to do anything different. If it's in your car and you get shot after a foot pursuit and your a mile from your car or a thousand other scenarios it's not going to do you any good. Wear it somewhere on your person. I used a Tactical Medical Solutions vest attachment purchased online at LA Police Gear. It held my tourniquet and had places for chest seals, Celox etc. It was extremely well made and did not print badly on my shirt. When I added plates to my vest, I had to quit using the attachment. My partner and myself both keep our tourniquet on the right hand side inside our outer vest between the straps, where the vest separates. Everyone else on our shift has been given an extra tourniquet by another officer and myself  to do the same thing. It cost nothing to put it in the crease and if you wear an outervest  that unzips under the arm it's an easy grab. There are companies that make boot straps for tourniquets as well or you could fashion a vest stap with some elastic and some Velcro. It's a great piece of equipment to have on you when you need it.

Some Advice for the hopefuls and rooks

While I am not an FTO( Field Training Officer) I would like to impart some advice to the hopeful and the rookies. This advice is either from personal experience and/or advice I've received from FTO s and Salty Dogs. Here it goes:
1) Have you ever seen dead bodies outside of a funeral home?If not you are now guaranteed to. I will never forget my first. A lady in her 40s. The back of her skull was missing and blood was coming out of all her eyes, ears, mouth etc.Since I've seen a multitude. Adolescent drownings, natural, suicide, murder, car wrecks,overdose etc. You will soon learn that people die at all ages from many ways every day.
2) Policing hardens you. You soon will have a very thick skin or you will leave the job. Look at point 1.
3) Because of things like point 1 you need a positive stress outlet.Lots of Officers turn to Alcohol or food. Your goal is to find something you love and do it often. Running, working out, reading, fishing. Anything that gets your mind off the job and is healthy.
4) Leave work at work and home at home.Easier said then done.
5) Spend as much time with your family as possible; treat every day as if it's your last because it truly might be.
6) Expect to lose friends you never thought you would. A lot of law abiding citizens still hate the Police. Weird I know . You don't believe me; I didn't believe my FTO either.
7) Be expected to change as a person.  You will it's inevitable. You will become more withdrawn from society. It's a stressful job . You will find yourself keepin space between yourself and others. You will watch people. You can't turn it off.
8)People tell you that eyes lead to a persons soul. It's crap people will look you dead in the eye and lie to you all day long. Ask your FTO for lying cues if he says eyes request to go to interview and interrogation.
9) Trashy people come in all walks of life. It doesn't matter race or income. Don't judge people based on how they look.
10) Treat everyone with respect and dignity no matter what they look like or what crimes they have committed. If they make you treat them bad, well that's on them.
11) You catch more bees with honey and criminals are a lot like bees,
12)  Watch people's hands as long as you see them your going home.
13) In God you trust only every one else you check in NCIC. Refer to 9. Truly dangerous people will treat you better than the common citizen.
14) SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY. If you tell someone there going to jail take them. If you tell them your going to let them go if they tell you the truth let them. This is were you get your reputation.
15) Not everyone who commits crimes are bad people.
16) Everyone is mam/sir unless they are fighting you. You gain respect by giving it.
17)  You can be proactive without being a prick. Learn to community police. Get out and talk to people in the community; listen to the needs of the community and try to meet the needs.
18) Be an active listener. When someone talks listen until they are done don't simply think of ways to solve their problems the whole time they speak. You will be surprised at what you learn when you truly listen.
19) Great Effective report writing is one of if not the most critical skill an officer can possess. Great reports win court cases. GREAT REPORT WRITING WINS CASES.
20)When you get hired you will hear a lot of old Officers(salty dogs) talk very negatively about the department or Policing in general. Don't let them get you down.
21) DONT BE A HYPOCRITE. It's my pet peeve. How can you write someone a ticket for speeding, seatbelt, insurance etc if you break the same law.
22)MAKE IT HOME AT ALL COST!!!!

The introduction

I would like to give an intro. I'm a Law Enforcement Officer and have been for several years at an undisclosed department. My department has a very strict social media policy; therefore my department will never be disclosed and we can call myself Scott for formal purposes. The aim of this blog will consist of mainly product reviews for would be's, rooks, baby birds,and salty dogs alike. However it will also contain some personal opinions, advice,and commentary on Law Enforcement and current issues.