In the first of our new series on training companies and instructors, we are going to be talking to Caleb Causey of Lone Star Medics.
When I first met Caleb, I was the Threat Management Coordinator for the division I was assigned to within my agency. Basically, I was responsible for the instructors, curriculum, and equipment for firearms, defensive tactics, and officer survival programs.
At the time, I was drafting a proposal to “try” to get my division to fund self-aid/buddy-aid training as well as purchase IFAK’s for all our agents and officers.
As part of the proposal, I was working with Caleb to come up with a training package that would cover:
- Patient ABC’s
- How to Treat Major Bleeding – Gun Shot Wounds, Stabbings, etc.
- How to Treat Major Chest Injuries – Sucking Chest Wounds
- Movement of Downed Officer
- Active Shooter Medical Considerations
- Drop Kits
- First Aid Kit and Equipment Selection
- Communications with EMS
- Etc.
It was during this time I really got to know Caleb and his company, Lone Star Medics (LSM). After vetting and researching numerous training outfits, Lone Star Medics came out on top and was my recommendation as to who I thought we should contract for our medical training.
Fast forward and I have now transitioned out of law enforcement, but still maintain a close relationship with Caleb and LSM. I have since helped him out when he has needed role players for training and he has often provided advice and guidance to me.
I recently asked Caleb if he would share a bit of information with us in regards to what he does, why he does it, and what we can take away from it. He willingly provided some solid information related to the questions I asked him.
Let’s get into the Q&A.
What is your business and when did you start it?
Lone Star Medics is a field and tactical medical training and consulting company that started in 2009.
What is the core subject matter you offer?
LSM offers training and consulting services; however, most of our work is training. We train both the layperson and healthcare professionals in field and tactical medicine.
Most of our target audience are civilians and law enforcement. We provide consulting services throughout the US and overseas.
Why did you decide on this specific subject matter?
After being an EMT for so long, I decided to further my career by attending an accelerated paramedic program. After graduating that program, I was recruited to come back as an adjunct instructor.
A friend of mine and firearms instructor asked me to teach his Range Safety Officers a first aid course. All the RSO’s were close friends and encouraged me to continue teaching since it came so naturally to me.
I can assure you, no one in public safety cares about your life more than you. Yes, public safety officials will try and help injured people out as best they can. But due to some mechanisms of injury (what caused the injury), you may not live long enough for them to arrive.
A very close friend of mine, the late Paul Gomez, dropped some epic-sized knowledge bombs on me about adult learning styles, the business of being a traveling instructor, how to convey complicated skills to others so they understand those skills easily and relatively quickly.
Teaching is a welcomed challenge for me. Every single student and every single course presents an adventure, in teaching and learning. I’ve learned so much from my students over the past 11 years; I hope they have learned something from me.
As far as why teaching field and tactical medicine is relative; it is hard to argue with the data we have regarding traumatic injuries and medical emergencies each day, month, year. “It ain’t the odds, it’s the stakes.” – John Hearne, Rangemaster firearms instructor. I firmly believe that statement from Mr. Hearne.
Where did you get your experience in this field?
My experience as an instructor came from always questioning why we are doing things a certain way in pre-hospital medicine. I’d like to think I’m a student first, long before I’m a teacher.
Some skills or ways of doing things made sense and some did not. I would question my instructors as such. By teaching a diversified group of students over the past 11 years, each student has forced me to learn and teach using various techniques.
Do you use data to reinforce what you are teaching?
I do use scientific data to teach in my coursework. It is 2020, we have access to all sorts of data and have learned how to harness that data into usable information.
Granted, regarding medicine and even human anatomy and physiology, there is still so much we have no grasp or understanding of…yet.
What’s the biggest deficiency you see in your field?
The biggest deficiency I see in my field is twofold. Nobody wants to take responsibility for their own lives, they expect someone else to save them. The other deficiency I see is the lack of knowledgeable instructors.
If more people would take responsibility for their own lives, then the demand for more competent instructors would increase. Right now we have so many instructors sharing false information it ain’t even funny.
Some “subject matter expert” will publish an article, it gets read by thousands of people, yet maybe half of what they said is correct.
What’s the number one excuse you hear for people not signing up for classes?
Why people don’t take medical classes, let alone a Lone Star Medics course…a lack of accepting the facts. People get hurt. But if it isn’t someone they know or love, then they really don’t care.
“It’ll never happen to me/my loved ones.” That is what I hear from most people who refuse to accept responsibility for their own lives.
Most folks truly expect someone else to care more about their own lives than themselves. “If I get injured, someone else (EMS) will be there in an instant to solve the problem for me.” So they think.
I can assure you, no one in public safety cares about your life more than you. Yes, public safety officials will try and help injured people out as best they can. But due to some mechanisms of injury (what caused the injury), you may not live long enough for them to arrive.
A majority of people walking around right now have never even considered what they would do if their loved one walking beside them suddenly collapsed. At best, some would rely completely on some stranger that MIGHT be nearby and MIGHT know SOMETHING that will keep their loved one alive.
Oddly enough, when I ask students why they are here in my class; they typically answer in two ways.
They accept responsibility for their own lives and want to be as prepared as they can to handle realistic medical emergencies. The second answer I get most the time is, they were present during a medical emergency and felt completely helpless.
They wanted to help or needed to help, but had zero knowledge or skills to help. Which can cause serious mental health problems later on down the road too.
So, it becomes a double whammy event…they sat there and watched their friend bleed out and die, AND will carry a lot of guilt with them for the rest of their lives.
Evil does exist… plan accordingly!
Who are the top 3 instructors you have trained with or want to train with? (who and what class would you take)
If I had to pick the top three instructors I’ve trained with, only picking three would be tough. First off, I’d have to give credit where it is due. My students have taught me more than I could ever teach. Every student in every class for the past 11 years has taught me at least one thing during our time together.
I could write you novel after novel of the little things and the big things the LSM alumni have taught me. That includes how to run a business, how to teach, how to listen, how to learn, how to be a good presenter, how to write lesson plans, how to obtain and keep the audience’s attention, and so on.
That includes ages ranging from the ten-year-olds taking a Medic 1 class with their parents to the great grandmother that was a cardiac nurse learning how to use a pressure bandage. I’ve learned from each of them.
The other two instructors, if I HAD to pick only two, that are exceptional instructors I’ve trained with would be Chris Fry of MDTS and now with Progressive FORCE Concepts and Karl Rehn of KR Training.
Honorable mention would be Paul Carlson (Safety Solutions Academy), Paul Gomez, Daryl Bolke (Hardwired Tactical Shooting), Tom and Lynn Givens (Rangemaster), Julie Thomas (Palisade Training Group), John Hurth (Tyr Group, LLC), Greg Ellifritz (Active Response Training), and someone who teaches me even when I’m not wanting to learn is Andrew Brady of Lone Star Armory.
What’s your number one piece of advice for someone seeking training?
As far as what I recommend people look for in an instructor? I’d start by asking what kind of student are they? Where have they studied or trained?
You could ask around on social media, Google their name or company name, ask if they have published any articles or writings or have had anything published about them.
But don’t just read the hype either, really ask around. The power of a referral is still very much a remarkable tool for both the instructor and student.
Conclusion
Thanks Caleb for sharing your experience and advice.
Depending on what type of training you are looking for, LSM has numerous offerings as well as being able to provide custom solutions to those wanting something a little different.
I wanted to share a sample of the types of classes he offers so you can see the diversity in classes. If you’re a new Mom or Grandma and want to be able to be prepared for common kid injuries or if you want to be prepared for high-stress, violent attacks, LSM can meet your needs:
- Dynamic First Aid: This course prepares students to handle moderate to severe injuries and illnesses related to common, daily activities. During this one-day course, students learn through minimal lectures and plenty of hands-on skills practice. This course is great for those with little to no formal medical education. This is “first aid on steroids!”
- Medic 1: The “Medic 1” class is two-days filled with lectures, skills practices, and scenarios with live role players. Students will learn how to identify and treat injuries related to car wrecks, falls, allergic reactions, penetrating and blunt trauma, chest injuries, patient assessments, medical gear selection, and more. Their goal in this class is not to make you the medic, but what to do until the medics get there.
- Tac Med EDC: Students learn how and when to identify and treat immediate life-threatening injuries related to acts of violence. Learn what type of medical gear you need, how to carry it as part of your Everyday Carry items (EDC), and most importantly how to maximize those items when you or someone you care about is severely injured.
- Range Response: This one-day course is specifically designed for firearm instructors, match directors and anyone that spends any amount of time out on the shooting range. Students learn how to identify and treat minor to severe injuries related to indoor and outdoor ranges. Learning how to build a range response team and creating medical contingencies are just some of the subjects covered in class.
- Hunter’s Field Medicine: You don’t have to outrun the bear, just outrun your hunting buddy! But what happens when your hunting buddy outruns you? This one-day class prepares students for dealing with injuries related to their specific hunting environment. Medical contingencies/planning are also covered in this course as well.
- Medic 2: Following the “Medic 1” course, this course provides an introduction into wound management and basic anatomy/physiology, establishing and understanding vital signs, OTC medications and antibiotics, long-distance evacuations, medical contingency planning, and more.
- Medicine x EDC: Tactical medicine for when violent attacks happen…while in jeans and a t-shirt. Students learn through live-fire scenarios, but only from concealment. Learn how to treat injuries, how to carry medical gear, and when to treat injuries related to violent attacks. Specific prerequisites are required.
- Dynamic Patrol: Law Enforcement officers are constantly finding themselves in danger during their shift. This course prepares officers for when they or another officer is down but not out. If you carry a badge and a gun; you need this course!
- Medicine X: Two-days of shoot, move, communicate, dragging casualties, and slappin’ tourniquets on! Students learn through participating in live-fire scenarios using their carbine and pistol, how to implement the principles of tactical medicine to care for themselves and others. Specific prerequisites are required.
- Pro Re Nata: What happens when you run out of medical supplies or you find yourself without your trusty med kit? This improvised medicine class debunks a lot of myths and helps you better prepare for thinking way outside the box.
- Mommy Medics: A pediatric first aid course for moms and grandmas only! Learn what to do when your kid is being a kid…while enjoying mimosas.
I stand behind Caleb and Lone Star Medics 100% and highly recommend them for anyone seeking quality medical training. Caleb has a data-backed, practical approach that showcases the “need” and how to address it.
As you can see, LSM has quite a variety of offerings. Let’s face it, medical training is something that 99.9% of us are lacking. There is no excuse not to attend qualified medical training in this day and age.
The training you receive may not only save someone else’s life, but it may save your own!
Want to get in-touch with Lone Star Medics? please use the links below.
- Website: https://www.lonestarmedics.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lonestarmedics/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone Number: (817) 405-9576
