Day Two of Rock’a Lock’a BANG! BANG! Moved the event from the range and into a completely different training environment: The former state of Nevada Maximum security prison.
With the addition of new attendees comes a shift into covert access, escape, rescue, and problem-solving skills, with classes conducted throughout the prison.
– Lock picking
– Lever locks and prison locks
– SERE with a focus on restraints
– Camera Systems
– Vehicle extraction
– Surveillance and counter surveillance
Supporting the second day were TNT Rescue, KCI USA, Mechanix Wear, and Blade-Tech, along with all the sponsors from day one each bringing equipment and expertise that complemented the training program. SPARROWS instructors were also heavily involved with conventional lock picking, lever lock picking, restraints escape, Camera systems and surveillance. It’s not often you have the opportunity to pick a prison lock in an actual prison.
The prison environment immediately changed the character of the event. Leading to a highly immersive environments with, participants working throughout the correctional environment. The prison Tattoo Shop also opened up and the helicopter is still circling above. Bryan one of the tattoo artists had some unique stories to share as he was a former inmate of this prison having spent two years here. It was in the prison yard where he made contacts to learn the tattoo trade on the outside. Being back with the freedom to touch the walls and be in the yard at night was an experience that can be read on his Instagram page. Brian also has his own coffee brand Resolute coffee and he was kind to share a bag of coffee with everyone he tattooed RESOLUTE COFFEE COMPANY – RESOLUTE COFFEE CO.
Blade Tech
Blade Tech and Everlit Survival supported a medical component to the day’s training with a Stop the Bleed program designed around the practical realities of treating traumatic injuries.
The emphasis was on practical skills in the hot zone. Participants worked through the fundamentals of recognizing life-threatening bleeding, controlling it, and applying the appropriate equipment while dealing with active threats within an immersive environment.
The class featured Blade Tech duty holsters and Everlit FAKS.
KCI USA
KCI USA supported the day with equipment and accessories that matched the different environments from ground to air.
KCI Brought several Level IIIA MICH high cut ballistic helmets for teams to test.
Nods were even added to them later in a night workshop held within the prison.
They were also on hand at the range the day before supplying a substantial amount of the magazines.
TNT RESCUE
Returning sponsor TNT rescue had their full demo truck at RLBB and they led 6 teams through a complete hand on class on vehicle extraction. TNT clearly shows an extreme confidence in their line up to hold such a hands on demonstration. Perhaps that’s why their tools have a forever warranty. Their “choose a battery” platform will also serve those upgrading current equipment. Almost every tools from their STORM series was on hand.
Mechanix Wear
Hands are often the first interface between the operator and the problem, making gloves particularly relevant during the day’s training.
Mechanix Wear provided equipment for participants working through the various hands-on evolutions, including breaching and vehicle extraction.
The balance between protection and dexterity becomes particularly important during tasks that require fine motor control. The ability to manipulate equipment while maintaining protection is a requirement that becomes obvious very quickly in this type of training.
SPARROWS Lock Picks
Lock manipulation moved well beyond the introductory level on Day Two.
SPARROWS had participants work through both conventional lock-picking techniques and lever-lock manipulation, including exposure to the types of locks encountered within correctional facilities and high security safes.
Tools on hand include the STRIKER set, The Vorax and a variety of lever lock tools including traditional bent wire.
The prison environment provided an especially relevant setting for this portion of the program. Several yet to be released tools were also on display including the EVAL twins and a new impressioning handle. Both to be released later in the year.
Participants weren’t simply learning about locks in isolation; they were working with actual hardware within the environment where these systems are used. One class that truly highlighted this was Camera system access. SPARROWS had set up an entire CTF and Camera system through the prisons that allowed instructors to demonstrate the vulnerabilities of these Camera systems and how one can gain remote access to the feed. SPARROWS was expected to provide a quality demonstrations but it was still surprising to see prison locks and safes picked open and Camera systems hacked.
Restraint Escape
Another portion of the day’s curriculum focused on restraint escape.
The class explored the limitations of different restraints including rope, tape, wire, chain, and handcuffs both domestic/ international and the techniques required to bypass and escape from them. As with the lock-picking courses, the emphasis remained on hands-on instruction and problem solving.
The Prison Environment
What made Day Two particularly interesting was the facility itself.
The prison wasn’t simply the backdrop for the training; it became part of the training problem. Corridors, doors, locks, cells, vehicles, and confined spaces provided an environment that cannot. The addition of a tattoo parlor and a helicopter just added to the excitement level.
Talks and dinner
The talks and breakouts that night were extremely informative with one focusing on interrogation techniques for high level assets and the other on patent research with a historical and open ended discussion. The ability to transition from working skills to business necessitates in a networking environment just brings these talks to a different level. All while having a BBQ dinner at the prison. RLBB moves very quickly, its stunning at times as to how many activities are covered and the number of people and companies required to pull it all together. One moment your landing on the roof of a prison and the next your seeing SPARROWS next high end auto dialer for safes.
Tomorrow Rock’a Lock’a BANG! BANG! will return to the prison tomorrow for more training
SSD will have a report.
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