Unlike the basic pistol class which operated on a 'cold' range, where weapons were not loaded unless instructed, the tactical class required that guns be loaded at all times and holstered when not on the fire line.
Instructor Steve Nelson covered all the safety basics prior to any hands on activities.
The first instruction was the 5 point presentation, the correct way to draw your weapon from its holster. Stance, grip, and breathing was also covered, as well as drills on gun malfunction, speed and accuracy.
The tactical class is "99% hands on learning." Early on in the class it was stressed that when faced with an adrenaline producing event, a body naturally reacts to that event with a fight or flight reaction. Being aware of how ones body responds to this helps gauge the tactical stance one would take. Repeated motion, for muscle memory, was stressed. Nelson joked, "friends don't let friends shoot leaning backwards."
