Why Cops Need To Be Training With Cold Exposure
I’ll never forget the moment at SWAT RoundUp when this cop stopped my training mid-exercise because he couldn’t handle it.
Shortly after learning a few different methods of lowering Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and the nervous system, TacMobility students were asked to put their newfound knowledge to the test by introducing one hand to ice water for ninety seconds.
It may sound like no big deal, but I assure you that it sucks balls every time. Why? Our human body registers this cold sensation as an actual threat to its future survivability. And, this my friends is where the real magic happens.
Back to the story…
This wasn't some newb cop you guys, this was a trained tactical officer. Like, bro, you’ve got the muscles and all the things. WTF? He straight up said “nah”.
Joking aside, I walked away with 2 observations that day about law enforcement:
1) Quitting is contagious but so is resilience.
2) If officers never come face-to-face with their physiology during training, they won’t be prepared for it when it really matters.
In 3 minutes, I’ll explain what I mean.
Quitting is contagious but so is resilience.
I’ve been teaching this officer wellness course for a few years now so I’m no stranger to how intensely awful this part of the training is. But, after watching this cop quit, for the first time ever, I found myself genuinely contemplating quitting too. Prior to this, I didn’t think quitting was an option - I just sucked it up. Here’s how my mental dialogue sounded before that day:
Keep fucking going. It’s almost over. Just breathe and count down. Good job Erica.
After I watched him quit, it sounded like this:
Oh my god, am I going to pull my hand out? Don’t do it Erica! Don’t do it!! I don’t think I can do finish!
I wanted to quit and that’s all I could think about. That’s when it hit me, quitting is contagious.
…but, so is resilience.
Even though that guy made it easier for us to imagine quitting, ultimately what kept the rest of us going was that no one else was going to be giving up. When life is challenging and painful, our personal commitment to never giving up will rub off on the minds of those around us. Keep going.
If officers never come face-to-face with their physiology during training, they won’t be prepared for it when it really matters.
For years, police training efforts have included various fitness components as a way of exhausting the body during tactical scenarios. Fitness standards aside, for the love of God, stop making people do burpees to induce stress - our brains know the difference between a workout and a threat.
The truth is, most of us are blind to our physiology, we have no idea how it’s working against us in a moment of real threat. These blind spots are liabilities which is why cops need to be training with cold exposure.
Common Fight or Flight Symptoms present using deliberate cold exposure:
Limited cognitive function (limits logical thinking/problem solving)
Tunnel vision (limits peripheral vision)
Disassociation (skews memory)
Shallow breathing (accelerates HR and threat response)
Auditory exclusion (masks potential danger)
and so much more
Whether you’re using ziplock bag or a stock tank, fill it with ice water, set a timer for :90 and then begin to settle down the responses that are initiated. Notice where your mind goes, what your body does and what it wants to do. But most of all, stick with the exercise.
And yes, this works even if you live in a cold climate. Trust me, I was nervous to do this for Alaska cops but it passed the test!
Free Officer Wellness Resource Alert: This week on our YouTube Channel, we’re releasing a recovery video if you’re a patrol cop!
TACMOBILITY ISN’T A WORKSHOP, IT’S IN-SERVICE
Erica Gaines, our creator, spent years working alongside law enforcement to develop a program that mimicked in-service style training but for officer wellness. TacMobility has quickly become the choice wellness program of officers across America.
✔️Learn the science behind stress so that you can identify/manage it better (no death by powerpoint)
✔️Training aids to develop emotional intelligence and Fight or Flight regulation.
✔️Guided techniques that lesson chronic pain in your hips, low back, shoulders and more.
Bring in TacMobility for your officer wellness training. POST credits available in most states.
Host an Open Training and get 2 free seats.
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I’m Erica Gaines, CEO/Founder of TacMobility and a huge advocate for officer wellness. After meeting over 100,000 police officers, I knew I had to help with The #1 Cop Killer in America: Suicide.
