Become a Certified NRA Range Safety Officer.
I am right now doing the self-review of what could have been done better at the SWFla Blogshoot and at the top of the list is Get More Safety Officers.
Kevin Creighton and yours truly were the only ones with the credentials and one of the requirements from the range (and a lot of other ranges) is that you need to have an NRA RSO to be left alone or at least, not under draconian rules.
I was done in in less than 2 hours because of the heat (I am heat sensitive after two dances with heath strokes) and basically we ended up having a RSO and a half keeping an eye on the shooters who all acted very safe give or take a thing here and there.
Take the plunge. It is a one day course and amazingly, you will learn a lot of stuff. Do it for events like the SW Fla Blog Shoot that may pop up or that you now can help create because you have your certification.
Find a class and get your certification.
Second Amendment Foundation offers a similar course, if people are interested in an alternative to the Negotiating Rights Away group.
(Disclosure: I am an NRA instructor and plan to keep that certification.)
If you’re already an NRA instructor (I am for Basic Pistol and Basic Rifle, so I can help at BSA rifle and handgun ranges), you may be able to add the RSO certification by paying the NRA to send you their packet, reading through it, taking the test therein in the comfort of your home, and sending the test to them to grade. I was able to get my RSO cert that way, about 10 years ago, after becoming a rifle instructor. The packet and test cost me about $25 at the time, whcih is a lot less costly than taking a one day course. BSA rules require an appropriate instructor and an RSO (two separate people, even if both have both certifications) on any BSA range when it is open.
There’s nothing wrong with the full day course–but some might be able to get the certification more conveniently.
YMMV….
Already am. Also pistol, rifle, carbine, shot gun. Prrsonal protection inside AND outside the home. Refuse to be a victim and blackpowder. Hoping to do more classes next year.
I am one.
I had a serious heat injury and it’s taken several years to return to normal. In the mean time I found that a cool vest helps a lot. When I am going to be out longer than 2 hours, with only access to water, I like the evaporative cooling vest from Techniche (HyperKewl). I spent the day at the Houston Rodeo and recharged it with water several times. It’s a bit less effective under a ‘cover garment’ but if the shirt is loose, open, and lightweight, it works pretty well. It’s also inexpensive at $34.
For seriously hot days, and when I wear a shirt that won’t get good air under it, the ice pack vest from Ergodyne – Chill Its 6260 works well. Technically it’s not an ice pack, its a phase change cooling pack. It will recharge in a cooler in just a few minutes so if you have your truck or an icechest handy, it’s a great choice. For me, in Houston heat, it lasts just under 2 hours. I like it frozen solid to start, but the ice chest reset really does work. It’s about $150-220.
The HyperKewl will wear out. The gel in the vest slowly escapes and eventually you need to replace the vest. I used up one in a summer, but got two summers from the next one. I don’t wear it every day, just when working in the sun, or where I know it will be hot.
Either one, with a wide hat that is well ventilated, and light colored clothes will make it possible to stay out in the heat and do the things you want to do.
nick
Thanks , I am gonna seriously look into that
You’re welcome, people don’t realize how dangerous a heat injury can be, or how long it takes to recover. The vests made a huge difference for me.
nick