HEAT Phase II - Gunfight Physiology? What is that?

by James Banks, Owner / Instructor

You've completed our HEAT Phase I - Gunfight Fundamentals Course and in that course, we discussed gunfight science. In HEAT Phase II we will delve into the science of YOU, in a gunfight. For us to understand this we need to understand physiology and the physiological effects that you will experience in this fight. This will be a fight unlike any other that you've ever found yourself in and it will be for your life. Under extreme duress (including when under attack) the human body will undergo a series of automated responses as part of the “fight or flight” mechanisms built into our systems. These physiological effects will include tunnel vision, diminished sounds, time distortions, and memory loss. We will discuss and explain these effects to more clearly understand them. These and other physical and psychological effects have long been attributed to adrenaline or other natural chemicals that flood our bodies during extreme stress, but the “fight or flight” mechanisms that are part of our systems go well beyond a simple chemical dump by our adrenal glands. You will need to know how to deal with this in a manner that will not cause you to lose control over your performance. We will discuss the role of the Thalamus. How it passes information to the Amygdala and how the Amygdala connects with the Motor Cortex. We will discuss the Sensory Cortex and how it is responsible for planning and reasoning and what role external factors play in this. We will go into detail of the roles of the Hippocampus, the Motor Cortex and also how the Endocrine System plays a significant part in all of this. You will need to understand what is happening to your mind and body for you to understand how you can control yourself and continue to operate when your life depends on it. You need this knowledge to be a well rounded gunfighter and as explained in my Article, You want to be a concealed carrier but you don't want to train as a gunfighter? You need to get your mind right!, as you must learn how to be a gunfighter if you are going to be a responsible concealed carrier.​

​"Avoiding battle is advantageous. Avoiding knowledge of battle is dangerous" -James Banks