Paul-3-Palooza

Paul-3-Palooza

What Paul – E – Palooza looked like in 2015

Better than ever is probably the best way to describe this year’s Paul-E-Palooza.  Many of the same characters returned for another go round so the shenanigans were typical, but amped to the “shots out of the prothetic leg” level.  The irony.

I’m sure that if you were to ask the 100+ attendees what they though about this year’s PEP you would get a variety of answers ranging from “good” to “off the charts.”  Of course every individual has their own set of goals when they attend an event like Paul-E-Palooza, but the good news is that most folks know what they are getting themselves into when they sign on to attend PEP3.

Paul-E-Palooza 3 Instructor Roll Call:

Other than the overall purpose of the event, the list of instructors that instructed blocks at Paul-3-Palooza are likely the biggest draw.  The quality of the instructors and the energy they invest in their instructional blocks are likely a very fitting tribute to Paul Gomez.

• Craig Douglas ShivWorks (Something Evil)
• James Yeager Tactical Response Fighting with an AK
• Rob Pincus Personal Defense Network Combat Focus Shooting
• Caleb Causey Lone Star Medics Tactical Medicine in the EDC Context
• Dr. Lauren Pugliese Active Response Training Managing Veterinary Emergencies
• Mike Centola Allstar Tactical Information Security / Trends in AR Platform Development
• John Hearne DVC Targets Human Performance Under Pressure
• Cecil Burch Immediate Action Combatives         Understanding and Applying Chokes in Combatives
• Larry Lindenman ShivWorks Handgun Combatives When You Can’t Shoot
• Chris Fry Modern Defensive Training Systems Small Knife Combatives
• William Aprill Aprill Risk Consulting The 5 W’s of Risk
• Sherman House, DDS The People’s Dentist Disaster Dentistry
• Eli Miller Direct Pressure, LLC and Oinkin’ Acres  Medical Intensive/Ballistic Tissue Lab
• Morgan Atwood BFE Labs Designing Effective Bug-Out and Medical Bags
• Ian Wendt Special Circumstances, Inc. Designing Effective Bug-Out and Medical Bags
• Taylor Mock Texas Brigade Armory Non-BS Modifications to EDC Pistols
• Paul Sharp Sharp Defense Shooting When Wounded / Dealing with the Wounded
• Paul Carlson Safety Solutions Academy Mastering the Back-Up Gun
• Chuck Haggard Agile Training & Consulting Combative Pistol / Low-Light Pistol
• Greg Ellifritz Active Response Training Kubotan / Mini-Flashlight Techniques for Self-Protection

As you can see from the list, the instructors are many, the course topics are varied and the areas covered are diverse.  There are few places where you can find this kind of expertise in one area and I hesitate to link to the other events in this league as it will just make it harder for me to get registered.  Lucky for you it isn’t too difficult to figure it out.

You might have noticed that my name was on the list of instructors for PEP3.  I’m flattered to have been asked to teach with such a motley yet qualified crew.  If you are interested in training with Safety Solutions Academy you can find out more information about our courses here.

My Best Paul-E-Palooza Yet!

This is a true statement.  The first PEP was great and I was very lucky to get to know so many of the folks that are involved in making Paul-E-Palooza happen each year.  I learned a lot, met great people and was looking forward to Paul-E-Palooza II Electric Bugaloo with anticipation.

PEP II was a different Ballgame.  Safety Solutions Academy found itself in charge of the ground game at the range.  There was more work than play involved in the second go, but I still learned a lot.  I attempted to alleviate the frustration of finding a place for 100+ folks to have dinner together by hiring a caterer to deliver dinner to the range.  I’m pretty sure that the seven people that got to eat the pulled pork liked it but the other 143 were disappointed.  Good thing I had also bought beer.

P3P was an easier go than either of the past events and there was enough dinner for me to have a plate.  In fact, there may still be Amish pie in the freezer at the range.  So I’ve got that going for me, which is nice..

Most importantly, in addition to facilitating the logistical pieces parts on the ground at Southington Hunt Club, I was also asked to teach a live fire block.  Apparently it was well received.

Tiffany Johnson had this to say on her blog post at The Front Sight Press:

Paul was organized, methodical, and pedagogically strategic. The opening minutes made me suspect that he had roots in formal, academic teaching (which he later confirmed). The rural outdoor range offered no classroom conveniences, but that didn’t stop Paul from taping up two swaths of banner paper onto the side of his trailer as a makeshift whiteboard. Then, with little more than a Sharpie and his approachable but authoritative teaching style, Paul led an insightful introductory segment on the purpose of the backup gun and the critical importance of context, context, context.

You can read Tiffany’s entire post by following this link.  Man she is a great writer.

I’m a bit late getting this post out as a result of trying to gain as much understanding (I’m not sure that is the right word) about the heinous murders of the tv crew in VA this morning.  A book I recommend to many of my students is “The Gift of Fear.”  It is worth the read.

Other’s Thoughts on PEP3

I’m one guy and that means I have one option.  Other folks might have different thoughts and opinions.  This is a place you might find them.  Follow the links and read about Paul-3-Palooza!

• I already lined to Tiffany’s blog post up above, but thought it was worthy of another mention here.
• Here are some of Tiffany’s pics from PEPIII
• Ben gives a follow up of South Narc’s MUC Course.
• Tom Kelley of Dark Star Gear posted this album.
• Here is Ben’s recount of Chris Fry’s Small Knife Primer
• Tamara Keel talks about here experience with a Bodyguard, Marshall Haggard and the night here.

I will add to this list of AAR’s as I become aware of additional postings.

All week long I have been writing about Paul-e-Palooza since it is wednesday I do want to throw in a reminder that Grant Cunningham and I have a new show coming soon.  The Protected Life.  Like TPL on FB! I look forward to working with Grant, and interacting with you!

Mark your calendar for September 9th at noon!!!

Here is what you should do next:

Take some time to read the AAR’s about PEP3 above and then comment below on what class you think would have benefitted your training the most.

Thanks for taking the time to consider what I have to say!

-= Paul Carlson =-

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