Training with "realism", practicing within spitting distance of the prisoners and working on drills that replicate actual situations often found within the walls of the prison.
Dave created many of today's "state of the art" programs now being taught throughout the world by dozens of trainers. He's not much of a media guy. . . preferring to just "doing it".
To watch him in action though and you know he is "the man" with the ability, tools and teaching expertise matched by few in the world.
We are indeed lucky to have him as a friend and advisor. Last week Dave was winding down his very busy seminar schedule for 2006 with a RedMan training course for the Vero Beach prison guards. This particular course was designed specifically for the trainers who will be running programs at the prison on a regular basis.
Watching the program in action, it appeared to be geared as much for the students as the coaches. However Dave pointed out that although the students (those who wore lightweight gear) received lots of practice "drilling" the teachers with kicks, elbows and brutal takedowns, the focus of the training was on the instructors. (Those wearing the "big dog" suits!)
After two days of really serious and heavy training, Dave's emphasis on safety paid off. No one was injured and everyone came away from the training with a new appreciation for Dave's instruction and for the built-in protection offered by the RedMan equipment.
Dave is offering us a way to address these complex and often overlooked problems and instead of trying to pass off some unrealistic and indefensible set of techniques to an unsuspecting audience, here is an opportunity to build a legitimate program to supplement your traditional program. . . A program that is responsible, reasonable and proven in the field. 
