Basics 8

The use of cover and concealment can be confusing, especially in light of the difference between definitions and reality.

Cover:  Bulletproof,

Concealment: Invisibility.

It seems simple until we parse it a bit. 

Let us examine cover.  The key question is how bulletproof and for how long?  Take for example, a telephone pole.  You can’t get all of you behind the wooden post, but it’s what you got.  A bullet striking one inch from the edge has 6.6 inches of wood to penetrate.  That maybe enough protection for a handgun, but what about rifle?  In any case that inch effectively reduces the width of your bulletproof shield to 10 inches.

Stone block?  How many rounds before the block shatters?  I’ve seen cinder blocks fail after as few as 2 rounds of hardball .45 ACP.

What do you see as bulletproof and /or invisibility?

Concealment is often qualified with the adjective ‘total.’  It’s funny in the movies when someone’s hat is visible on top of cover, but in real life it could be fatal.  Few of us would be comfortable taking concealment by stepping back into inky black shadows, where you’re only a hand full of photons from being revealed.

The prudent take a little extra time and explore and mentally map out exits at home, work and your favorite play areas.  It quickly becomes apparent there is very little that is truly bulletproof, but much of it can be considered concealment.  If you can’t be seen, you are less likely to be shot, so concealment isn’t without value.  There are even a few locations that are both bulletproof and provide invisibility.

One of the new paradigms: Engaging a shooter while moving to cover is a waste of ammo and time, just run like hell. 

The metal flowerpot filled with dirt?  The tree?   MAYBE using the street side of the park cars to move to a better location or simple get out would be the best option. 

Maybe, just give it some thought.  It echoes the thoughts of many shooters who wonder why they would advance in to gunfire protected only by a hail of their bullets.

Typical interior construction under the drywall in your house.  Despite TV, does that look like cover or concealment to you?

Here are a few simple rules.

• Unless forced to, never leave cover for a new location unless the new location offers significantly better advantages.
• Never leave cover with a weapon without placing the least empty magazine in your weapon. 
• Use concealment to invisibly move to an area of better advantage.