To the supporters of Blauer Tactical Systems & High Gear,

We recently received some inquires about a new line of role-player equipment that some thought was a new High Gear suit. Others wanted to know:
1. Were we involved in the design?
2. Were there any significant changes to Blauer’s innovative ergonomic design?
3. Were there changes to the breakthrough concept of ‘impact reduction’ padding?
4. Were there functional or tactical changes or was this simply a cosmetic change?

 

The questions caught us by surprise, since we’d never heard of the suit they were referring to. Upon further investigation, we came across links to two products – both obvious copies of the original High Gear product. Both companies used confusingly similar language, confusingly similar photos, confusingly similar design, confusingly similar descriptions. In fact, one company actually used photos from our website on their site. The other company used photos from our training courses in their promotions.

We know this is confusing (and for some, disturbing).

Here is clarification for those of you who have been longtime supporters of Blauer Tactical’s work in pioneering training and equipment for the defensive tactics, combatives and martial arts world for over 30 years.

 

From PANIC ATTACK™ . . . to HIGH GEAR™

 

Tony Blauer started doing force-on-force scenarios way back in 1982. He had developed a method called the PANIC ATTACK™ which was a 'force-on-force' scenario drill (not sparring) that incorporated scenario, location, dialogue and a moral/legal objective into one drill. These simulations not only induced intense adrenaline dumps in the participants but it also taught them in advance of a real world incident what worked and what didn't. It helped students, trainers and fighters separate fact from fantasy.

 

During the 1980's, protection during these drills consisted of a patchwork of gear borrowed from any sport: a hockey helmet, catcher shin guards, TKD chest guard etc. Of course, the old gear always restricted martial movement, as it was not designed to work on concert with other pieces or with a fighting system. And each component was really only designed to deflect a ball, puck or take one hit.

 

After thousands of hours and hundreds of simulated fighting encounters, it was obvious that articulated protective gear would really benefit this revolutionary training approach. In 1990, some 8+ years after his first simulation seminar, Tony sat down and sketched the gear.

 

Over $60,000 in R&D went into the first version of HIGH GEAR™... over the next several years four more prototypes were created. Many more changes and modifications were made as we tested and experimented with different foams, plastics and design. The gear continues to under go design changes as we evolve the science of simulation training. Today HIGH GEAR™ is used the world over by the most progressive trainers. It is a cutting edge & high-tech piece of training equipment.

At the same time we learned of the new copycat gear, we were made aware of a few ‘new’ reality-based and behaviorally-based confrontation management systems designed around natural movement, startle-flinch, emotional/psychological factors, etc. where the trainer(s) have self-anointed themselves as the originators of their system.

 

The S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ is a 'behaviorally' researched, close quarter personal defense method that utilizes the body's natural flinches and reactions to fear or violence and then converts these reactions into efficient tactical choices. Because the system is "Genetically wired and behaviorally inspired™", anybody can learn it and everybody can do it.

 

The foundation of our curriculum is the SPONTANEOUS PROTECTION ENABLING ACCELERATED RESPONSE™ system or the S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™, a scientifically researched close quarter measure that uniquely aids in converting instinctive survival flinches & reactions into effective protective tactics. The natural human response mechanism to a physical threat revolves around the fight or flight principle. The working hypotheses for Blauer’s clients is that 'flight' is not an option. Therefore our R&D team MUST develop performance technology to fight the threat. This requires breaking down the physical, psychological and emotional elements that interact to define the response to that threat.

An individual who is confronted by a physical threat will have an autonomic response, startle-flinch that is part of the unconscious self-defense mechanism. This occurs long before the cognitive identification process which allows a victim to process the available information and make a conscious decision that results in the fight or flight response.

 

It is medical fact that the neo-cortex, limbic system and reptilian brain can run conflicting messages during real combat stress, especially when the SOP's and tactics taught are based on purely theoretical attacks and counters.

 

Since the S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ is  based on natural flinches, therefore it is not really a perishable skill once learned correctly. While this may sound incredible, remember, on a psychomotor level, there is no longer any 'muscle-memory' interference with the body's instinctive response.

 

It is the result of over two decades of research. The S.P.E.A.R. SYSTEM™ is so direct and efficient, it is currently being adopted by major law enforcement and military training units across the globe.