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Today we’re excited to be launching our new Lishi Trio Pouch, which is the ultimate rapid-access storage method for carrying the three most commonly used Lishi 2-in-1 Lock Pick Tools. Sleek and thinner than a card sleeve wallet, the Lishi Trio is made from durable ballistic nylon, velvety smooth interior-fabric and flexible elastic. It keeps your Lishi Picks protected, organized and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
We’ve been developing this pouch for the last few months and wanted to take you a bit behind the scenes on our design philosophy and process for this new product.
Origins of a Lishi PouchWe’ve sold thousands of the Lishi 2-in-1 Lock Picks over the last few years and we truly believe they’re the most revolutionary lock picking tool on the market. Each tool combines a keyway-specific molded pick channel, along with a single hook-pick lever, tension bar and even a decoding interface.
The only downside to these specialized tools is that storage options for them is fairly limited. They include a hard case that helps protect all the delicate parts of the tools, but these cases are bit large, adding unnecessary weight and bulk. With this in mind, we knew that we had to produce a nylon pouch that would perfectly fit and protect the tools.
The PrototypeOur goal when setting out to design a pouch for the Lishis was to protect the delicate parts, while also being able to quickly access and deploy a pick. We knew that we needed to hold all three of the popular models we sell (SC1, KW1 and M1) but this was a bit of a challenge, as they’re all slightly different in size.
For inspiration, we turned to two of our existing designs, the ITS Slimline Pouch and the ITS SPIE® Pouch. The front of the Slimline Pouch offers slanted-cut corners and a slightly smaller front flap when compared to the pouch body. This same style allowed us to not only have a fast-opening pouch, but the smaller front cover perfectly fit the smaller M1 Lishi Pick. Additionally, the elastic retention strap of the SPIE® Pouch offered us the perfect method for keeping the new pouch closed. After a quick mock-up using some materials laying around, as well as generous use of a stapler, we had a rough prototype ready to be used to make a sewn sample.
The Final ProductWhat resulted from this process is one of the most streamlined pouches we’ve ever produced. The new Lishi Trio Pouch perfectly stores all three Lishi Picks, while being no thicker than a standard card wallet. As a bonus, because of the shared DNA with the Slimline Pouch, one or two of the loaded Trio Pouches fits perfectly within the Slimline Pouch. If you’re looking for a belt or MOLLE mounting option to carry Lishi Picks, the Trio inside the Slimline is an unmatched combo.
The soft interior of the Lishi Trio Pouch offers three channels for storage of Lishi Picks and was designed to store (1) each of the SC1, KW1 and M1 Lishi Picks. Additionally, there are two smaller interior channels to store things like our Ti Concealment Toolset and/or a hex wrench for adjusting/changing the orientation of the Lishi Tension Bar.
On the exterior of the case, the Lishi Trio Pouch utilizes a small elastic strap to keep the pouch closed until access is needed. By pulling down on the strap, the pouch can be opened and a Lishi Pick can be easily retrieved.
Click here for more information on the all-new Lishi Trio Pouch!
The post The Design Process Behind Our New Lishi Storage Pouch appeared first on ITS Tactical.
The ITS Discreet Messenger Bag® is your ultimate covert EDC companion, integrating technology and durability in a way that’s unmatched... View Article The post The All-New Discreet Messenger Bag appeared first on ITS Tactical.
While lock picking is often associated with nefarious characters and criminal activity, it’s actually a skill that offers significant advantages to prepared and responsible citizens. When utilized responsibly, these skills can provide a better understanding of one’s own security, help in emergency situations and even serve as a fascinating hobby.
Debunking the Criminal Connection to Lock PickingMost criminals prefer not to invest time, effort and money into mastering how to pick a lock. Breaking into a home usually entails a quick and forceful entry, like smashing a window, kicking a door, or exploiting an unsecured access point.
In reality, picking a lock can take a lot of time and criminals don’t want to spend any more time than they have to at a location. Therefore, it’s crucial to separate the skill from criminal intent and recognize its value for law-abiding citizens.
Enhancing Personal SecurityBy learning how to pick locks, you gain valuable insights into their function and vulnerabilities. This knowledge will help identify weak points in your security system and encourage you to invest in high-quality locks and other security measures, making your property less attractive to potential burglars.
Emergency SituationsLock picking skills can prove invaluable during emergencies. Lost or broken keys, accidental lockouts, or assisting someone in distress are situations where lock picking can save time, money and even lives. In these instances, quick and non-destructive entry is crucial and having the ability to pick a lock can make all the difference.
A Rewarding HobbyFor many, the skill is a fascinating and challenging hobby. It requires patience, dexterity and problem-solving skills, making it both mentally and physically stimulating. The lock pick community is filled with enthusiasts who enjoy sharing their experiences and knowledge, fostering a supportive environment for learning and growth.
Where to Start with Lock Picking?We’ve been producing content and products with a focus on lock picking for over 14 years and in that time, we’ve created what we feel is the best starter pack for those looking to dive into the skill.
The ITS Lock Picking Starter Pack includes everything you need to get started with picking pin and tumbler locks. The included Modular Practice Lock allows you to scale the difficulty from extremely simple to a full-on challenge when using all six of the included Security Pins.
For a limited time, we’re even offering a FREE Universal Lock Picking Practice Station when you purchase a Starter Pack. There are no coupons needed, simply add a Starter Pack to your cart and you’ll see the Practice Station added automatically!
ConclusionLock picking is an invaluable skill for prepared citizens who wish to enhance their security, assist in emergencies, or just explore a rewarding hobby. By demystifying the criminal association and embracing the practical benefits, you can use this skill responsibly and to your advantage, so you can prevail!
The post Unlocking the Benefits: Why a Prepared Citizen Should Learn to Pick Locks appeared first on ITS Tactical.
Are you a US Military Veteran that’s planning on visiting a National Park this summer? Today I wanted to provide detailed instructions on how you, or any Gold Star Family member, can pick up a free pass to never have to pay for admission to a National Park in the United States again!
While camping, tours and special recreation permits aren’t free, the Lifetime Pass will get the pass holder and occupants of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle, or the pass holder and three people (16 and older) free entrance into national parks and national wildlife refuges.
It also qualifies for free standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands and on lands managed by the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers.
Do I Qualify?For purposes of this program, a veteran is identified as “an individual who has served in the US Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves and is able to present one of the following forms of identification to get the Interagency Military Lifetime Pass,” when entering a national park:
- Unexpired Department of Defense Identification Card (DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, or Next Generation USID replacement)
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- Veteran ID Card
- Veterans designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or identification card
Gold Star Families are described by the USGS website as “next of kin of a member of the US Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a qualifying situation, such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the US Armed Forces. Eligibility requirements are in section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.”
Before visiting a national park site, “Gold Star Family members must download and print a voucher to present to park staff, exchange for an Interagency Military Lifetime Pass, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites.”
Where Do I Get the Lifetime Pass?The easiest way to obtain your Lifetime Pass, is to head online here and pay the $10 document processing & handling fee, so that you don’t need to visit a National Park location to obtain the pass. In my opinion, it’s worth the $10 to not have to deal with it on-site, but again, the pass is totally free and if you’re interested in finding an in-person location to avoid the $10 online fee, click here.
I’m not sure if the in-person option also gets you a fancy car hanger for your pass, but in my experience with the online option, it came with the hang tag holder to drop your pass into.
What about Active Duty Military?For Active Duty Military and your dependents, there’s also a free Annual Military Pass as well that will provide the same amenities as the Lifetime Pass, but it just needs to be renewed each year. For details on the Interagency Military Annual Pass through the America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (Interagency) Program, please visit the USGS Online Store.
Links and ResourcesI hope you can find the time to visit a National Park this summer, these passes are a great reason to get back into nature and your roots!
- Find a National Park to Visit
- Order a Lifetime Pass Online
- Details for Veterans and Gold Star Families
- Locations to Get Passes in Person The post How Veterans Can Get a Free Lifetime Pass to National Parks appeared first on ITS Tactical.
Since designing and releasing the ETA Trauma Kit Pouch in 2011, we’ve seen a slew of imitations and outright copies. We’ve even seen reputable companies introducing copies of this design as recently as this month. While the saying goes “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” we believe in staying ahead of the competition by continuing to innovate and protecting our designs.
For those of you who have commented, shared or even messaged us about some of the copycat designs you’ve seen in the past, we sincerely thank you. As we approach our 14th year in business, we wouldn’t be anywhere without your support. For any companies out there looking for a great Trauma Kit Pouch, hit us up. We have a fantastic reseller program and we’re always happy to work with other small businesses.
We’ve learned over the years that the best way to protect our designs and intellectual property is to invest in the legal teeth that will allow us to continue to change the game, one design at a time. We’re proud to announce today that we’ve been issued U.S. Patent – 11,602,406 B1 for our 4-Way Mounting System! There’s more bureaucracy and cost in collecting patents than tax stamps, but unfortunately, it’s an inevitable part of business.
The post We’re Excited to Announce Our Newest Patented Design! appeared first on ITS Tactical.
Being prepared for things like natural disasters means that you’ve anticipated the worst of the worst and tried to “hedge your bets” against it. Whether that means stockpiling canned goods and water, or even installing whole-house generators, preparedness takes different forms for everyone. However, something we’ve noticed anecdotally is that being prepared may actually affect your perception of how severe of a disaster was, thus the theme of this article; The Preparedness Paradox.
The Preparedness ParadoxThe preparedness paradox is a phenomenon that occurs when people who have prepared for a disaster perceive the disaster as less severe than those who have not prepared.
For our example, we’ll imagine a large storm knocks out power to the local area. You’ve prepared your family and household for these types of occurrences by having two weeks worth of food and water, as well as a gassed up generator. When the storm hits and the power blips out, you’re quick to get the generator running and your meals are covered. For the duration of the storm, your family is comfortable, warm and fed. When the disaster has cleared, you emerge victorious and there’s a propensity to brush the storm off as “no big deal,” because of how ready you found yourself.
It’s in these moments that it’s important to consider two things. One is that you should still be making notes of how you could better improve for the next time. What small changes could you make that would make things even better? Are there skills you could work on to better pass the time or help give yourself a leg up even more? Next, it’s important to consider how those around you, who are less prepared, may have fared.
Good Fences Make Good NeighborsIt’s always refreshing to meet people who are working on becoming more self-sufficient, both in preparing for natural disasters and also in everyday life. However, there’s an attitude that commonly develops among these people that “they’ve got theirs” and their neighbors/communities aren’t their problem.
This is an easy attitude to develop and one of the most common morality tales that gets tossed out when defending this stance is “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” in which a hungry grasshopper approaches ants who are drying grain they have collected during the summer, asking for a bite to eat. The ants are quick to chastise the grasshopper for his lack of preparedness and basically tell him to go pound sand.
The fact is that a community that is better prepared to go through things together is stronger than a few households scattered about, that have done their preparedness work. It’s easy to say that you would turn the grasshopper away, but it’s another to actually turn someone away that’s physically reaching out for help in front of you, or not help someone that you can see needs it.
Helping Spread PreparednessBy helping those in your community become better prepared, you will create a strong community that is ready to help each other and outlast anything nature can throw at you. Here are some tips for getting the conversations started with those in your community.
Actually Start the Preparedness ConversationDuring the days after something like a hard storm, reach out to your neighbors directly and see how they’re doing. You may hear them discuss issues they had that you’ve dealt with in the past and have solution for. Something as simple as “I have a great method for storing rice and beans if you want me to shoot you over some online shopping links.”
In many cases, people may not have even considered keeping supplies like this on-hand and your conversation may help them strike out on that journey. We’ve seen firsthand how people can go from not even having spare batteries, to starting up a conversation with you about the new radios they bought and what channel you think all the neighbors should use to communicate during an event.
Share Your InformationOne of the hardest things to tackle with the subject of preparedness is the research and sharing things you’ve learned is a fast way to get those around you up to speed. Something as simple as sharing your state government’s Disaster Supply Checklist can get people thinking about the gaps they need to fill in their preparedness. You can also show them the First Aid supplies that you keep on-hand and explain how valuable medical supplies can be when emergency services may not be available.
Help Them Create a PlanHaving the supplies on hand does not equal true preparedness. It’s important to highlight to your neighbors the need for planning things like communications, evacuations and even possibly shared supply lists. One of the benefits of sharing in preparedness is that you can offload different responsibilities to different people. Maybe you keep the backyard chickens and they tend the vegetable garden.
Another great option is to get involved with your local government’s preparedness organization, like the Community Emergency Response Team. These local groups have things like checklists and already established plans that can help. For more information, you can also check out our CERT write-up.
Build Your Community ResilienceLastly, when something does happen that causes you to have to use some of your plans or supplies, conduct a sort of “After Action Review,” that allows everyone to share what went right and what went wrong. There’s a strength that comes from preparedness that is hard to enumerate until someone has experienced it. From these experiences, you can grow as a community and better help one another.
ConclusionIt’s important not to lose sight of why we practice preparedness. At the end of the day, it’s about keeping ourselves and families safe during trying times. Bringing your community into this fold makes more sense than trying to stick it out alone during the storm. Hopefully this article has helped offer some tips for discussing preparedness with those around you, to create a resilient community that is ready for whatever may come your way.
The post The Preparedness Paradox: How Being Prepared Affects Perception appeared first on ITS Tactical.
With hospital space at a premium these days, it’s becoming more important than ever to take steps to avoid them if possible. Recently we came across this great article from Edwin Leap, discussing some tips for avoiding the emergency room and things to consider if you do have to end up taking a trip to one.
One of the most poignant lines of the article is taking steps to ensure you’re in good physical shape, not only through fitness, but also through elimination of things that harm your body in small ways, like drugs and alcohol.
Edwin’s article also highlights the importance of knowing your local medical facilities and their capabilities, before you need access to one in an emergency. We’ve discussed the importance of knowing the “baseline” of your neighborhood and we would consider this as a part of that knowledge. For instance, your local hospital may not have a fully equipped operating room, so making your way there with an injury will just delay you further as you’re transported to another facility.
Some things we would add to the premise of the article, would be ensuring that things like documentation are taken care of before an emergency comes up. For instance, if you have Power of Attorney documents, you can put those on file at the hospital you’ll most likely be traveling to, so that a family member doesn’t have to worry about bringing those documents in when you’re not able to communicate.
Additionally, if you have prescription medications you can can discuss getting a longer supply (90 day vs. 30 day), so that you have more on-hand in case something disrupts their supply. During a natural disaster or other emergency, you don’t want to have to worry about getting a refill on your meds.
Lastly, you should take stock of the supplies you have on-hand to treat injuries, before transport to a hospital. Many people participate in activities that have the propensity to cause life-ending injuries, but ironically don’t carry life-saving gear with them. (Looking at you, shooting range guys.) Ensure that you’re carrying a full-size Trauma Kit to these type of places and take the time to seek out the necessary training to use the supplies inside. Last but not least, we’d also recommend making sure that you have a well stocked First Aid Kit, because the likelihood of you needing supplies for treating cuts and scrapes is much greater than some of the higher level medical items.
We hope you’ll take the time to read through Edwin’s thought provoking article and stay safe out there!
The post Hospital Woes and Avoiding an Emergency Room appeared first on ITS Tactical.
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