The Mechanics of Tactical Breathing

Tactical breathing is an easy-to-do technique that can be used in a stressful situation to slow your thumping heart beat, reduce the tremble in your hands, deepen your voice so you do not sound like Mickey Mouse, and to bathe yourself with a powerful sense of calm and control. In other words, it is a tool to control the sympathetic nervous system.

Tactical breathing can be used before, during and after a combat situation. When used before, it quickly calms and prepares you to function at your best in a hostile environment. Say you are a member of a tactical team and your heartbeat is racing in high Condition Red as you prepare to crash through a door. With a heart rate at such a high level, the slightest stimulus is going to put you over the top and possibly cause you to overreact. While you wait in those minutes or even seconds for the “doorman” to smash the entry point, use the four-count breathing technique to get your heart rate down to the target range in low Condition Red or high Condition Yellow.

In through the nose two, three, four. Hold two, three, four. Out through the lips two, three, four. Hold two, three, four.

In through the nose deep, deep, deep. Hold two, three, four. Out through the lips deep, deep, deep. Hold two, three, four.

In through the nose two, three, four. Hold two, three, four. Out through the lips two, three, four. Hold two, three, four.

Maybe you are feeling a little mellow now or maybe you didn’t notice a difference since you were already relaxed. But in a life and death situation, we know this simple exercise can be a true revolution in human development. For the first time in human history we are teaching large portions of our population to consciously control the unconscious part of their body.

Keep your head down and keep the faith,

Reno