Last weekend, I took the Shivworks ECQC (Extreme Close Quarters Concepts) course at Firearms Academy of Seattle–24 hours of outstanding training! Anyone who carries and is serious about self-defense should take this class. It was incredible to have a chance to work self-defense scenarios in a weapon-based environment at VERY close quarters. (Like managing an unknown contact who’s closing in or…a gun fight in a car!) Clearly, the Shivworks team has given extraordinary care to structure the course for maximum benefit and safety. The instructors have the real world experience and superb communication skills to concisely convey the material in record time. Plus they’re funny, engaged and genuinely care about the students.
Shivworks ECQC Participants
The participants come from a wide range of backgrounds, heavy on the military and LE side. I felt nervous coming into the program as a middle aged woman (50s), very small (almost 5ft, 110 lbs). I’m a BJJ instructor with firearms fundamentals, but certainly not a security expert, no military background plus nagging jiu jitsu injuries. My initial nervousness wore off as I realized that the program attracts really great people. It also helped that other women were there. Although they didn’t take the course this time, they were previous participants who are also self-defense experts. I am very used to training with men, but the ladies’ presence still mattered to me. Thank you Belle and Ashleigh!
And many thanks to Craig Douglas, Brian Frias and the rest of the Shivworks team for sharing your knowledge so skillfully.🙏 I’m looking forward to training with you all again. I also can’t wait to train with Belle at FAS…great facility offering very high quality classes accessible to all levels of shooters!