The RACS Seminar

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Every single day, people are thrust into life-threatening, Active Crisis Events: robberies, muggings, active shooters, and other unexpected emergency crises. When a crisis picks you, regardless of how much you won't want to be involved; you will be stuck in the situation, and not participating won't be an option. Wouldn't spending a few hours at a seminar that can give you a distinct tactical advantage when the uninvited Active Crisis comes crashing into your life, be the best investment you ever made?


For the law abiding citizen that is dead serious about prevailing over crisis events that the lesser trained individual will not survive, RACS is the seminar for you! Far surpassing many aspects of conventional law enforcement training, the RACS Seminar gives you essential guidance to help you develop a tactical advantage in a life-threatening encounter. The most crucial components of the RACS Seminar can enhance your performance, not only in armed or unarmed defense against acts of violence such as active shooters, assaults, and muggings; but in any high-stress, cataclysmic event such as: medical emergencies, accidents, and natural disasters as well.

RACS is a high-powered, fast-paced, classroom style seminar. It’s supported by dynamic visuals (over 600 slides), 50+ unforgettable video clips, and startling live demonstrations; all combined with entertaining teaching analogies and real world examples, for an experience you’ll remember forever! A retired police Chief, international level trainer of law enforcement instructors, who was also the recipient of the 2016 Ohio Attorney General’s Distinguished Law Enforcement Training Award, and a 2018 Inductee into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall Of Fame, leads the RACS Seminar.



"A wild boar was sharpening his tusks upon the trunk of a tree in the forest when a fox came by and asked, 'why are you doing that, pray? The huntsmen are not out today and there are no other dangers at hand that I can see.' 'True, my friend, replied the boar, but the instant my life is in danger, I shall need to use my tusks. There will be no time to sharpen them then.' ” - AESOP





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"It cuts through the hype with a stiff dose of reality,
and presents simple, proven and effective concepts."
- Dwight S., Rochester, MI

Perpetually updated, upgraded, and revised, RACS is an eclectic, synergistic collection of premier, cutting edge, integral principles; which incorporates preeminent tactical training material developed by some of the world's foremost instructor/trainers. RACS covers a wide spectrum of critical tactics, techniques, and concepts to help you avoid and evade violent conflict; and to help you optimize your abilities and performance when violence becomes ineludible. There's a reason RACS attendees have traveled from: MI, IN, OH, MO, PA, CT, MD, NY, FL, and Canada; to Dundee, Michigan (our former predominant classroom location), to attend. It's not just a seminar; it's an experience that may save your life!


"This is life changing information."
- John B., Livonia, MI
US Army 13 years, Desert Storm Veteran







“A superlative, down-to-earth wealth of information and inspiration that goes well beyond the scope of basic CPL certification. Should be a "must" for anyone with such licensing.”
- Richard M., Warren, MI



The original RACS acronym was for Realistic Advanced Combatives Seminar. and required all attendees to already have their concealed carry license. However, at the repeated request of many of our attendees, we have dropped the “for-CCW-holders-only” requirement to attend. Many people have told us that if their spouse or loved ones could attend, RACS would help them understand the realities of the world, and why concealed carry can be critical. We believe this seminar will not only help keep them safer; but help them make better-informed decisions about the responsibilities and realities of being armed and/or unarmed.

RACS subject matter has evolved and expanded over the last nineteen years. In addition to armed and unarmed combative principles, foundational topics also include: detection of danger, avoidance and evasion of violent conflict, as well as other top-tier personal safety, skill-building, and training concepts. Due to the seminar's evolution and the continual enhancements and revisions, we felt the moniker Realistic Active Crisis Survival is now a more accurate descriptor.

RACS does not encourage or condone "vigilante justice." We will always recommend that you avoid or evade violent conflict, but the reality of the world today is this. The day may come where you are forced to fight for you and your family’s lives. We want you to be better prepared for the terrible day that we all hope will never come to pass.



"This seminar was AWESOME.
It did everything advertised and more."
- Norm H., South Bend, IN

"Not a wasted minute, fast paced and fun.
Very educational."
- James K., Clarkston, MI




Seminar Content



+ Developing the "Combative Mindset." A willingness and readiness to use lawful, effective, and morally righteous force.

+ How to program your mind to respond to a deadly threat without hesitation or indecision.

+ Facing the enemy: an overview of modern day predators and their unbelievable mindset.

+ Understanding Body Alarm Reactions and Adrenaline Overloads. Learn to minimize their negative effects and fight through natural stress responses.

+ Street and battlefield proven methods for diminishing the effects of fear.

+ The military’s OODA Loop in combat. How it can enhance your tactical advantage in any armed or unarmed confrontational training system.

+ The SIG principle, the three "S" test, NUM, and Hick’s Law. Four concepts that you will use for the rest of your life to select armed and unarmed combative techniques and tactics, for your personal tactical tool-chest.

+ The three primary factors criminals consider when choosing a random victim.

+ The most important thing you can do to minimize your chances of becoming a victim of violent crime.

+ The Seven Secret Keys to minimizing your combat reaction time.

+ Understanding armed response from the police perspective; and how to avoid potential deadly mistakes when law enforcement arrives.

+ The Combatives Proficiency Pyramid: How to build competencies in a synergistic order to maximize your abilities.

+ Instilling a relentless, undying commitment to keep fighting, even when injured and in incredible pain.

+ AEC: the three rules of engagement that apply to all potential violent encounters.

+ IAO: a critical combative concept that can spell the difference between life and death.

+ The Flawless Four and more. Gun safety rules presented like never before.

+ Tactical v. Tacti-cool training, and how to tell the difference.

+ How to instantly and immediately eradicate a common human trait that causes extended (and potentially deadly) lag time.

+ Concepts and principles of personal protection.

+ The Primary Neutralization Zone: a three dimensional look at your adversary, and why training to shoot “center mass” is just not good enough.

+ The absolute truth about handgun "knockdown" power.

+ The Active Shooter: simple concepts to help you follow the best course of action.

+ Concepts for Empty Hand Combat. Including sources for realistic, street-proven-effective self-defense for the non-martial artist, requiring minimal training time.

+ VMBR, and how it will greatly enhance your armed and unarmed performance while engaged in personal combat.

+ And more!

Please understand and expect that this is not a watered-down, feel good seminar that will give you an unrealistic overconfidence in your abilities. You will be given the bitter, and sometimes frightening truth; view things that will make you uneasy, and chances are good your paradigm of life will be positively altered forever.

+ All seminar attendees will receive a certificate of attendance, suitable for framing and affixed with the instructor's signature.


The seminar content is constantly reviewed, revised, and updated as necessary to ensure continuous optimum quality. We reserve the right to make changes (additions and/or deletions of content) as we deem necessary, and without notice, to maintain our standard of excellence.



“As a veteran police officer and trainer of 21 years, I firmly believe that RACS is an essential part of training for anyone who is serious about personal defense.”
- Jeff. L., Ohio Police Chief


“Whether you are new to the realities of self defense, or just looking for a refresher, this seminar is time and money well spent. It delivers the real-life facts of protecting yourself without the usual gimmicks.”
- Richard S., Vermilion, OH




About Your Instructor

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After 40 years as a sworn Ohio law enforcement officer, with a large urban police department, 2 Sheriff's Departments, and a small rural Police Department; Charles E. Humes, Jr. honorably retired at the rank of Chief of Police in 2023. He is recognized internationally as one of the pioneers of modern, realistic police tactical (primarily use of force) training. He has taught seminars and instructor certification schools as far West as Alaska and as far East as North Carolina; and has trained police instructors from across the globe at the international training conferences of: The International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI), and the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA). During the 2016 Ohio Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Conference in Columbus, Ohio, with over 900 Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and other law enforcement executives in attendance; Attorney General Mike DeWine presented then Sgt. Humes with the 2016 Ohio Law Enforcement Distinguished Training Award. In 2018, he was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In February 2024, Chief Humes (ret) was awarded International Certified Instructor Certification by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. At the time of this award, there were less than 70 instructors worldwide to have attained this certification.
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Now in his fourth decade of writing, Charles E. Humes, Jr. has authored highly acclaimed police training articles which have been published in law enforcement journals including: POLICE PRODUCT NEWS, LAW & ORDER MAGAZINE, LAW OFFICER MAGAZINE, POLICE MAGAZINE, THE TACTICAL EDGE MAGAZINE, THE TRAINING WHEEL MAGAZINE, PRO SECURITE (French LE Magazine), THE BACKUP (CD Magazine), and on numerous websites. He is also a columnist for PoliceOne.Com and LawOfficer.Com. Humes’ articles and his hands-on training have been continually recognized for their substance; as Humes’ work has been cited or acknowledged in fourteen training manuals, survival oriented books, and/or articles authored by other trainers; including the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin and The National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

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Chief Humes is the author, director, editor, and producer of a past top selling police video training tape (now a DVD) entitled DYNAMIC STRIKING TECHNIQUES. It is in use by police departments, training academies, and individual officers worldwide, including members of the Anti-Terrorist Unit at London’s Heathrow Airport. With an unwavering personal commitment to excellence and professionalism, Humes' passion is to give students the best, in no-nonsense, street-proven effective, tactics, techniques and concepts.






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Before entering police work, Humes had earned Black Belts in three different styles of Karate, which gave him a extraordinary comprehension of human kinesiology, psychomotor skill teaching and development.
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“RACS presents the raw reality of being armed and what that means. … pull no punches in introducing the mindset and skill development you need to prevail in an armed defensive encounter… It was well worth the trip."
-Scott C., Lake Worth, FL.

“This was a great, no-holds barred, down to the basics seminar … teaching style is easy to follow, is based on real-life experiences, and has made me much better prepared to handle a life-threatening situation.”
- Glen U., Saline, MI.

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Are you a member of a church, corporation, business, gun club, or other organization that would be interested in hosting a RACS Seminar in your area? Seminars can be customized for content, length, or other parameters for specific groups and potential hazards they may face. Substantial discounts are available to large groups and congregations. Please send us a no obligation email for details, by clicking on the email icon to the right of your screen. This seminar is easily available to those within a 300 mile radius of Toledo, Ohio.