A steep slope, unstable snow and some sort of trigger is all it takes to bring a huge sea of snow crashing down a mountainside. Avalanches are not uncommon up in the mountains, and Arizona Snowbowl is preparing by training its first avalanche dog, or avy dog, a puppy named Ava.

Ava is a 4-month-old English cream golden retriever. She came from a litter of eight puppies in Salt Lake City. Avalanche dogs are chosen based on how well they do in a series of aptitude tests. Some of the tests the puppies go through include having the puppy give a person a kiss or dropping an object next to the puppy to make sure the puppy is not bothered by loud sounds.

“[Ava] tested with mostly 3s and 4s [out of 5], so that means she’s going to be a really easy dog to train at first, which has definitely been the case. She’s very mellow and an easy dog for me to train. She’s been awesome for everybody up there,” said Hailey Hagerty, ski patroller and avalanche dog handler at Arizona Snowbowl.

Hagerty is also a senior public health major at NAU. She worked with both Snowbowl and NAU to allow her to start an avalanche-dog program as an internship to complete her degree. This is Hagerty’s fourth season working at Snowbowl.

“We got [Ava] up there because it would be good public education, teaching about skier safety, snowboarding and avalanche hazards,” Hagerty said. “Also having her be, when she’s all trained up, a rescue resource for us. So it’s a pretty awesome internship.”

Snowbowl has avalanches every year, but how many they have depends on the snowpack and the weather. According to the National Avalanche Center’s website, snow is layered in most mountain snowpacks. The danger comes when unstable snow is underneath a stronger and more cohesive slab of snow.

Snowbowl sits at the beginning of most avalanches. Beyond Snowbowl, the inner basin is also an avalanche hazard because it is covered in slide paths. While there are many avalanches, it has been a long time since someone has been caught in one at Snowbowl.

Once Ava has completed her basic training, the goal is for her to be a resource for both Snowbowl and the surrounding area if someone is caught in an avalanche.

Ava is also Hagerty’s pet, and she spends at least 60 hours per week training with her. Training for avy dogs includes extensive obedience training and mock rescue training. Searching games like hide-and-seek, hiding in snow caves and tug-of-war are also a major part of early training for avy dogs.

“I just make it the most exciting game in the world for her, and play tug-of-war and give her treats,” Hagerty said. “Then, repeatedly, we make it harder and harder for her. Eventually she’ll really see it as a game and then be able to find people buried under snow.”

Avalanche dogs are able to find people buried deep under snow by practicing searching for faint human scents under the snow. Training includes the handler hiding in snow caves or burning clothing, and when the dog finds the source of the scent, they are rewarded with treats or playing a game of tug-of-war.

Eventually the dog begins to associate the human scent under the snowpack with a reward. Contrary to popular belief, the dogs do not need an article of clothing to find a person. The dogs associate all human scent with a reward and can find anybody without having previously smelled a person’s particular scent.

Avy dogs also need to be accustomed to distractions in their environment. They cannot be bothered by chaos from skiers, snowboarders or scents, and they have to be comfortable riding the chairlift to the top of the mountain. Ava is working on these skills and can check riding the chairlift off her training list.

“She really likes the chairlift rides right now,” Hagerty said. “She’ll take nice naps in the morning and everything.”

Eventually Snowbowl hopes to expand its avalanche dog program. For now, it is focusing on learning more about avy dog programs from books, classes and experienced handlers.

Avalanche dogs have a primary handler, but they also have a secondary handler who helps out with the dog and can take them to work if the primary handler is not available.

While Snowbowl wants to be prepared for rescuing people from avalanches, its main goal is to prevent these accidents altogether. Preventing accidents is one of the main jobs of a ski patroller.

“Your first priority is mountain safety,” said Ed Rudd, ski patroller at Snowbowl. “You want to make sure you know the mountain’s safe for all the general public up on the hill, and if somebody gets hurt or injured, we render first aid. We get them down to the bottom of the mountain where we can get them transported if need be to higher-level care.”

Rudd has been a ski patroller at Snowbowl off and on for 18 years. He is also a paramedic for Flagstaff Medical Center and a flight nurse for Guardian Air.

Rudd said one of the biggest dangers at Snowbowl is skiers and snowboarders not following the rules. It is important for people on the mountain to wear helmets, go with a buddy and watch out for each other to avoid collisions. Accidents happen frequently at Snowbowl, and depending on the day, it can range from five to 30 accidents.

“Not only is it always good to have a buddy in case something does happen — you have somebody to help you out or to go get help — it’s also fun skiing with a buddy,” Rudd said.

Many ski resorts have avalanche dogs, including Crystal Mountain Resort in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington. Crystal Mountain is also dedicated to preventing accidents.

“The role of the ski patroller is a busy one. There are lot’s of different hats within that. We’re avalanche mitigators. We will go out in the early morning and intentionally set off avalanches so that [the] risk hopefully is reduced for when there are skiers on the slope,” said Sara Cohen, professional ski patroller and manager of the Crystal Mountain Avalanche Rescue Dogs program at Crystal Mountain Resort.

Crystal Mountain currently has five active avalanche dogs. Avalanche dogs are able to work for about 10 years before retirement. The resort prepares for the retirement of dogs and trains new puppies in advance so they will be ready to work when another dog retires.

At Crystal Mountain, snow is present all year long. However, the dogs do enjoy different kinds of training during the summer such as hiking, swimming and running to stay conditioned for the winter.

Depending on the size of the avalanche, either a one-dog team or multiple-dog team will respond. Usually the dogs are responding to a call when they are certain someone has been caught in an avalanche and is likely deceased. The dogs are able to locate the person who was buried and find out if anyone else was involved in the accident. The dogs are also used to find victims if patrollers are unsure if someone has been caught in an avalanche.

The dogs typically work for an hour before they need a break. A dog’s nose starts to get tired, and the dogs needs time to rehydrate and rest their mind. Cohen said it is also a good practice to bring a different dog to an avalanche scene to ensure no one is buried.

Safety for avalanche dogs is a major concern at both Crystal Mountain and Snowbowl. Dogs must be properly cared for so they can adequately perform their jobs.

“A dog that knows how to travel safely will prevent both the dog and the handler from getting injured trying to move the dog around on the hill,” Cohen said.

Crystal Mountain patrollers take safety precautions by training the dogs to pay attention to their surroundings and traveling downhill safely. Patrollers usually take a wedge stance, and the dog will run down the hill between its handlers skis. This is to protect the dogs from other skiers and snowboarders.

“A lot of the hazard comes from the ski public,” Cohen said. “People that don’t understand that they’re basically skiing around with two swords on their feet, you know, the edges of the skis cut the dog and can cause injury that can affect a percentage of their very short working lifetime.”

Crystal Mountain patrollers are working to educate the ski and snowboard public about avalanche dogs. While the dogs are a point of connection for the public, resorts like Crystal Mountain intend to ensure people realize the dogs are working animals. When people distract the dogs while they are skiing with their handlers, it can cause the dogs to become unaware of where their handler, which puts the dogs at risk of being injured by their handlers skis.

As Ava continues her training, by next season she will be able to work more complicated problems. Snowbowl personnel and Hagerty hope Ava will be able to search through avalanche debris and be able to find people if someone were to become caught in an avalanche.

“It’s a long process, and it’s a lifetime of learning for [avy dogs],” Hagerty said.

Hagerty and Ava continue to teach each other on how to work as a team. Next season, they plan to return to the mountain and dedicate their time to the safety and rescue of skiers and snowboarders at Snowbowl.

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ST. GEORGE — The legalization of medical marijuana in Utah has brought a number of changes to the health care industry and provided new options to residents treating certain health conditions. However, with those changes, numerous questions have arisen regarding its effects on certain practices, including drug testing in the workplace.

The Utah Medical Cannabis Act, the compromise bill that replaced the medical marijuana ballot initiative after it was approved by voters during the 2018 midterm elections, details the procedures for cultivation, processing, medical recommendation and patient use of medical cannabis.

Something it doesn’t address, however, is what private employers can and cannot do in regard to drug testing and employing those who are using medical cannabis.

“There’s literally no guidance or direction in the cannabis act as it’s currently written that says to an employer for example, ‘You may continue to drug test’ or ‘You may not continue to do certain things,’” Ryan Nelson, president of the Utah office of the Employers Council, told St. George News.

The law does specify that public employers are required to treat employees using medical marijuana in the same way that they would someone using opioids or opiates, even though marijuana is not a prescription but rather a doctor recommendation.

However, because of the Utah Drug and Alcohol Testing Act, and because there is nothing in the Medical Cannabis Act saying that they can’t test, private employers are free to continue requiring drug testing in the workplace as they see fit. They are also technically able to hire or fire someone based purely on whether they use marijuana, medicinally or otherwise.

But other laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Utah Antidiscrimination Act and the Utah Family and Medical Leave Act, provide a layer of protection for people with disabilities, which includes most of the conditions qualifying a person to use medical marijuana.

“If a private employer decides that they don’t like someone because they’re using medical cannabis, that statement in and of itself is not inherently illegal,” Nelson said. “However, the concern is still that they have just taken action against someone who has an underlying medical condition that is likely protected by one of the acts and infringed upon their rights.”

Despite those protections, an employer can still require pre-employment drug testing and choose not to hire a person using medical cannabis based on a workplace policy. But they must have a legitimate reason why a person who uses marijuana would be unfit for the job – such as safety concerns – to avoid potential wrongful termination or discrimination lawsuits.

They need to make sure that they have a clear and justifiable reason

“They need to make sure that they have a clear and justifiable reason, that’s business related, supporting that policy,” Nelson said.

Finding a legitimate reason not to employ medical cannabis users can be tricky for many positions, he said, and employers need to evaluate their current policies and decide whether it is critical that an employee in said position not use marijuana, and why. He anticipates that many businesses will simply choose to either stop testing for THC entirely or make exceptions for those with a medical cannabis card.

However, even if an employer does deem a position unsafe for a medical cannabis user, they cannot simply terminate an employee who is already employed without risking a lawsuit. As per ADA regulations, they are responsible for considering – and most often granting – a reasonable request for accommodation from the employee, such as a transfer to another position within the company. The key is for the employee and the employer to communicate about the situation, Nelson said.

“Now that the medical cannabis law is passed and employees can utilize cannabis legally, I think that will empower employees to speak up and to let their employers know, ‘Hey, I’m taking this, and I’m taking it because I have this medical condition,’” he said.

What about testing after someone is hired?

Employers are still able to enforce policies prohibiting impairment while at work in the same way they can with alcohol consumption.

That is difficult to regulate, however, because while employers can order a test after a workplace accident or if an employee appears impaired, it is impossible to prove that a person is currently under the influence of marijuana since the drug can stay in a person’s system for weeks – even months in some cases – after it is consumed. 

This can result in a positive test for THC even if the person is not currently under its influence

This can result in a positive test for THC even if the person is not currently under its influence, said Jason Emerson, owner of Beechtree Diagnostics, a testing laboratory in Salt Lake City.

As a result, an employer must either make a blanket policy against the use of marijuana or hope that in the case of a wrongful termination lawsuit a court will accept witness statements or a photo of the employee’s face and bloodshot eyes, a common sign that a person is under the influence of marijuana.

Chris Wayman, owner of CL Wayman Piping, told St. George News he employs 25 people and is concerned about the potential safety issues of having his employees climbing ladders, working with large pipes and driving the company truck while using medical marijuana.

Wayman also said he is concerned about the potential for employees who may have a medical cannabis card to use recreational marijuana in addition to what they are legally allowed, and he wants to be able to create a policy in which they can help employees who may be abusing substances of any kind, not just marijuana.

“That’s where you say, ‘Hey, I need you to get into some resources. Let’s help you, let’s see what we can do if it’s being abused,’” he said. “If it’s something the doctor has prescribed, we understand it’s really not impairing you. As long as you stay limited, we’re fine.”

One strategy that Wayman is considering is to require all of his employees to obtain a commercial driver’s license. Under Department of Transportation regulations, anyone with a commercial driver’s license is bound to federal laws regarding the use of marijuana, and federally, it is still a Schedule I illegal substance. By requiring all of his employees to operate under DOT regulations, Wayman could more easily maintain a drug-free workplace.

For employers like Wayman who wish to support employees as they go through the addiction recovery process, it is possible to perform a series of tests to find out if a person’s consumption of marijuana has increased or fluctuated over time, which is one of the testing services offered at Beechtree Diagnostics.

“What I can do is I can also test potencies,” Emerson said. “If I do a series of five tests on somebody over a three-month period, we can take a look and see the quantities of what the person’s smoking.”

Beechtree also offers tests that can protect employees from a wrongful termination if they are not using THC, but are using CBD, which has no side effects and is federally legal.

THC and CBD are two of many compounds found in cannabis and have different effects on the user. But drug tests, even ones that claim to test for THC, are actually testing for cannabis as a whole, so a person who is only using CBD will still come up positive for THC on a drug test. Beechtree Diagnostics can break down the molecules in the sample and determine whether the person used THC or CBD. And the results of the test do hold up in court, Emerson said.

“We want to be able to protect the people who are really working hard and just trying to get pain relief in a natural way,” he said.

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ST. GEORGE — September is polycystic ovarian syndrome awareness month, and organizations like the PCOS Awareness Association are working to inform women about the disease that affects approximately 10 million women worldwide, over half of whom are unaware they have it.

PCOS is a hormonal disease that causes a woman’s ovaries to have difficulty releasing eggs each month. A woman can develop it at any time in her life, but it commonly appears during adolescence.

Major symptoms of PCOS are irregular or missed periods and difficulty conceiving. Other symptoms include acne, weight gain, trouble sleeping, mood swings and abnormal hair growth in places where men typically grow hair, like the chest or upper lip, according to the PCOS Awareness Association.

Most women do not realize they have PCOS since it usually isn’t painful, and thus they only discover it when they see a doctor for irregular periods or trouble getting pregnant.

This was the case for Amber Spencer, who first saw a doctor after having an irregular menstrual cycle for eight months but having negative pregnancy test results. She was prescribed medication and told to wait a year to see if it improved her fertility. 

“A year? I didn’t have a year. I wanted a baby like, yesterday,” Spencer said. 

Frustrated by having to wait so long and tired of feeling sick from the Metformin she was prescribed, Spencer decided to see a different doctor, which is when she met Robert Chalmers, Dixie Regional Medical Center OB/GYN.

“Instantly, he became my favorite doctor,” Spencer said. “He heard my concerns and immediately started me on a new regimen. He talked to me about several treatment plans and things I could try right away.”

With Chalmers’ help, and the use of steroids, Femara and two human chorionic gonadotropin shots, Spencer was able to conceive her first child and has had two since.

Causes of PCOS

The exact reason why certain women develop PCOS is unknown, but there are a number of factors that predispose a woman to it. Usually, it’s a combination of family history, genetic predisposition and lifestyle choices, Chalmers said. 

Women with PCOS produce a larger than normal amount of androgens, which are male hormones like testosterone that women naturally make in small quantities, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. High insulin levels also contribute to a woman developing PCOS.

The disease is becoming more common in the U.S., which may be because of an overall less healthy population. As a person’s weight increases, so does their risk of PCOS. This may be related to higher insulin levels, as many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which also puts them at high risk of developing diabetes, Chalmers said.  

While medical treatment is still necessary for PCOS, Spencer started a paleo diet and exercise, which helped control the disease.

Treatment

Treatment options depend on whether a woman wants to become pregnant. If she does, she is given medicine to help her ovulate. The medicine makes the pituitary gland in her brain release the hormones that prompt the ovaries to release an egg every month.

“We take the signal that the brain sends to the ovary to tell it to do its job, and we just make it louder, we make it stronger,” Chalmers said.

If a woman is not interested in becoming pregnant, she is generally prescribed birth control pills that help regulate her menstrual cycle and balance her hormones, which in turn reduces other symptoms like acne and abnormal hair growth.

The birth control pill also raises the level of a protein called the sex hormone binding globulin, which acts as a sponge to absorb excess androgens. Regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle with the pill will help her to be more fertile in later years and protects her from developing uterine cancer later in life, Chalmers said.

It’s important for women who are having irregular periods to see a doctor sooner rather than later. Symptoms become more difficult to treat as time goes on and the sooner treatment can begin the better the chances of fertility. Missing a period occasionally is OK, Chalmers said, but chronically missing or having irregular periods is cause for concern. A normal menstrual cycle is between 21 and 35 days.

Not having a menstrual cycle for long periods of time, for several months or even years, like many women with PCOS experience, does not allow the uterine lining to change each month and can cause uterine cancer.

At the least, a woman who has missed a year’s worth of menstrual cycles will have a severe case when she finally does get her period, sometimes resulting in hospitalization or blood transfusions. Fortunately, Spencer was able to address the issue before it reached this point.

If you notice you aren’t having regular cycles, see your doctor immediately before your symptoms get worse

“If you notice you aren’t having regular cycles, see your doctor immediately before your symptoms get worse,” she said.

A woman who does not want to become pregnant but also doesn’t want to take birth control pills has to treat the PCOS symptoms individually. There are other treatments and medications for acne, hair growth and even hormonal balance.

Treating diabetes and controlling the insulin levels in the body will often help a patient lose weight, as does regulating a woman’s hormones through medication. However, sometimes it can be hard to determine whether PCOS caused a person to become overweight or if being overweight caused PCOS.

“Some women have no idea that their hormones are the cause of weight gain,” Spencer said. “They try diet after diet and just get discouraged. By addressing the root of the problem, you can find a solution, rather than a band-aid.”

Since early treatment is so important, the PCOS Awareness Association is working to spread awareness of the disease. On Sept. 15, the group has organized nine 2018 PCOS Strides 5K Walks in cities across the U.S. The walk costs $30 and all proceeds go towards PCOS research. There is also a virtual walk for those who live outside of these cities, and participants can commit to walking around their towns and neighborhoods with PCOS signs or T-shirts.

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ST. GEORGE — BrookStone Medical Center, a clinic providing medically assisted treatment for those suffering from opioid addiction, is closing its doors Saturday in St. George, leaving patients scrambling to find other treatment options.

The owners of the center, medical director Benjamin Brooks and program director Christine Brooks, notified their employees and patients of the closure Friday, just a week before they are scheduled to close their doors on Saturday.

“I’ve spent a lot of time working with these patients and investing in their lives, and I really care about them,” BrookStone counselor Chelsea Lofthouse said. “We’re devastated, we’re absolutely devastated.”

According to a letter to their employees and patients, the owners explained the closure as being due to recent “life-changing medical issues” requiring them to move out of state, along with “Lieutenant Colonel Brooks’ pending deployment.”

During the four years they’ve been in business, the couple has volunteered their time and services to the center, never taking a paycheck and contributing around $400,000 of their personal money toward the program, according to the letter.

The center serves around 90 patients and has 10 employees, all of whom must now find a new job or a new treatment clinic in as little as a week.

“This is my primary source of income, so I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Lofthouse said.

Many patients have expressed concern about the timing of the closure.

“They should have given patients at least a 30 days notice because now it leaves a lot of us high and dry with no alternative,” BrookStone patient Brooke Daniels told St. George News in an email.

BrookStone provides a variety of services for those struggling with opioid addiction and their families. They offer individual counseling, group classes, online courses, life skills courses, assistance finding jobs and educational training for families and members of the community.

But their primary service is offering medically assisted treatment using methadone and buprenorphine, or Suboxone, which are prescription alternatives to opioids and allow patients to gradually taper off from their use of prescription opioids or heroin, according to the clinic’s website.

Those treatments help reduce cravings and the side effects of withdrawal. Treatments are administered on a daily basis, and it is recommended that a patient take the medication for at least a year, sometimes longer, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Legally, they can only be administered by an approved or licensed clinic to keep patients from abusing or becoming addicted to it, and licensed clinics are few and far between in Southern Utah.

Opioid addiction is a significant problem in Utah. In 2017, there were 456 opioid-related drug overdose deaths in the state, 70% of all overdose deaths, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Read more: Opioid crisis brings federal, state and local officials together in St. George to discuss challenges, solutions

“Substance use disorder treatment is a valuable asset in our community, so whenever a resource that has provided helpful care for those who struggle with addiction closes, the loss will be felt,” Dixie Regional Medical Center Communications Director Terri Draper said.

As the center’s counselor, Lofthouse said that patients have been coming to her feeling helpless and discouraged. Many have come to her crying, some angry, and some saying that they plan to go back to using opioids.

“Their solution to us closing down is to go back to using on the streets,” she said.

Some of the staff have received threatening messages from patients upon hearing about the closure. Lofthouse even had a patient threaten to kill her for ruining their life.

“I was able to calm that patient down and explain that ‘I understand why you’re upset, and I’m here for you,’” Lofthouse said. “But it’s been scary.”

Few treatment clinics are licensed to administer Suboxone in St. George, and even fewer offer methadone. BrookStone is referring its Suboxone patients to either Brooks Wiley of the St. George Children and Family Psychiatric Center or the Southwest Spine and Pain Center, and its methadone patients to the St. George Metro Treatment Center.

Lofthouse and other employees have been working long hours to transfer all of their patients to other clinics for medication, and have been trying to figure out how they will receive their medication in the meantime. While the center will no longer see patients or administer medication after Saturday, employees will be working as long as it takes to get their patients transferred. 

“We’ve built relationships with these people,” safety officer Manny Maez said. “We’ve been spending long hours and working on our days off to figure it out.”

The Metro Treatment Center has assured BrookStone that they will be able to accept all of their patients in need of methadone, but the process takes time as they have to transfer all of their patient information and records. Some patients will be able to start treatment there as soon as Monday, while for others, it could take weeks.

“It would have been better if they could have given us more time to transition everyone,” Lofthouse said. “But we also don’t know, maybe they had a reason.”

Further complicating the issue is the fact that while BrookStone accepted insurance but Metro Treatment Center does not, which is a problem for many patients.

For patients receiving Suboxone, the future is less clear. Darrell Askey, CEO of Southwest Spine and Pain Center, said that while they do offer Suboxone treatment, he is unsure of how many patients they are prepared to take on.

In Utah, a provider is issued a license to treat patients using Suboxone for 25 patients at a time. So while they can become licensed to treat more patients, the number that they can help right now depends on how many patients they are already serving. Currently, the center has two or three licensed providers, Askey said.

“It’s a very specialized medical treatment,” Askey said. “We do it, but again it’s a pretty limited thing.”

Christine Brooks has been out of town on personal matters and could not be reached for comment. She reportedly has been working to find a solution for their patients and trying to sell the business. So far, no one has been willing to buy it and keep it running.

“It would be really great if someone in the community would step up and help,” Maez said.

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ST. GEORGE — With the government shutdown on its 26th day and 800,000 federal employees still furloughed or working without pay, national parks have been experiencing the effects. However, until recently, reporters from St. George News have been stymied in their attempts to find out how the shutdown is affecting Zion National Park’s most valuable resource: the people who run it.  

Across the country, national parks are either unstaffed or short staffed, leaving parts of some parks damaged by visitor use and in many cases, closed off completely. However, Zion National Park has remained open with minimal staffing and services, keeping the visitor’s center and bathrooms open, as well as providing some trash cleanup and law enforcement, thanks to funding from the Utah Tourism Office, the Zion Forever Project, Washington County and the city of St. George.

Park employees have been instructed to direct media inquiries to the park’s chief of interpretation, who, because of the shutdown, has been told to direct reporters to the National Park Service. However, a Zion employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity was able to share with St. George News what it’s like in the park during the shutdown and how employees have been affected.

Federal employees, whether working as an essential employee or not, missed their first paychecks on Friday.

How employees have had to make do varies from person to person. Some employees have been just fine, the Park Service employee said, depending on a spouse’s income or savings account, while others have had to seek outside help to cover personal expenses through loans or credit.

The Interior Federal Credit Union, a financial institution for those involved with the Department of the Interior, is offering up to $15,000 net paychecks, credit cards, skipped payments and zero percent APR on all new and existing lines for the duration of the shutdown for affected employees.

The employee who spoke to St. George News said that while they personally haven’t had to borrow any money so far, if the shutdown lasts much longer they will have to take some sort of action to keep up with expenses.

So far I haven’t had to do much. I have just kind of reined everything in a little bit. For me, just those kind of personal expenses are all back-burnered for right now. That said, if it goes on much longer I’ll probably change some things.

While most park employees live in nearby communities, some live in the employee housing within the park. These employees pay rent to the National Park Servce and have to pay for utilities and other bills like a renter outside the park would.

Since housing is limited, seasonal workers, who work during the park’s busy season between April and October, and emergency service employees such as law enforcement rangers and paramedics, are given preference to the employee housing.

Park employees will pay back their park housing rent once their back pay is received

The Park Service is prepared for situations like this, however, knowing that government shutdowns do occur from time to time and that many seasonal employees go on a natural furlough period each year anyway as part of their contract. During that time they are not allowed to work and do not receive pay but are still allowed to stay in park housing and pay back the rent as a debt to the park service once they are paid again. Similarly, park employees will pay back their park housing rent once their back pay is received.

Similar to paying rent, park employees’ insurance bills are on hold until after they have been paid, but they still have insurance coverage during this time.

An appropriation bill guaranteeing that federal workers will receive the paychecks they would have received had the government not been shut down has already been passed by Congress and has been sent to the president’s desk who is expected to sign it, according to the Associated Press.

The checks would be sent out after the government reopens, and all employees will be paid regardless of whether they worked during the shutdown.

Only about 15 percent of the normal January workforce is working during the shutdown, while the remaining 85 percent have been sent home and are not allowed to work. That 15 percent of the workforce is not at the park every day; some are just called in as needed for jobs like plowing snow.

However, those who are not permitted to work still have to remain in the area so that when the government reopens they can report back to work the next day.

It’s paid twiddling your thumbs and worrying about how you’re going to pay your rent

“Some people have suggested it’s paid vacation. I don’t know that that’s the appropriate way of looking at it,” the Park Service employee said. “It’s paid twiddling your thumbs and worrying about how you’re going to pay your rent.”

Many of those who are working are only putting in about half of their usual hours, though law enforcement, dispatch and some maintenance workers are still on their normal schedule.

Staff numbers are normally lower in the winter than they are during the summer anyway. The employee, who has worked at Zion for several years, said the weeks between Christmas and Martin Luther King Jr. Day are usually the slowest time of the year, so they haven’t had too much trouble keeping up with visitors. Over the holidays, however, park visitation usually rivals that of a busy summer day.

“That 10 days from the time the shutdown started to the first of the year was incredibly stressful,” the employee said. “Once we got past that and into our normal three weeks of quietude it’s been a little less stressful. We’re stressed out for other reasons, but it has nothing to do with visitation.”

The exact number of visitors is hard to determine since the entrance stations are not in service, but the visitors who have been there have, for the most part, been very careful to do their part by packing out their trash, and some have paid their entrance fees in the form of a donation.

“We’ve been very, very careful in our messaging to visitors who have come in and specifically chatted with us to ask them to pack out what they’re packing in because we’re not able to collect trash from upcanyon as often as we normally would. And so I think people are being very, very careful,” the employee said.

Some trash buildup has occurred in areas with a lot of foot traffic, like the Zion Lodge, the Grotto and the Temple of Sinawava, but even that has been minimal.

The park employee said they had not noticed a lot of visitors illegally accessing areas of the park where they are not allowed, like areas requiring backcountry permits, and speculated that one reason may be that these areas are generally harder to access in the winter months anyway because of snow and ice.

Zion normally has volunteers who come out on a weekly basis to perform various tasks for the park, but as with regular employees, these volunteers have not been allowed to work during the shutdown. However, some small groups of community members have stepped in to help by picking up trash, which has been “very lovely” for the understaffed park.

Because of the funding that allows employees to perform minimal bathroom cleaning and trash pickup, the park has not seen as much destruction as some other parks in the nation.

“Parks that are accessible, but there’s no staffing, are seeing I think a lot more damage and destruction and issues in that realm than we are because we have some presence,” they said. “And so for that we are very lucky.”

In addition to cleanup, members of the community have also stepped in to help federal employees while they are not receiving pay. The Rotary Club of Zion Canyon, along with volunteers from Springdale and Rockville, have organized a potluck and food drive.

Community members are asked to donate shelf-stable food items to the Canyon Community Center at 126 Lion Blvd., in Springdale, Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

They are also asking for community members to drop off a potluck dish between 5-5:45 p.m. on Thursday to provide a potluck dinner. And Great Harvest Bread Co. is offering free loaves of bread at its bakery in St. George to federal workers affected by the shutdown.

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Veterans Day, a U.S. federal holiday celebrated annually on November 11, is a day reserved for honoring all those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. But the holiday is more than just a day off work – it’s a date filled with historical significance and patriotism.

Veterans Day is a holiday with roots dating back to the end of World War I, and was established to remember those who fought for our country and promote peace and goodwill among the world’s nations.

Even though most people understand this national holiday’s purpose, many are unaware of the date’s historical significance. Understanding this holiday’s rich history gives it a whole new meaning and allows us to observe it with even greater respect and appreciation.

Let’s start at the beginning: World War I.

The Story of Veterans Day

When Veterans Day was first established, it wasn’t known as Veterans Day at all.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, fighting between Germany and the allied nations ceased after over four long years of war.

While WWI wouldn’t officially be over until the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, most people remember November 11, 1918, as the day when the war ended. After all, that was the day when an armistice, or truce, was declared, formally agreeing to stop the fighting, according to History.com.

The following year, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson joined several other countries in declaring November 11 a day to commemorate Armistice Day. On the first anniversary of the signing of the armistice, the nation celebrated with parades, public gatherings, and an 11 a.m. pause on business and school activities.

Though over the next seven years, a total of 27 U.S. states officially declared November 11 to be a legal holiday, it wasn’t until June 4, 1926, that Congress passed a resolution stating that the day should be observed annually and “commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations,” according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The 1926 resolution also called for the president to issue a proclamation calling for the American flag to be displayed on all government buildings every November 11 and encourage citizens to observe the day with gatherings and ceremonies.

While the country did celebrate Armistice Day over the years, and it was already an official holiday in many states, it didn’t become a legal federal holiday until May 13, 1938.

Initially, Armistice Day was dedicated to the cause of world peace and specifically honoring the veterans of World War I, known at the time as the “the Great War” and the “war to end all wars.”

Little did our country know that only a year after Armistice Day was declared a federal holiday, another world war would break out and would be even longer and bloodier than the first.

On June 1, 1954, after the nation was on the other side of World War II and the Korean War, Congress listened to the lobbying of veterans service organizations to amend the Act of 1938 and changed the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. Military veterans, not only those who served in WWI.

In order to better coordinate the celebration of this important observance, then President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” on October 8, 1954. The proclamation officially created a Veterans Day National Committee, chaired by the nation’s Administrator of Veterans Affairs, which was tasked with coordinating the planning and observance of Veterans Day on a national level.

Fast forward to 1968, when the Uniform Holiday Bill was signed on June 28. The idea behind the bill was to give all federal employees a three-day weekend to observe national holidays like Veterans Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day annually on a Monday instead of on their original dates.

The government hoped this change would encourage travel and spending on these three-day weekends, boosting the U.S. economy.

At the federal level, the first Veterans Day to take place under the new ruling was observed on October 25, 1971, which was not well received by most of the country. In fact, many states disagreed with the new law and chose to continue celebrating Veterans Day on November 11.

It became clear very quickly that people did not like the change, and celebrating Veterans Day on November 11, a day with so much historical significance, was important to many citizens, states, and veterans service organizations.

So, on September 20, 1975, then President Gerald R. Ford signed a new law undoing the ruling and declaring November 11 to be the day Veterans Day is celebrated – regardless of what day of the week it landed on.

To this day, our nation celebrates Veterans Day on November 11. Federal employees, most state employees, and many private businesses take the day off in observance of this important holiday, and an annual wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery in Virginia.

Everyone chooses to honor our nation’s veterans in their own way, whether that’s by saying thank you to the vets in their life, attending a local Veterans Day remembrance ceremony or event, participating in local wreath laying traditions, or by attending a parade or other celebration.

However, you choose to observe Veterans Day, remember that it’s more than just a day off work. It’s an opportunity to remember, honor, and celebrate our nation’s veterans, who have fought hard to protect our freedoms and liberties, many at a great personal sacrifice.

Veterans Day Facts

Veterans Day vs Memorial Day: Many people confuse Veterans Day and Memorial Day, not really understanding the difference and significance of each. While both holidays serve to honor military personnel, they actually have different meanings.

Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember the men and women who lost their lives serving our country – particularly those who died in war. The meaning of Veterans Day, on the other hand, is set aside to honor all veterans who have honorably served, both in war and in times of peace.

In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day is primarily dedicated to thanking our living veterans for their service, though it is also appropriate to remember veterans no longer with us.

Who Gets the Day Off?: If you’ve ever worked in a job that didn’t take the day off in honor of Veterans Day, you may be wondering how it’s decided who takes the day off and who still goes to work.

Because Veterans Day is a federal holiday, the entire federal government closes in recognition. In the event that November 11 falls on a weekend, the federal government – and many other establishments – take the preceding Friday or following Monday off instead to observe the Veterans Day holiday.

States and local governments are not required to follow federal holidays, though most choose to do so. And private businesses are allowed to decide for themselves whether they will close for the day or not. So, while you’re guaranteed not to be able to go to places like the post office on Veterans Day, you’ll likely find that many businesses are still open on the holiday.

Other Countries Celebrate Veterans Day: You may be surprised to hear that Veterans Day is not exclusively an American holiday. Because Armistice Day was initially established to honor the end of World War I, several other countries that were involved also take the opportunity to honor their own veterans.

While the exact name and date of the holiday varies from country to country, the gist is generally the same. Countries like Canada and Australia celebrate “Remembrance Day” on November 11, and Great Britain celebrates it on the Sunday closest to that date. Each of these countries’ celebrations look different, but they all serve to honor those who have fought for their nation.

“Veteran’s Day” vs “Veterans Day”: While it may seem like a trivial detail, using proper punctuation when citing Veterans Day is actually quite significant. There is some confusion as to whether there should be an apostrophe in the name, but the proper use is “Veterans Day,” not “Veteran’s Day” or “Veterans’ Day.”

Why is this important? Well, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day is not a day “belonging” to veterans, rather, it is a day to honor all veterans. Thus, “Veterans Day.”

The U.S. Marine Corps Celebrates Extra Hard: The U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday falls on November 10, the day before Veterans Day, so this branch of the U.S. military celebrates extra hard around that time of year.

On the branch’s birthday, service members celebrate with a traditional ball and cake-cutting ceremony, according to Military.com. Since this celebration falls on the day before Veterans Day, many Marines celebrate for 96 hours straight.

Final Thoughts

Veteran’s Day is more than just a day when the banks are closed – it’s time reserved for honoring all of the men and women who have served in our armed forces. Now that you know the rich history of veterans day, we hope you can observe this date with an even greater understanding and appreciation.

So be sure to show appreciation to the veterans in your life – not just on Veterans Day, but all throughout the year.

At Vedder Holsters, patriotism is at the core of all we do. All our products are proudly made in America, and we stand by all those who have served our country – especially our military and police personnel who have worked hard to protect our freedoms and keep our communities safe.

If you’re looking for a great way to show respect for our armed forces, check out our Vedder Nation Remember Everyone Deployed shirt to wear on R.E.D. Fridays to show support for our troops.

If you’re looking for belts or holsters for your concealed carry system, we recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page for holsters that are custom-made for your weapon of choice. For all of our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.

Looking for items beyond holsters and belts? Check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more.

To stay up-to-date on all of the latest Vedder Holsters content and offerings, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And be sure to check out our sister company, GeoGrit, for all of your American-made minimalist wallet needs.

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The decision to invest in a minimalist wallet was easy. Who wouldn’t want a slim, durable, RFID-blocking wallet? But now that the time has come to choose between a cash strap or a money clip, you’re not so sure. 

Luckily, you can’t go wrong when choosing between the two. While cash straps are an incredibly low-profile option, money clips are stronger and offer a more classic aesthetic. 

But if you happen to be indecisive, or you just want to learn more about the difference between the two, keep scrolling to read our cash strap vs. money clip comparison. 

What Is a Cash Strap? 

A cash strap is an elastic band that wraps around the backside of a minimalist wallet. It’s designed to securely hold as few or as many bills as you need without worrying they’ll slide around or slip out. 

Not only is the elastic tight enough to ensure you won’t lose any bills, but at GeoGrit, we’ve lined our cash strap with silicone to double down on making sure your money stays right where it needs to.

One of the main benefits of choosing a cash strap wallet is its slim design. A cash strap is the most low-profile option for holding bills, lying almost flush with the wallet when it’s not holding money. It’s easily the best choice for those who don’t always carry cash and is also a great option for anyone looking for the slimmest design possible (no matter how much money you carry around). 

And while our GeoGrit cash strap is surprisingly durable, in the case that you manage to overstretch it, cut it half, or accidentally melt it over a campfire, it’s pretty easy to replace with a brand new one that should last for a ridiculously long time (so long as you learned your lesson on fire safety!). 

What Is a Money Clip? 

Money clips are a classic choice for carrying cash. Though they may not be quite as low-profile as the cash strap, they are tougher. 

Money clips have been around since the early 1900s. At GeoGrit, we’ve simply added this tried and true design to a wallet. Our money clip is forged with ultra-strong spring steel, which has been used to make things like swords and saw blades (so yeah, it’s tough). The best money clip is thin and lightweight yet incredibly sturdy. 

While money clips are slightly raised off the wallet, making them a bit thicker than their cash strap cousin, they’re still designed to be as minimalistic as possible. 

Not only are money clip wallets the toughest cash-carrying option, but they’ve got aesthetic appeal as well, giving your slim wallet a classic yet durable look and feel. 

How to Use a Money Clip or Cash Strap

If you’re wondering exactly how to use a money clip or a cash strap, you’re not alone. And even if you think you’ve got the hang of it, you may be surprised to learn there are a few tricks to make it even easier. 

The first thing to note is that cash straps and money clips are essentially used the same way. Simply put, you need to fold your bills and slide them securely into your money clip or underneath your cash strap. The strap’s silicone lining should hold your cash in place, while the money clip’s tight metal grip will secure your bills. 

There are a few tricks you should know if you want to optimize your minimalist cash-carrying experience. 

The first tip is to stack your bills in order with larger bills on the bottom. Whether you choose to fold your stack of bills all together or fold them individually and place them one on top of the other, make sure your smaller bills are facing out. 

Having your small bills on the outside makes it more convenient to grab them when making smaller, everyday purchases. It also works as a security measure since you don’t want to flaunt your larger bills in front of potential pickpocketers. 

If you’re wondering about the best way to fold your bills, we’ve got tips for that too. 

To fold your money as tightly as possible, place your bill on a flat surface, fold it in half lengthwise, and then fold it in half again. The idea is to fold your bills into quarters so they fit on your wallet while also laying as flat as possible. 

Which Is More Secure? 

Perhaps even more important than a slim profile is knowing your cash will be secure when you strap or clip it to your wallet. 

Whether you typically carry $2 around in case you want a soda or you’re the type who carries enough to pay cash for a refrigerator, you want to trust that when you put your money in your wallet, it won’t be lost. 

The good news is that both cash straps and money clips are equally secure. So either way, you won’t have to worry about whether your money is safely pinned down or not. 

Money clips have been around since the early 1900s for a reason. They’re easy to slip money into but require some finesse to get it back out, so you never have to worry about your bills falling out by accident. 

On the other hand, while a strip of elastic may not look very secure, cash straps are made from impressively tight elastic that work just as well as money clips. Here at GeoGrit, we line our cash straps with silicone to ensure your money won’t budge once you’ve strapped it down. 

Which Is More Durable? 

Both cash straps and money clips are incredibly durable when made right. At GeoGrit, our cash strap is made from an incredibly strong elastic material designed to hold up for years and years without stretching out or breaking. 

But it’s hard to compete with metal and screws. Our money clip is made with ultra-strong spring steel, making it one of the strongest money clips on the market. It’s also incredibly springy (in case you didn’t get that from the name), so it’s very difficult to bend or snap.

And if that isn’t enough, all our products are backed by a lifetime guarantee. At the end of the day, if you somehow manage to wear out either of these options, you can send it back and we’ll make it right. 

Which Is the Most Slim? 

Sleekness is a very important factor in the cash strap vs. money clip debate. While both are ultra-slim, we have to admit the cash strap comes out ahead in this area. 

While still incredibly low-profile, money clip wallets take up slightly more room than their alternatives simply because the clip is raised off of the wallet by a few millimeters. Most people who choose the money clip don’t find that it makes enough of a difference to be a dealbreaker, but if to you, every millimeter counts, the cash strap is the way to go.

A cash strap wallet is easily the most minimal wallet you’ll ever use as the strap is nearly flush with the wallet itself. While durable, the elastic we use for our wallets is also nice and thin and is hardly noticeable on the wallet if there’s no cash in it. 

To sum it up, the cash strap is the most low profile option available, though the money clip is only a few millimeters more. Either way, if you carry cash consistently, it will likely end up being about the same. 

Summary

You really can’t go wrong when it comes to a cash strap vs. money clip. While both are great options, the one you choose should depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences. 

Whether you opt for the super slim cash strap or the classic steel money clip, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your bills will stay securely in place no matter what.If you’re looking for a durable, RFID-blocking, minimalist wallet, check out our selection here. All of our products are designed, manufactured, and shipped in America and are backed by our 30-day risk-free trial and lifetime guarantee. To learn more about GeoGrit, read our story here.

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Whether you’ve been training for a long time or you’re brand new to the gun world, you’ve probably heard talk of the importance of trigger control. But what exactly does it mean to reset your trigger, and why is it such a big deal?

Trigger reset is the act of releasing the trigger after a shot only to the point where it reaches its reset point and “clicks,” allowing you to fire again.

Not only do many trainers use the technique as a way to teach trigger control, but it can arguably make you a faster and more accurate shooter when done correctly.

What Is Trigger Reset, And How Do I Do It?

Trigger reset, or riding the reset as it’s sometimes called, is the point after a shot at which the trigger and the sear are re-engaged within the firing mechanism allowing you to shoot again. You should hear and feel an audible “click” as it resets.

Essentially, trigger re-setters believe that once your index finger has been placed on the trigger of a firearm, it should not lose contact until you’re finished shooting. The process is simple:

1. After you’ve fired, don’t let go of the trigger. Hold it back until you’ve realigned your sites with the target.
2. Once you’ve confirmed your sight picture, slowly relax your finger until you hear and feel the click indicating it has reset, and don’t let it go any farther.
3. Take your next shot and repeat.

The idea behind riding the reset is to improve speed and accuracy by making it so your finger doesn’t have to refind the trigger each time you take a shot. This also helps keep your weapon from moving around unnecessarily, which helps you keep your eye on the target.

Trigger Slap: What Is It And Is It A Problem?

Trigger slapping is basically just the opposite of reset. Instead of keeping your finger on the trigger as you allow it to reset, your finger loses contact with the trigger, allowing it to “slap” back into position.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this method, some experts even prefer it because it allows you to fire more quickly, trigger slap will more than likely impact your accuracy, even if just by a hair.

“If you’re releasing your trigger finger all the way … [then] you have to reacquire your trigger finger on the trigger and fire the shot, and that can move your sight a little bit off target,” Kevin Michalowski, Executive Editor of Concealed Carry Magazine, said in a video for the U.S. Concealed Carry Association.

For advanced shooters who want to shoot fast but aren’t overly concerned about their groupings, slapping the trigger might actually be the way to go. But for newer shooters, those looking to hone their accuracy, or anyone who wants to improve their trigger discipline, resetting is probably a better technique.

Why Is Trigger Reset Important?

Those on team reset argue that trigger reset is important for several reasons. First, it reduces unnecessary movement. When you let go of the trigger each time you shoot, you let go of a little bit of control. Trigger slapping could cause you to jerk the trigger, which can cause the gun to move slightly and put your trajectory off target.

Second, trigger reset improves your aim by keeping the shot’s recoil from disturbing your sight alignment as much. When you ride the reset, you’re less likely to move the gun, even if just slightly, when replacing your finger on the trigger. It also makes it so your next shot has a shorter trigger pull, meaning it’s less likely that your aim will waiver while you pull the trigger.

Third, it improves speed once you’ve got the method down. When you let go of the trigger, it takes time, even if just milliseconds, to get your finger back in the proper place. Keeping your finger on the trigger eliminates this issue entirely and ensures your finger placement stays where it should.

Michalowski says that riding the reset can improve your trigger control any time you’re shooting more than one round and is something you should probably train yourself to do.

“The importance of trigger reset in accurate shooting is when you’re shooting multiple rounds, especially target shooting, especially slow timed fire,” Michalowski says. “It’s quick, it’s smooth, and it keeps you on target.”

How To Practice Trigger Reset

There are countless trigger control drills you can do to practice and improve trigger reset. Try a few to see which works best for you, or mix it up to stay on your toes. Remember, the reset point will be different for every pistol you own, so be sure to practice with each one!

While it’s important to take your gun to the range to practice, you can also run through most drills at home through dry fire training. To do this, you’ll need to manually rack the slide each time you pull the trigger to reset the firing mechanism. Some people find it easier to use a trigger reset kit for dry fire practice, like this one from DryFireMag.

Here are a few training exercises to get you started:

Drill 1:

Load 10 rounds into your magazine. Aim and take your shot. Once you’ve fired, keep your finger on the trigger and relax it slowly, taking about three seconds to do so, just until you feel it click, then stop. Take a moment, then fire again. Try to focus on getting good groupings on your target. Each time the trigger resets, take note of how it feels.

This drill is designed to help you get familiar with how the reset feels on your gun and establish muscle memory.

Drill 2:

Now that you have a feel for your gun’s unique reset, it’s time to speed things up a bit.

Load your gun’s magazine with ten rounds. For this drill, you will be making two successive shots at a time.

To get started, take aim and fire. Instead of slowly releasing the trigger, quickly release it until you feel it click. Remember not to let your finger break contact with the trigger! Then, immediately fire another round. After the second shot, let the trigger out all the way and start over. Repeat five times.

This drill should help you practice successive shots and gain speed. Note how the trigger pull is shorter on the second shot since you only let it go to the point of reset.

Drill 3:

For this drill, you will need to fill two or more magazines with three rounds each. Do exactly what you did in Drill 2: shoot, release to the point of reset, shoot again. Keep it quick and deliberate. Once you’ve fired all three rounds, release the magazine and load the next one. Then do it all again. When you’re finished, check your groupings to see how consistent you were.

This drill is designed to help you build consistency and forces you to reacquire your target in between magazines. It keeps you on your toes and mixes things up so you can continue to get more comfortable with timing and feeling the reset.

For more great reset drills, check out the USCCA’s YouTube channel here.

How To Speed Up Your Reset

The biggest problem with riding the reset is that it can slow down your shots, at least at first. And that’s okay, and even encouraged, while training and going through drills. However, if you’re a competition shooter, or you just want to shoot faster without sacrificing accuracy, there are ways you can speed up the reset process without trigger slap.

Steve Horsman of Springfield Armory likes to teach his students how to reset the trigger while the gun is still in recoil to save time.

“Why would I want to spend a lot of time letting the trigger reset when I could actually be doing it while the gun’s in recoil,” he said in a video demonstrating the technique.

Instead of waiting until after the gun recoils to release the trigger so you can hear the reset click, Horsman encourages shooters to release it during recoil, relying instead on feeling the click so that you’re ready to shoot again as soon as the muzzle is done flipping.

“If you guys go out there and use that technique, first off, you’re going to see yourself shooting a lot faster, a lot more accurate, and you’re going to notice that a lot of things start to get better for you,” he said.

If you’re new to the concept of resetting your trigger, however, it’s important to remember that technique is more important than a fast reset. A speedy reset may not actually save you any time at all if your form is lacking, Jeff L. Gonzales, tactical trainer and president of Trident Concepts, LLC, wrote in a The Truth About Guns article.

“Many shooters think the faster they reset, the faster they can fire the next shot. There is some truth to that, but you can only shoot as fast as your sight alignment dictates,” he said. “It does no good to be in a hurry to reset your trigger if your technique slows you down while you get your sights back on target. I promise that it takes more time to confirm a good sight picture than it does to reset the trigger.”

For new shooters, Gonzales recommends after taking a shot to first realign the gun on the target, set your site, and then reset the trigger before firing again. It may take more time initially, but it can help you get your form down before trying a more advanced reset like Horsman’s.

Whether you choose to reset during recoil or after, it takes time to master the skill. Don’t be discouraged if it slows you down at first. Practice makes perfect, and the process will become faster and more habitual with time.

Is Trigger Reset Really Necessary? Will It Work In Defensive Shooting?

While many in the industry feel that pistol trigger control is an extremely important part of shooting, others say it doesn’t make enough of a difference to matter.

The main argument against riding the reset is that adrenaline will be running high in the stress of a defensive situation, and you won’t be thinking about your reset. Firearms expert and field editor for Shooting Illustrated Bryce M. Towsley wrote in an article for the magazine that he prefers trigger slapping over reset not only for the speed benefits but also because of potential safety concerns.

“I suppose it [trigger reset] has some merit for teaching entry-level shooters, to help make them more aware of how the trigger works, and to add focus on the trigger early in the learning curve,” he wrote. “For serious pistol shooting in a defensive or competitive situation, however, it seems to me like it will slow down split times between shots and has the potential to confuse the shooter when he or she needs to be thinking clearly. That confusion can result in a short stroke so the trigger fails to reset, resulting in lost points in competition, or disaster in a defensive situation.”

Others, however, believe that if one resets their trigger during training, it will create muscle memory that will carry over into a stressful situation. If you train enough, it shouldn’t be something you have to think about in the heat of the moment; it should just become how you shoot your firearm. After all, we shoot how we train, right?

Perhaps the answer to whether reset is necessary falls somewhere in the middle. Michalowski says that while you should learn trigger reset as it does help with accuracy and control, it’s probably not something you’ll actually need to remember to use in a defensive situation.

“At combat distances and combat speed, I don’t really see that just releasing to the trigger reset is something you automatically have to do,” he said. “It’s something you should probably train yourself to do because it does help your shooting, but if in a very high-stress situation, your trigger finger loses contact with the trigger, and you have to reacquire and pull the trigger again, I’m more interested in where your front sight is going to be than where your trigger finger is and what you’re doing with your reset.”

Should I Practice Trigger Reset?

While some believe it is unnecessary, many experts agree that trigger reset is a beneficial practice, at least for training purposes. Not only is it a great way to exercise trigger control, but it can actually make you a faster and more accurate shooter when done correctly.

While the decision is ultimately up to you, we encourage anyone who hasn’t tried riding the reset to give it a shot. You just might discover a new technique that will take your shooting game to the next level.

If you are looking for belts or holsters, check out some of our Vedder Holsters products here. Like everything we sell, our holsters and gun belts are covered by a Lifetime Warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Looking for items beyond holsters and belts? Check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, laser, first aid, maintenance, and more.

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If you have a slim wallet, you know they have a reputation for being incredibly durable. But even the toughest items sometimes need a bit of TLC. 

Luckily, caring for a minimalist wallet is actually quite easy and generally comes down to storing it properly, cleaning it when needed, and keeping it nice and dry. 

Let’s break down the steps you can take to keep your wallet in tip-top condition, starting with some tips on how to clean a wallet. 

Keep It Clean

Because most minimalist wallets are made from some type of metal, they’re pretty easy to clean. 

Most of the time, all they need is a quick wipe down, though they sometimes require a bit more scrubbing depending on what they’ve come in contact with.

The easiest way to keep your slim wallet clean is to regularly wipe it with a microfiber cloth to prevent buildup. If your wallet is especially dirty, you may want to use a soft-bristled brush (a new toothbrush works well) and scrub it with a mild detergent, such as dish soap or Windex, and some warm water. 

If there is a lot of buildup in your wallet’s crevices, it may require a deeper cleaning. In that case, you’ll need to take the wallet apart. 

To do so, take a small Philips screwdriver and carefully remove the screws holding your wallet together (be careful not to lose them, they’re tiny!). Take off the faceplate, and remove the cash strap or money clip. 

From here, you can easily take the brush and detergent and scrub the entire wallet – including the cash strap or money clip. If your wallet has any especially stubborn stains or grime, you may need to soak it in a mixture of warm water and detergent for a bit before scrubbing it. 

No matter which method you use, be sure to rinse or wipe any residue from the detergent off the wallet and dry it thoroughly to prevent corrosion. Once it’s completely dry, you can reassemble your wallet. 

While not necessary, you can apply a metal polish or wax to your wallet if desired. Just be sure to use one designed for the specific metal your wallet is made from. Not only will this give your wallet a nice shine, but it can also help remove and prevent oxidation. 

Prevent Scratches

It takes quite a lot to damage a GeoGrit Wallet. And by that, we mean you’ll probably have to drop it from a plane to break it. That being said, it’s not impossible to scratch your wallet’s faceplate. 

While you don’t have to baby your slim wallet (that would kind of defeat the purpose, right?), if you want to keep it looking smooth and shiny, you’ll want to take a couple of precautions to prevent it from getting scratched. 

Metal wallets get scratched mainly because they’re stored or carried with abrasive objects or dropped repeatedly. A good rule of thumb is to avoid putting your wallet in the same pocket as your keys, pocketknife, or other hard objects. 

If your wallet does get scratched, don’t worry. First of all, nobody will judge. Second of all, you can always take a quality automotive scratch remover and a microfiber cloth to try and buff them out. 

Store It Properly

When it’s not in your pocket, where do you keep your minimalist wallet? 

Luckily, these wallets are incredibly durable and can be stored pretty much anywhere. However, if you want to keep your wallet looking its best, it’s important to store it in the right environment.

The most important storage rule for minimalist wallets is to keep them dry to prevent corrosion. That means you should never store your wallet in a humid environment like your bathroom or garage. Places like your closet or nightstand typically work best. 

You should also think about what you’re storing your wallet with. As we’ve already mentioned, keeping your wallet with abrasive objects like keys or pocket knives can scratch the faceplate. To avoid that, you should only store your wallet with items that don’t have sharp, hard edges. 

It may seem simple, but properly storing your wallet can help prevent damage and keep it looking great for years to come. 

Don’t Overextend It

Don’t be deceived by the name: a slim wallet with money clip can hold more cash and cards than it appears. In fact, the GeoGrit wallet can hold up to a dozen cards. 

That being said, it’s important not to overextend the wallet’s elasticity. Once in a while isn’t the end of the world, but if you regularly overstuff your wallet, the elastic will eventually start to break down and stretch out.

Unfortunately, once your wallet’s elastic has been stretched, it won’t be able to hold your cards as securely and may need to be replaced. 

Besides, isn’t the idea of a minimalist wallet to carry less? If your wallet is overloaded with cards or cash, it’s probably time to reorganize anyway. 

Keep It Dry

We’ve already mentioned this a couple of times, but it bears repeating: keeping your wallet dry is the best way to keep it functional and looking nice. 

While aluminum doesn’t rust, it can corrode, and staying on top of any moisture it comes in contact with can help prevent this. That means storing it in a cool, dry environment; keeping it away from water, sweat, and humidity when possible; and never submerging it in water unless necessary for cleaning. 

We know it’s impossible to keep your wallet away from moisture entirely, especially if you live in a humid environment or work around a lot of water. Luckily, slim wallets are pretty resilient, and a drop or two of water won’t be the end of the world. 

That being said, it is best to try to dry your wallet thoroughly and as soon as possible whenever you can to prevent corrosion. This is hands down the simplest way to keep your wallet in excellent condition.

When All Else Fails

No matter how well you care for your wallet or how well made, sometimes things just happen. Maybe you backed over it with your truck, it got on the wrong end of a jackhammer, or you’ve got so much cash that the strap has stretched out (good for you!). In those instances, your wallet may need some serious repairs. 

Luckily, if you own a GeoGrit Wallet, you don’t have to worry about this problem. Not only are we sure our wallets can hold up under nearly anything, but we back them with a lifetime guarantee just in case. 

Although our warranty does not cover obvious abuse or aesthetic issues (like the occasional scratch or two, which is to be expected), we cover pretty much everything else – even stretched elastic and loose screws. 

That’s right. If for any reason a GeoGrit Wallet does not hold up (which is unlikely!), we’ll repair it or replace it for free. 

For more information about our Lifetime Warranty, visit our FAQ page here. 

Summary

Even though minimalist wallets are known for being low-maintenance, once in a while, they need a little love to keep them looking and functioning their best. 

To keep your wallet in good shape, it’s important to keep it clean and dry and avoid overextending it. If you own a GeoGrit Wallet, you can rest easy knowing it can withstand most things, but if all else fails, we’ve got a lifetime guarantee to back you up. 

So if you don’t already have a GeoGrit Wallet, what are you waiting for?If you’re interested in carrying a minimalist wallet made in USA, check out our entire collection at GeoGrit.com. To learn more about why we do what we do, read our story here.

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There are tons of choices when it comes to concealed carry. You’ve got to consider the clothes you’re wearing, your carry position, and the ammo you want to use, not to mention the kind of gun you carry.

One of the most critical aspects of concealed carry is choosing the right holster. And while there are plenty of factors to consider when it comes to holster selection, one of the first things you have to decide is whether you want to carry inside the waistband (IWB) or outside the waistband (OWB).

But which is the best option for concealed carry? Ultimately, that depends on you. When it comes to OWB vs. IWB, inside the waistband holsters are the most popular choice for concealed carry as they provide deep concealment and can hide under most clothing. In contrast, outside the waistband holsters work better for larger guns and are often considered a more comfortable option.

There’s really no right or wrong answer when it comes to carrying inside or outside the waistband, only a right answer for you. So, what are the factors to consider when making a choice between the two? Read on to find out!

OWB vs. IWB: What’s the Difference?

As you’ve probably already deduced from the names, IWB holsters are carried inside the waistband of your pants, while OWB holsters are carried outside the waistband.

IWB holsters typically have a clip or loop that attaches to your belt, allowing the holster to sit comfortably on the inside of your pant waistband for easy concealment.

Many modern inside the waistband holsters are even designed to be “tuckable,” meaning you can tuck a shirt in over the pistol to conceal it. Because IWB holsters offer “deep concealment,” they usually work best with small- to medium-sized guns (we wouldn’t want to walk around with a Glock 41 wedged into our waistband, would you?).

OWB holsters also come equipped with clips or loops that attach to a belt, only the holster stays on the outside of your pants. This carry method is a comfortable choice since there are more layers between the gun and your skin, and it’s not being squeezed against your body. One downside is that in order to conceal your weapon, you must wear additional layers, like a jacket, to hide it.

Because OWB holsters are carried outside of your waistband, they do offer a bit more flexibility by allowing you to carry larger pistols comfortably.

Both IWB and OWB holsters are commonly used for concealed carry and work great depending on your lifestyle and preferences, though IWB is generally the most popular choice.

OWB vs. IWB: Types of Holsters

Before you can settle on either an inside the waistband or outside the waistband holster, you need to know what holster options are available under each category.

First, let’s talk about holster materials. When it comes to what holsters are made of, most IWB and OWB concealed carry holsters fall under four categories: leather, nylon, Kydex, and hybrid.

Leather and nylon holsters are often a comfortable choice, and they are also easy to conceal thanks to their pliable nature. These types of holsters typically come in various sizes, each of which can accommodate a variety of guns. This makes nylon and leather holsters a good choice if you’re looking to use the same holster for several pistols of a similar size. One downside to these materials is that they absorb sweat and other moisture, which can make leather, in particular, sticky and uncomfortable against the skin.

Kydex is a hard aircraft-grade plastic that, when used for holsters, is molded to fit a specific gun model. While you can’t use the same Kydex holster for multiple different firearm models, they fit the pistol they are made for like a glove and often come with adjustable ride height, cant, and retention, making them super customizable and easy to adjust.

Because Kydex holsters are custom made for your particular gun, you will hear an audible “click” when you holster your weapon so you never have to worry about your firearm slipping out of place. The hard plastic is also lightweight, sweat-proof, and scratch-resistant. IWB and OWB Kydex holsters are also built with a slim profile, making them excellent choices for concealed carry. Despite being made from plastic, Kydex holsters are designed to be incredibly comfortable.

And finally, for those who can’t decide, there’s always the hybrid option. Hybrid holsters are typically made with a Kydex shell and a leather or nylon backing that lays flat against your body (IWB) or waistband (OWB). Many people love these holster designs because you get the security and durability of Kydex and the comfort of a nice leather backing. Because they spread out over a larger area, they also help disperse the weight of your gun, which is part of the reason they’re so comfortable.

Now, on to the specifics.

Inside the Waistband:

Inside the waistband holsters are designed to sit on the inside of your pants with a clip or loop that hooks onto your belt. There are a couple of variations to this classic design, including tuckable and AIWB holsters.

Tuckable holsters are exactly what they sound like: a classic IWB holster designed to disappear under a tucked-in shirt. All of the IWB holsters we craft at Vedder Holsters have a tuckable design. You can check out our full selection of tuckable IWB holsters, including the LightTuck™, RapidTuck™, and ComfortTuck™, on our website.

Though you don’t need a special holster to carry appendix, or the 12 o’clock position, specially-designed appendix inside the waistband holsters, or AIWB holsters, are another IWB holster option. These holsters are similar to a regular IWB holster, except they typically have a different grip angle (think zero cant) and have a design that’s meant to comfortably sit at the front of your body.

Outside the Waistband:

Outside the waistband holsters are designed with either clips or loops that allow you to attach the holster to your belt from outside your waistband. There are a number of great OWB concealed carry holster designs, including pancake, paddle, and belt slide.

Pancake-style holsters are designed with two pieces of material that are sewn together to create a flat (one might even say pancake-like) pouch holster. Because of their flat design, pancake holsters are great for concealed carry.

If you’re looking for the best OWB holster for concealment, paddle holsters are a serious contestant. These holsters are affixed with a flat, wide paddle clip that goes on the inside of your waistband while the holster remains on the outside. These holsters are really convenient as they allow you to put your holster on and take it off without removing your belt. Our ProDraw™ paddle holster is a popular design for OWB carry.

Our final category is belt slide holsters. Belt slide holsters are essentially a “sleeve” of material that slides onto your belt through slits in the material. These holsters usually only cover a portion of your gun, leaving the muzzle exposed. They are a slim, low-profile design, though critics say these holsters don’t adequately protect a pistol’s front sight and allow the muzzle of the firearm to knock against things.

Here at Vedder Holsters, we offer a wide range of both IWB and OWB Kydex and hybrid holsters. To check out our entire selection, visit our Gun Holsters page.

OWB vs. IWB: Which is More Comfortable?

When it comes to concealed carry, comfort is key. Especially if you tend to carry for long periods of time.

When it comes to overall comfort, OWB holsters come out ahead. While it certainly depends on the person, body type, and carry position, outside the waistband is generally considered more comfortable as it sits on the outside of your pants and isn’t squished against your body.

“An OWB holster is vastly more comfortable than an IWB because the carry belt isn’t pulling the entire holster against lightly protected skin,” police firearms instructor Scott W. Wagner writes in a USCCA article.

But before you rush out and invest in an OWB holster, IWB also has its place in the comfortable concealed carry world.

IWB holsters can be used for appendix carry, which is one of the most comfortable concealed carry positions. They’re also more comfortable from a mental standpoint as you can rest easy knowing your gun is secure and well-hidden.

As far as the issue of having a firearm pressed between your pants and your body, the best IWB holsters are made more comfortable by using a holster that’s built for comfort. Our LightTuck™ Kydex IWB holster is one of our most popular designs because it’s designed to be comfortable and ultra-concealable.

And if you’re worried about your holster rubbing against your skin all day, a simple undershirt can solve that predicament.

So, there’s really no one right answer when it comes to which kind of holster is more comfortable. While OWB is generally considered the more comfortable of the two, IWB can also be quite comfortable depending on your carry position, holster, and clothing choices. The best way to find out which is more comfortable for you is to try them out for yourself!

OWB vs. IWB: Which is Better for Concealment?

One of the most important aspects when choosing a concealed carry holster is its concealability (duh). So which is easier to conceal, IWB or OWB?

Generally speaking, inside the waistband holsters are easier to conceal for one simple reason: they hide the majority of your pistol inside your pants. Half the work is already done!

“IWB holsters are superior to OWB holsters when it comes to concealment. With IWB, the holster holds basically all but the handgun grip below the beltline, concealed by the trousers or shorts. Having loose-fitting trousers and shirts aids in the concealability,” Wagner wrote.

That’s not to say that OWB is not concealable, however. While yes, with an OWB holster you have to worry about concealing the entire firearm instead of the little bit that sticks out of an IWB holster, it’s actually a lot easier than it sounds.

A gun carried outside the waistband can easily be concealed by a light jacket, cardigan, or even a loose-fitting flannel shirt. The key is to select an OWB concealed carry holster that keeps your weapon as close to your body and low-profile as possible.

“An OWB holster conceals less of a handgun than an IWB holster because the entire handgun is positioned outside the pants. This is why it’s important to select an OWB holster that pulls the carry gun as close as possible to your outer clothing and to carry it on a strong belt that doesn’t sag,” Wagner said.

Our Vedder Holsters LightDraw™ OWB holster is a great, low-profile choice as it comes with optional Pancake Wing clips designed to hold your pistol tighter to your body than traditional clips.

To sum it up, both IWB and OWB holsters are concealable, though IWB is an easier and more versatile option for concealment, especially if you aren’t someone who wears a lot of jackets (hello Floridians!)

OWB vs. IWB: Which is Faster on the Draw?

Both IWB and OWB holsters work well for everyday carry, but when seconds count, which is easier to draw?

The simple answer is that an outside the waistband holster is easier to draw from, though the more complicated answer is that it all comes down to what you’re wearing and how much time you put into training.

Wagner writes that while IWB holsters are superior when it comes to concealment, they have some downsides when it comes to ease of draw.

“While this style [IWB] gives additional concealment to the handgun, it does slow access,” he wrote. “The shirt has to be pulled clear — and kept clear — of the pants before the handgun can be drawn.”

When it comes to drawing from an outside the waistband holster, however, there’s nothing getting in your way. UNLESS you’re wearing a coat or jacket to help conceal your firearm. In that case, you still have to move a garment out of the way in order to access your weapon.

So, while OWB is typically more accessible since it’s under fewer layers, wearing an IWB holster with a loose T-shirt will likely be easier to access than an OWB under a zipped-up coat.

And remember, neither option will be fast and effective if you don’t practice your draw. Someone who has to move three layers of clothing to access their IWB holster may still be faster than someone with an exposed OWB holster if they practice their draw more consistently.

OWB vs. IWB: Which is Safer?

As with everything firearms-related, safety should be one of your top considerations when choosing a concealed carry holster. So which is safer, IWB or OWB?

It all boils down to how much you train with your holster of choice. Both IWB and OWB can either be used safely, or can be potentially dangerous, depending on how comfortable you are with the method of carry. However, OWB may be slightly safer simply because it offers a bit more distance between the pistol and your body.

Firearms trainer Jeff Gonzales said in a Brownells video that he always recommends OWB holsters to beginners because the risk of injury is lower in case of a negligent or accidental discharge.

“If that [negligent discharge] were to happen with an off waistband, I have the firearm a little bit further away from my body than I would if it were inside the waistband,” he said. “When I place the firearm inside my waistband, the likelihood of it elevating from a minor to a major injury is very high. … I’m not saying that you can’t have an accidental discharge with an on the waistband vs. an in the waistband, but it typically starts off on a much safer platform.”

So, both IWB and OWB can be perfectly safe carry options, so long as you’re consistent with your training (which you should be doing anyway!).

“The practice is going to be very important,” Gonzales said.

OWB vs. IWB: Which is Easier to Dress for?

When it comes to how easy it is to dress to concealed IWB vs. OWB, it’s a tie (sorta). The kinds of clothes you typically wear, the climate where you live, and even what month it is all effect which is easiest to dress for.

In cooler weather, when you’re more likely to be wearing extra layers like flannels and jackets, OWB is typically considered the best concealed carry choice. The thicker clothing and multiple layers you will already be wearing make hiding an outside the waistband holster pretty easy. On the other hand, carrying IWB in cold weather can make drawing your weapon more difficult as you’ll have not only one but two or more layers to get out of the way before you can reach your pistol.

However, Firearms Trainer Neil Nemetz says that while yes, it is easier to conceal carry OWB under jackets in cooler weather, it’s important to note that if you’re going somewhere where you will be removing your coat, like a restaurant, it may defeat the purpose.

“In the wintertime, when you’re wearing heavier coats and jackets and things, you can easily conceal an outside the waistband,” he said in a Geauga Firearms Academy video. “Preferably, for me, always inside the waistband is best because you never know what’s going to happen, and that way, you don’t have to worry about taking off any jackets and stuff and trying to hide anything,”

Inside the waistband is also easier to dress for in warmer weather as these kinds of holsters can easily be concealed under lighter clothing like shorts and T-shirts.

But while IWB holsters can be concealed under many more kinds of clothing, you may have to make some adjustments to your wardrobe to ensure it is comfortable. Because you’re placing the holster and gun inside your waistband, you may need to buy some pants a size up from what you usually wear to fit your pistol comfortably.

Finally, many of the best IWB holsters are designed to be “tuckable,” meaning that you can wear them underneath a tucked-in shirt. So, if you have a job where you need to wear professional clothing, or you just like to wear your shirts tucked-in, IWB is probably for you.

Whether you choose IWB or OWB, you will need to invest in a quality gun belt. Unlike regular belts, gun belts are made to be stiffer and more durable, which prevents issues like belt sag. If you’re looking for something stylish for everyday wear, our Polymer Core Leather Gun Belt is a great option. If you prefer something more tactical, our Cobra® Quick Release Gun Belt and our V3 Gun Belt are both excellent choices.

When it comes down to it, both IWB and OWB concealed carry can be easy to dress for. Which one is easiest for you will depend on your lifestyle and climate and whether you’re willing to invest in the right clothes for your carry choice.

OWB vs. IWB: Which is Best with Physical Limitations?

Finding a comfortable concealed carry holster that checks all the boxes is hard enough as it is. When you have a physical limitation, it can be even more difficult. Depending on your specific physical needs, you may find that either OWB or IWB works better for you.

Which one is best for you will depend on your unique situation. For example, if you have a condition that affects your abdominal area, OWB is probably a better choice for you, as having a holster inside your waistband will likely put pressure on the rest of your abdomen.

On the other hand, if your hips give you trouble, you may want to opt for an IWB holster as you can more easily avoid carrying in the 3 or 9 o’clock positions.

So, yes, one of the two types of holsters may be better for someone with a physical limitation, but which carry position is better depends on the individual. And, at the end of the day, both IWB and OWB allow for many different carry positions, so there’s a good chance that regardless of your physical limitations, you could make either work.

Should I Use an OWB or an IWB Holster for Concealed Carry?

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer as to whether OWB or IWB is better for concealed carry. It all comes down to your lifestyle and personal preference.

Factors like your job, the gun you carry, any physical limitations you may have, and even the climate you live in impact which type of holster will be most comfortable for you when it comes to OWB vs. IWB.

And if you’re still having trouble deciding, it can’t hurt to have one (or more) of each on hand for various situations. (Why not, right?)

Whether you choose to carry inside the waistband or outside the waistband, we recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page if you are looking for holsters that are custom-made for your weapon of choice. For all of our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.

Looking for items beyond holsters and belts, check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more.

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