IN 1972 THE USE OF SPECIALLY-MODIFIED, BLANK-FIRING REVOLVERS AND SAFETY BLANKS WAS APPROVED FOR CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS. REVOLVERS FOR MODIFICATION WERE OBTAINED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF SECTIONS 12028 AND 12030 OF THE STATE PENAL CODE. THESE REVOLVERS ARE MODIFIED IN A MACHINE SHOP BY A MEMBER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, MODIFICATIONS CAN BE MADE IN A MINIMALLY EQUIPPED HOME WORKSHOP. (WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND SIX STEPS OF A PROCEDURE ARE GIVEN FOR MODIFYING REVOLVERS TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS.) SAFETY PRECAUTIONS MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO IN USING THESE MODIFIED REVOLVERS. GUIDELINES INCLUDE TERMINATION OF THE TRAINING EXERCISE IF A MAJOR SAFETY INFRACTION IS NOTED, COMPLIANCE WITH RECOMMENDED FIRING DISTANCES, THE PROHIBITION OF LIVE AMMUNITION, AND THE AVOIDANCE OF EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL FORCE. THE DECLINE IN NUMBERS OF POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN 1975-78 IS ATTRIBUTED IN PART TO INCREASED INTEREST IN SUCH OFFICER SURVIVAL TRAINING AS THE PROPER USE OF BLANK-FIRING REVOLVERS. ILLUSTRATIONS AND DIAGRAMS ARE PROVIDED.