V.I.P.A Tactical Training

In the close protection and Self-protection industry we are always talking about 'Situational Awareness' as part of our first line of defence. While out driving, walking down the street or at our place of work, we should always be aware of our surroundings, the people around us, the atmosphere, the traffic and so on. Easy when you know how, but there is one job where being situationally aware is just not possible, the outside broadcast being given by a reporter / Journalist /correspondent who is out in public, on the street in front of a camera; reporting on whatever news event is being covered in sometimes hostile environments or hostile situations.

Their whole focus is 100% on the camera or on the person being interviewed while the cameramans job is to concentrate on the person giving the broadcast or to film the events as they unfold.

Listed below are some of the countries where journalists have been attacked and these attacks are not isolated incidents. In some cases what at first may seem like a peaceful environment can quickly turn into a life threatening situation. In some cases it has, with journalists being killed, robbed and violently or sexually assaulted.
UK
USA
Sweden
China
Germany
Egypt
Thailand
Belgium
Australia
Canada
France
South Africa
Venezuela
Iraq
Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia

In all of the above countries; not only have local reporters been attacked but also western reporters have come under attack also, both men and women. Not only have we seen these attacks but also the real possibility of an attack occurring just by the presence of a reporter and camera crew in the area.

The antics of som emenbers of the public in the presence of a TV camera can at times seem funny to those watching at home but can be worrying for both reporter and crew who need to be professional and concentrate on the job at hand.
We have seen these antics on streets with only a few people around to large sporting events, marches and demonstrations. Who is to say if wnd when the clowning around will not turn suddenly violent.

We have seen investigative reporters become victims from asking probing questions to those under some form of investigation or for simply asking a question to the wrong person on the street..

In 2015 110 journalists were killed while doing their job, only 11 of these were killed in Syria and 12 killed in Iraq with the rest being killed in 'peaceful ' countries. These were also found to be due to deliberate violence targeted towards journalists.
In 2016 there were 115 journalists killed while doing their job and so far this year 22 have been killed. From 2016 it has been found to be the most dangerous times to be a journalists with over 400 reports of violence or threats of violence throughout the EU. It has also been found that many do not report either threats or actual acts of violence.

In countries where journalists are reporting on political, social or religious upheaval or activities there is a very real threat of imprisonment as has been seen with last year with over 400 journalists detained.

Looking at our Threat Level Continuum:
Nuisance Person
Hostile / Friendly Crowd
Missile Thrown
Unarmed Physical Attack
Armed Physical Attack - Edged & Blunt Trauma Weapons
Close Range Gun
Long Range Gun
Bomb & Grenade Attack
Vehicle Ambush

You can see when protecting journalists how you could easily find yourself faced with a single threat and very quickly find yourself protecting them from various threat levels simultaneously.

Depending on the actual threat, perceived threat, location and players involved, good local ground knowledge and a sound escape & evasion plan may be a must, should the situation deteriorate at a rapid rate of knots.

If the situation on the ground deteriorates as in the riot pictured above; I hope your skill sets are up to the task at hand.

See our course dates page for up and coming Close Protection Combat Systems training courses.

Stay Dangerous

Rock

A bodyguard; after we had been out walking with the Principal asked me a question, 'While out walking do you ever find that your mind wanders'? After my initial shock, my one word answer, NO!

As I walked away in disbelief I started to wonder how often this guy or any other guys for that matter
are actually observing their surroundings?

It takes disciple and a lot of practice, not to mention being fit enough for long, possibly boring hours, to keep switched on and alert as to what is or is not happening in your arc/area of observation.
On the other hand; on a busy day out in public, it takes discipline, lots of practice, mental toughness and alertness and in these situations; being 'calm' enough to actually observe, see, know what it is you are looking at and respond correctly should the need arise.

Its not just being a suit filler and standing looking tough, your observation discipline  is what enhances your situational awareness.

The above photo of the Duchess of Cornwall surrounded by female Saudi bodyguards raises a lot of talking points, but as we are discussing observation I think this photo gives a pretty clear picture of where you should not be looking!

We've seen recently how a lack of observation discipline and situational awareness has let two operations down, namely the attacks on Gigi Hadid and Kim Karsashian.

Look at the photo below of the assassination attempt on President Reagan. The attack comes from the right hand side in front of the forward police officer who is observing the President and not his arcs.

Now I've talked about this in the past in under the headings 'Arcs of Observation for the Close Protection Operator' and in 'Ground Appreciation' both dealing with different aspects of observational skills.

These skill are important when working in familiar settings but if you are travelling frequently then becoming familiar with your new surrounding fast; is essential. Not just the look of the place, the street layouts, routes etc. But the feel of the place, the people, the atmosphere.

Your recce reports along with your vulnerable point study, intelligence reports, direct / indirect threats, crime and terrorism in you are of operations will dictate your mode of transport, foot formations and what response plans, your 'Actions On' will be in the event of a 'Contact'. Information from all of these background activities will make observation in your arc of responsibility that much more focused.

These skills are not under the sole ownership of the close protection fraternity, they are essential for military personnel, law enforcement personnel and of course the citizens on the street.

So how are your observation skills? Do you know how to look, and then see what you are looking at? How is your body language knowledge, your criminal and terrorist profiling capabilities and do you know their M.O?

For your own protection, your family's protection and the protection of your Principal I hope your 'MIND IS NOT WANDERING' and your eyes are not 'WIDE SHUT'

If you want to learn more then get in touch at paul@vipatacticaltraining.com 

Stay Dangerous

Rock

During September we saw two minor attacks take place against two celebrity principals, Gigi Hadid and Kim Kardashian, both of whom were being protected by their IBG (Individual Bodyguard). 
We also saw one major attack against Kim Kardashian while she was in her supposedly secure apartment, with no CP or RST.
​We've also seen this year an escalation in lone wolf terrorist attacks and the one thing both the IBG and the lone wolf terrorist has in common; is a support system.

Before we go any further we need to understanding that one of the, if not THE main reason these attacks happened was because any support system that was available was not utilised.

The support system that can be tapped into; covers a huge spectrum of people, technology, organisations and personal experience, all of which are on hand to make your job easier, enabling you to protect your principal more effectively.

Your support system though will be specific to you and your principal but below is a short list of what will be included in your support system.
​ 

​Operational security team - In house or security company
venue security managers / personnel
Law enforcement contacts 
Chauffeurs / drivers
Other CPOs
Recce Reports
Suspect person reports
Suspect vehicle reports
After action reports
Newspaper Articles
Internet Searches
Crime / Terrorism apps, newsletters, alerts
Friends
Local residence / neighbours / shop keepers etc.

Like I said above, your support system will be specific to you but the short list above will give you some idea when establishing your own. It's just a case of researching your OSINT - HUMINT - SIGINT and TECHINT

As we have seen with these latest attacks, it's no good having a support system if you are not going to use it. Without using your support system you are effectively cuffing your operation and it's just a matter of time until something like this or worse happens to you.
​Unless you are lucky enough to be working for an organisation that has its own intelligence wing, then you as an IBG will have to do all of the leg work. That means lots of INT gathering and planning prior to the operation, most likely in your own time and free of charge, it's called professionalism.

Your INT gathering and planning has to be I might add, meticulous.

Let me give you an example of how cuffing your operation can lead to an attack, this attack which I personally was witness too, could have been much worse.

The principal was protected by an IBG and at the time was working at Vogue magazine and directly under Anna  Wintour. Anna Wintour you may remember had been targeted by the animal rights group PETA.
The principal was taking part in a fashion show in London, modelling on the catwalk at a fur fashion event.
The IBG in question did not recce the venue as he 'Knew the area'
​The IBG in question never conducted any INT gathering and did not provide a threat or risk assessment.
The IBG in question did not liaise with any on site security or event staff.
The IBG in question did not do any of the above for the after show event party, where the attack happened.
The IBG in question did not lock the vehicles doors and on arriving at the after show party, did not do any ground appreciation on approaching the Drop Off Point, or call any on-site security to secure the area.
The vehicles rear door was opened by the attacker and the subsequent attack on the principal by a PETA subversive group member resulted in not only the principal, but also a very high profile socialite friend and the fashion designer all being flour bombed and ending up on the front page of a well known newspaper.
Luckily it was only flour, could have been blood or worse, what if it was acid?

Your support system is out there, just make sure you use it!

Stay Dangerous

​Rock

A Short Breakdown of the Gigi Hadid Attack.

Last week in Milan; we saw an attack on the supermodel Gigi Hadid as she left a fashion show by the stage door. The attack, which thankfully turned out to be prank by Vitalii Sediuk saw the model having to resort to defending herself. After being picked up off the ground from behind the model deliverers an elbow to the head of her attacker which forces him to release her and run from the scene.

This attack happened in the presence of her security (more of that coming up), which has highlighted a number of failures which continue to blight the close protection industry and security industry in general
Over the last few years there has been a call for 'Raising Standards' within the close protection industry and this latest attack shows us why you, cannot work above the level  which you are either trained for, currently work at and in some cases are not mentally, intellectually or physically capable of undertaking.

So lets take a look at the attack and look at the glaring mistakes that could have led to possible harm; if the attack was of a more serious nature.

Gigi Leaves the stage door entrance/exit with her sister and 1 x security who is leading from the front as they head for their vehicle.
MISTAKE #1 An IBG (Individual Bodyguard) in these situations does not lead from the front, he is the bodyguard, at least one member of the door staff team should have been leading the way.

A member of the door staff team stands by the stage doorway and does not follow.
MISTAKE #2 Nobody is covering the rear, so Gigi and her sister are exposed and open to attack from this area.

As they leave the entranceway and walk a couple of steps they actually walk past the attacker.
MISTAKE #3 Observation! I would like to think a location like this would have some sort of CCTV and at the least a small operations room with someone watching the monitors. If so, the guy doing this was not monitoring the street prior to the model leaving a secure area.
Intelligence and Communication! The attacker is a well known celebrity prankster, any security worth their salt should do at least a little intelligence gathering prior to the venue going live to possibly highlight these situations.  If the ops room had seen the attacker, he could have been moved away or questioned by any LE on site and at the very least the model could have left by a different entrance, if one was available. Communication between the security on the ground and the ops room or other personnel was none existent.
The door staff at the doorway entrance should also have been watching the party leave and should have noticed the attacker move in behind the them.
Normal and Abnormal! We look for the absence of the normal and the presence of the abnormal. Everyone around Gigi was either taking photographs of her or selfies with her (NORMAL), the attacker, wearing a hat, dark glasses and unshaven (Disguise) and standing still doing absolutely nothing (ABNORMAL) should have been spotted and if not recognised, then at least he would have been brought to the bodyguards attention.

As the party continue walking; the Bodyguard moves behind Gigi and her sister with the attacker directly behind them, he has still not been noticed! At this stage you can hear the guy in the black shirt ask "Where is the car?" At which point the vehicle sounds its horn as its trying to get through the crowd of fans. 
MISTAKE #4 Distraction! No vehicle is called forward as the model prepares to leave a secure area. The area was crowded with fans and as the vehicle sounds its horn; the bodyguard leaves the side of Gigi and her sister to help it through the cluster of fans.

                                  Bodyguard and vehicle are out of this shot and to the right.

The attack happens, as above.
MISTAKE #5 While the bodyguard is helping with the vehicle he is too far away from Gigi and he reacts very slowly as you can see in the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjsPmjqmcvs He only gets to Gigi as she starts to give chase to her attacker. I say reacts here because he is not responding, a response is a cognitive action, this was an "OH SHIT" no thought REACTION!
Maybe we should also add in there a bit about fitness!

Gigi and her sister get into the vehicle, at this stage the doors are still unlocked and there is no security on her door. The guy in the black shirt gets into the vehicle on the opposite side near to the fans.
MISTAKE #6 Once Gigi is in the car; the bodyguard moves away, at this point the doors are not locked and are insecure. The bodyguard takes a position by the passenger front seat and does not take any notice of the open rear passenger door where fans are keeping it open and are still taking photographs. the door is closed (not by the bodyguard) and then the bodyguard gets into his own seat. The car still does not move for a number of seconds, if the doors lock on driving off then it is still insecure, unless the bodyguard manually locks them, which here I don't think he would.

As we know, em-bus and de-bus procedures at the pick-up and drop-off points are part of our vulnerable point study and are places where attacks are likely to happen. Here we see in about ten paces from leaving the building to getting into a vehicle how not to protect your Principal.

A pretty shoddy affair all round and if this is a teams best practice it is possibly a life endangering one too. 

Stay Dangerous

Rock

Yesterday in the news we saw photos of the Duchess of York walking with her bodyguard. Now it may or may not have been her bodyguard, it may have been her PA, but it brings to light an ongoing issue of the image and look we wish to portray as professionals; in not only the close protection industry but in any industry that requires our image to actually be professional.

Part of the following is taken from chapter one of my book Meditations of a Modern Warrior volume 1, written in 2012.

How we look says everything about us as an individual, either as a civilian about our daily business or at work and especially as a police officer, soldier or bodyguard. it also says something about us not only as an individual but also as a team, if we are part of a team in any professional endeavour.

Apart from the opportunist who attacks on instinct; on the spur of the moment, predators will often survey their intended targets. This not only happens in the civilian world, but also in in the police, military and security world.

Your drills and focus need to be the same during your leisure time as they are at work. this is not paranoia, just common sense.

Is this the professional image you want to portray to your Principal as his CPO, towards the general public as a law enforcement officer or as a professional soldier?

Lets look at 'Dress' Whatever your dress code is, it can either help or hinder you in a 'Contact' situation if it has not been thought about or worn correctly.

Do you train in the same type of clothing you wear everyday or the same as you wear at work?

If you struggle to move in your everyday clothes or work clothes, then in a 'contact' situation your performance will be seriously impaired.

How about all of you ladies out there who train. do you train in short skirts, dresses and high heels?

If you are a police officer, soldier or bodyguard, do you wear your belt order, fighting order or any other equipment you carry with the thought of Close Quarter Combat in mind?

Bulky equipment like belt or fighting order, chest rigs, tactical vests and body armour can impair movement, so your training and combat strategy must reflect what you wear.

Like I said at the beginning, how you look speaks volumes about your professionalism, either at work or during your leisure time. It sends out the correct signals to any bad guys out there who may be targeting you.

Training for real in realistic conditions, in similar clothing that you will wear to work and in your leisure time will highlight glaring floors in your defensive and offensive game plan, especially if you only ever train in gym kit.

                                 Just crossing the road, dress, body positioning and focus?

What I have talked about here are part of the soft skills of being a professional. The outer layer of what people will see when they look at you and observe you as an individual or as a team if working in numbers.

What are you portraying when people look at you?

Are you portraying the correct image in the correct environment?

Combat Focused? Its more than just a saying.

Stay Dangerous

Rock

I've already written about this to some extent in my second book Meditations of a Modern Warrior Vol 2, under the chapter title 'It Can Happen Anywhere'. This was in relation to the terrorist attack at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi.

Recently we have seen the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino and numerous 'active shooter' attacks in the USA.

Familiarity brings with it a false sense of security which we, as any form of security professional; must guard against, as instructors; must constantly remind our students about, and who the sheeple; unfortunately will never realise just how vulnerable they may be. 

A phrase I coined in regards to what I do 'close protection' and 'self-protection' was *Paranoia and obsession do not come into it, dedication and professionalism does*.
All this means is I do what I do 24/7 365 days a year.

Knowing how our enemy works, their M.O is vital in relation to both parts of our lives, professionally and privately.
While at work we can plan for any direct threat that our Principal may face but we must also plan for other threats, that not only our Principal may face but one that could affect ourselves and our family.
These are the indirect threat and the opportunistic threat. see *Meditations of a Modern Warrior Vol 2* for an explanation of these attacks.

At some point we all visit the same sort of locations; shopping malls, sport stadiums, theatres, pubs, clubs, restaurants and cinemas.
As protection specialists we conduct reconnaissance operations on these locations before we attend them, how many of you do so in your private life? And you, the citizen, the member of the public have you ever  thought about what you would do in an attack while at one of these locations?

                  Would you know what to do in a busy shopping mall?

                 Would you know what to do in a less crowded location?

So put yourself in the position of the terrorist, how would you plan an attack on these locations, the ones you are going to visit for the first time or one that you visit frequently?

As a terrorist:
How would you get to that location?
How would you transport weapons, pistols, rifles or explosives?
When, where and how would you conduct a recce?
When are the busiest times?
What are the busiest areas in the location?
What would be your escape route? if you wanted to escape that is.
Where would you site a secondary explosive device?
Just a few considerations when planning an attack.

In my second book I touch on Run - Hide - Fight and just for your info the UK government has not included the 'Fight' part in their advice to UK citizens caught up in an attack!
Where and when would you do any of these?
Where do you think everyone else would stampede to?

The Nairobi attack lasted for five days.
The Paris attack was over in a matter of hours.
The San Bernardino initial attack lasted only a few minutes.

Could you survive for minutes, hours or even days?

Now think about Tunisia, you are on busy beach, none or very little cover, if you cant run or hide then how are you going to get close enough to the terrorist to fight if unarmed or how and when are you going to engage if you have family with you and you are armed?

It really can happen anywhere, are you prepared and thinking like a terrorist?

Stay Dangerous

Rock

 since 9/11 airports worldwide have implemented what seems like at times infantile security procedures, totally disregarding more important procedures and in the main; have been very lucky to only have had 11 terrorist incidents since then.

Your penknives, gels, drinks, tweezers and all of the other innocent items that have been banned by airlines are just another smoke screen to pacify the public and for the airlines to at least be seen to be doing something.

All of these security restrictions though fail to take into consideration the simple fact that if a terrorist wanted to take control of a plane it would only take them under a minute to do so without any tools whatsoever.

The supposedly secure cockpit is not as secure as you would imagine. why? Because at times the cockpit door has to be opened, to either let a member of the cabin crew in or a member of the flight crew out.
Toilet breaks, meals, refreshments and the like all mean the door at some point will be insecure.

Remember when I said that if you are the type to step in and help or if you are an Air Marshal; then you need to sit as far forward as possible, this is why. This is where the weak link is located.

It is more likely though that the terrorists will want to destroy the plane rather than take it over and use it in a 9/11 style attack. To take over the plane they will need a team, a number of terrorists on-board to carry out the action.
To destroy the plane though it only takes one person, a suicide bomber to carry out this attack. As we have seen with the two failed attempts in the Shoe Bomber and the Underwear Bomber.
We have also seen this week the suspected on-board explosion of a bomb on a Russian passenger jet in Egypt. With lax security at airports and possible hotel employee involvement, this type of attack in the Middle East and Africa is all too possible. If this turns out to be a terrorist attack then that is now 12 since 9/11.

The other reason why working commercial passenger jets are not needed to enact 9/11 attacks is that Islamic State have their own. Have you forgotten the 11 passenger jets that have gone missing and are still missing from the Libyan airfield in 2014.
While it is only a remote possibility that these aircraft could be used to attack Western countries in a suicide attack, there is the possibility that they could be used for an attack on Middle Eastern countries.

But what about High-Jacking, a totally different concept, though still a terrifying one. These are more common; though ever so slightly and predominantly happen in the African and South American regions. The difference is that the high-jacker of today is trying to get to safety and seek asylum in other countries. Not to effect any sort of political will as in the past and certainly not to destroy the plane or kill or harm any passengers.

So what about defending yourself in these situations. If there is a terrorist team on-board with firearms or edged weapons then there will be little you can do and unless it looks like they may get control of the plane; then you should do nothing. If they have not got control of the plane then it will land at the nearest airport and from there; law enforcement will be involved in a rescue.
But here is the thing, we are talking about your life, what if; as a passenger while in the air; or hostage while on the ground, they stand you up and tell you they are going to kill you, or they start randomly killing people there and then; for whatever reason. Now that is a different story. Now you are directly, immediately in harms way and you're going to have to fight for your life; in possibly the fight of your life.

Have you trained to do so?
Have you trained to fight in confined spaces?
Have you trained for a high-jacking or terrorist takeover of a plane?

Do you want to learn how?

Stay Dangerous

Rock

AIRPLANE SECURITY
Violence on an airplane at 30,000ft to any rational person is the last thing they need. Although violence on a train or in your motor vehicle is dangerous there is one thing with these two modes of transport that differs from being on an airplane, you can stop these modes of transport, get out or off them when it is safe to do so, even between stations or on a busy road.
Not so when you are thousands of feet in the air. Here you are truly trapped. The good news here though is that major airline violence very rarely happens.

Most self defence videos and articles concentrate on the terrorist angle when dealing with this issue, why? Because it sells, it gets people on training courses where they are taught to take down terrorists like James Bond.

But look at these facts of violent airplane incidents since 9/11
Terrorist incidents - 11
High-jacking - 13
Air rage - Hundreds, too many to count

​You are more than likely going to be defending yourself against drunken passengers, psychologically affected passengers, egocentric passengers, medically affected passengers and physically affected passengers than you are a terrorist or highjacker.

When these air rage incidents turn violent they still have the possibility to be disastrous though.

Your security has to start even before you board the plane, on your arrival at the airport.
One of the best ways to find out about people is to chat to them, but first you need to use your eyes, observe those around you, we are back to the awareness game again.(See more on that in my second book).
when you are in the baggage/check-in line, going through security, shopping, having a meal or you are waiting at the gate then chat to people. You can get a good feel about people and the overall mood of those around you doing this. Their personal mood or mental state will help you to decide if they are someone you need to keep an eye on of they end up on your plane, or how about help if something does happen, would they be able to step in and help you?

Once again for any security professional, just like on the train I give my business card to cabin crew and if you fly on American Airlines give them one to pass onto any Air Marshal that may be on board, at least then they know there is help on board if they need it.

Some basic tips:
When booking your seat, book an aisle seat if you are of the mind to step in and help, if not book a window seat.
If you are not the type to step in and help then try to book your seat in the center section of the plane.
If you are the type to step in then if you cannot book your seat in first class, then book it as near to the front as possible.
Book any kids or your partner into the window and middle seat, it's easier to protect them there.

Walk the aisle regularly, people do this anyway to stave off deep vein thrombosis. It will give you a chance observe passengers.
Carry a small tactical torch in your carry-on bag.
If you are the type to step in and help then don't drink too much alcohol.
All pretty basic yes?
One thing i will say is that you should not step in unless you are asked to by any member of the cabin crew. Not many airlines give their cabin crew self defence training, yes they get conflict management training to de-escalate a situation; but if it goes beyond that and things start to get violent then they will very rarely be able to cope.
if you step in before being asked you may well escalate the situation because of your actions.

Remember that just like on the train you will be fighting in a confined space, with an air rage passenger the object here is to control and secure the person so your physical capabilities have to reflect this.

In the next blog i will look at the terrorist and high-Jacking aspects of your in-flight security.

Do you implement your own security procedures when flying?
Do you profile passengers around you?
Do you carry helpful items in your carry on bag?

Stay Dangerous 

​Rock

On the 1st of September we saw in the news how a woman was dragged from her car in a John Lewis store car park and raped.
We spend a great deal of time in our vehicles and like any other form of security that provides us with personal protection, vehicle security has its part to play.

For those of you not familiar with close protection procedures let me say here that the most vulnerable time is when the Prinicipal (VIP) is getting in or out of their vehicle. What we call em-bussing and de-bussing. This is also true with regards to you.

While writing this article it started turning into a whole book by itself; with the amount of information I was putting down so I have redone it in point form, with a list of Do's and Don'ts in each of the headings. I have also kept it pretty basic for this short blog post.

Vehicle security is split into six separate headings. These headings, actions, listed below are what you do in a logical order every day, each time you go for a drive.

Approaching your vehicle 
Getting into your vehicle
Driving your vehicle
Parking your vehicle
Getting out of your vehicle
Leaving your vehicle

Approaching Your Vehicle
Do:
Have your keys in your hand as you approach.
Check around and inside your vehicle before you get in and at least 2-3 cars on each side and across from you in multi story car parks.
Have a mini torch on your car key ring.
Unlock your car only when you know it is safe to do so and only when you are standing next to it.
Have a cut off line.
Check for tampering of your vehicle if you are directly targeted.
Check around after each separate event. 

Don't:
Unlock your vehicle from a distance.
Approach your vehicle if you suspect anything/anyone suspicious is nearby.
Approach the vehicle if you cannot find your keys. Find them first then approach.
Approach your vehicle while your are distracted, talking on your mobile, earphones in etc.

Getting In Your Vehicle
Do:
Get in to your vehicle in the correct way.
Leave any bags on the ground by the boot before you get any kids in the vehicle.
Get any kids into the vehicle before any adults.
Close any doors immediately after use.
Lock all doors immediately on getting into your vehicle.
Start engine immediately.
Drive off immediately.

Don't:
Leave any doors open at any time when not in use.
Leave your keys in the ignition if you have to get out of the car for any reason. 
Take time to adjust any mirrors, seats etc.
Ladies! Don't fix your makeup.
Wind your windows down.
Open doors or windows if someone approaches and speaks to you.
If in any doubt drive off and then put your seat belt on.

Driving Your Vehicle
Do:
Leave enough space so you can see the tyres of the vehicle in front of you if have to stop.
Drive with both hands in the correct position on the steering wheel.
Check parked cars/pedestrians when at vulnerable points.
Check vehicles behind you on pulling off.
Use vehicle hands free system for your mobile phone.
If using a manual system, leave the vehicle in first gear while at vulnerable points.
If you are in a country where you are allowed to carry firearms, make sure it is easily accessible while in the driving seat.

Don't :
Have your windows wound down.
Have your music playing too loudly.
Have valuables on show.
Bumper to bumper in a traffic jam.

Parking Your Vehicle
Do:
Park in well lit areas if at all possible.
Reverse into the parking area/drive way/garage so you are facing the way you will drive.
Stop and check the area from inside the vehicle before parking.
Leave enough room to access the boot and check behind the vehicle on your return.
If parking next to a curb, leave around 1ft from the curb free.

Don't:
Park face into a parking area.
Park in too tight a space. Leave enough room to easily get in/out and around your vehicle.
Park where you can easily be blocked in. By accident or on purpose.
Have favourite parking spots at places you frequently visit.
Turn the engine off until you know it is safe to do so.

Getting out of your vehicle
Do:
Get out of your vehicle the correct way, the same as you got in.
Adults get out first then any bags and then kids last.
Leave your headlights on until the last minute in dark areas, torch on before headlights off.
Look around the immediate area before you get out.

Don't:
Get out of the vehicle until you think it is safe to do so.
All get out at the same time.
Get out in dark areas without turning your torch on first.
Don't let kids open their vehicle doors before you get out.

Leaving Your Vehicle
Do:
Lock your vehicle as soon as you are ready to walk away from it.
Keep your keys in your hand as you walk away from your vehicle
Have a cut off line.
Keep checking the area during and after each event.

Don't:
Lock your vehicle from a distance.
Use your phone or any other distraction until you are away for your vehicle.
Leave valuables that can be easily seen.
Leave paperwork with names and address on it that can be easily seen.
Walk away from your vehicle without checking all doors are closed first.

This is just a basic list of do's and don'ts, there are many different scenarios where you might do things differently and in certain environments you may not do them at all even though like the rest of your personal security procedures; doing them when you don't have to instills a habit forming mentality.

I have also not mentioned any tactics that you can employ for one parent, two parents, nanny, friends and for different vehicle types and different locations. This is better instructed on a course.

Vehicle security is important, are you getting it right?

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or if you would like any advice.

Stay Dangerous

Rock

As we have seen over the last couple of weeks, the train is once again the latest mode of transport to suffer a terrorist attack. 

While in the past; trains have been the focus if terrorist attacks, these have been through the use of bombs in the forms of suicide bombers and I.E.Ds set of by timers or remotely detonated, canisters releasing sarin gas or derailment by digging up lines, or altering junction points and have been shot at from long distance.

This latest attack though on the Amsterdam to Paris train follows the pattern of attacks being undertaken in a more shocking and hard hitting way, close up and personal.

Armed with an AK with nine magazines, a pistol and a knife, this terrorist was out to commit mass murder in the name of Jihad.

I travel weekly on intercity trains and frequently on international trains and I can't remember the last time I actually saw a cop on a train patrolling through the carriages. So here's the thing, if another terrorist attack happens on your train or you or someone else is being attacked by a criminal then you are on your own. There were 550 passengers on the Dutch train and only 4 responded.

Those guys did a fantastic job but would they have been as successful if the terrorist did not have a stoppage on his weapon? They still suffered injuries tackling him and the French President Francios Hollande said "It ultimately depends on the individual responsibility of men and women capable of doing the right thing under the circumstances". That means YOU!

Are you capable?

Could you respond?

While a terrorist attack is at the top end of the threat spectrum, take a look at these UK stats for 2014-2015 regarding attacks on trains:
1,399 sexual attacks
9,149 violent attacks

We've all travelled on trains and there is nothing much to differentiate between them worldwide. If you have to defend yourself it is going to be difficult, you are in effect defending yourself in a confined area, what we call an adverse situation. Lots of seats, narrow central Isle, rocking motion of the train, possible baggage and people blocking the isles etc.

                       Close quarter combat in a carriage like this? Its going to be hard!

The attack may happen while you are the only one in the carriage making you the first target to be sighted or it may be a packed carriage with passengers having to stand and unless they are like you 'A Warrior' they are either going to freeze or run in panic, so it is going to be difficult to get to the attacker.

Either way in a situation like this when you are confined and there is no where to escape to, you really don't have any other choice other than engaging as fast and as aggressively as possible.

The recent train attack was conducted by a poorly trained terrorist, consider the same attack carried out by 2-3 well trained, motivated terrorist.

There are a number of things to consider the next time you are taking a train journey, here are some of them:

Which carriage should you choose?
Which seat in that carriage should you choose?
What should you do when you first get on board and periodically if on a long journey?
Where is the emergency stop handle?
Where is the hammer to smash windows?
Where is the nearest intercom to speak with the guard?
How do you open the exit doors if the train has stopped?
Where is the guard situated?

Unlike travelling on an aeroplane where safety features are pointed out to you, this; as you will be aware does not happen on trains so you will have to find out the information for yourself.

There is a lot more to consider from the personal security to the combat side of things, your safety and security relies on you being prepared.

Are you prepared?
Have you considered what you would do if your wife and kids were with you?
Have you considered how you might restrain and secure someone if required?
Have you thought about how you may have to treat casualties?

If it is true that the train staff locked themselves into their office during the attack, you may have to take charge of the situation, how would you get others to help, should you get others to help?

A last tip for security professionals who travel. The first chance I get I introduce myself to any guards or flight attendants if I am on a plane. I tell them who I am and give them my business card and tell them that if they have a situation then they can call on my help.

Want to learn more?

Stay Dangerous

Rock