Circuit Magazine #28

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28 www.circuit-magazine.com

Remembering Moscow in the 90’s

High Conflict Personalities

Risk and Crisis Management

Client Protection Skills • Distance Learning • Asthma Casualty

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38 Hands on Protection Are We As Good As We Think We Are?

26 Ignore Terrorism Medical Emergencies

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04 Editorial 06 Russia 13 Remaining Professional 16 Has the Sabre got them rattled?

20 Risk & Crisis Management 26 Ignore Terrorism 31 Supporting Your Peers 35 Medical Emergencies 38 Hands on Protection Are We As Good As We Think We Are? 44 Distance Learning 49 Close Your Eyes to Improve Accuracy 53 Keeping Your Edge 54 You Have a Complex Advance? Simplify It 56 Working with Children 58 Working Girl 60 Exit Strategy 63 Classifieds

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Editorial Issue 28 The Circuit has now been going for over 8 years and we have now arrived at issue 28.

Shaun West Editor

Who’d have thought it, 8 years and 28 issues?? Well here we are and again our appreciation must go out to all of the contributors who have once again delivered providing top quality articles to be consumed and enjoyed by our rabid readership!

The information and knowledge that has been passed through these pages over the years has been a pleasure and an education to read and learn from. Articles that have been written for the good and benefit of those with an interest in the sector which have been written by real “boots on the ground” operators so each article comes from real experience, whether that is derived from the experience of someone new to the industry or an industry old veteran, the spread of nationalities of contributors is also something to behold allowing us to learn how others in different countries operate. We should always be looking to learn from others, all knowledge is good knowledge.

Keeping up with the latest industry topics and trends is something i like to do whenever i can and when my downtime allows. One of the hot topics i have recently been reading about on social media channels, which always seems to stir up a lively debate is the subject of “carding the client.” If you have been lucky enough to be selected to work on a particular task by a company/agency then you should honor the agreement that has been set out. It is never good practice to card someone else’s client after having been placed in a position of trust good business practices should be adhered to. The industry is incredibly small and it doesn’t take long for word to spread of bad business practices being carried out. To have a successful career within the CP sector then your reputation is paramount. Always maintain your professional integrity showing loyalty and respect to others, you have to work extremely hard to build your reputation so why risk throwing it away to make a fast buck? One contract should never be worth your reputation!

Speaking of social media, always remember to think before you post.

Social media channels are viewed by employers, clients and fellow professionals alike, always re-read what you are about to post before actually pulling the trigger, think does this come across how i want it to come across or could it come back to haunt me in some way?

If you have a heated personality and are getting involved in a lively debate sometimes it may be better to sit it out and consider your posts before committing to leaving comment.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue and please let us know if there are any particular kinds of articles/subjects that you would like to see covered within these pages in furture issues and we will do our utmost to bring it to you and please keep the feedback coming in, the feedback received upon completion of each issue provides us with the motivation and inspiration to continue the journey and to keep producing the magazine for many more years to come.

Shaun West Editor

Editorial Issue 28 Welcome to the latest installment of The Circuit Magazine your semi-monthly dose of Executive Protection goodness. Here you will find page after (Electronic) page of what we consider the best in-depth source of news, information and tips that relate to the Close Protection industry.

As an editor, I speak with our regular contributors on a frequent basis, and the conversation always revolves around, “what can we write that will be new, fresh and engaging to the readers?” This issue I feel hits all those touch points and more. I mean where else can you find individuals that are not only doing the work, but can speak about it in a manner that keeps your attention?

Case in point, Mark “6” James, an individual who has a schedule that is on par with mine in terms of balancing commitments to clients, training and running an agency, will time and time again deliver content that is relevant to the profession and firmly grounded in the real world. Then we have an esteemed author like Dale June who literally has wrote the book on Executive Protection, (One you should seek out and purchase by the way) drop jewels that encompass way more than just cover and evacuation drills.

In that same vein this issue also sees the writing debut of Jason Poston, an Executive Protection Professional who has a distinguished background in working with teenagers and what makes them tick. This is a example of what I mean by relevant, we spend quite a bit of time thinking about how to work with a particular VIP but what, if anything, do we do to change our approach if that client isn’t even old enough to drive yet? What about how we act (or react) around the Protectee’s under aged children? These are topics, which I feel our readers would benefit from, so me and my fellow colleagues on the European side, will continue to seek out and deliver for as long as you will have us.

Elijah J Shaw US Editor

Elijah J Shaw US Editor

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Editorial: Issue 28

The dissolution of the Soviet Union was formally declared on December 26, 1991. On the previous day, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union, resigned, and handed over his powers to Boris Yeltsin, That evening, at 7:32 pm, the Soviet flag was lowered from the Kremlin and replaced with the pre-revolutionary Russian Flag, and Boris Yeltsin became President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999. And mayhem ensued.

I first went to Moscow in the early ‘90s, although I don’t remember the exact year, but probably ‘93 or ‘94, as it was shortly after I spent a year in former Yugoslavia, during the Bosnian War, which started in April 1992, following the breakup of communist Yugoslavia. By the early ‘90s Moscow was a free-for-all; everyone wanted a slice of the Capitalist pie, from new types of bread to new BMWs, everyone wanted those things they could never have under communism. Shelves rapidly filled with everything from the exotic to the erotic, and Russians quickly realised they could have all the wonderful things that they could only previously dream about: nice cars, modern apartments, household appliances, designer clothes, cameras, watches, jewellery. Russians could work hard, save hard and hope to eventually buy whatever they wanted. Or they could steal. And many stole.,On top of that, everyone wanted to supply and provide the things that no one had, and there was huge, and I mean huge, money to be made.

Many ordinary Russian’s suddenly became businessmen (and a few women), but there were few morals or etiquette in doing business back then, you just grabbed whatever you could from wherever you could, and anyone who had the guts, drive and determination, and a will to survive, could literally make millions overnight.

A few select businessmen secured, by way of bribes and intimidation, monopolies on products and services and became hugely wealthy, while the majority of people mainly those unable to adapt to a modern, capitalist world after years of communism - struggled to survive. Poverty was extreme, street crime was rampant and nobody could be trusted.

You could do whatever you wanted with more or less impunity too. Government authorities and departments were bribed; want to build a skyscraper? Bribe the right people in the right departments and you could get all the permissions and licenses

By: Robin Barratt in super-fast time. Want to import western goods? Bribing Customs Officers to process certain containers and goods was rife.

Committed a crime? Bribing police officers and judges was the norm. Organised crime groups quickly formed, collectively called the Russian Mafia, and they started to control large areas of Moscow; from opening up a department store, to selling shoes laces on the street corner, people had to be paid. And, as business developed, Mafia groups fought for larger and larger control of areas, businesses and business, and the best and quickest way to get rid of a business opponent or competition is to

quite simple to get rid of them. The streets of Moscow were a lot like Chicago in the twenties, businessmen were often targeted and shots were frequently heard at around this time as, and so everyone doing any sort of business had bodyguards. There were bodyguards everywhere! The security and protection industry was booming. But the Mafia quickly latched onto this booming market too, and realised that another way to provide protection ‘legitimately,’ and make money from it, is to open up a security business, and so many of the security companies setting up at that time were also Mafia controlled!

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Editorial: Issue 28

It was against this backdrop that I was first asked to go to Moscow and work alongside a Russian bodyguard team providing security and protection to the UK director of a big, US based, multi-national bank.

From Asia, the US and Europe, foreigners flocked to Russia intending to start new businesses and enterprises and to capitalise on this fresh, bright and extremely exciting market. Profits could be huge and investing in Russia was a risk many were willing to take. They all wanted a slice of the Russian Capitalist pie too, now that the borders were open to exporting into the country; there was money to be made in Russia and foregn businesses knew this. Although the laws for foreign businesses setting up shop in Russia were still complicated and

difficult, bribes were made, documents were stamped and many brands and businesses started trading in the country very quickly.

The one problem was that in order to trade in Russia, a business had to have a Russian partner owning 51% share of the company, and many of the Russian partners back then were corrupt businessmen themselves, or Mafia, and so Investigation companies sprang up to investigate the background of potential business partners. But again, many of these investigation companies were also Mafia owned, providing rather biased duediligence reports!

While I was living in Moscow, I remember being asked once to investigate the Russian directors of an American brand motor componant manufacturers. I used an

By: Robin Barratt Private Investigator in Moscow whom I knew I could trust, and, after just a few days investigations, found that all three of the Russian directors had other motor componant companies registered under their names, where they were syphoning the profits from the American company! All three had villas abroad and a few big cars, far too much from the salary the American company way paying them.

profile cases of a foreigner being publicly assassinated was on November 3, 1996 when Paul Tatum, the American part-owner of one of Moscow’s top hotels, was killed in broad daylight, not far from his office. He was shot in cold blood with an automatic Kalashnikov in front of several passers-by. It happened at around 5pm as Tatum, accompanied by two of his bodyguards, left the Slavyanskaya hotel and headed towards Kievskaya metro station where he had arranged to meet somebody.

For a few years after the fall of communism, Kievskaya metro is integrated within the the country was a mess, to say the least, mainline railway station and is situated and has taken a generation to settle down, literally right next to his hotel, and thus but even today Russia still ranks as one of only a short walk away. In the underground the most corrupt countries in the world, passageway, Tatum’s killer walked up to him just a little less corrupt than Somalia and and shot him eleven times at point-blank Afghanistan! Air Security International still range. The killer then calmly laid his gun lists Russia as a Category Four threat: A high down on the passageway steps and walked threat of physical harm due to violent acts away, while his bodyguards stood silently by. associated with crime, demonstrations or Eleven bullets ended Tatum’s long dispute terrorism. A Category Five - the highest - is with the Moscow City Government as well as the same as Category Four but ends with with his so-called business partner. and war.

Apparently, the dispute involved Tatum’s However, Westerners were rarely targeted refusal to pay a bribe of one million dollars by the Mafia during those first few turbulant to cover up an original earlier bribe he had years. The country had only just opened up made of half a million dollars. He was being to the West and they wanted western trade. extorted in typical Russian Mafia style; pay Actually, they needed western trade and a second bigger bribe to cover up the first goods to make money, so they understood bribe. This extortion method is still widely that targeting Westerners and western used today, especially by the traffic police. businesses would very quickly destroy They will stop you for speeding, being in the everything they had started to develop. Of wrong lane, skipping traffic lights, driving course, Western businesses still had to pay erratically, looking drunk, or... just driving huge bribes to get things done and to get and, if you incorrectly offer them money, paperwork signed and stamped, but they they will arrest you for attempting to bribe were rarely ‘picked off ’ as a quick and easy a police officer, thus soliciting even more way of getting rid of competition. Only from you (Instead of offering a bribe to any under exceptional circumstances would a policeman in Moscow, you must always ask foreigner ever be a target for assassination, if there is an on-the-spot fine to pay, and be and then usually because he is involved in very cautious and careful with your words some kind of shady dealings or business when handing over the cash). Anyway, partnership. One of the very last highwithin two days the Russian press forgot all

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Editorial: Issue 28

about Tatum’s murder; there was no enquiry and he was hastily buried in the Kuntsevsky Cemetery in Moscow before his relatives were able to arrange with his Embassy for his body to be taken back to the US. Everything was covered up and quickly forgotten. Word on the streets portrayed Tatum as a being a fairly dubious character who apparently had lots of differences and arguments with his Chechen business partner who half-owned the hotel. An American/Chechen business partnership was probably doomed to failure from the very start, with the odds considerably stacked against the American! Tatum was probably the last high-profile assassination of a foreign businessman in Moscow since the crisis of 1998 when 90 percent of all foreigners left Russia, abandoning their businesses and homes as overnight hundreds of banks collapsed, thousands of businesses went bust and the rouble devalued.

Before 1998 things were crazy, and very dangerous for most people doing business.

I remember abother time when I was asked to consult on the security for a brand new BMW showroom. I was working with a company called Centurion, who I had partnered with on a number of other projects, so I also knew them fairly well.

They had already set up security, but just wanted a Westerner’s advice. Expecting to see a typical BMW showroom like those in the UK, I arrived to a fortress. There were no cars on an open, approachable forecourt, as there are in the UK, but behind ten-metre high walls topped with razor-wire, and around the perimeter guards armed with sub-machine guns patrolled. Big rolling gates were pulled aside, revealing an array of vehicles, once again guarded by machinegun totting guards. To go into the showroom I was searched twice, and had to pass multi-

levels of security before entering the offices.

These cars, to most Russians, were of a inconceivable value, and therefore such a huge target. Plus it was a cash only business, there were no such things as credit cards or bank transfers back then. You wanted to buy a BMW, you turned up with tens of thousands of dollars in cash. Literally, people turned up with carrier bags full of cash! I was a big dumbfounded as to what to say, how could I improve on this security? It was at a level I had never experienced in the West.

The offices of the bodyguard company I was working with was something I had not experienced either. The huge metal-gated entrance to the compound was patrolled by fully-armed guards wearing weighty bulletproof vests and carrying their Kalashnikovs half-raised. The high perimeter fence was topped with roll after roll of razor wire and inside a fleet of top-of-the-range BMW and Mercedes. Centurion were doing extremely well protecting Russia’s new rich. Their main armoury, in the basement of the main offices, contained row after row of handguns and AK47s, and their secondary armoury about 20 sub-machine guns lined the walls. Unlike any security company back in the UK! This wasn’t Iraq or Afghanistan, but Moscow in the ‘90s.

During those few boom years, I would travel backwards and forwards to Moscow about ten times a year, and came to know the city as well as my home town. I partnered with a couple of bodyguard companies and an investigations company that I could trust to do my corporate investigations and duedilligence. And for the Russian companies I worked with, partnering a Westerner meant they could also attract western business which, at that time, was very prestigious to have on their portfolio. Plus, Westerners

By: Robin Barratt

travelling to Moscow felt more comfortable security of having someone around... just in and secure having a Westerner on site case. providing them with security than a Russian.

So it was a win-win for everyone.

Looking back, working in Moscow as a bodyguard was such an incredible Chronic financial deficit was one of the experience, and I have so many more reasons that led to the crisis of 1998, when stories to tell! And I have met and worked the Russian government devalued the rouble. with many, many brilliant bodyguards People lost most of their savings literally whose skill-set and mindset far exceeded over-night and almost every foreign business my wildest expectations. They train every pulled out of the country. Things slowly day, day in and day out, unlike many SIA changed thereafter and Moscow became registered CPOs here in the UK! British much safer... well, safer in comparison to bodyguard licensing is farcical compared to what it was, although the city is still ranked the training Russian bodyguards go through as a considerable risk compared to much of to get their license, and Russian bodyguards western Europe. Russian businessmen (and are some of the toughest people I have come women) still use bodyguards of course, that across – and I have met a few tough people won’t change for many years, but Westerners in my life. Moscow was – and still is – such (those that have returned with their an amazing city too, and so unique, and I businesses) are relatively safe. I have only suggest everyone takes a couple of days off provided protection a handful of and visits as a tourist, even if it is just the see times since the crisis, the last time being the Red Square and Kremlin. But, with the at the World Economic Forum in St. Ukraine crisis, sanctions against Russia, and Petersburg for an American businessman the megalomaniac that is Putin, what will who wasn’t at risk, but just wanted the happen in the future, who knows.

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By: Shaun West Security Consultant

Remaining Professional Dealing with High Conflict Personality

In our roles as a security professional we will at times come across individuals with high conflict personalities, especially if you are working in a team leader / management type role. To be successful it is essential that we learn to deal with each of these personalities in a professional, tactful and respectful manner.

High net worth circles can provide you with these challenges on an almost daily basis; this may be from personal assistants, house/ estate managers or other heads of department within your Principals organisation with whom you may have to work. If you work for a Principal who is a big name with great wealth and status it can give a greater sense of importance to the senior staff that fill key positions.

Individuals may feel under more pressure and strain the higher the stakes and will be a lot more protective of their jobs and with the information they receive and pass out.

Important information can be like currency with some heads of department, some would rather hold onto the helpful information that they receive rather than passing it on and working as a team. You can sometimes get the sense that if helpful information is given to

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Feature Issue 28

you, that the person will at some point want something in return.

Remember when dealing with individuals of this type that you give them the respect that their position deserves and talk to them correctly in the same manner you would expect in return, they are not the Principal, they do however work for the Principal and all parts should be working as one.

People with high conflict personalities tend to exhibit all-or-nothing thought processes, appear impulsive and can be demeaning and demanding of the people they interact and work with if they feel they have a higher status. There can be a complete lack of logical reasoning which makes a high conflict personality extremely difficult to deal with, we must learn to remain calm and in control when faced with these situations.

The best way to handle a high conflict personality in practice, and remain professional in doing so, is to fully understand who you are dealing with and find a way to make it work until your goal is achieved whatever that maybe. This will take trial and error if you are new to an organisation and don’t yet know the personalities but as long as you are professional and courteous to your peers you should be able to navigate these tricky waters fairly easily.

High conflict personalities tend to share similar characteristics and there are so many different types of high conflict people that you are likely to encounter, both within your professional and personal lives. These personalities can be bred based on an underlying fear of abandonment or insecurities in comparison to others around

them. Some characteristics include all-ornothing thinking, impulsiveness, a total lack of responsibility for their actions, and distorted perspectives and expectations.

Good advice which I have read and have always found useful when dealing with someone who has these character traits is to stop yourself from attempting to “diagnose� or going up against the person with the high conflict personality; instead recognize when you are dealing with someone exhibiting these characteristics and work around as it is this which will always lead to the better solution. You cannot change a high conflict personality, so you must have a calm and well-practiced approach to working alongside them. If you cannot control them, you must control yourself. Control your body language, the tone of your voice, remain calm and firm; threatening a high conflict person is unproductive.

If the high conflict personality has an issue that is affecting you and you feel it is escalating where it is hindering you in your role providing a security function you could confront the person, hit the problem head on and try to eliminate it before further escalation. A high conflict person is generally more than happy to tell you what their issue is with you so by getting it out in the open it can sometimes be a good thing, this way you can both put the issues to bed and once again start operating as a team.

Other people will always sense the high conflict personality in action, if you remain calm and professional throughout it will only highlight the weakness of the other person. As a security professional you should be looking to avoid conflict wherever possible and provide solutions to the problems with which you are faced.

By: Shaun West Security Consultant

“People with high conflict personalities tend to exhibit allor-nothing thought processes, appear impulsive and can be demeaning and demanding of the people they interact and work with�

If you receive an email from someone with a high conflict personality whom you may be having issues with, sit on the email, do not immediately send a nasty reply. Best advice is that you hold onto the reply for 24 hours before deciding whether or not it is appropriate to send out. Also a good tip is to remember to not put the recipients email address in until you are sure you want to send the message to avoid sending inadvertently.

Dealing with high conflict personalities is and always be tricky, but if you remain calm and in control you can get the job done professionally and become better in each future dealing which can only help when looking to get the job done!

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Opinion Issue 28

HAS THE SABRE GOT THEM RATTLED?

I have never been one to apply the word �Expert� to a particular field of work, and certainly not to anybody associated to the intelligence community surrounding the ever changing face of Terrorism we face today.

Perhaps I am alone in my views on how the face of terrorism has severely changed in the last 2 years, but I am now having a hard time keeping up with the mind set of these terrorist groups, forming at the drop of a hat, to achieve a political or religious settlement.

A so called expert in the field of terrorism, would have to know the detail of every formation, its leaders/deputies/finance streams/ weapon access and the unique political or religious driving force behind its intent. I follow these groups closely, but even I have to check several times daily to fully understand what is actually happening around us in the western hemisphere.

If you consider that there are now 53 separate terrorist groups operating in the world, one

would have to be a very knowledgeable and up to date individual, to be of any use to any Intelligence agency, as the top tiers themselves within terrorist organisations which change frequently, as Government Anti-Terror units and the Military, try to get the upper hand in several key areas of the world.

To firstly give you some idea of the terrorist units operating around the world that I number, with their abbreviated title, here is the current list as it stands in some resemblance of order: Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB) Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)

HAS THE SABRE GOT THEM RATTLED? By: Gil Boyd B.E.M Al-Qa’ida (AQ) Al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI) Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB) Ansar al-Shari’a in Benghazi Ansar al-Shari’a in Darnah Ansar al-Shari’a in Tunisia Ansar al-Dine (AAD) Ansar al-Islam (AAI) Ansaru al-Mulathamun Battalion Army of Islam (AOI) Asbat al-Ansar (AAA) Aum Shinrikyo (AUM) Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) Boko Haram Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA) Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) Gama’a al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group) HAMAS Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM) Hizballah (Party of God) Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh (HUJI-B) Haqqani Network (HQN) Indian Mujahidin (IM) Islamic Jihad Group (IJU) Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) also known as ISIS or Islamic State Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) Jemaah Anshorut Tawhid (JAT) Jemaah Islamiya (JI) Jundallah Kahane Chai (KACH)

Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Kongra-Gel, PKK) Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LeT) Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) National Liberation Army (ELN) Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC) Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Revolutionary Organization 17 November (17N) Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) Shining Path (SL) Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) What concerns me greatly in recent times, is why Boko Haram for instance, has suddenly, as a dedicated self-financing terrorist organisation, sought to align with ISIL. Is this a sign of weakness, or a sign that finally the “sabre rattling” by the western Military powers with the Military training and support of Close Protection companies applied to loyal forces in the countries affected, is in part working?

Do they need to join another terrorist group to help finance their activities, or is it they have found they are treading on each other’s toes, using the same tactics in executions and Kidnap

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Opinion Issue 28

“Blowing up others and not themselves, is a complete rethink and reversal of religious tactics.” and Ransom for instance, tapping into the same revenue chains, to a point of being ineffective!

Perhaps this in part has driven the more extreme terrorist units to consider beheading their captives in frustration with vast media coverage, instead of holding them hostage for the long haul, and a final monetary settlement with weaker Governments or companies!

How we easily forget the past and the tactics used by such organisations, some of which I list above. Blowing up others and not themselves, is a complete rethink and reversal of religious tactics. It has to be said that maybe 50 of the 53 listed organisations, are now solely on the trail of “Jihadism” and not politically motivated to regain or repossess land.

Drugs also seem to be a major part of the driving force behind certain terrorist units, particularly both Africa and the Middle East. Whether it be for personal use or to create funds, many Governments using their military have attempted to stem the flow at source.

It is also interesting to see the diverse weapons used by newly formed terrorist units. They appear to be of predominantly Russian

manufacture, with the AK47 assault rifle and the RPG rocket propelled grenade launcher, as the favoured choice.

However, with the changing face of countries regimes assisted by western Governments interventions, this has led directly to more western style weapons being seen for the first time, supplied to small local units, who at the time of insurrection appeared to be loyal to the west and needed support. Some of these weapons are now in the hands of unknown groups!

So in short, does SABRE RATTLING really work in far off lands, where many men and women, for centuries have lost their lives, in the thought that they were defending their own countries borders, crushing a terrorist threat?

It has always been in this ever changing security driven world where we strive to keep ourselves safe, that the fluid thought process of the terrorist is extremely hard to anticipate where he is going to strike next. With certain terrorist groups now seemingly merging together, this could mean we are at last collectively having some effect on their power struggle.

Gil Boyd B.E.M served in Intelligence within The Parachute Regiment, before joining a British Police Force where he served for 30 years. He formed the National Hostage Siege Technical Requirements Group at the Home Office, where he designed many pieces of technical equipment still in use today by Law Enforcement and Military units.

He is currently a Director of The British Security Association www.britishsecurityassociation.com and runs his own design company Goodman Bentley Spec/Ops Design & Security Limited www.goodmanbentley.com He is a regular subscriber to our magazine

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Feature: Issue 28

DEFINING PROTECTION: UNDERPINNING RISK & CRISIS MANAGEMENT

DEFINING PROTECTION: UNDERPINNING RISK & CRISIS MANAGEMENT Often managers, decision makers and even planners tend to think with a focused view within their own areas of expertise and influence.

A financial manager for instance will consider the business bottom line and ways in which budgets can be controlled and costs minimised.

Similarly a Security manager will look at the best ways in which to protect the business assets through the use of a combination of systems and human resources. What these focused approaches create are silo mentalities.

HOLISTIC APPROACH Holistic approaches consider issues as a whole. How issues are interconnected and

what impact actions in one area have on another. A key element in this is stakeholder management, looking at who is affected by plans and operations and the impact each of these stakeholders can have on the overall plan.

STAKEHOLDERS There are many stakeholder models in circulation such as Mitchell et al (1997) Stakeholder Salience or Gardner et al. (1886) Power/Dynamism Matrix. However figure 1 shows perhaps the most basic approach. Create a table listing all stakeholders both internal and external that may be affected by your plans and consider how they may influence the overall plan or how your plan may affect them?

RISK AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT SERIES By: Paul Tonks MBA This stakeholder list should be extensive and consider the short, medium and long term effects of what you plan. But where does this fit with Risk and Crisis Management?

RISK AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT Dependent upon what assets we are attempting to manage there will be a need to manage the risks associated with these assets; and measures will be required to manage these assets through a crisis.

EXAMPLE Figure 2 considers the protection of a facility that contains high risk assets. Often planners

Figure 1: Stakeholder analysis

will design the Security elements to protect these assets and though they may engage with some stakeholders: such as internal suppliers for power sources to connect Security systems; or external stakeholders such as the Company contracted to install a wall or fence. However they may not consider the water supplies to the installation, or the environmental visual impact these constructions have to house prices in the local area.

Failing to consider plans, projects and routine operability with a holistic eye can result in unanticipated repercussions. For example a recent project attempting to install a protective

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Feature: Issue 28

Figure 2: Defence in Depth for High Profile Assets

wall in the South of England saw the project manager decide to drive the work and try and catch-up by working his team on a Sunday.

The failure to consider stakeholder reactions lead to complaints from nearby residents about the noise. This resulted not only in the work being halted, and the contractors involved still having to be paid but also press interest from both local radio and newspaper journalists.

These issues really underpin the concerns this series of articles aim to address over coming months a holistic approach to risk and crisis management. Figure 2 illustrates the basic model that the series will address and this layered approach to risk, security, crises and emergency management.

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO PROTECT? One of the first questions we must ask is: • What are we actually trying to protect? This must closely be followed by: • What are the genuine risks this asset has?

For instance a wealthy business client may have excellent close protection complete with burley guards, but may in actuality be under no more risk of attack than the average person on the streets. A higher risk to that individual may come from hackers compromising information that attracts media attention, yet this information is protected by little more than a reputable software Security system.

A well defended military camp may have

RISK AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT SERIES By: Paul Tonks MBA interlocking arcs of fire, dominate the ground and great fields of fire. However no consideration is given to ensuring the water supply is monitored prior to consumption leaving them exposed to poisoning; or little is done to counter malaria (how many suffered from this during Op Palliser in 2000 – especially when there were no casualties from enemy action).

These brief examples perhaps highlight the biggest issue with our threat assessments. We tend to focus on an enemy or particular threat rather than consider the issues holistically asking the question what are the real hazards and risks associated with this plan, project, task or operation?

RISK When looking at risk we should therefore consider not only direct risk but associated risks.

The model in figure 3 shows a basic risk model. It covers the oversight and governance considerations which include: • Appetite: What risks are we willing to take? Are these graded dependent upon circumstances?

• Accountability and audits: how we will ensure

Figure 3: Risk Management – a simple model

responsibilities are divided, implemented, evidenced and checked.

HOW RISK IS MANAGED: • Processes: what procedures and evidence of these procedures have been put in place? Have they been communicated? Do people understand them? Have they been trained? Are they being followed? Are they being regularly checked and monitored?

• People: Are people managing the risk correctly?

Are they following our guidelines? Are personal behaviours supporting our risk mitigations?

Are we doing enough to protect our people?

Are we doing enough to protect third parties from the risks associated with our actions?

• Technologies: What technologies are available to help us manage risk? e.g. risk analytics.

Would technology be better employed than people or would a combination of the two enhance our mitigations?

The risk model: this basic model covers the following steps: • Identify risks: likely risk areas include: 1. Operational Risk 2. Value Chain risk

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Feature: Issue 28

3. Functional Risks 4. Virtual Risks 5. Micro and Macro environmental risks 6. Low probability high consequence risk • Quantify exposure: in other words analyse the probability of a risk occurring, then map this against the consequences of such an occurrence. Prioritise based on highest probability (although high consequence assets e.g. CRBN related materials may result in low probability events being given the highest priority and protection).

World is complex, things change quickly and so does risk. Ideally a risk manager should be appointed to focus on the business risks.

• Record events, amend/adapt and improve: Linked to the last element is the monitoring of external events and internal occurrences. This can be to trend issues that if not addressed may grow into a future concern (ignoring issues that result in latent errors). This also includes using operational experiences from other areas to learn, adapt and continually improve your own practices.

• Deploy Risk Defences: A combined layered approach as hinted in figure 2 should be employed to protect your assets. (These will be covered in greater detail later in the series).

FINAL THOUGHTS This initial article in a series of risk and crises management articles covers some underpinning elements that should be considered when addressing these areas. Future articles will endeavour to touch on the following areas: • Defence in Depth • Risk and Crises tools and methodologies • Training and Exercise development • Incident and event management • Post incident Management

• Monitor strategies: Maintain an overview of short, medium and long term strategies. It is insufficient to develop, deploy and leave. The

Note: Feedback, questions and queries are welcome and the author will do the utmost to address these.

• Develop mitigations: Assess options available, design mitigations and select those best suited to your needs. Implement development program to adopt these mitigations inclusive of physical works, process scripting, training and evaluation and progress monitoring.

Paul Tonks MBA MSc, is currently the Director of @ Business SRT Ltd which specialises in developing a holistic approach for businesses in respect to Security; Risk and crisis management; and Training development and delivery. @ Business SRT Ltd are at the time of writing providing consultancy in Security culture and emergency planning in the Global Nuclear Industry.

Paul Tonks MBA MSc uk.linkedin.com/in/paultonks9677

Previous roles Paul has undertaken include: • 4.7 years as Head of Site security on an EDF Nuclear Power Station in the UK during which time he also worked on the Japanese Emergency Re sponse program on an autonomous project to align Safety and Security in the UK fleet.

• 5 years as Security and Estate management for a private client.

• 1-2 year (spread over time) Security guard at various locations.

• 24 years in the 1st Bn The Parachute Regiment – serving in NI, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Iraq.

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Feature Issue 28

Ignore Terrorism

And we loose….

Boston April 15, 2013 14:49 pm: Chechen brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev load two bombs into two separate backpacks; they each carry one and calmly walk into downtown Boston.

The brothers, self radicalized, motivated by extremist Islamic beliefs and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, strategically position the backpacks among the thousands who were in attendance to watch the Boston Marathon.

At 14:49 the brothers, near-on simultaneously detonate the bombs, 21 seconds apart and 210 yards apart, killing 3 and wounding a further 264. After an intense manhunt and subsequent capture of one brother and the death of the other, authorities learned of a second plot involving the two, where they were planning to drive to New York City’s Time Square and detonate a further batch of explosives.

Australia December 14, 2014 10:00 am: While patrons of a quiet café’ enjoy their morning coffee, gunmen and self proclaimed Muslim cleric, Man Haron Monis enter and take 17 people hostage and force them up against the windows or onto the ground. He demands to speak with the Prime Minister and local news agencies.

Monis has been arrested almost a year earlier on charges (which he pleaded guilty to) of writing letters to Australian service members accusing them of being“ Hitler’s Soldiers”.

The siege lasts almost a full day until Australian Special

By: Mark Roche EPS

Forces tactically enter the café. The result of the raid, the gunmen and Monis are killed and 2 hostages dead.

France January 7, 2015 2:30 pm: At the publication offices of Charlie Hebdo staffers meet for a production meeting to discuss the production of their latest issue.

Outside, two brothers load assault rifles and calmly walk into the building and up to the room where the meeting is held. The brothers, who are upset and fueled with anger by the newspaper’s satire drawings depicting the profit Muhammad in a bad light, enter the office and open fire killing 11, and wounding a further 11. When leaving the building they encounter a police officer, chase him, and execute him on the street in cold blood.

Tunisia March 19, 2015 : The cities Iconic and most visited museum is being enjoyed by many tourists. Three Tunisian Jihad extremists enter the museum and open fire. With no apparent motive other than to cause death and destruction, they kill 23 tourists. The tourists are from countries such as

France, Poland, Italy and Columbia targeting all ethnicities. 20 people were arrested in relation to the attack, 10 of whom the authorities say were “ directly Involved”. It is estimated that more than 10,000 Tunisian nationals have joined extremist groups such as al Qaeda and ISIS in recent years.

Yemen March 20, 2015: In the city of Sanas, Yemen during the afternoon call to prayer, Shite Muslims gather at their mosque to pray. A suicide bomber walks in and detonates a bomb worn under his clothing. This was the third in a string of bombings targeting local mosques in the country in the space of only a few days which kill 142 and injure 351 people who just wanted to pray. The Islamic state (ISIS) claims responsibility in all three cases. Yemen, while a fledgling democracy has unfortunately been a breeding ground for extremists and with its close proximity to Libya, Iraq, and Syria it’s being used as a springboard for extremists to launch attacks. Currently Yemen is starting to collapse under sectorial fighting and the further incursion of radical groups.

This is the third in a string of bombings at local mosques in that country in recent days that kill 142 and injures 351 people that just wanted to pray. The Islamic state (ISIS) claims responsibility in all three cases.

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Let me state that in no way do I consider myself an expert on terrorism, nor do I aspire to being one, this is simply an expression of opinions and thoughts on a topic that we as protectors should pay close attention to.

Firstly, all the attacks I referred to took place in Democratic countries with the exception of Yemen. These countries all have a “normal” government structure and a level of expectation for societal inner workings. As democracies they have freedom of speech, religion, human rights and freedom of movement and travel.

Secondly, the attacks that I highlighted appear to target no one group of people. Religion played little part except for the attackers own individual ideological beliefs. In the Yemen attacks a more perverse statement was the intention. However, in my opinion it was a soft target with a pre-conceived result(s). Lastly, and what I think is a pervasive thread occurring in them all is that none of the attacks were committed in war torn countries.

Even Yemen, on the brink of civil war once more, yet at the time of the attacks the country it was relatively stable.

I think the most profound take away from all of these attacks is that they can happen ANYWHERE at ANYTIME. Many of us have clients that travel regularly to some of the exact locations of recent terror attacks. What steps have you taken to understand (as best as you can) the situational position that a particular country or region is in, to be able to protect the client effectively? There are 250,000 churches in the U.S. according to ARIS (American religious Identification survey) and with ISIS’s war on Christianity, are our churches vulnerable on any given Sunday, possibly where our clients worship? There are 1,209 mosques in the U.S.

the biggest being in Dearborn Michigan, and it is a Shiite mosque, which is the same sect that was attacked in Yemen. There are 31 full time football stadiums in the U.S. that hold up to 80,000 people at a time and 30 fulltime baseball stadiums that hold between 35-50,000 people, if someone wanted to make a statement, would that be a prime target?

Some of us will have clients that perform concerts for tens of thousands of people, offering maximum destruction and death toll for a would-be terrorist. It’s not enough to expect security coverage from event staff or local law enforcement, it’s up to us because they don’t get paid to protect our client solely, this is our job. Our clients all have certain opinions, certain beliefs, they make certain statements publicly and that’s all it takes, people are being killed for their opinions and if you have a client in the public eye, some extremists will try and put you in the public eye for all the wrong reasons.

As recent as March 22, 2015 100 service members from various branches of our armed forces had their names, addresses, and pictures posted to an ISIS hit list that they gained through ISIS hackers. The enemy is equipped, organized and dangerous. The reality is we are not immune to attack but I/we owe it to our clients to be well versed on terrorism, and international conflicts, which could have domestic consequences.

I am not a fear monger but in my opinion, we are charged with anticipating the thoughts and actions of our adversaries, we do this professionally every day, what’s the difference between a local adversary and a terrorist or extremist? Ignore what’s going on abroad with terrorism and face losing at home.

Case Study BBA membership

The close protection officer’s story Paul Tyler epitomises today’s professional close protection officer.

Since serving in Afghanistan and Kosovo, he’s built a successful career in close protection, looking after high net-worth individuals, their families and assets in Europe and the UK.

is success is at east partia y down to e ce ent risk assessment persistence and decision making ski s. o surprise then that Pau was uick to take advantage of the British Bodyguard Association’s BBA new Protect premium membership package We caught up with Paul during a rare quiet spell. Before exploring his motivation for selecting Protect, it was logical to establish his credentials and discuss his experience.

‘Like so many lads, I enlisted just before my eighteenth birthday, joining 29 Commando as part of a team providing tactical support for the Marines. The next seven years were spent on active service in Afghanistan and Kosovo. That’s where I learned the tricks of the trade that have served me so well.’

Opportunities in Ibi a After leaving the army, while providing security at Didcot Power Station in 2010, Paul met the BBA’s Shaun West. A shared copy of The Circuit gave him a glimpse of the Association’s work – and bodyguarding opportunities in Ibi a Tyler again: ‘I was hooked the minute I read that article, contacted the writer and tried to get some work out in the sun. I pestered them until they gave me a contract. It was a blast ’ Paul worked in Ibi a for two years, before returning to the UK to be closer to his young family. Since discovering the BBA, he’s remained committed to the Association’s work and a firm believer in its value for the industry and CPOs alike.

BBA membership makes so much sense ‘BBA membership makes so much sense, ‘ Paul explains. ‘Our industry can be very lonely at times, so it’s good to know you’re part of an organisation run by guys who really know close protection and look out for each other. Whether it’s the networking, the continuous professional development (CPD) or the news and jobs in The Circuit, BBA membership is a no-brainer for any professional CPO.’ It’s a credit to the BBA’s two founders, both active CPOs with extensive experience, that the organisation continues to develop new member offerings.

‘They’ve come a long way over the last few years,‘ says Tyler, ‘and one of the best things is the relevance of the membership benefits – not least the new premium Protect and Protect+ memberships that complement existing Bron e, Silver and old levels.’

Protect was designed for BBA members Protect was designed with specialist insurance broker Lockton to make it easy for BBA members to upgrade to a premium membership with insurance as standard.

Paul Tyler again: ‘As CPOs, we’re used to looking after ourselves and our principals. Because we usually come from military backgrounds, where benefits are provided automatically, it’s easy to overlook these once we’re in civilian roles. In my opinion, that’s a mistake. Think about it: who protects the protector ’

‘That’s why I was delighted to see the BBA’s new offering – and why I’ve taken advantage of Protect membership, which is designed for primarily UK-resident CPOs working in non-hostile environments.’

Tyler is alluding to the diverse exposure facing CPOs. This varies by assignment and location, but typically includes public liability, professional indemnity and personal accident.

I took advantage of Protect ‘That’s why I was delighted to see the BBA’s new offering – and why I took advantage of Protect membership, which is designed for primarily UK-resident CPOs. It gives me PI cover, public liability protection and personal accident cover when I’m at work. And all the other BBA membership benefits such as CPD and my regular copy of The Circuit.’

It’s often hard for CPOs to get insurance As he talks about CPO insurance, Tyler makes the important point that it’s often hard for CPOs to find insurers who are willing to cover them: ‘Most other companies want silly money to cover people like me and most employers won’t take you on without insurance. So sometimes you can get stuck in the middle with noone to help.’

‘It’s understandable, given the inherent risks of our work. The UK and Europe are bad enough, but the risks are much higher for contracts in hostile environments like Iraq or Afghanistan. That’s where Protect+ comes into its own. They’ve designed it specifically for armed CPOs working in the world’s unfriendliest places. Best of all, the level of membership can be adjusted between contracts, or if the CPO works back in the UK for a while.’

It’s easy to upgrade BBA membership The BBA developed Protect and Protect+ after identifying gaps in the market for CPO membership and insurance. As well as offering an enhanced membership level consistent with a leading professional trade body, the new membership grades make it easy for CPOs to upgrade their membership.

‘I found it very easy to get monthly membership cover,’ explains Tyler, ‘and it’s all done online via the BBA website, with no longwinded application process and form filling. You can pay with PayPal too, and there’s even cover in transit, which other policies don’t provide.’

I’d recommend the BBA and Protect to any CPO With the conversation ending, we asked Paul whether he’d recommend the BBA and its Protect membership packages to others. His answer was unequivocally affirmative: ‘Absolutely, and I always do; especially for job ads, training and insurance there’s no better place if you’re a CPO.’

‘I found it very easy to get monthly membership cover and it’s all done online via the BBA website, with no long-winded application process and form filling.’

‘With the BBA you get so much more than just being part of the Association. And with Protect and Protect+ it just got even better!’

For more information visit: www.the-bba.org.uk E admin@the-bba.org.uk T +44 (0) 191 6450 865

The British Bodyguard Association BBA Corporate Suite 27 58 Low Friar Street Newcastle NE1 5UE

By:Liz Royle & Cath Kerr KR Trauma Support

Leave no man behind?

In the last edition of The Circuit, we explained how building a good social support system is an important part of your mental body armour.

The Social Support Audit we featured in “Who’s watching your back?” considered different aspects of your personal social support. Peer support is a two-way street though!

Many close protection operatives consider themselves to have forged strong peer relationships through team working in hostile environments. They trust their colleagues and, in turn, believe that they are trusted.

… ultimately I need to know that whoever I’m working with, if the shit hits the fan and I’m in a situation, that my colleagues are going to be there to watch my back – just as I will for them. With my close team I know instinctively, they will be there. I also know that the people who know me really well, accept me for who I am and I’ll do anything to help those that are close to me, you know, anything – I’ll go out of my way to help them (Ben)

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If you can relate to Ben’s words, then there are some important facts that you need to know.

Firstly the good news about peer support: • Strong, trusting relationships amongst peers protects against mental illness • Peer support is an important factor in recovering from the psychological impact of traumatic events Unfortunately, the facts don’t stop there: • The majority of people will find it hard to ask for support from their peers. They will often fear being judged as weak or not up to the job.

Rather than accessing peer support they may withdraw from it and become isolated. The culture of a team can really add to this. The jokes and banter we all use to defuse tension, along with stereotypes about mental illness, can combine to make people fearful of admitting a problem • Many people will try to suppress or ignore their mental distress causing an escalation of symptoms may end in a crisis. At that point, there may even be suicidal or homicidal thoughts – particularly concerning if deadly weapons are readily available. When this crisis happens, peers may be completely taken by surprise but often, with hindsight, the signs were there. Friends are left asking themselves “why didn’t they tell me? I would have helped somehow before it got so bad.”

The ethos of “Leave no man behind” is a mainstay across the international Armed Forces and equally relevant to professionals in close protection. If a colleague was injured out in the field, would you turn your back and walk away?

Maybe blame him or her for not being up to the

job? Or label them as damaged goods not worthy of bothering with? Hopefully not but what if the injury was psychological, invisible and not easily understood?

In industries that rely on physical and psychological strength, a traumatic stress reaction can be viewed as “not normal” and shameful even though it’s a perfectly natural reaction to an out-of the-ordinary event. The truth is, we can build up our resilience but nobody is immune to developing a PTS reaction.

Nobody is invulnerable. As we’ve said in previous editions, it is based on our biologically inbuilt, survival response and made up of physical and psychological reactions to threat.

Six principles of peer support You don’t need to be a qualified mental health professional to support your peers. You talk the same language, share the same experiences and really understand what they have gone through.

However, there are things you need to consider if you want to ensure you’re doing the best for your close colleagues.

1) Be aware of changes – This may be sudden and marked or a slow subtle change.

Be particularly vigilant for increased anger, distancing from friends, avoiding activities or signs of fatigue. Frequent colds, weight changes and new or worsened minor conditions (e.g. eczema, irritable bowel syndrome) may indicate a body that is compromised by stress hormones.

2) Raise your concerns with them Be honest. If you think someone is acting out of character, the simplest (but ironically sometimes the hardest) thing to do is to raise this with them.

Avoid language that implies weakness such as

By:Liz Royle & Cath Kerr KR Trauma Support

“What’s wrong with you?” “Are you struggling to cope?”

Consider how you would want someone to approach you if the roles were reversed. Keep it informal and low-key. If you are avoiding having the conversation, think how much harder it could be if you wait for a crisis to hit.

3) Take a long term view Because you are trained to set your emotions aside, reactions can take several weeks or months to bubble to the surface. There may be initial reluctance to accept there is a problem. Many people have a front to maintain and there is a huge stigma to admitting to problems. Just because you’re told they’re “fine” doesn’t mean you should dismiss your concerns. Keep an eye out. It may take them time and several attempts before they’re ready to talk.

4) Watch out for unhelpful ways of coping – it’s important to avoid behaviour that may end up making things worse. Be aware of the fine line between helpful and unhelpful strategies.

• Alcohol: taking them for a drink and using small amounts of alcohol as a means to loosen their tongue and allow people to talk freely can be good. Going for several drinks and using alcohol to blot out symptoms can be extremely unhelpful. In larger amounts alcohol is a depressant, removes inhibitions and may result in risky behaviour • Withdrawal: having quiet time to reflect on matters can be good. Avoiding social contact and withdrawing from work or pleasurable activities can add to the negative impact.

• Using work as a temporary distraction from problems can be helpful and provide a sense of control and self-esteem. Using work to avoid dealing with the experience can lead to burnout

The majority of people will find it hard to ask for support from their peers. They will often fear being judged as weak or not up to the job.

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and prevent processing of the event.

5) Encourage helpful ways of coping – even if they don’t want to open up to you or admit a problem, you can still help by encouraging them to do the things that generally help with traumatic stress. This can be as simple as taking part in regular exercise so motivating them to go for a run or gym session with you (rather than the bar). Being around people who understand and talking about experiences is helpful. Talking helps the brain to process the experience whereas bottling it up can be very unhelpful.

If someone does want to talk, avoid responding with statements such as “You’ll get over this – just pull yourself together” “Best not to talk about it, it will only upset you” Your job is simply to listen and allow them to make their own sense of things rather than to

try and fix it for them. If you’ve had a similar reaction in the past, it can be helpful for them to know they’re not alone and that recovery is possible. With good support and helpful coping, the vast majority of people will make a full recovery and many are actually strengthened by the experience.

6) Get advice If you’re not sure how to approach someone, or have any concerns whatsoever, speak to a health professional. If you are a team leader, it’s even more important to be aware of these issues as part of your welfare responsibilities. You may want to think about continuing professional development by training in trauma awareness.

Check out our website and blog for more resources www.powertorecover.co.uk And together let’s leave no man behind.

By: Kate Owen Medical emergencies Photograph © Prometheus Medical Limited

Kate Owen is one of Prometheus’ Senior Instructors and has over 15 years’ experience working with the UK ambulance service. She currently works as a HEMS Paramedic.

Medical emergencies

Y

Part 1 - Acute Respiratory Emergencies

ou’re out mountain biking with your client and their family when he develops a sudden shortness of breath. The temperature is hot and humid and you are approximately 5km from the nearest town. He is unable to talk to you because he is so short of breath’.

There could be many diagnoses, but in this article we are going to look at Asthma, Pulmonary Embolism, Chest infection and Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Asthma Asthma is a sudden ‘reversible’ narrowing of

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the small airways in your chest. It is caused by spasm and inflammation of the muscles within those airways.

These muscles become irritated by the swelling and produce excess mucous, which worsens the symptoms. Often a ‘wheeze’ can be heard because of this spasm, swelling and mucous production.

Other symptoms of asthmatic patients are shortness of breath, chest tightness, a lightheaded feeling and even reduced conscious level.

Asthma is one of the most common medical emergencies affecting the ability to breathe properly and has varying levels of severity ranging from mild to near fatal.

Fast recognition of asthma symptoms may prevent the patient’s condition developing in severity.

Many people will know they have asthma.

If you are escorting a client with known asthma to a remote location or where they are going to undertake physical activity, you should ensure you have a good supply of salbutamol (ventolin) inhalers and possibly oxygen. Clients with previous severe asthma may also carry prescription steroid tablets and antibiotics for use during an exacerbation.

Asthma triggers include stress, allergens, pollution, smoke inhalation and infection.

During an asthma attack, respiratory rate and heart rate will initially rise and then may drop if the patient becomes exhausted or their severity worsens. They may panic because they are so breathless, and a spiral of increase in effort and decrease in the ability to breathe properly.

Treatment <c>ABCDE Give high flow Oxygen if you have it available.

Call for emergency assistance or get the patient to hospital as soon as possible.

Most asthmatics have their own medication.

These are normally inhalers such as Salbutamol (blue colour) to help relieve symptoms, a steroid inhaler (often brown) to prevent onset of symptoms and tablets to help with inflammation.

Pulmonary Embolism A Pulmonary Embolism is when a blood clot, fragments of a blood clot or fat particles from a traumatic injury, becomes lodged within the pulmonary arterial system in the lungs. This prevents blood flow to the lungs causing damage to the lung tissue and a lack of oxygen delivery to the rest of the body.

The pulmonary arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen.

The patient may display signs of sudden, severe shortness of breath. They may develop chest pains in a specific point over their chest. Their heart rate and respiratory rate will rise and their blood pressure and oxygen saturations may drop, in severe cases looking blue (cyanosis) and having a cardiac arrest.

Treatment <c>ABCDE Give high flow Oxygen if you have it available Call for emergency assistance or get the patient to hospital as soon as possible.

Chest infection A chest infection is infection and

By: Kate Owen Medical emergencies inflammation of the small airways in your chest. It is caused either by bacteria or a virus. There is normally a history of a common cold leading up to the symptoms of a chest infection Common symptoms include a productive cough, breathlessness, often a wheeze, fatigue and fever.

The patient is encouraged to rest, maintain hydration, take oral paracetamol and seek medical attention to obtain antibiotics if symptoms of high fever are present as this is more likely to be a bacterial infection.

a chest x-ray can confirm the diagnosis and the lung can be re-inflated if needed. They will appreciate painkillers to help easy the pain they experience with each breath.

Remote Medical Assistance Some companies have the ability to telephone a ‘reach- back’ service to talk to a Doctor as gain medical advice over the telephone when they are likely to be supporting clients in remote areas. This service is should be available 24/7 to help with diagnoses and treatment plans.

Conclusion Your patient may have their own medication.

They are likely to recover within 7-10 days It is advisable to encourage the use of this if the treatment is initiated early. A chest to help relieve any symptoms, but only if infection can spread into the lung tissue if they are sure that their medication is for not treated effectively causing pneumonia. the problem they are experiencing. If they This is a serious condition requiring hospital do not have their medication with them, admission for treatment. They may develop then now is the time to call for assistance chest pains as well as shivering, sweating, from the emergency services. Within the fever, and dark brown sputum, fast resting remote environment this may take some heart rate and will look ‘generally unwell’. time, so after your <c>ABCDE assessment, if appropriate, sit them up and forward in Spontaneous Pneumothorax a sitting position to increase their chest Spontaneous pneumothorax is air trapped capacity. If unconscious put them in between the lung tissue and the rib cage the recovery position and monitor their within the chest. It can occur for no apparent respiratory heart rate and conscious level reason and in most cases can happen whilst getting assistance. suddenly. The majority of patients that suffer this condition are young, thin, healthy men. These conditions may not be the only cause of shortness of breath, but these are very The symptoms are sharp stabbing pain to common medical emergencies that can one side of the chest that has no apparent happen without warning. All of them present reason. Sudden shortness of breath occurs with sudden onset of breathing difficulty. and breathing in will make the pain worse.

The key is to obtain a full history of the The respiratory rate and heart rate may events leading up to the illness and any increase. previous experiences that they may have that were similar in nature. The treatment regime This condition may right itself in around 10 is to follow your <c>ABCDE approach and days, but it is advisable to help support the assist your patient with the equipment and patient into a comfortable position, and get skills that you have. Time is of the essence in them to a hospital as soon as possible, where patients with breathing difficulties.

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Feature: Issue 28

Hands on Protection Are We As Good As We Think We Are? After finishing 5 days of intense and demanding

training aimed at the Close Protection Officer, who has left their ego behind and realised their hands on Protection Skills need either developing or, in some cases, building from a none existent base level, I thought it prevalent to bring this to the attention of the seasoned professionals and new CPOs reading this issue.

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fter seeing first hand the training delivered and the skill set across the industry I felt, in most cases, something was lacking. Add to this, it seems current operators have delusions of grandeur due to the poor level of training currently on offer and from what they have received in the past. I decided to break this down and scrutinise what’s really needed in this job and ultimately what works and what does not. What you will see in my findings may shock you, especially if you’re a client/VIP/Principal and the team/individual who is protecting you can’t actually do the job you have employed them to do when it comes down to it’s basic form, hands on protection. In most cases these operators

can’t protect themselves, never mind you.

After going over my findings I designed a fit for purpose entry level course to which, my thoughts and ethos of the course I will endeavour to set out below so that you can understand my thought processes, and hopefully this will make you stop and think for the better of the industry and safety and not only yourselves, but others.

5 days are not going to make you the next Ninja, UFC MMA World Champion or Bruce Lee, and that’s not what it sets out to achieve but what it it does very well is give you the correct building blocks to work from and a starting point, should you need it to move forward. Add to this a bespoke plan for

British Bodyguard Association By: Shaun Gowland

each student to take away from the course and carry on training in a professional manner with optional quality refresher training, ongoing advice and workshops with qualified, insured and extremely experienced instructors.

When I started to put this together I knew this would be a much better bet than a 4 hour course sold as a days “Workshop”. I see no advantage in running a few hours workshop, that is simply not relevant without addressing the basic skills of each student. The more detailed specific workshops come later in a training syllabus.

It’s no good addressing and teaching certain things like edged weapons retention/defence

and giving the student a false skill set and, even worse, a mindset that they think they can deal with such things after training a few techniques in a sterile gym environment.

That to my mind is dangerous practice and one which is unfortunately aimed at the ego of the instructor and so far removed from the needs and safety of the student and more in the interests of financial gain. Spending an hour dealing with edged weapons is ridiculous and only furthers the false skill set of a delusional operator. Proficiency takes time and the quick fix zero to hero has no place in this world when it comes down to a life or death situation. We simply can’t gamble that it’s going to work because it’s worked once before or you have seen it on a

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You Tube video. Real factual based evidence and research is needed, exactly the same as conducting a threat and risk assessment or recce. Would you watch a You Tube video to make sure you got that right or to gather information? I hope not.

that form of testing is as close to a deadly altercation as you can get without roaming the streets for the real thing. My first experience of the cage was not pleasant but what I took away from it that day was an understanding of where I was skills, fitness, mental attitude and aptitude wise. I moved Through social media, I constantly see on from that experience with a new found videos of pyramid scheme, self proclaimed, outlook on myself and where I needed to be Martial Arts quick fix systems and so whilst still popping back to ground me and called Military Systems showing things like assess my development. I would never have students repeatedly punching bags with no got that from a sterile training environment concept of basic striking and creating power where the closest you get to a punch in the which then move onto firearms strips and face is if someone missed a huge pad on a dealing with edged weapons, crazy! Without useless drill. If you have never had a punch basics you’re setting the student up to fail in in the face or similar then, you’re not ready a real altercation. Add to the mix adrenaline for this job in my eyes as the first time you and in most cases the first fight they have get one in the field you will not be able to ever had and your looking at a defeated think straight or do your job. Shocked, angry student before the altercation even starts. I’m and uncontrolled will be your state of mind not going to name these schools/schemes/ and that’s no use in this field. The same goes systems as I’m sure you know exactly what for any altercation, verbal or violent, if you’re I’m referring to. Look at the same ones dealing with it for the first time then you’re that offer instructor courses in a week, or not going to be very good regardless of what thereabouts, and you will be close if not you think you’re capable of, or, what you’ve totally on the money. been taught. This is the real world and in the real world you have a number of changing My outlook on this field is simple and it’s factors and changes just in your own mind simple for a reason, simple works! The and body to deal with, never mind the people who fair the best in any altercation other person or persons. In short, don’t over are the ones that can fight at all 3 ranges. estimate what you think you’re capable of Stand up, Grappling/Take Downs and also as you will find out you’re nowhere near on the ground. This must be pressure tested where you have built yourself up to be, and and live “sparring” must be an integral part that alone is dangerous and impacts on the of your training. Scenario based training situation before it starts. is still, in my eyes, manufactured and none realistic whatever you may think. Ongoing Once the student can grasp the 3 ranges and regular training is the key not a zero to hero becomes proficient in those areas then we few hour workshop without any form of introduce the more skilled specific areas of competition style format to test the student. Self Protection and our Client Protection I remember an old instructor of mine who, Program. Both very similar but very different I quote, said “Think you can fight? Then at the same time, both go hand in hand and get in the cage and find out!” He was right, skills are transferable to each shared still set.

British Bodyguard Association By: Shaun Gowland

I’ve witnessed 2 people die from a simple one-punch altercation in my home

Quite frankly I’m sick of the current trend of empowering people with false hopes for a guaranteed altercation in the future should they believe what they think works from what they have been taught. Many times I have seen of late, people being quite overt in their manner and turning a simple walkaway situation into a possible deadly altercation where they could be seriously hurt or even town alone so I’m very aware of what can killed. I’ve witnessed 2 people die from a happen should someone not have the skills simple one-punch altercation in my home they think they have. This false skill set only makes the student gain, in my experience, a front of bravado and the mindset to speak their minds and carry out actions they normally wouldn’t have done, and without the skill set to back it up when things do go wrong. How do I know this? Because I’ve felt it first hand in the past and learned from my mistakes and the mistakes of the instructor and system.

The mindset, thought process and verbal skills of the operator play a huge part in taking a confrontational situation from a dangerous one, to a walk away one, a reality and not just part of a training video. These skills are workable but I have found certain individuals have a natural ability in this and many of us could learn from them. A good training course should contain deescalation skills as well as pointing out the triggers of when to act when there’s no way back and violence is the only outcome. The pre-emptive strike is a huge subject that, unfortunately, I can’t go into in this short article but may in the future. Knowing that all important break in the violence proceedings could mean the winning or losing of the fight, so please read up on this and educate yourselves on when to act and how to spot the signs of something that’s gone so wrong it’s fight time! It may just save your life and others.

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So why not use a single system Martial Art or self proclaimed Military System?

Well, personally, I don’t believe a single system exists that can be moulded to each individual for use in this industry. ‘We are all different so why can’t we have a system bespoke to our skills, body type, age and gender?’ Well in short you can with the right guidance and self-exploration. I see current one-system arts with specific skills being taught from 5 year olds to 80 year olds and further up and down that scale! One technique for all, for all ages, body types and genders which is ridiculous. One area that alarms me very much is Women’s Self Defence, things such as throws, eye pokes, bites, takedowns, breakaway skills and anti rape techniques being taught to 8 stone women who, unfortunately, are under the false assumptions that these techniques work in the real world. Nothing could be further from the truth. Try this scenario for instance; a 20 stone guy, high on drugs or alcohol trying to rape an 8 stone woman and you think a kick to the nether regions is going to work, sorry it will not and if you think your skills will work then sorry, you’re deluded and you have, more than likely, lost already, sucked into the false world of the pyramid money making arts.

Fighting is brutal, disgusting and should be avoided at all costs and not seen as something cool such as the media, film and TV portray. Fights that go on for hours with various attackers involving edged weapons and firearms are a joke and only fuel the current industry trend of developing the next “Jason Bourne” or “Bond” type person.

We need to oust this from our industry and weed out the people who, ultimately, give the end client a false representation of the protection they are receiving. We currently

live in a commercial world in the UK where nothing really goes wrong and long may that last, but this is changing rapidly and the people practicing these systems and promoting this false training method are going to fail and that could be at the cost of either the clients life or their own. Things need to change and we need to start to take the age-old job of hands on protection more seriously and move away from current trends and be serious about our own skill sets and expectations of what we can and can’t do.

I’m sure this article will upset a few people out there who are devoted to what they are currently practicing but I implore you to open your minds and go out and try something new, challenge what you have been taught to see it’s application and if it ultimately works. If you can’t do that or think you don’t need to then stay where you are and let time teach you the hard way. I say go and do all you can, that way you can choose what works for you and set your own pathway and progression, just get your basics right first! We are all students in this life and life won’t stop teaching us a lesson, easy or hard! Continuous Professional Development is key to life not just your chosen career and self-protection is paramount in this job as well as our own personal lives. Don’t let the views of others cloud your own journey or pathway in the pursuit of certain individuals making money. Challenge yourself and your skills and find out for yourselves.

I’ll leave you with a funny saying I came out with during our last Close Protection Course which I seem to do lately, must be an age thing! “When your good your good and when your bad your bad” Now I’ll leave you all to choose which one you want to be.

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Regular readers will be familiar with my views on the importance of training & continuing professional development.

A quick recap though – basically, my view is that training is fundamental in any sector, but arguably more so in close protection as professionals need to deal with changeable and, often hostile, environments. A depth of understanding of core topics, such as risk assessment, is therefore essential to ensure close protection operatives are equipped with the right skills to do the job, and to do the job well.

The traditional approach to learning is classroom based. However, as someone who has worked in various parts of the education sector – from a secondary school to a commercial training company with a few Universities thrown in for good measure - I have seen all sorts of approaches to teaching. I have also seen all sorts of learners – from 15 year old school pupils, to adults working in the security sector and, of

course, plenty of University students – so I know the same approach to learning does not work for everyone.

Although it is the traditional option, there are many people who don’t like the old “chalk and talk” approach & much prefer to learn through reading & working through activities with the support of a tutor or mentor. Take, for example, someone who suffers from anxiety in social situations – what could be worse than walking into a huge lecture hall with 200+ students in it, or even a small group teaching environment if speaking in front of other learners is a core expectation of attending.

Aside from individual preferences, there are actually a wide range of reasons why a nonclassroom based approach – such as online/

By: Dr Amy Burrell

distance learning – should be considered as an option if you want to brush up on your knowledge & skills. For example: • Online courses offer lots of choice - you are not tied to studying at a particular college, city, or even country – very helpful when you are working in a specialised area & want to ensure top quality.

• More flexibility of start dates – there are often multiple times per year you can enrol on a distance learning course meaning you don’t have to wait for September to come around to get started.

• Cost-effectiveness – often online courses are cheaper than their classroom based counterparts & so you can maximise on your training budget.

• Flexibility - there is little/no requirement to be in a particular place at a particular time making it easier to fit learning in around work & other

life commitments.

• No commuting so you save on travel expenses.

• You can learn at your own pace.

• You can choose the space you work in which means you can ensure its warm/cool enough, you are comfortable in your chair, and control background noise (some people need no distractions whereas others prefer to listen to music as they work).

• You can work anywhere – e.g. you can be enrolled in a course in the UK but complete the learning whilst working in Afghanistan.

• The written materials are more detailed than those provided for classroom based courses (contrary to popular belief, distance learning is not a soft option for tutors as learning materials take a lot longer to prepare than slides for a class). This level of detail is helpful for both learning & revision. These materials should also provide good examples of writing style that you

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can utilise for assessments.

• A wide range of topics are on offer. Some topics might seem unlikely candidates for online/distance learning but you’d be surprised what can be taught effectively without physically being in the room with the tutor.

Take risk assessment for example. Lectures can be delivered online or offered as a podcast so you can still “hear it from the horse’s mouth” without needing to attend a formal class. There are lots of activities and exercises that learners can complete to test their risk assessment skills.

So long as the tutor is available to provide feedback on tasks, there is no reason why an online approach cannot be used.

Whilst you might have some concerns about a lack of social interaction when studying online, you will often find that learning providers offer interactive elements, such as chat rooms, which

provide the opportunity to discuss ideas with tutors and/or other students on the course.

There is also an emphasis on visual media, such as video content & podcasts, which help keep online courses engaging.

Have I convinced you yet? Maybe? Are you thinking it might be suitable for some people but not me…Okay, let’s address that. Why won’t online/distance learning suit you? Do you have problems with motivation or a tendency to procrastinate? If so, I would still argue online learning can work for you. It’s just a matter to choosing the right course. Firstly, ensure the topic is something you are really interested in (or a key component in getting your dream job or a promotion) to keep motivation high. If procrastination is a problem, ensure you pick a course with set deadlines for assignments as this will mean you have fewer excuses not to

By: Dr Amy Burrell

Are you thinking it might be suitable for some people but not me…Okay, let’s address that. complete the course on time. Finally, check out how the course is actually delivered – what kind of learning materials are provided? Are there interactive elements? How much tutor support will you get? Ask these questions & you will be able to find a course that will suit your learning style.

If (no, hang on I think I’ve won you over…) when you decide online/distance learning is for you, here are some tips for making sure it works for you:

• Choose the right course – as discussed in an earlier edition of The Circuit magazine (No’14 Jan 2012), selecting the right course is instrumental to success. The course needs to be directly linked to your aims and objectives (to keep motivation high) and concentrate on developing real skills (to make you more appealing to an employer).

• Set time aside to study – creating dedicated time to study is essential. You must ensure you understand the level of commitment needed at the outset and plan your time accordingly. This might be challenging if you have an irregular work schedule, however, most courses can be fitted in around your availability (i.e. lots of work for a few weeks then none for a few weeks).

• Choose the right learning provider – it is important to choose a learning provider who provides the qualification you are looking for. However, more importantly, they need to understand you as a learner. Do they understand the challenges you face? This is especially important in close protection as work commitments can be so varied. Remember there are lots of different options for learning providers from Universities and Higher Education Colleges to commercial training companies. Research carefully & don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions when choosing your course – the right learning provider should be keen to outline how their courses work.

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If procrastination is a problem, ensure you pick a course with set deadlines for assignments as this will mean you have fewer excuses not to complete the course on time.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help – we all need support sometimes. Remember “there are no stupid questions” & chances are the tutor has already heard your question before. When you are researching the learning provider ask them what support systems are in place for students (e.g. tutors) and make sure you know how to access this support when you start the course.

• Ensure you have the right equipment – e.g. fast enough internet connection, especially if you plan to study abroad and/or in a hostile environment. This will ensure you always have access to your learning materials.

• Know what your assignment deadlines are - if the training provider sets assignment deadlines, ask for these at the start of the course so you can plan your study around them. If there are no set deadlines, make sure you set some yourself. This will keep you motivated and keep you on track to complete your course.

• Submit on time – submitting assignments on time means you’ll get your feedback in time to act on it before next assignment is due. Most training providers will recognise that it is not always possible for you to submit work on time and will work with you to set alternative deadlines. It is important to keep lines of communication open with the learning provider so they know when to expect your work and make plans to get this marked for you as quickly as possible.

• Read (& respond to!) your assessment feedback – often people just check their grade & don’t pay attention to their feedback.

This is, quite frankly, stupid. You have paid for the tutor to mark your work & they have provided feedback that will help enhance your knowledge and skills as you progress through the course. Reading this feedback carefully, & changing your approach to assignments based on it, will ultimately boost grades so don’t ignore feedback.

Conclusion The traditional approach to learning might be your preference but this does not mean that an online/distance learning course cannot work for you. Think about it. Are you just unsure of online/distance learning because you have not done it before? Have you had a bad experience?

If so, please don’t let these ideas prevent you from engaging in online/distance learning in the future. Online/distance learning is developing all the time & courses are far more engaging than in the past & are now even seen by some as the superior option to classroom based teaching due to their flexibility. So, if you are thinking about doing some training, have a look at online/ distance learning options. You will find a wide range of courses on offer, many of which are formally accredited, & one of these might be perfect for you.

Amy holds a BSc in Applied Psychology, an MSc in Forensic Behavioural Science, and a PhD in Psychology. Amy is a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at Birmingham City University and can be contacted on amy.burrell@bcu.ac.uk. She was previously the Training Manager for Perpetuity Training who specialise in security training (see www.perpetuitytraining. com) and is also involved in the Crime Linkage International NetworK (C-LINK) (see www.crimelinkage.org)

Close Your Eyes Too Improve Accuracy By: Mark “Six” James

Close Your Eyes Too Improve Accuracy Next time you go to the range, step up to your shooting lane, look down the range then take a moment to look at the ceiling slightly in front of the shooting bench to a considerable distance down range.

You will undoubtedly notice countless rounds have inadvertently been fired into the ceiling.

This is usually the case when shooter’s either don’t know how to effectively manage recoil, try to shoot too fast, or have no idea of where the front sight was prior to pressing the trigger on the subsequent shots. Many times it is often a combination of all three.

This is why most ranges restrict rapid fire, and often restrict fire to one shot per second. Like most victims of too many Hollywood action movies, many people get sucked into the desire to shoot fast prior to developing good marksmanship fundamentals.

When I watch most students or range patrons try and shoot fast, you typically see Swizz cheese looking targets with holes everywhere and many

rounds off target. If you ask the shooter where the front sight was when they broke the next round most can’t answer you. Why because most have never learned the concept of front sight focused or watching the front sight rise and fall between shots.

Some students learn by seeing, while other learn by feeling. Most can enhance their learning with a combination of the two. I regularly tell my students you can only shoot as fast as you can watch the front sight come back down.

Whenever a student makes a quality shot I always ask them what did you see, and how did it feel? On the next shot I want you to see the same thing (sight picture), and I want you to feel the same thing as you follow through on the shot and effectively manipulate the trigger.

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It is always my desire to make my student’s instructor independent vs. instructor dependent.

So they understand how to correct errand shots driven by poor fundamentals. Thus helping them learn how to see and feel a good shot, is a step toward accomplishing that objective.

Training Drill What you will need to practice this drill: Target (preferably a blank one), quarter, magic marker, eye and ear protection, and your everyday carry or home defense handgun.

1. Take the coin and place it on the target in the high center mass position. Then trace around the coin, making a circle. This will give a very large focal point for your point of aim.

2. Now hang the target, and move it back to the 5 yard line.

3. Step into the booth or up to the line, make sure your eye and ear protection on. Then extend

your arms into your natural shooting position.

Take aim while looking at the large dot on the target.

4. Remove the slack from the trigger and slowly fire 10 shots watching the front sight rise and fall onto the dot prior to breaking the next round. This is not a speed drill, this is a focus drill. Make sure you are resetting the trigger in between shots. Trigger reset defined - When the handgun is fired, the trigger remains depressed (pulled to the rear) during the cycling of the slide and the departure of the projectile and spent shell case. To fire any additional shots, the shooter slowly releases rearward pressure on the trigger allowing the trigger to slightly move forward, but only far enough to hear and/ or feel a “click” (the resetting of the trigger).

This will be well short of the trigger’s normal forward most position. Once the shooter hears and/or feels the “click,” then the shooter again presses the trigger rearward and the gun fires.

Resetting the trigger will also help bring the front sight down quicker. You now should be starting the groove the mechanics of seeing a good shot, and effectively manipulating the trigger.

By: Mark “Six” James Now it is time to work on feeling a good shot.

1. I want you to prepare another target with the same large dot in the high center mass position. Once you have prepared the target roll it back to the 5 yard position like the previous target.

2. With the target at the 5 yard position, fully extend your arms into your normal shooting position. With your focus on the center of the dot. Now close your eyes and remove the slack out of the trigger – then break the round with your eyes closed.

3. Reset the trigger in between the subsequent shots. Fire three more rounds with your eyes closed. You should start to feel the front sight rise and fall with each shot. Then release the trigger after the fourth shot to it’s forward most position.

4. Open your eyes again look back at the dot.

While looking at the dot again (verify sight alignment), take the slack out of the trigger,

close your eyes and fire three more shots, resetting the trigger in between shots (you should feel the front sight rising and falling again).

5. Repeat the prior sequence again for the next three shots until you have fired a total of three rounds. By now you will have fired a total of 10 rounds with your eyes closed. Repeat the drill as often as you desire but stop before you get mentally or physically fatigued. Fatigue is a leading factor in poor fundamentals.

You are probably asking yourself how I was able to still maintain accuracy? Whenever the body loses a sense, in the case your sense of sight, the other senses take over and become more acute.

In this exercise your sense of feel became more pronounced. Whenever you are going through a rough patch with your shooting, try this drill it will enhance your ability to feel future good shots making you one with your weapon.

For additional safety tips visit www.pantherprotectionservices.com. Mark “Six” James is Founder and Executive Director of Panther Protection Services, LLC. He is an internationally published author, keynote speaker, security consultant to educational institutions and frequent contributor to a number of print, broadcast and online media, and the author of a number of security, firearm and protection publications.

Panther Protection Services is a full service protection agency focusing on Risk and Crisis Mitigation, Executive Protection, Self-Defense Training, and Firearm Instruction.

Mark “Six” James is Founder and Executive Director of Panther Protection Services, LLC, a full service protection agency focusing on Risk and Crisis Mitigation, Executive Protection, Self-Defense Training, and Firearm Instruction. www.pantherprotectionservices.com.

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Editorial Issue 28

KEEPING YOUR EDGE

WHEN YOUR TIME IS NOT YOUR OWN

So let me set the stage of this edition of Keeping Your Edge: it’s day 26 of a 30 day musical tour, and I’m currently writing this column in the front lounge of a 38’ Tour Bus.

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his particular bus has a fully functioning recording studio in the rear, and the THUMP, THUMP, THUMP of a large bass drum has reverberated thought the cabin for the past 2 hours. Oh and did I mention that it’s 2:00 AM? In short, even in a locked, surveillance-monitored lot, Client records on the tour bus, Protector sits on the tour bus.

However, if I were to pull up the shade and peer though the darkly tinted windows I could gaze up lovingly at my hotel, and even visualize the comfortable bed and triple goose down blanket that drapes it. That, I say to myself, would be the perfect end to a 19-hour day, instead it’s business as usual at the “office.”

business of Close Protection, it’s that your time is not your own.

Don’t believe me? Let’s ask a friend of mine I’m going to call Mr. White (real person).

Many years ago, I was there when, through a combination of persistence and being in the right place at the right time, Mr. White was hired as the head of security for an fast-rising Musical artist who is one of the biggest names in the entertainment world.

This entertainer has just finished being a support act for a larger tour, and then as a result of his popularity, moved on to headline his own shows.

I describe the touring life as the “gift and the curse.” On one hand, it provides consistent work and a steady revenue stream, on the other hand; it’s long days and nights, and no days off. Remember Mr. White who signed This is the circumstance that many on at the upswing of a career that was about Protectors around the globe are in. to explode? Well his client went out and did However, if I were to take an unscientific consecutive back-to-back world tours that poll, I’d say the amount of aspiring totaled an astounding three years! Out of Protectors who say they would be ok with the three years, how many days off do you this type of life if it means working in the think that Mr. White had? If the number industry, far exceeds the number actually doing it by a factor of 10. The thing I always you guessed was 67, you’d be correct. So that’s 67 days out of a total of 1,095. Oh, did caution is; be careful what you wish for. If I mention that Mr. White has a family? there is any statement that is true in the

Keeping Your Edge By: Elijah Shaw Now while I won’t give you Mr. White’s salary rate, I will tell you that it was a comfortable one. And as such, you can imagine that he was sending the lion’s share of the income back home to his family. All is well and good right? Stop for a moment and think how Mrs. White might feel that her husband has been away practically three years traveling the world with a highly recognizable figure surrounded by all the excesses of life? These excesses include exotic travel, fine dining, rubbing shoulders with celebrities, and of course -beautiful women. Now while you and I know that Mr. White is working, even if it’s in beautiful Monte Carlo, could you imagine that his wife might feel a tinge of hostility towards him knowing that he’s in the sunshine on a yacht while she is transporting the kids to school in a vicious New York City snowstorm?

What about looking at things from Mr. White’s perspective? How do you think he might feel as 95% of his income gets direct deposited into account, used to repeatedly pay bills, which includes the mortgage on a house he doesn’t sleep at, the car note on the lease he doesn’t drive, and the beautiful clothes his wife gets to purchase but never wear around him? This situation could understandably put stress on even the best relationships, and while all Mr. White wanted to do was work consistently in the Close Protection industry, now he is distracted worrying about things at home.

But if our attention is focused thousands of miles away, are we doing our Protectee a disservice? While I am not advocating that this profession is only suitable for single men or women, I am painting a very real

picture. In the business of Executive and VIP Protection, our time is not our own.

From missed birthdays to rescheduled dental appointments we have to be able to come to grips with that reality and plan accordingly.

We have to make sure that our significant others (if we have any) are onboard with our vision BEFORE the assignment starts, and that they can deal with the absence and understand that the “glitz and glamour” is only the window dressing of the world that we operate in, and while our job requires us to be there, we are not partaking in the “fun.”

So as I contemplate the 4 hours of sleep I am going to (hopefully) get before I have to be back up to Advance the next movement, I remind myself this is what I wanted to do, and that I am living my dream. To those whose aspirations are to achieve similar, I just remind you – be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

Elijah Shaw is the CEO of Icon Services Corporation and The National Director of the North American Bodyguard Association

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You Have a Complex Advance? Simplify It All advances can be considered “complex” if you, and you should, consider all factors like the “profile” of your protecee, any credible, implied or possible threats, number of movements, personnel logistics, etc. As George Orwell said in his 1945 novel, Animal Farm, “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” The same can be paraphrased for protective security advances, “All advances are complex, but some advances are more complex than others.

What is a complex advance? A complex advance involves several venues, multiple protectees, transportation elements and spans several days.

Examples of complex advances are providing security at events like the Olympics, the Superbowl, meetings of corporate executives, a large enclave of heads of state, etc.; any security required event of people, places and occasions that is extraordinarily demanding in time, movement and potential problems. How do you conduct a complex advance?

The system and procedure of solving any complex problem is to begin by analyzing the entire scope of the problem and reducing it to its simplest form. In a simple metaphor, the problem can be seen as an important test. You are given six hours for the test with approximately two hundred fifty questions. You don’t become intimidated or awestruck; it isn’t necessarily a six hour test; that is the amount of time allowed.

Two hundred fifty questions? Not that daunting if you realize you can answer only one question at a time. So focus on that question and nothing else until you are ready to move on to the next, and the next, etc. Think of it in terms of peeling an onion; one layer wrapped over another. As you finish one part continue unwrapping until the onion (problem) is completely taken apart.

Breaking it All Down Step one is to look at all the venues and possible areas of principal visitations. It helps to do a “pre-advance”. A pre-advance is, as the name says, a visitation to the site or sites to determine

You Have a Complex Advance? Simplify It By: Dale L. June

Two hundred fifty questions? Not that daunting if you realize you can answer only one question at a time.

So focus on that question and nothing else until you are ready to move on to the next. the “big picture” and to obtain a general understanding of the “lay of the land”. But there is a modern, perhaps better way to conduct the pre-advance and analyze the means and methods of simplifying the complexity than doing an actual personal visit to the area/areas to require security arrangements; use your computer to save your feet and time. Access the site through your browser and determine as much information you can retrieve. This should include general telephone numbers, street addresses and visual “birds-eye’ and street level photos, perhaps actual blueprints (elevations – interior and exterior maps) of the site/sites, adjoining businesses, traffic flow and congestion, and a general overlay of the entire area.

committee or sponsor and equipment.

Step four of simplification of the complexity is to weigh any and all publicity given to the event or events. What can be expected in the numbers of the general public as to attendance at each location? If there will be plentiful publicity and media coverage a “press liaison” position should be considered and included. This role would include making sure all media is credentialed and following established guidelines plus lending assistance in press movements at each venue.

Putting it all together As each procedural step is undertaken, sufficient notes should be compiled, perhaps even the drawing of a “flow chart” which is merely the drawing of a picture illustrating the concept of strategic and tactical planning and the relationship of each element of the advance and events.

Step two begins with a prioritization of venues; which is the primary setting, secondary. tertiary, etc. how much time and activity will be spent at each location, special problems and questionable areas, how many principals and any special needs of each protectee, and required resources for each All the steps cited above can be done prior to an actual “on-site” advance which then would location and protectee. follow all the standard protocols of any advance including itineraries, timings, and rehearsals.

Step three is a matter of approximating What initially was a complex advance has now resources available and logistical movements been reduced to its lowest common form and of man power and material. This would include more easily undertaken. auxiliary support such as law enforcement, medical, and fire emergency response, host

Dale June is a former U.S. Secret Service Agent assigned to the Presidential Protective Division at the White House plus serving in the Sacramento and San Diego field Offices and holds a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice is from George Washington University. He currently teaches at National University, Los Angeles and is the author/co-author of nine books about protection and Homeland Security/Terrorism.

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Editorial: Issue 28

Working with Children

As an Executive Protection Professional you might find yourself working with a variety of age groups, and as those who have done it can tell you, working with children and teenagers in any environment can be both rewarding and challenging.

It presents challenges which will vary depending on the person’s age, background, and lifestyle.

Your own personal comfort level will also factor into the equation as well, to be sure. The child’s age and comprehension will determine how much direct interaction you will need to have with them and how much feedback (and sometimes grief) you will receive from them in return. For most people, the most difficult ages are in the 11-17 range. Those in this age group typically crave acceptance and attention, will often strive to fit in with their peer group, but yet they develop a myriad of personality traits that very much makes them an individual.

uncomfortable. It helps to realize that they will probably point out your flaws and shortcomings at some point, but it’s not about you, so don’t take things personally. If you are not sure what your flaws may be, you may be in for a surprise.

Remember, don’t take it personally.

Young people of all ages think very much “in the moment” and their attitude can change based on their situation. Things that adults perceive as being no big deal can seem like a life altering experience to them. They also may not have the emotional self-regulation skills to maintain control during these real or perceived threatening situations, and should not be looked at simply as They seemingly always have to have some kind of smaller adults. For some, thoughts of the future stimulation (i.e. video games, electronics, sports, do not exceed more than a few hours ahead. social events, etc.), and have a natural curiosity of Social media, sports teams, and peer groups their surroundings. This curiosity will inevitably often define their reality more so than what we include you if you work with (or for) them in any consider the “norm”. capacity. Some of them will like the attention What is important to you may not be important while others will resist your presence in their to them, but learn to at least be aware of their lives. Most children and teenagers have the realities. Likewise, what you recognize as mindset that the world revolves around them dangerous behaviors, may not garner a second anyway, and have a tendency to encroach on thought, or even a flinch of hesitation, from personal boundaries, which makes some people

By: Jason Poston

authority figure, and approaching them in the wrong manner can make your protective assignment that much more difficult.

Sometimes working with this age group can seem like more of an art than a science.

Also, be aware that children will see and hear more than adults give them credit for. They notice everything about you, including your attitude.

If you act like you don’t want to be there, they notice. If you are lax in your expectations, they notice. If you ignore them when they don’t want to be, they notice. Understand the concept that to them, even negative attention is sometimes good attention. Model the kind of behavior that you want to see from them, and they will usually return it. All kids need some kind of structure and usually function better with routine and consistency. That doesn’t necessarily mean having the same travel routes or the same daily schedule, but it does refer to being consistent with your expectations, and not to confuse them with wildly different expectations for different them. Taking advantage of any opportunity to settings. Many young people will have show an interest in what they do can give you a certain amount of self-imposed chaos and greater influence over reducing these behaviors. drama in their lives already, and any perceived Anything that helps you connect with them outside addition, whether it’s real or imagined, will be of benefit to you when you need their may exacerbate those feelings. For Executive cooperation, for example, quickly embussing into Protection Professionals, I suppose it’s fair to say a vehicle during a movement. that working with young people can be more an art than an exact science and through patience Establishing trust is as important with them as and understanding, our plan is to get straight it is with adults – perhaps even more so. When “A’s” they trust you, they will do whatever you ask. It Jason Poston, CAS, PPS, LCSW, CSAC, is an Executive also helpful in gaining their cooperation to ask Protection Professional as well as a licensed mental for their compliance (“could you….” or “would and substance abuse therapist, and a former you please….”), rather than demanding that they health Juvenile Probation Office/Gang Specialist and mentor, do what you say. No one likes to be told what with over 10 years combined experience working to do, and that does extend to naturally defiant with youth and young adults in outpatient counseling kids and teenagers. While you are not their centers, in-home counseling programs, and residential behavioral and substance abuse treatment centers. parent, you will likely be seen as some kind of

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Regular Issue 28

Working Girl I thought I would write to let Operators know what things are like from an employers side and why we sometimes make the decisions that we do.

Having been an operator for many years I also understand the need to work and prove ourselves as operators as well as the enjoyment and fulfillment of performing on a CP or Surveillance team, not to forget the money we get paid.

Jacquie Davis Operations Director Optimal Risk Management Ltd

I had a client who asked for a six person CP Team to operate in a foreign country that has a lot of kidnappings and robberies. The client had to keep moving the dates of the task as his company were not fully ready to carry out their roles.

I did a risk assessment and asked others in my field for advice, the main problem was we could not be armed due to the countries policy of only allowing their citizens to carry

By: Jacquie Davis www.optimalrisk.com firearms, we would have to rely on locals who we knew could also be working for the kidnappers.

I picked out six suitable people for the team and kept them fully informed of date changes. I never send a booking email to operators until the contract is signed with the client and the deposit is in the bank.

I send an email to operators asking if they are available for certain dates, if they reply yes then after signing a non disclosure agreement I send them further details.

When the client has signed and sent an official letter or email for our services then I will send a, “your booked at this rate for this place for this amount of time” email to the operators.

would lose the profit, which after the kidnap and ransom insurance and all the other insurances we would have to pay would not have been huge but would have been nice.

I explained all this to the operators and also explained the client was looking for a new location to carry out their work and as soon as that was sorted the task would be back on, but this could take a few months to sort and risk assess.

I would far rather let operators down than knock on the front door of their partner or parents to impart bad news because I took profit over life.

Recently on a social networking site I have noticed people putting up job adverts for This particular task was for three months but Iraq, and many operators have said “I’m just before we were due to start two people ready to go review my profile”, yet they have not connected with our client or us were no idea who the company is that would be killed and another kidnapped in the same employing them or what the task entails. place we were going to.

Your life is worth more than money and bragging rights to your mates. Do your due The client called me and we decided to diligence and when a company tells you its reassess the situation and review the security not taking a task because you can bet your plan, as much as it pained me I advised the bottom dollar that there will be a whole lot client not to go. of reasoning behind it. Think before you Jump.

It meant that six operators would not get the three months work and my company Have a Great summer season

I would far rather let operators down than knock on the front door of their partner or parents to impart bad news because I took profit over life.

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Editorial: Issue 28

One of the most dangerous things I have had to encounter when escorting a client is when you egress a nightclub environment.

Being a solo operator makes this almost Mission Impossible yet it is done every day in the Executive Protection field. Without the luxury of a multi-man team you are essentially blind to the environment outside of the club. If this is slated as a star studded event there will be crowds of people lining up just to see who’s in attendance.

This poses a threat as well as a hazard for many of the obvious reasons.

Most clubs employ some of the biggest meanest looking guys to work the door. Some of them lack the savvy to be able to see a situation brewing. Some like the look of being on the door and letting celebrity A into the club. But what I have found more often than not, they want to be seen with the celebrity. Use that to your advantage when working with house security.

During my advance, if I am lucky enough to be able to do one, I ensure that I meet with the security manager. I exchange cards or numbers. I talk about his staff and how many he’ll have on. I even sometimes ask if there was anyone recently let go. These things are important as in today’s club environment thing are getting increasingly dangerous and that’s inside the club as well as outside.

A few recent events that comes to mind is the night that the rapper Game and T.I. had a standoff with the police outside of the VIP entrance to popular LA club. This was after two of their friends tried to gain access after the club was at capacity and a fight with club security ensued. The aftermath can be viewed on the popular gossip sites. Then there was the Suge Knight shooting inside of the 1OAK night club as well as the homicide during Grammy outside of another popular night club.

House security is your best friend and your worst nightmare. They can be an ally in that they can manage a crowd while you maintain a protective position on your Client. They can also check the exterior for you as you prepare to leave. There are pros and cons to that. I tend to try and make them useful by selecting one or two when I enter to be in close proximity and help control the crowd. VIP sections are no longer sections where the average person does not have access to. Most are now merely a couch that is roped off. This is where the house security comes into play.

Cash rules. Depending on the client I try to obtain no less than two hundred dollars in petty

By: Kevin Ghee

cash from the manager or assistant, for tips, to ensure things go smoothly. You will get push back on that but a twenty to a house security guy makes for an easy night. Slip a twenty to the guy managing the parking lot goes a long way. None of that is totally necessary but it helps.

The night has shaped up pretty nicely and there were no incidents inside the club. The Client and entourage have had their drinks and it’s time to leave. During your advance, hopefully you have chosen the proper route out of the location. Keep in mind now that the Client may be a little off balance due to the consumption of an alcoholic beverage or two. Keep in mind that the floors will be slippery from spilled drinks. Keep in mind that there will be a majority of people leaving at that time which causes congestion and you still don’t know what’s going on outside.

One of the very first things you should have done prior to leaving for the club was to ensure that you have a conversation with the driver. In this conversation I tend to go over what I need and expect from him. I get his number and call it while I’m standing in front of him. There is nothing like entering the wrong number and saving it and in the event of an emergency you are calling the wrong number, waking up a poor unsuspecting soul and hearing “who is this.” So call that phone while you are in front of the driver. I also state to the driver, if we have a designated parking spot, to not move that vehicle under no circumstance unless told to do so by the Police or Fire Department. I then make sure that my phone and the driver’s phones are charged or that there is a charging device in the car. Once inside the club I will call or text or both, the driver to ensure I have reception.

Once I know we are leaving I call the driver and ask him what’s going on outside of the club and to ensure that he is in position. That twenty you slipped to the security pays dividends when he guides you out of the club clearing the way for you. I personally hate when my Client stops to talk as we are leaving. Leaving to known and entering the unknown in this environment is dangerous as a mix of alcohol and ego and can be a dangerous cocktail.

So preparing a night at a club with your Client is sort of like writing a book. Know how you are going to end it before you start it. Make a checklist.

A. Know where you are going B. Search the internet for the latest happenings at that location C. Advance when you can or at least callmost clubs know you are coming anyway D. Get petty cash, probably won’t but try E. Connect with the driver, get the number and dial it, talk about your expectations F. Know what route you will be taking G. Ensure you know the closet hospitals and police stations I also tend to put the address in my maps app, Waze is a good one, and keep abreast of where you are. Also I forgot to mention I like to ask the Client if there can be at least two vehicles for several reasons. One, I would rather not have a car full of entourage as it makes it difficult to load and leave and two, in the event of a mechanical failure we can hop into the other car and go and not be stuck on the X for any period of time.

Kevin Ghee is a US Based Executive Protection Professional providing services for a variety of client types both domestically and abroad.

Classifieds United Kingdom 3D Security Ltd Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1TG Based in Taunton 3D Security provides security services for a wide range of clients. Whether you need a security guard in Somerset, event security in Leeds or Close Protection in London we will provide a solution for your needs.

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To place a classified lineage or box advertisement telephone our sales team on: +44 (0) 191 6450 865

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BBA Member.

T: + 972 9 950 0969 W: www.SecurityAcademy.org.il Javier Galan Spain Security specialist available for operations around the world.

E: oejju@hotmail.com T: 34.637080771 Military Grade Encryption Phones PO Box 52310, Limassol, CYPRUS Built-in encryption software which converts your voice to encrypted data using a constantly changing mathematical formula. It uses a dual layered RSA/AES combination and a changing

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session key which modifies the encryption algorithm every second. € 1,398.00 + VAT. All prices include new Nokia N73 phone. BBA Member.

T: + 357 7777 7276 W: www.protechcy.com/new TPT Firearms Training Bratislava , Slovakia and Rome , Italy We know from our extensive experience within the industry that it can be daunting when initially carrying a firearm and being responsible for protecting a clients life, but learning the proper techniques and having the ability to understand the weapon will make the job a lot easier and more enjoyable. Hopefully you will never have to use the weapons you carry, but should this prove necessary you will be confident and knowledgeable enough to handle the situation professionally and effectively.

T : +44 (0) 7734101910 E : info@tacticalprotectionteam.co.uk W : www.tacticalprotectionteam.co.uk Security Concierge Group SCG Special Projects Ltd, Avenida, Bartolome Vicente Ramon No 10, B16, Ibiza, 07800, ESP Security Concierge Group is a privately owned and fully independent provider of exceptional security services to an interesting and varied range of clients.

T: 00 34 600 665 275 W: www.securityconciergegroup.com E: joe.buckle@securityconciergegroup.com Americas Bodyguard Careers Bodyguard Careers is an informational site with the purpose of providing bodyguards with all the information and tools necessary to succeed in the Close Protection Industry Info@BodyguardCareers.com www.BodyguardCareers.com Canadian Use of Force Systems 7975 Yonge St. # 7124, Innisfil, ON, L9S 1L0, CANADA A professional Use of Force and Defensive.

Tactics organization teaching a full range of controlled response options for Self-Protection and Use of Force considerations in public and professional environments. BBA Associate Member.

T: + 1 705 456 4333 W: www.canadianuseofforce.com Contact Front Photography Contact Front Photography is the world’s 1st photography studio dedicated to the Close Protection Professional. Stop putting generic or pirated photos on your website; instead commission custom shots to best represent you or your agency.

T: +1 (612) 369-6134 E: Info@ContractFrontPhotography.com W: www.ContactFrontPhotography.com Decisiones Estratégicas Buenos Aires – Argentina Executive protection specialists we have experienced in all Latin America, for multinationals companies, also providing support in project throughout Latin America to consulting first the US. and UK. We have a team of specialists and psychologists in assistance and

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To place a classified lineage or box advertisement telephone our sales team on: +44 (0) 191 6450 865

crisis negotiation.

T: +54(911) 6415 1941 E: jbenitez@d–estrategicas.com W: www.d–estrategicas.com Detective Lacerda P.O.BOX 25996, São Paulo, 05513-970, BRAZIL Providing the full range of security and investigation services throughout Latin America.

BBA Member.

T: + 55 (11) 3452 4388 W: www.detectivelacerda.cjb.net Giovanni Rossi South Africa Doctorates in Criminology, Vessel Security Officer, ASP Instructor, ISSPC Member, BBA Member, IAPPA Member, American Bodyguard and Protection Instructors Association - Lifetime Member E: rossi1@mweb.co.za T: +2783 415 9205 USA Global Bear Protection PO Box 11488, Jackson, Wyoming, 83002, USA Provision of British and US Ex Special forces security/medical specialists.

T: 307 413 3619 W: www.globalbearprotection.com E: bear@globalbearprotection.com Icon Services Corporation 1043 Grand Ave. #312, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA A full service security and investigative agency specializing in providing high-level security and bodyguards to international celebrities, public figures and corporations. Licensed, bonded and insured, our diverse roster of clients reads as a virtual who’s who in the corporate, motion picture, fashion and recording industry. Entering into our 10th year, Icon has been the hand picked choice to provide Executive Protection to everyone from Superintendents to Supermodels.

BBA Member.

T: + 1 651 695 8778 W: www.Industry-Icon.com Imperial Protective Service, LLC 15849 N. 71st Street, Suite 100, Scottsdale , Arizona, 85254, USA Imperial Protective Service’ (IPS) is a security consulting and services firm founded in 1978.

IPS provides both national and international corporate, executive and celebrity protective services. BBA Member.

T: + 1 480 281 1588 W: www.executiveprotect.com Panther Protection Services 3695F Cascade Road, Suite 2207, Atlanta, GA 30331 Panther Protection Services is a full service protection agency offering such services as threat assessment, executive protection, self-defense training, firearms instruction, and high risk tactical protection. Our executive protection specialists have over 75 years of experience.

Panther can handle your protection needs whether around the corner or around the world.

Member: BBA and NABA T: (404) 349-9117 W: www.pantherprotectionservices.com Rouven Rohler - Security Consultant / HSE liaison Romania I am a very fit and mentally robust Security

Specialist with quality experience gained in the security (Military, Maritime and Commercial Operational Security (Oil& Gas). I have improved the effectiveness of protection teams and significantly enhanced clients’ awareness. My career commenced in the Australian Army, which included hostile environment deployments to Iraq and the Solomon Islands and I have since been operating on various contracts throughout Afghanistan and Iraq. I am now looking to make a continued significant contribution within similar High Risk contracts.

E: rouven@y7mail.com T: +40 (0)746 642 739 SILVER STAR PROTECTION Executive protection, site and event security with global experience. Serving southern Minnesota with integrity and professionalism. Former USSS, ICON Alumni. available for domestic and international travel. Robert E. Jones Manager/ CEO W: www.silver-star-protection.com E: rejones@silver-star-protection.com TSICS (T6) Miami, Florida, USA TSICS (T6) provides the following services in Central America: Executive Protection, Individual Bodyguard, Close Protection Training, Corporate Invest.

W: www.security-professionals.org/members/ saldrix E: tsics.t6@gmail.com T: +502 6645 6822 Tony Scotti’s Vehicle Dynamics Institute 1162 St. Georges Ave, Suite 277 , Avenel, NJ 07001, USA The first name in advanced driver training, offering our highly acclaimed Protective/Evasive Driving Programs. Designed specifically for today’s executive chauffeurs, executive protection professionals and others who are responsible for providing safe and secure transportation services.

BBA Member.

T: + 1 732 738 5221 W: www.vehicledynamics.net Vindex Personal Protection & Investigation Inc. 497 Hooksett Rd #365 Manchester NH 03104 603.289.3161 / Full service Private Investigations & Executive Protection. 10 years combined Law Enforcement, Private security, close protection work, & security contracting. NY Mayors, U.S. President’s, NFL owners, and VIP’s are some of the protection work I’ve gained experience with. ICON alumni, NABA member.

T: + 1 732 738 5221 E: vindexinc@aol.com W: www.vindexinc.com Asia Pacific Asia Protective Group Ltd Asia Protective Group (APG) is a Hong Kong based risk management company, specializing in executive protection, overseas travel security and security consultancy services. APG has an extensive network of security specialists operating throughout the Asia Pacific region.

W: www.asia-pg.com E: jim@asia-pg.com E: yvonne@asia-pg.com

The Team: Editor Managing Editor International Editor Art Direction

Shaun West Jon Moss Elijah Shaw Peter Falkous

Contributors: Mark “Six” James Kate Owen Shaun Gowland Dale L. June Jason Poston Kevin Ghee

Shaun West Jon Moss Elijah Shaw Gil Boyd B.E.M Paul Tonks MBA Mark Roche EPS Dr Amy Burrell

Our Sincere Thanks to all those that continue to contribute their wisdom and experience for the enjoyment of others The Circuit is compiled, edited and published in the UK and US quarterly.

W: www.circuit-magazine.com E: info@circuit-magazine.com T: +44 845 519 2538

DISCLAIMER While every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is both accurate and up-to-date, The Circuit accepts no liability in any part for loss or damage incurred by reliance on information contained in this magazine through omissions, errors, howsoever caused. ©COPYRIGHT Copyright remains with the authors and contributors at all times. No part of this publication can be copied or reproduced in any way whatsoever without permission from the publisher AND the author / contributor.

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