basic personal safety concepts
DESCRIPTION
This PDF contains Basic Personal Safety Concepts.It is not a substitute for not attending the full course seminar.TRANSCRIPT
Risk
The elements where a person has a certain level of control,
such as social contacts, and how these elements may expose
him/her to unforeseen dangers.
Threat
The broader elements that affect a person and are beyond
his/her control; traveling, business position, politics, the
weather, etc.
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Categories of Risks/Threats
Against a Person’s Safety / Security
Against a Person’s immediate Family
Against a Person’s psychological well-being
Against a Person’s Privacy
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Wealth
Social Status
Celebrity / Public Exposure
Political Views
Symbolic Status
Personal / Business Travel
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Types of Threats
Verbal Assault
Physical Assault
Use of Blunt Objects
Edged Weapons
Firearms
Explosives
Kidnapping
Severe Weather
Natural Disasters
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Types of Potential Attackers
The Deranged Individual Former Intimate Stalker Unknown Stalker Disgruntled Employees / Co-Workers Personal Vendetta / Revenge Criminals Professional Assassins / Contract Killers Terrorists
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Types of Health Risks
Heart Problems
Allergic Reactions
Diabetes
Previous Injuries
Communicable Diseases
Previous Surgeries
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Types of Personal Risks/Threats
Sexual Encounters
Association with known criminals
Excessive Drinking
Drug Use
Financial Problems
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Daily Transit Activity
When you are in transit, from Point A to Point B, you automatically have less control over the environment
and are open to many Risks and Threats.
You must learn to keep a Mental Snapshot of your Surroundings throughout your day.
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Exercise
Draw a map from Point A to Point B identified by the course Instructor.
What Risks or Threats can you identify along the route that you took?
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Situational Awareness
Being Aware of your environment and of any Potential or Real Risks or Threats that might be present is the first and most important key of Personal Safety and Security.
You should apply the Concepts while at Home, Work, School, In Transit, etc.
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Situational Awareness
Being Aware of your Surroundings will help you Avoid hostile actions and violent confrontations.
Do you have a Safety and Security Plan to address any Potential or Real Risks or Threats you might face?
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Situational Awareness
It is always better to EVADE any hostile and dangerous situation by any means possible.
There is nothing wrong with running from a Risk or Threat if possible.
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4 Levels of Personal Safety UNAWARE
A State of Mind in which you are not Alert to your immediate surroundings.
This would include while you sleep, watch TV, cook a meal, being at home, etc.
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4 Levels of Personal Safety Aware
The State of Mind in which you are Aware of your environment.
At this level, you have not yet identified any Potential or Real Risk or Threat that may be present.
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4 Levels of Personal Safety Aware
Awareness involves the use of your Five Senses:
Sight
Sound
Smell
Touch
Taste
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4 Levels of Personal Safety
During conditions where a Potential or Real Risk or
Threat is Present, you should avoid using items that will
impair your Vision and Sound.
Example: Avoid using headphones while jogging or
walking, especially at Night and Alone.
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4 Levels of Personal Safety Alert
In this State of Mind, you have identified a Potential or Real Risk or Threat within your environment.
Your spider sense is going nuts…
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4 Levels of Personal Safety Alert
General Rule
Any person not known to you or your family can constitute a Potential or Real Risk or Threat.
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4 Levels of Personal Safety
Alarm
In this State of Mind, the Potential Risk or Threat has now become a Real and your Personal Safety and Security has been compromised.
A high level of FEAR and ANXIETY takes over.
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The Defensive Mindset
The values, mental techniques, and attitude that maximizes the effectiveness of how you respond to a
Risk or Threat.
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Defensive Mindset Concepts
Ability to Defend
Do you have the ability and willingness to defend yourself and not become a VICTIM?
Be wary of self-defense instructors that claim they can train to defend yourself…their systems are untested
and are more for sport.
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Defensive Mindset Concepts
Ability to Defend
The State of Texas’ new Self-Defense Castle Doctrine Statute effective September 1, 2007.
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Defensive Mindset Concepts
Never Give Up
A person becomes a VICTIM because he / she gives up and is overpowered by the Offender.
You must be determined to persevere by all means necessary and never give up.
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Defensive Mindset Concepts
Develop A Plan
Planning is an important component of Personal Survival.
Are you laying the foundation to be Victimized?
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Defensive Mindset Concepts
Develop A Plan
A Plan is a Pre-Determined Course of Action used to respond to specific situations you might encounter.
A Threat Assessment and Risk Analysis complement your Personal Safety and Security Plan.
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Defensive Mindset Concepts
2 Steps To Take After Identifying A Potential Or Real Risk or Threat:
1. Formulate a Hypothetical Plan of Action to deal with the Risk or Threat.
2. Establish Barriers that will initiate your Plan of Action. An Aggressive Gesture, entering your Personal Space, etc.
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Defensive Mindset Concepts
Situational Visualization
This is the formation of a mental image for handling different Situations.
It is also a major component of Developing A Plan.
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Defensive Mindset Concepts
Remember
Panic = Victimization
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Fear
Fear is good…it is your body telling you that you are in some type of Danger.
If Fear becomes paralyzing, it can’t help you fight harder or run faster.
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Fear
Fear = Release of Adrenaline into the bloodstream.
Adrenaline dictates the Fight or Flight Concept.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
1. Tachypsychia
The perception from people under stress that describes time moving in slow motion.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
1. Tachypsychia
The brain is processing very quickly to allow for a faster defensive response.
This is a positive side effect that can enhance defensive abilities.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
2. Auditory Exclusion
The brain’s ability to block sound while focused on a Threat.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
2. Auditory Exclusion
The brain blocks auditory input to allow you to focus completely on the Threat.
This has both a positive and negative effects.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
2. Auditory Exclusion
You get an increased ability to focus (positive) while it also keeps you from noticing or hearing other
potential risks or threats coming at you (negative).
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
3. Tunnel Vision
This is the narrowing of your field of vision as you focus on a particular Risk or Threat.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
3. Tunnel Vision
You loose peripheral vision, which prevents you from identifying other Risks or Threats that may be
approaching you from your left or right.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
3. Tunnel Vision
To avoid Tunnel Vision, SCAN the immediate area Left and Right after engaging a Risk or Threat.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
4. Cognitive Dissonance
This is a Disassociation with the actual events as they occur.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
4. Cognitive Dissonance
A Disassociated Mind is the most dangerous reaction to Fear because it is rejecting the idea that something
terrible is happening.
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4 Types of Reactions to Fear
4. Cognitive Dissonance
When this happens, the Victim is negating the ability to effectively fight back or retreat.
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The “6 P’s Principle”
Proper
Prior
Planning
Prevents
Poor
Performance
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Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Criminal Act
1. Desire
The criminal (s) must have a desire and / or motivation to
justify the actions or receive some type of tangible /
intangible benefit from the criminal act.
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Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Criminal Act
2. Ability
The criminal (s) need to recognize his ability, physical
skills, knowledge, available assets, etc. to commit the
criminal act.
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Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Criminal Act
3. Opportunity
The criminal (s) selects his target based on vulnerability
and accessibility.
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3 Elements of a Potential Criminal Act
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Desire
Opportunity Ability
Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Victim
1. Suitability Are you a Suitable Target? Would coming after you further the criminal’s Goals, Desires, or Motivations? What do you possess that the criminal wants?
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Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Victim
2. Vulnerability
What type of security measures do you have in place to
protect yourself and your family?
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Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Victim
2. Vulnerability
Personal Behaviors
Physical Security (Alarms, Lights, Fences)
Information Security (Denying Access)
Computer Security (Passwords, Locks)
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Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Victim
2. Vulnerability
Some Vulnerabilities can be very obvious
and can be detected without much effort.
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Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Victim
2. Vulnerability
A measure of your Attractiveness to a criminal or terrorist.
What are your Vulnerabilities?
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Victimization / Targeting 3 Elements of a Potential Victim
3. Probability of Success
What is the probability that if the criminal comes after you,
he will be successful?
Keep in mind that by the time the criminal comes after you,
he has already studied you and determined the Risks and
Threats to himself.
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3 Elements of a Potential Victim
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Suitability
Success Vulnerability
Victimization / Targeting
Victim Selection + Victim Behavior =
VICTIMIZATION
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Observation Skills
The eyes provide the visual information, which is sent to the brain for processing, and causes a person to respond to a particular situation.
Since you were a child, you have been trained using your eyes.
You need to further develop this skill.
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Observation Skills Your eyes are trained to SCAN an area within your
sight from LEFT to RIGHT.
This is the skill you use to read a book.
You are also trained to SCAN an area within your sight from LEFT to RIGHT to LEFT.
This is the skill you use when driving a vehicle.
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Observation Skills
By SCANNING Left / Right / Left, the
retention of what you observe increases,
and gives you a better picture of what you
have seen.
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Observation Skills
SCANNING and GLANCING at something or someone that has caught your attention are a more relaxing and
effective ways of observation.
Do not stare because this action tires your eyes and causes your vision to become unclear and fuzzy.
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Observation Skills
One day, you might get the feeling or intuition that you are being followed by another vehicle.
This is your mind warning you of a Potential or Real Risk or Threat.
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Observation Skills
Surveillance Indicators
Multiple sightings of same suspicious individuals , a vehicle, or other activity separated by:
Date Time Location
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Observation Skills Surveillance Indicators
TEDD
Time
Environment
Distance
Deportment
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Observation Skills
What To Look For:
A vehicle that slows down when you slow down, but keeps its distance.
A vehicle that does not pass you; this goes beyond driving behavior.
A vehicle that turns a corner when you do.
A vehicle that stops at a distance when you stop at your destination.
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Observation Skills
How To Respond:
Pull your vehicle over and try to get a license plate.
Keep driving but do not go directly to your destination; go somewhere else.
Request police assistance.
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Auditory Skills
The most important rule for maximizing your Hearing accuracy is:
Breathing Control
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Auditory Skills
During a dangerous situation, the pace of your Breathing increases, and so does your Heart Rate.
Take deep, slow breaths to control your heart rate and increase your Auditory Skills.
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Smelling Skills
You are programmed to React to scents that are pleasing or unpleasant.
A particular odor will trigger your sensory memories that will correspond to your past events.
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Smelling Skills
To improve your sense of smell, practice these steps:
Close your eyes
Take a deep breath
Let your mind instead of your eyes determine the scent
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Basic Criminal Warning Signs A person intent on committing a Crime will put on a
“FALSE FACE”.
The criminal’s intent is to deceive the Target (Victim).
Everything that the criminal says and does will most likely be LIES.
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Basic Criminal Warning Signs
The criminal will be extremely Charming and Friendly.
Alert: These behaviors are Warning Signs.
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The Victimization Process
1. Pre-Victimization
At this point, the criminal will be searching for his Victim.
This victim selection process is called “TROLLING”.
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The Victimization Process
1. Pre-Victimization
The criminal will Troll for his Targets at:
Malls
Colleges / Universities
Nightclubs
Grocery Stores
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The Victimization Process
2. Initial Contact
Once the criminal selects a Target, he will do all he can to initiate contact.
At this point, the selected Target is unaware about the Initial Contact’s intentions.
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The Victimization Process
2. Initial Contact
The criminal will attempt to make contact with his target in some manner.
The criminal will get close enough to begin a conversation with the Target.
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The Victimization Process
2. Initial Contact
The Initial Contact is to lower the selected Victim’s defenses.
The conversation will be prepped in order to take control of the situation.
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The Victimization Process
2. Initial Contact
The Initial Contact can be made days or weeks before the Target becomes a Victim.
The Initial Contact is part of the victim selection process.
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The Victimization Process
2. Initial Contact
The Initial Contact is to commit the Target into some type of obligation and to gain trust.
The criminal might do a favor or task in which the Target becomes in Debt to him.
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The Victimization Process
2. Initial Contact
The favor might be one that is ongoing and one that makes the Target accompany the criminal into a more
private and secluded location.
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The Victimization Process
3. Follow-Up Contact
The criminal sets-up the situation in which the Target runs into him to do a follow-up contact.
By this point, the criminal has already studied his Target and has decided to Victimized the Target.
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The Victimization Process
4. Target Isolation
The objective now is to Isolate the Target.
If the criminal has previously gained the trust, it will be easier to Isolate the Target from other people.
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The Victimization Process
4. Target Isolation
The Target must be prepared to refuse to be alone with the criminal.
Ask yourself…Why should I go alone with this
person?
Be Inquisitive.
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The Victimization Process
5. Target Victimization
Once the Target is completely Isolated, the criminal will attack.
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The Victimization Process
6. Post-Victimization
Once the criminal completes the attack, he has to decide whether to release or
kill the Victim.
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The Victimization Process
6. Post-Victimization
More likely, the Victim will be killed.
The criminal will then attempt to cover up the crime by destroying evidence and disposing of the Victim’s body.
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The Victimization Process
6. Post-Victimization
The criminal will then depart the crime scene without being seen.
Keep in mind that the seasoned, career criminal has more experience and Situational Awareness that a
beginner and Victims.
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The Victimization Process
Alert
The criminal will make his move when it is most convenient to him and the Target is most Vulnerable.
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