Basic Personal Safety Concepts

A Research & Analysis Services Company

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.

Copyright (c) 2011. SOA. All Rights Reserved. 4

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


Wealth

Social Status

Celebrity / Public Exposure

Political Views

Symbolic Status

Personal / Business Travel


Types of Threats

Verbal Assault

Physical Assault

Use of Blunt Objects

Edged Weapons

Firearms

Explosives

Kidnapping

Severe Weather

Natural Disasters


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


Types of Health Risks

Heart Problems

Allergic Reactions

Diabetes

Previous Injuries

Communicable Diseases

Previous Surgeries


Types of Personal Risks/Threats

Sexual Encounters

Association with known criminals

Excessive Drinking

Drug Use

Financial Problems


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.


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?


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.



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?



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.


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.


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.


4 Levels of Personal Safety Aware

Awareness involves the use of your Five Senses:

Sight

Sound

Smell

Touch

Taste


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.


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…


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.


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.


Alarm

Alert

Aware

Unaware


The Defensive Mindset

The values, mental techniques, and attitude that maximizes the effectiveness of how you respond to a

Risk or Threat.


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.



Ability to Defend

The State of Texas’ new Self-Defense Castle Doctrine Statute effective September 1, 2007.



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.



Develop A Plan

Planning is an important component of Personal Survival.

Are you laying the foundation to be Victimized?



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.



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.



Situational Visualization

This is the formation of a mental image for handling different Situations.

It is also a major component of Developing A Plan.



Remember

Panic = Victimization


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.


Fear

Fear = Release of Adrenaline into the bloodstream.

Adrenaline dictates the Fight or Flight Concept.


4 Types of Reactions to Fear

1. Tachypsychia

The perception from people under stress that describes time moving in slow motion.



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.



2. Auditory Exclusion

The brain’s ability to block sound while focused on a Threat.




The brain blocks auditory input to allow you to focus completely on the Threat.

This has both a positive and negative effects.




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).



3. Tunnel Vision

This is the narrowing of your field of vision as you focus on a particular Risk or Threat.



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.



3. Tunnel Vision

To avoid Tunnel Vision, SCAN the immediate area Left and Right after engaging a Risk or Threat.



4. Cognitive Dissonance

This is a Disassociation with the actual events as they occur.




A Disassociated Mind is the most dangerous reaction to Fear because it is rejecting the idea that something

terrible is happening.




When this happens, the Victim is negating the ability to effectively fight back or retreat.


The “6 P’s Principle”

Proper

Prior

Planning

Prevents

Poor

Performance


Victimization / Targeting

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.



2. Ability

The criminal (s) need to recognize his ability, physical

skills, knowledge, available assets, etc. to commit the

criminal act.



3. Opportunity

The criminal (s) selects his target based on vulnerability

and accessibility.


3 Elements of a Potential Criminal Act


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?



2. Vulnerability

What type of security measures do you have in place to

protect yourself and your family?



2. Vulnerability

Personal Behaviors

Physical Security (Alarms, Lights, Fences)

Information Security (Denying Access)

Computer Security (Passwords, Locks)



2. Vulnerability

Some Vulnerabilities can be very obvious

and can be detected without much effort.



2. Vulnerability

A measure of your Attractiveness to a criminal or terrorist.

What are your Vulnerabilities?



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.


3 Elements of a Potential Victim


Suitability

Success Vulnerability

Victimization / Targeting

Victim Selection + Victim Behavior =

VICTIMIZATION


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


Observation Skills

Surveillance Indicators

Multiple sightings of same suspicious individuals , a vehicle, or other activity separated by:

Date Time Location


Observation Skills Surveillance Indicators

TEDD

Time

Environment

Distance

Deportment


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.


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.


Auditory Skills

The most important rule for maximizing your Hearing accuracy is:

Breathing Control


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.


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.


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


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.


Basic Criminal Warning Signs

The criminal will be extremely Charming and Friendly.

Alert: These behaviors are Warning Signs.


The Victimization Process

1. Pre-Victimization

At this point, the criminal will be searching for his Victim.

This victim selection process is called “TROLLING”.



1. Pre-Victimization

The criminal will Troll for his Targets at:

Malls

Colleges / Universities

Nightclubs

Grocery Stores



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



5. Target Victimization

Once the Target is completely Isolated, the criminal will attack.



6. Post-Victimization

Once the criminal completes the attack, he has to decide whether to release or

kill the Victim.




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.




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.



Alert

The criminal will make his move when it is most convenient to him and the Target is most Vulnerable.


Sergio Olivares, MPA

President & General Manager

(361) 694 - 2385

[email protected]

Education

Basic Personal Safety Concepts