Bodyguard Methodology
Many of the things I learned as an Executive Protection agent can be directly applied to protecting yourself, your family, and your home. Review this brief list and see how it applies to being able to defend yourself and others.
A deeper level of awareness: Although there are some agents who get lackadaisical due to the routine of the job, a bodyguard needs be in a high state of awareness for prolonged periods of time. That means your eyes, ears, and intellect must be on guard. Be aware of your surroundings and situations.
Avoid danger and conflict: Look out for and predict potential danger zones and choke points. Then avoid them or find a way around them without confrontation.
Home Security and Defense: Make sure the perimeter, and the structure of the dwelling is secured. Having security measures in place, including electronic devices, fences, cameras, lighting, as well as your protection force, provides a layered defensive safety zone.
Mental preparedness: You need to be prepared to react at any moment to a plan of action in the midst of chaos. A combat mind set is needed in order to react to danger without being frozen in an indecisive state of inaction.
Skill set: Some of the skill sets needed to be effective include hand to hand combat, firearm proficiency, identifying threats in advance, as well as reading the behavior of individuals.
Teamwork: If you are working with other agents you need to be able to communicate and act as a unit. This would apply to your family reacting in a coordinated fashion to a home invasion.
Standard Operating Procedures: Working with a checklist and preforming functions that ensure protective elements are in place. SOPs help afford a plan of action in the event things do not go according to the original plan. SOP for home owners could be one parent gathering the children and the other retrieving a firearm.
When it comes to personal protection and defending yourself and your family, you are essentially acting as your own bodyguard. Until law enforcement arrives, you will be the first line of defense.
(At some point in the future, I hope to write a book and create a DVD highlighting the many experiences of my life.)
Become Your Own Bodyguard
The best way to secure the safety of yourself and your family it to start thinking as if you were the family's bodyguard. In essence become your own bodyguard.
This may sound preposterous to the uninitiated, but think of it this way. When violent crime can strike in a matter of seconds, and it takes the police from 5 to 30 minutes to respond, what choose do you have? You either defend yourself and your family or become another crime victim statistic.
Obviously you will not be as well trained or equipped as a professional bodyguard. You can, however, with minimal training be ready to stop a criminal from committing a violent crime.
Disclaimer
All self defense techniques taught in Extreme Combat Self Defense Systems are for self defense in situations where there is the reality and expectation of a life threatening incident or one that can cause grave bodily harm.
Not responsible for any injury from following the articles or information on this website. Practicing self defense, training and conditioning, and handling firearms pose an potential danger. Only practice under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
Extreme Combat Self Defense Systems, Inc.
Port Saint Lucie, FL