Course Details

Course Description:  This course covers the following subjects:

A.  Mechanics of abduction and how to recognize initial phases

B.  When to resist or fight and when to cooperate

C.  Setting the stage; how you help abductors restrain you in a way that facilitates your later escape

D.  Survival mindset; how to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally to survive and escape as a captive or hostage

E.  Determining when to make your escape

F.  Loading: items you can routinely carry that will aid in your escape

G.  Escape from duct tape, rope/cord, zip ties, and hand-cuffs

H.  Practical exercise scenarios

Courses:

A.  Half-day anti-abduction seminar: Crafted primarily for women or young adults. This course’s primary focus is abduction as part of a sexual crime. It covers all of A-F above and goes over escape from the two most common means of restraint, duct tape, and rope/cord. See *Note 1 below

B.  1-Day anti-abduction seminar: Same as the half-day anti-abduction seminar, plus covers escape while blindfolded, as well as while restrained both hand and foot. Includes realistic scenarios and role play. See *Note 2 below

C.  2-Day escape course:  Designed for persons of a higher risk for abduction or kidnapping for ransom because of travel, occupation,  circumstance or environment.  Covers A-H above. Includes escaping from zip ties, handcuffs, picking handcuffs and involves multiple realistic scenarios. See *Note 3 below

* Note 1:  This training can be arduous for some participants.  A level of physical capability is required to allow a participant to be able to lay on the ground, hold arms above head and make some vigorous movements. Some discomfort is involved primarily from duct tape sticking to the hairs of arms. Some chaffing and in rare cases slight bruising may occur as a result of straining against rope or cords. Some people may feel emotional discomfort at being restrained. We encourage anyone with questions as to their suitability for this training, to consult a physician or psychologist before enrolling. All participants must sign waivers of liability.

* Note 2:  This training includes all hazards of Note 1 above plus the additional hazard of being blindfolded and having both hands and feet restrained while blind-folded.

* Note 3:  This course includes all the hazards of Notes 1 and 2; also participants may be placed in a confined space. The scenarios may involve a simulated abduction including the same handling, language, and demeanor an abductor would use.

Course Details

Intro:

Foreign travel, including destinations in Europe once vaunted for their tranquility and safety, have become more dangerous for all, especially for Americans. Competition in today’s business environment drives companies to seek business opportunities in countries with varying levels of stability and safety; at the same time countries, once considered safe are becoming riskier to business travelers. An American studying a semester in Paris was the lone American killed in the 2015 Paris terror attacks. These factors combine to paint a gloomy prospect for enjoying travel and pursuing vocational and educational opportunities abroad.

When we travel or live abroad, we are subjecting ourselves to the security of our host country. We no longer have the protection of the security and response entities we have in the US. In attacks abroad, American are often specifically targeted, and sites where Americans are likely to be, rate higher on the terrorists hit list.

What then do we do? Forgo the vacation, not pursue the business trip, mission or charity work, or the opportunity to study abroad? I recently heard one grandmother sadly state that her dream of taking her granddaughters and daughters on a trip to Paris, was gone. While I agree to travel to Europe and other destinations is more dangerous than in previous years, we can still go abroad to work, serve and enjoy the sights, sounds, and experiences foreign destinations offer. Meaningful causes can still be served and new business opportunities pursued. But to do so safely in these times means we need to take more of the onus of our security on ourselves.

Thankfully, The Gary Harrington Company can provide you the training and assistance to do just that. I have over 35 years of serving in the world’s most dangerous places. During much of that time, I traveled, worked, and lived both in small teams and alone, often undercover. I learned how to weave vigilance, security, and safety into my everyday existence. I was always ready for an attack, a riot, or even arrest by a host nation government at any time. In our courses for Foreign Travel and Safety, we teach those proven principles and techniques to students so that they may go anywhere prepared to make the critical decisions and take the prudent actions needed to avoid, survive or overcome the inherent dangers of being abroad in today’s world.

Course Overview:

In this course, we follow the Special Operations model of dividing a trip into three phases. We have added a module with some specific measures for use when residing abroad for a longer term. Our modules are Pre-Travel Preparation, Travel Procedures, Long Term Residence Measures, and Post-Trip Procedures.

We begin with what you need to know before you travel, how to decide what items to obtain before travel, and what programs and steps to initiate before departing. We then go into detail about what to do and how to act in every phase of your travel to remain vigilant and prepared to act. For those residing abroad for a longer period, more than two weeks, we go over additional measures, and precautions to take, based on our experience on the additional risks an extended presence in a foreign country incurs. Lastly, we cover the often forgotten phase of returning home safely.  Many incidents occur just when we think we are home free and our guard is down. We teach you how to follow through with vigilance until you are safely at home. We also discuss procedures to take regarding your electronic devices and intellectual property after a foreign trip. Pending where you have traveled, you might be quite surprised at what you’ve brought home!