Every professional field, from carpentry to computing, requires the use of tools of the trade that are not only kept in top condition but also have a precise understanding of how to use them. Nowhere is this truer than in the field of personal protection, where the stakes involve the very safety of individuals under care.
Consider the story of a protection specialist, the modern sentinel, whose role demands not just the physical wherewithal to guard but also an acute awareness of the tools employed in safeguarding their charges. Among such tools, the humble handcuff represents not just restraint but also a profound responsibility. An anecdote from the darker corridors of security mismanagement illustrates this well.
This was shared in a bodyguard magazine, a client was suffering from complex partial seizures due to neurosarcoidosis, and he was under the watch of a bodyguard. During a severe seizure, the bodyguard chose to use handcuffs to restrain the client, tethering him to a staircase railing. The crisis deepened when the seizure subsided, and it was discovered that the key to the handcuffs had been forgotten. Rather than seeking immediate assistance, the bodyguard left the client alone and handcuffed while he retrieved the key, a critical error that left the client in peril for an excruciating duration. This episode underscores a failure not only in ethical judgement but also in basic preparedness.
This negligence illustrates a broader principle: security, much like any serious profession, requires meticulous preparation. Not only should each tool be mastered and understood, but each contingency must be anticipated. After this harrowing incident, the client instituted a protocol requiring protection agents to demonstrate possession of key equipment at the outset and periodically throughout their assignment.
The tale does not end with handcuffs. Another anecdote shared involves a bodyguard in a major city who, assuming familiarity on the part of his client with local geography, neglected to prepare adequately with maps or a functioning GPS. This oversight resulted in confusion and unnecessary delay, compounding the client's distress and undermining the trust so crucial between protector and protected.
In a different vein, prior to the rigorous security measures now commonplace in air travel, another protection specialist failed to communicate effectively with airline security about the necessity to carry handcuffs, leading to detainment and significant disruptions. This, too, could have been avoided with proper advance coordination.
These stories are not merely about the failure of individuals but about a systemic undervaluation of preparedness in security operations. The lesson is clear: irrespective of the perceived simplicity or complexity of a task, the failure to prepare can lead to consequences as severe as they are avoidable.
In a world increasingly concerned with safety and security, the importance of preparedness cannot be overstated. It is a foundational principle that supports not only the integrity of security professions but also the very lives they are meant to protect. Always be prepared, for in the meticulousness of preparation lies the key to professionalism and trust. At worst, this could be negligence, and at best, this could be a missed opportunity to truly make a difference.
From the author.
The opinions and statements are those of Sam Wilks and do not necessarily represent whom Sam Consults or contracts to. Sam Wilks is a skilled and experienced Security Consultant with almost 3 decades of expertise in the fields of Real estate, Security, and the hospitality/gaming industry. His knowledge and practical experience have made him a valuable asset to many organizations looking to enhance their security measures and provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and staff.
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