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Travel Security – Personal Security On the Go

If you make travel secure, you make it more fun.

This is Part 3 in a series on Personal Security during travel.

As you’re packing for your trip, make sure you go through the pre-travel planning process to ensure that you’re dotting all your “I”s and crossing all your “T”s.

  • Ensure all of your passports, visas, tickets, cash and itineraries are in order;
  • Conduct a map reduce of the area in which you’ll be travelling;
  • Send an info package to a relative or trusted friend in case you need help while abroad;
  • Arrange for your home and affairs to be taken care of while you’re away.
Proper Previous Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.

Read more about the above in the previous posts on Travel Security:

When preparing to go (either to the airport, train/bus station sea port, etc – it applies to all equally), ensure you charge all of your devices and that you have the appropriate connectors and adaptors for the region in which you will be travelling.

Take an empty water bottle and some snacks with you so that you can refill it post-security and always have a drink.  You never know when you may be delayed and airports are notoriously expensive.

At the airport, keep your passport and ticket/boarding pass hidden to avoid people targeting you and gleaning information about you and your travel.  As you walk through the airport, keep an eye open for places of cover should an attack occur.  Columns and pillars, concrete planters, walls and corners as well as exit stairwells can offer ballistic protection.  Try to stay away from public-side-facing windows.

As you move through the port/station keep an eye for exits, cover and vantage points.

As a general rule, try to pack for quick and easy movement.   Travel light and fast.  I avoid checking a bag if I can which enables easier movement and less of a chance of lost luggage.  Stick with low-profile, non-tactical-looking luggage and bags.  The only downside is that if you’re travelling with items prohibited from going in the cabin of the plane, you’ll be forced to check a bag.  DO NOT try to sneak anything through security as it’ll either be seized (best case) or you’ll end up arrested (worse) depending on the local laws.

Here’s another tip:  DON’T AGREE TO TAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S BAGS FOR THEM!  It doesn’t matter if it’s an old lady, a “man of the cloth” or a child “travelling alone”.  Carry only your bags, keep a vigilant watch over them at ALL times, don’t leave them unattended and say no to anyone asking you to carry something for them.

Maintain the integrity of your bags and never take anything for anyone.

If you find yourself waiting on the public side of an airport or rail terminal, keep your eyes open for suspicious activity.  Set yourself up where you have a good vantage point and no one behind you, close to cover.  If you observe someone suddenly get up and walks away from a bag or parcel, quickly find cover and tell security services.  If you leave your bags unattended, you risk losing them to security.

Report unattended bags in stations and ports immediately and create distance/move to cover in case of attack.

While travelling, do your best to be aware of the local news and goings-on.  This can give you a feel for the local environment in which you find yourself and to possibly give you a heads-up in case of impending bad weather, criminal threats or civil unrest.

ALWAYS secure your passport.  It is the most important item you have when travelling abroad.  And depending on the country of issue, it can be worth upwards of $50k on the black market.

Your passport is the most important document you have. PROTECT IT.

When you arrive to your destination and have cleared customs/immigration, you can then “tool up” with any gear you have legally transported or acquire locally-sourced tools.

Do your best to blend in with the local population.  Look at online photos of locals and get a sense for what they wear and how they go about their days.  Consider stopping by a local store to purchase similar clothing to wear while you’re “in country” and then leave them behind when returning home.  With this method, you are essentially renting a “persona”and will bring down your visibility as a tourist to some degree.  Leave your “5.11 Tuxedo” at home and get something local instead.  Oakleys, Salomons and 5.11 pants and shirt that all say “covert” are usually anything but.

Your covert clothing, isn’t.

If you’re in a situation where no amount of “low-key” will do it (such as travelling with your family or in a group) do the best you can and always remain polite.  A smile and a kind word can go a long way in the right context.  With this in mind, don’t discuss your personal life with strangers.  You don’t know who they are or how they could use that information against you.  Steer your conversations about their home country under the auspices of learning more about them.

Always be wary of slick or sleazy locals who appear too good to be true.

When travelling to and from your accommodations (or any base), vary your route and timings and maintain your situational awareness at all times so that you’re not being observed or followed.

When moving around, don’t carry all of your cash in the same place on your person.  Break it up across your pockets, decoy wallet and other stashes.  Use credit cards when you can to reduce the visibility of cash.

Maps are good. Get one, study it and have it handy.

When on the ground, take a few mins to orientate yourself to the area using your maps and the local geography.  Look for common landmarks and pay attention while being transported from the airport.

When you’re first able, make contact and touch base with the folks back home to give them a status report that you’ve landed and what your situation is.  This allows those back home to have a time marker as to when was the last contact they had with you, where you were and what you were doing should something happen.

Couldn’t help it…I can’t stand the term “touch base”.

Beware of situations where you are consuming alcohol or drugs (say no to drugs, even if the jerk-off on the beach tells you it’s completely legal, you have no idea what is in it and if you’re being set-up) in the company of those who you do not trust completely.  Also, try and stick to bottles and cans instead of drinks mixed out of view, lest someone spike it.  And never leave your drink unattended or unobserved.

**The video below shows exactly how easy it is to have your drink spiked**

While travelling around, try to use ride-sharing services like Uber of Lyft over taxis as they are more reliable with better kept records of your trips.  You’re also less likely to be robbed (as you don’t require cash to take a ride with them) and if something goes wrong, the driver, car and trip details are all stored with you and the company.  If taxis are your only option, prior to getting in, ask for how much it would cost and take a look inside to ensure all looks legit and there are door handles in back.  Either way, ALWAYS have a method of escape (some form of window breaker) to get out should something go sideways.

Example of the GTFO Wrist strap available from Oscar Delta (link at bottom).

On the more likely side, you’re also more likely to be the victim of “tourist pricing” when arranging rides.  For example, a local taking a taxi may only get charged $4 whereas a tourist will get charged $40 for the same ride.

Change money in banks or approved locations with security, not back alley “cambios” where you might get mugged after people know you have cash.

Be wary of sleazy or too-smooth locals who want to be your friend

When buying supplies in local stores, keep an eye on the price tags that are on articles and ask what currency they represent.  And if they start taking prices off articles as they “ring them in”, you’re being scammed.  They’ll present you with a price which you won’t be able to recall and you’ll be left wondering what happened.  You’re better served to walk away and try elsewhere unless you’re really in a jam.

When checking into your accommodations, ensure that the bellhop goes in first, and that the lights are on.  Check every nook and crannyImmediately ensure that the doors and locks are all in working order and use a door wedge to secure the door once you’re alone and have engaged all of the locks.  Draw the curtains and turn on the tv when you’re not in your room and hang the Do Not Disturb sign on the knob.

Always sweep your hotel room upon entry and ensure you secure it.

In respect to OPSEC (OPerational SECurity), ensure that you aren’t posting too much on social media which can identify things like your room, locations you’re visiting and valuables you may have on you.  Post after you’ve returned or at least left the location.

In the event of a disaster or large-scale event, make your way by whatever means necessary to the Canadian (in my case) or alternately, to an allied nation’s embassy for protection and support.  The United States, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand or another Commonwealth country will support you when carrying a Canadian passport.

Find out where your local (and allied) embassies are in relation to where you’re travelling. If you find yourself in trouble they can help.

Situational awareness, pre-planning, having local currency (and knowing the exchange rate) and a resilient mindset will help deal with most problems you would encounter on your travels.  Travel light, travel low-profile and arm yourself with as much knowledge about the area you’ll be in.  Remember, low-profile equals a difficult target.

GTFO Wrist strat available from Oscar Delta here.

Till next time, stay safe and stay crafty.

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Training Review – Ed’s Manifesto – Mixed Skills Module in Washington, DC

The Sneak Reaper – Ed’s Manifesto

Over the weekend of 9-12 February, 2018, I travelled to Washington, DC & Alexandria, VA to train at District Combatives’ hosting of Ed Calderon (of Ed’s Manifesto), who was conducting a Mixed Skills module of training.

The trip down to DC from Toronto was relatively uneventful.  I got in early on Friday and spent the day sightseeing and getting the lay of the land in and around the area where we would be training.  I wasn’t sure as to what the training would entail, so with a map from the hotel front desk and my trusty feet, I learned the area around the training location and did some touristy things.

White House. One of the Secret Service guys gave me a great recommendation for breakfast 2 blocks away. He wasn’t wrong. Thanks Jerry!
The Spy Museum. You can’t not visit if you’re in DC.
J. Edgar Hoover Building. Home of the FBI and X-Files.
WW2 Memorial.
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.
The Mall.

I ended Friday night at a small pizza place which made amazing slices and helped myself to three and a “Mexican Coke” (produced in Mexico, in glass bottles, using sugar, not corn syrup) to top it off.

REALLY good pizza.

Day 1

Saturday morning was smooth.  I found my way easily to the training venue in the drizzle.  When I arrived, I was warmly greeted by Ben from District Combatives and handed a pile of liability waivers.  I was delighted to see a couple of familiar faces from previous training I had attended in the US and immediately took to catching up.  I even met a few others whom I’d only known as Instagram followers but quickly bridged to friends.  As the only Canadian in the room of almost 30, I felt humbled by the warmth and hospitality with which I was welcomed.  At the front, Ed held quiet court with a few people I didn’t recognize.   I took a seat and continued catching up with old friends and new.

When the room was packed and the time was right, Ben made introductions and we were immediately passed over to Ed who jumped right in.  Throughout the first day ,we covered:

  • restraints,
  • irregular custody,
  • weapons,
  • awareness and movement principles,
  • custody work, and;
  • a homework assignment to make improvised weapons.

I’m being deliberately vague with the above as if I get into greater detail, I’ll be writing all night and also because it’s better to experience it first-hand for yourself.

There were several takeaways from the day, not the least of which were that I need to do more yoga, focus on Endemics and “always have an escape plan”.  Sound advice for anyone.

The evening went well with food and drink around the corner and making new friends and sharing stories.  I especially felt humbled that I spent a fair amount of time speaking with Ed himself about the various Mexican mythologies and esoteric symbologies used by criminal groups.  Combining the entire evening’s discussions made for an educational, eye-opening and, at times, hilarious time.  Let’s just not rehash the saga of Jaramillo…

Some of us now know of Jaramillo. We shall not speak of his fate.

Day 2

Entering the training location on Day 2 we were greeted at the door by metal detector and pat-down to see if we had absorbed and followed the previous days lessons and completed our homework.  The resulting “found” and “not found” tables displaying weapons of various varieties was quite interesting.

Top , found. Bottom, not found.

 

Banana…

We debriefed and had a chuckle over some stuff (the legendary banana shank and, we even had Tactikey represented!) and then moved right into improvised weapons & Shankology.  We covered:

  • Improvised weapons,
  • targeting,
  • knife work (inside and outside),
  • urban movement fundamentals and;
  • various hood rat shit.

By the time we ended on Sunday afternoon, I felt overloaded with new information and lessons learned.  So much had been fed to us that it would take me weeks to digest it all.

On a side note, I had come from Toronto (snowy and -10C) to Washington (drizzle and +10C) and was contacted by Air Canada that my flight was cancelled and I had been re-booked to the following morning.  This threw off my plans back home, but I made the most of it and spent the evening out for dinner again with Ed, Ben and several others from the course.  Many chicken wings and drinks later, we broke off and headed out.

My time over the weekend both training with Ed and Ben as well as socializing with them made me happy to have attended and to get to know them.

Ben (of DC Combatives) and I.  What a great guy.

Ben was very welcoming and Ed was a wealth of information and selfless in his sharing of knowledge.  So much so that I invited him to come to Toronto this year and to put on a similar seminar.  It would be an honour if he can make it work with his schedule.

Ed and I. At the end of the weekend we were given the opportunity to choose a card. I asked for Ed to choose. This is what I got. “El Diablito”.  Very humbled.  Thank you.

***IF/WHEN WE HAVE A DATE, WE WILL POST IT IMMEDIATELY HERE ON THE BLOG AND ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA*** (Give us a follow so you don’t miss out!)

I am very happy to have gone and would recommend attending a seminar from Ed if you are able.  The training was excellent and the information covered was wide and relevant.  If you live in the Washington, DC area, do check out Ben and DC Combatives as the types of violence mitigation methodologies he teaches are grounded in reality and effective.  If he was in Toronto, I’d certainly train there.

Thank you to both Ed Calderon and Ben Drader for having me as the lone Canadian at the training seminar.

For further information about the topics and training seminars covered here, see the links below:

Till next time, stay safe and stay crafty.