Protection of Loved Ones

By Brian Ramsey

The fear of crime is an ever present factor in Trinidad and Tobago life. At times events occur that seem so random. One is left to wonder how do you protect your loved ones. The level of protection of course depends on what are the risks that your family faces.

The ultimate protection for family members is to employ a bodyguard and certainly there are those families that use bodyguards in Trinidad. The TV image of a bodyguard is often a big hulking individual who fights off intruders or engages in high speed vehicle escapes. The reality of a professional bodyguard is often however far from the television image. If it gets to fighting or high speed vehicle chases then it usually means that something went wrong. A professional and effective bodyguard is one who has a good knowledge of threats and is able to use surveillance detection skills. The key aspect of bodyguarding is assessing situation and guiding charges so that an incident is prevented from occurring. Some persons think that you can take any person who works as a guard and place them to perform as a bodyguard. To be a personal protection specialist however requires specialized training. Even more importantly it requires a particular personality, one must realize that this person is with the family everyday, in fact they become almost part of the family and so are exposed to family secrets and the nuances of daily family life.

Not everyone faces the level of risk that requires a bodyguard or can afford the cost of a bodyguard, so how do you protect them. One of things that you can do is to provide your family members with personal protection devices. One of these is a self-defense spray which has between 5% to 10% pepper gas and a range of at least 6 to 8 feet. It can be kept it on a key ring and be ready for use.  This spray will stop the bad guy in his tracks and prevent him from getting close to your family member. A personal alarm is a less 'aggressive' alternative to a pepper spray. All your loved one has to do is pull the pin and it makes a shrieking noise that will immediately alert everyone in the vicinity.

One of the best things that you can do for your loved ones is to provide them with advice on how to avoid crime situations. Some of the advice that you can give them is:

• Avoid marginal areas; places where you would not feel comfortable standing on the corner. Select routes to your destinations with this in mind. Even if you're running late for work or school, do not take shortcuts through unfamiliar places.

• Most attacks occur quickly and from a short distance, so it is imperative that you stay aware of your surroundings. Remain alert at all times, keep your head up and scan the area around you for any activity that appears threatening or suspicious.

• If you see something that strikes you as odd or suspicious, trust your instincts and take steps to distance yourself from the situation before an attack begins.

• Don't worry about what others may think. Your safety is your first and most important concern. For example, don't get on an elevator if you see someone inside who makes you feel apprehensive or uncomfortable. Simply turn away and catch a different elevator.

• Never allow yourself to be taken by the criminal to a different location. The criminal will try to take you to a place that is more secluded, where you are farther from help, a place that benefits the attacker. Your chances of survival diminish dramatically if you allow a criminal to take you out in the bush, into a back alley, etc. If you are going to resist, do so at the place of initial attack.  

• If someone attempts to force or con you into going with them, turn and run "like lighting" while screaming at the top of your lungs for help.

• Tell your child to "DROP THE BOOKS!" before they run! A heavy book bag will prevent your child from getting away and by dropping the knapsack they can run faster.

• Give your child some simple directions on where to go if they are in trouble. But keep it simple, like run back to school if you are not past the Main Road and run home if you are past the Main Road or run to the fast food restaurant.

Protection of loved ones is not something that should be left to chance, however anticipating the problems and taking preventative actions will minimize the risk.

About the Author

Brian Ramsey is a SecTec Associate Consultant.

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Last modified: 09/18/09