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Getting mugged in my sleep would be a lot tougher, since I'm a deep sleeper. However, If we're talking about a home invasion, that would open the possibility of using a firearm, so… Backing up a little, what's social engineering?
Social engineering is the practice of manipulating people to do something that you want. It was popularized by the hacker Kevin Mitnick in his book The Art of Deception. During the Escape & Evade exercise in Philadelphia, two tasks we had to complete were getting a stranger to let us use their cell phone and obtaining money from a stranger (without disclosing that we were taking part in an exercise); we used social engineering to establish a common misfortune (claiming that our wallet/cell was stolen) to accomplish those tasks. How has this training in duping fellow citizens and escaping from Houdini-like situations benefited your daily life?
I feel more prepared than the average person. In truth, I am more prepared than the average person. I have a lot of the gear I would need in an emergency situation, and I have it stored in a series of Tiers so it can't be compromised. Soon, I'll have hidden caches on my SHTF emergency route out of NJ. I'm currently making an Area of Operations (AO) Book for northern Jersey, which Kevin (head instructor) was very emphatic about, that will cover a range of area attributes that is unbelievable.
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My Tier 1 gear, which is always on my person as of taking the class: fixed blade knife, multitool, lock picks, lighter, small flashlight, cell phone, handcuff key, bobby pin, barrette shim, SOG V-cutter, OC fog grenade (pepper spray grenade) and cultural/language/communication skills and knowledge.What are a few things everyone should have on their person or in their home at all times, just in case?
In the home, I recommend researching 72-hour bags and Bug Out Bags. They're a good place to start for collecting survival equipment. I'm also a proponent of legal, responsible firearm ownership. What do your friends say when you tell them about all this?
My girlfriend says I'm crazy for taking the class, but I think she also finds it endearing. The rest of my friends say it sounds cool, but it isn't for them…though whenever I'm telling stories from class, I do see this little glimmer that seems to say, "If shit goes down, Tom is the guy to find."Scenario: you are in the subway and a vagrant tries to steal something right out of your hands. What do you do?
First, he's not getting what's in my hand. Second, I'm asserting my position, clearing space between us and creating distance. I'm making eye contact and issuing stern warnings. I want to get away from him, but I want to be completely aware of my surroundings as I do it. I work with a lot of vagrants and homeless; the last thing I want to do is hurt anyone. However, I want to constantly demonstrate that I'm willing and capable of action if pushed. Another scenario: You're walking down the street in El Salvador when all of a sudden a pillow case is thrown over your head and you're shoved in a van. What do you do?
In class, they talked about the progression of danger in a kidnapping. First, you're likely to be secured in a vehicle. Next, you will be taken to a temporary location. You'll then be taken to a more secure location, and will finally be brought to your final destination (which will be the most secure). What that means is that it's best and easiest to escape as early as possible.
After I'm thrown in the van, I'm working hard to control my stress/adrenalin levels through a couple simple breathing exercises--I know that if I reach Condition Grey, I will begin to lose fine motor skills and cognitive function that will be necessary for escape (read On Combat, by Grossman/Christensen). If I'm being restrained, I'm making a mental note of what I'm being restrained with, as well as passively resisting the restraints (flexing my wrist muscles, presenting my hands to be handcuffed in front, separating my wrists, etc). I'm also doing my best to assess the situation--how many kidnappers, are they speaking Spanish, what dialect, did they lock the van doors?
I'm also looking for the first available opportunity to escape. Can I make a run for it while the van is stopped? Will there be an opportunity to bolt when we reach our destination? Finally, if no escape options are available to me, I'm mentally checking off the Tier 1 gear I have hidden on my person.That T1 gear sounds important.KELLY McCLURE
