What I Learnt From a Special Forces Operative

When I was younger, I used to attend a martial arts dojo. Our instructor was an interesting man. He would spend time with us outside of the dojo, socialising and speaking of his life in the military.

He had served in the British SAS and been operative on a number of continents in the world. He didn’t share too much about his escapades, but he did teach us some basic common sense security tips.

I was living in a lawless city at the time so I found these tips to be useful.

Some of them may sound a bit extreme, but these are now ingrained in me. Yes, I drive my family nuts, a lot of the time.

Arriving Home

Reverse into your driveway for a fast getaway if need be. Be prepared to damage your car in the process. Your life is more important than a car.

Look for anything out of place. Walk around your house if you can, some apartments etc. Don’t allow this. Check all windows and doors for any forced entry.

Enter when you are comfortable, all is as it was. If you notice anything out of place, do not enter, contact the police.

Inside the Home

Draw curtains side on, and from the side of the window, don’t stand in front of the window and draw the curtains open chested, you present too large a target. (Blinds are probably better, you can raise and lower them from the side of the window.)

Know what utensils or objects you will use to defend yourself in each room and know where they are located. Where the knives are in the kitchen, where the baseball bat or hockey stick etc is in the children’s room.

Know where insect sprays and other chemicals like bleach are kept, attack the intruder's eyes with these.

If an intruder has a knife, ensure you have something with a longer reach, like a baseball bat or broom stick. Always present a side on posture to someone with a knife. It is better to get stabbed in the arm or leg than in the stomach or liver or lung, etc. You probably will be stabbed if someone has a knife, be prepared for this, and to continue to fight back.

If the intruder has a gun, you have little hope of survival, unless you have a gun and know how to use it.

When out and about

Know the exits of each restaurant or pub that you go to. Position yourself or take a table in the corner near an exit if possible, a table where you have a full view of the restaurant or pub, and nobody is behind you.

Know the buildings and the ‘lay of the land’ surrounding the pub or restaurant that you are visiting. Prior to your night out, go and do a reconnaissance of the area surrounding the venue. Understand routes in and out and surrounding buildings entries and exits, you may need it.

“Be like a fox. Foxes are so difficult to catch because they know going in, how they will get away if the need arises, and they have Plan B too.”

If it is table service, you want the waiter to open the wine or beer in front of you, or ask them to bring the bottle or can unopened and you open it. Too many people have their drinks spiked and their wallets stolen or worse.

The same goes for ordering a drink at the pub. If it isn’t ‘on tap’ then ask for the drink sealed and you open it yourself. Never set your drink down on the counter, it remains in your hand, do not allow anyone near your drink or your friends’ unattended drinks. Do not be distracted. This is how they operate, they distract and then spike the drink.

Observe, always observe everyone, see who knows who and who is close to you. Criminals often operate in partnerships or groups.

If you feel uncomfortable in a place, trust your gut, make an excuse and leave.

Don’t overindulge in alcohol or drugs, this impairs your senses and your rationality. You need to remain alert and observant.

If confronted by someone, try to get away, usually they confront you because they have a plan, it’s an ambush and you will not win.

Try to defuse any situation with reason and talking, if you see that this is not working run or get out of there any way you can. Heroes often end up severely injured or dead. If you are ever challenged to a fight in a bar, always ‘take it outside’ when you get outside run. You have nothing to prove to anyone.

I always remember him saying he won a lot of fights by 100 metres or more.

The only time you defend yourself is when there is no way out.

Final Thoughts:

The above measures are a little extreme and do rob life of the pleasures that life is about to some extent.

They sound a little paranoid and perhaps more ‘spy movie’ type antics but if you have ever lived, or live in a crime infested cesspool, these are good tips to remember.

I live in a beautiful and peaceful part of Australia now, but having lived most of my life in Johannesburg, much of what I was taught remains with me.

Old habits die hard.