Is Your Brain Working Against You?

Is Your Brain Working Against You? - Circuit Magazine -

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How to Train Your Brain to Handle Challenges & Pressures of Executive Protection Work

Our brain is constantly processing information. From making our coffee in the morning to dreaming while we sleep, our neurons are always working to figure out what to do with the information they’re receiving. Every scenario is carefully calculated within our brains which then tells us how to respond to certain stimuli. In the field of Close Protection, it’s crucial that we train our brains to respond to stimuli in a quick and calculated way so that we are able to execute our responsibilities and keep people safe.

Everyone has a story about the time that they responded to a stimuli the wrong way. When we are presented with a stressful situation – one in which our brains are not familiar with – we go into “fight-or-flight” mode. This response has developed in mammals over millions of years as a way to protect themselves from impending danger. The long and short of is that we either stay and fight in through a dangerous situation or we run away.

Now, as we’ve developed into more a more civilized society, the term “fight” doesn’t necessarily mean putting up your dukes and getting ready for combat. Often times, it means facing the problem ahead of you in whatever way you can. But unfortunately, our brain doesn’t always make the correct decision when in “fight mode” which might cause you to do something that you wouldn’t normally do under less stressful circumstances.

In the field of executive protection, these incorrect decisions can mean the difference between staying gainfully employed or not. When the stakes are so high, mistakes cannot be tolerated. Making the wrong move in a stressful situation can result in dire circumstances like someone getting hurt or cost you your reputation or even your entire career. That’s why it’s crucial to be able to maintain emotional balance and strengthen your synapsis so that your brain can learn to process information faster.

Working memory There are three types of memory: long-term, short-term, and working memory. Your working memory is a system in the brain that is made up of many components and it allows you to process what you see efficiently in order to make complex decisions based on the stimuli. Essentially, our working memory helps us to filter and manage information.

There are three sub-parts to working memory: verbal, visual-spatial, and central executive. Respectively, they help to manage what we hear and say, visualize, and do. The central executive working memory essentially works as the control centre of our mind and is responsible for the manipulation, processing, and recall of information that is necessary for paying attention, solving problems, and making decisions.

Working memory is our ability to process and execute both everyday (walking, talking, eating) and highly skilled tasks. There is some connection to working memory and long-term memory in the way that working memory helps us to recall and perform functions that we may have learned 20-30 years ago. At the same time, however, our working memory is always learning new information that helps us to never stop improving.

In the field of Executive Protection, your working memory must be strong and agile. We are all born with a certain level of cognitive functioning that improves as we learn and grow. That growth doesn’t necessarily have to stop when you’re an adult. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to improve your cognitive functioning, working memory, and the way you filter and manage information.

Let’s break down the idea of cognitive thinking into 9 different categories. This will enable us to develop a better understanding of limitations in enhancing cognitive skills. Through this, we can better understand how two different individuals, under the same training regime, may get completely different results based on how their brain processes information. This is because of certain unavoidable factors like age, genetics, personality differences, and life experiences shape and mould the cognitive skills we each possess.

These various cognitive skills are categorised as follows:

Sustained attention The ability to stay focused on a certain task for a sustained period of time. The limitation faced in this can be old age and personality problems.

Divided attention The ability to remember certain data or information while focusing on a different task. Some may feel uneasy in performing two different tasks simultaneously. This can be due to personality disorder and age.

Selective attention The capacity to be able to focus on a task despite distractions. Limitations on this skill are old age and personality disorders.

Reasoning and logic The ability to problem solve and form ideas. Limitations can be genetic and old age.

Long term memory Allows you to recall information stored in the past. The limitation is age and genetics.

Working memory The ability to hang on to information while using it. It is affected by old age and genetics.

Visual processing Enables you to think in the form of images. Inability to engage in this function can be attributed to lack of creativity and genetics.

Auditory processing Allows you to analyse, segment, and blend sounds. With old age and genetics, this can be limited to various degrees.

Processing speed Enables you to perform different tasks more efficiently and quickly. Ability declines with age and psychological disorders.

6 Techniques for Improving Working Memory If we have a healthy brain and attention span, there is nearly no limit to what we can learn. This means that if we put in the time and work that it takes to train our brain and improve working memory, there is no limit to our cognitive functioning.

In fact, studies show that working memory training can significantly improve the control that we have on our attention span and help us to be less distracted. Ignoring distractions is crucial in the field of close protection because we always have to be agile and prepared for anything. In addition, working memory training positively effects the way we filter and manage information which may help to control emotion and anxiety so that we maintain balance and calm no matter the real-world scenario we might find ourself in.

So what can do you do improve your brain functioning to perform optimally on your job as a CP? First, we have to recognize that the brain is a muscle. And just like any other muscle in your body, you can engage your brain in activities that strengthen and improve its cognitive skills. Some activities that help in strengthening brain functionality and resultantly increase cognitive function are:

Exercise, both physically and mentally: You can improve your working memory by partaking in both physical and mental exercise. Physical exercise, like jogging, going to the gym, or any other physically exerting activity, has been shown to improve concentration, memory, problem solving, and attention to detail. Meanwhile, mental exercise, maybe even more powerful to really challenge your brain and help it to become stronger. Mindful meditation: A pilot study in 2013 in Harvard’s Beth Israel Medical Centre identified the positive effect of meditation on brain function and how it enhances cognitive thinking. Brain-training games: Scientists are developing a better understanding today that the individuals engaging in brain training games like Sudoku and chess show improved cognitive thinking compared to those who do not participate in such activities. Working with puzzles: Solving puzzles and engaging in mentally challenging activities can boost the cognitive thinking of the brain and speed up its processing ability. Push your limits by taking an activity to new levels

Be complex – complexity forces your brain to function at a higher level. Even driving new routes without relying on GPS can sharpen your brain memory zones. That is something that takes practice – just like your muscles develop “muscle memory” your brain can too. The more you practice something, the better your brain will be at automatically responding to the task. The trick, however, is to change it up before it becomes too old and too automatic.

Social connections: Researchers concluded that the feeling of isolation can disrupt sleep, increase stress levels, increase blood pressure as well as depression. In a pandemic environment, it will even more important to surround yourself with social connections as these factors contribute optimal brain functionality and help to curb cognitive decline.

In the field of executive protection, our cognitive functioning levels and emotional balance must always be working efficiently. Every decision that you make when you’re protecting someone must be the best possible decision for the situation, otherwise the consequences may be dire. Putting these techniques and practices to use to improve your working memory gives you the power to better filter and manage information which is crucial in keeping others safe.

Is Your Brain Working Against You? How to Train Your Brain to Handle Challenges & Pressures of Executive Protection Work

By Luis Goncalves

The post Is Your Brain Working Against You? appeared first on Circuit Magazine.

Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics

If you plan on working internationally in the close protection or security industry you will be expected to some degree to know how to handle firearms. Now, to get things straight to start with, what most people, especially Americans, don’t realize is that most non-government close protection jobs are unarmed due to the legal restrictions on firearms in most countries. Part of your threat assessment for any assignment needs to include the laws on the use of force and what if any weapons are legal in the locations you are going to be working in. Being caught with an illegal weapon, especially a firearm will get you thrown in jail very quickly, no matter how important you think you are! So, what do you need to know about firearms if you are looking to work internationally in the close protection and security industry, well the first and most important thing is knowing how to use firearms safely. To become proficient with firearms, like everything else takes practice and time, you’re not going to become and expert after a few hours’ tuition. Many firearms related accidents happen because those handing the firearms are not complying with the basic firearms safety rules of keep the firearms pointed in a safe direction and keeping their fingers off the guns trigger. If you ensure you always follow these two safety rules, you will be acting more responsibly than many others who are working with and carrying firearms. Remember, if you’re the one holding and in control of a firearm that accidentally discharges and injures or kills someone you will be held responsible. A thorough understanding of firearms and range safety is essential before you even start any shooting with live ammunition. Here is a more complete list of firearms safety rules and considerations. WEAPON SAFETY DEPENDS ON KNOWING YOUR WEAPON, CONFIDENCE, ALERTNESS Safety considerations for firearms must always be followed Always keep firearms pointed in a safe direction, especially when loading and unloading. Keep your finger off the trigger until the weapon is pointed at your target. If the action or slide on the weapon is closed, always treat the gun as if loaded and carry out the unload drills. Always show that a firearm is unloaded to a person before you hand it to them. When someone hands you a firearm, always check the chamber and make sure it is unloaded. Never take a person’s word for whether a firearm is loaded or unloaded, always check! Never point a firearm at anyone just for fun or play games with firearms. Always know what is behind your target and have a good backstop. Only fire-controlled shots. You can rapid fire but make sure you are hitting your target. Always practice tactical drills with unloaded firearms until you’re confident and competent enough to use live ammunition. Always unload firearms before dry-fire tactical training. Only use dummy ammunition or blank-firing firearms for demonstrations or dry-fire drills. Never mix blank, dummy, and live rounds. Always check that the gun is unloaded before cleaning. Never tamper with ammunition, and only use reloads from reliable sources. Never use damaged rounds, and always dispose of them safely. Keep guns and ammunition in secure storage when not in use. If you do not know how to operate or are having problems operating a firearm, get professional help. Never used drugs or alcohol when using firearms. Always check and comply with local firearms law Types of Firearms You should try to train with and get to know as many different types of firearms as possible as you never know what you will come across. You might be working unarmed on an assignment in a hostile environment but you need to know how to use the firearms you might encounter in that environment incase things go bad, say your hotel is attacked, and you might have to use the firearms of the local security, police, military and bad guys or make them safe after an incident. Pistols: The two main classification for pistols are semi-automatic and revolver. Sadly, most people these days tend to only train with semi-auto safe action guns such as Glock and S&W M&P’s etc. You need to know how to safely use revolvers, single and double action semi-autos, single action semi-autos and at least be familiar with derringers and sub-compact pocket pistols. Shotguns: I have heard quite a few supposed close protection experts, usually from police backgrounds dismiss the requirements for shotgun training. The reason for this I believe, is in their limited experience within a government agency they have never had the opportunity to use shotguns or travel to locations where they are used. I have personally working in Europe, South & West Africa, Middle East, US, Caribbean, Latin America and have come across shotguns being used in for security details in all of those locations. I would say shotguns are the most widely used firearm used for legal security purposes globally. Shotguns come in various configurations and you should at least understand break action, pump, semi-auto shotguns and the various types of ammunition and chocks. Assault Rifles: Even though most of the tacticool firearms training videos on the internet put an emphasis of training with AR-15’s and AK-47’s in reality there are not many places you can legally use them for security purposes unless you are in the military, on a government related assignment or working illegally. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the laws were put in place for security guards to carry assault rifles, but in most places if you are lucky enough to legally have firearms there is a greater change of it being a shotgun or a pistol rather than an AK etc. Sporting Rifles: In a lot of countries semi-auto firearms are banned or very restricted and the only legal firearms available will be sporting shotguns and leaver or bolt-action rifles. The only time most tacticool operators will consider learning how to use a bolt-action rifle would be if it was a tricked-out sniper rifle… Well, I am sorry if I offend any tacticool operators reading this but all hunting rifles, even with wood stocks, can be used as sniper rifles and for tactical applications. If someone is trained how to shoot properly, understands individual tactics and is armed with a decent leaver or bolt action .22 rifle, I would class them as far more value than the tacticool shemagh wearing operator who uses optics on their tricked-out AR-15 to hit paper targets at 15 meters… Other Firearms: Depending on where you are planning to work depends on the types of firearms you could encounter; in hostile environments you may need to have the rudimentary knowledge of how to operate belt-fed machine guns. Or, if you’re in an area where hunting is popular it might make sense to learn a little bit about black powder rifles and pistols, which in some places have a lot less restrictions on them than cartridge firing firearms. Tactical Firearms Training I have my own views of firearms training and the state of the firearms training industry but will try to keep them to myself as much as I can for the sake of this article. My basic advice to anyone looking at attending any firearms training courses would be is the course relevant and is the instructor experienced enough to teach it. The best place to get a good grounding in firearms training is in the military as you should be given thorough training, the bullets will be free, and you will also be getting paid for your time. There is no way you can replicate a few years military firearms training experience by taking a two-week tactical firearms course. One issues with those who have only had regular military training is that they are only used to dealing with a limited range of firearms. Personally, I only really started to learn and use handguns other than a Browning Hi-Power after I left the British Army and worked in South Africa, Eastern Europe and then joined a gun club in UK before handguns were banned. You must ensure the training you will be getting is relevant for what your going to be doing and is of a good standard. In the U.S. the general standard for training is what’s put out by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Most people don’t realize when taking a training course from an NRA instructor that it only takes one-day to become and NRA instructor or Range Safety officer. In the United States, it’s easy for a novice shooter to become an NRA firearms instructor, as I said it’s a one-day course, SERIOUSLY! With another one-day course they can become a Range Safety Officer, and after that with another one-day course a Chief Range Safety Officer able to certify Range Safety Officers… All without any experience of ever running a firearms course or any experience of actually working on a shooting range… I have come across NRA instructors who could not field strip their own firearms, Chief Range Safety Officers who had never used revolvers or shotguns. From their certifications you would expect them to be experienced professionals! Well, think again… You cannot gain the experience required to be a decent RSO or instructor by just attending a few theory classes, watch tacticool YouTube videos and belonging to Gung-ho online chat forums. The schools issuing these NRA certifications are making money, it’s business, but how many of their students then go on to market themselves as “firearms experts” after just a few one-day classes? I think this can be classed as fraudulent in anyone’s books. It’s just like taking a first-time driver, giving them a two- or three-day theory on how to drive, showing them a car, starting the engine and then certifying them to set up a driving school… Scary, right? Always verify the real-world experience of the instructors who you’re intending to pay good money for quality training. Firearms training can be very expensive so ensure you’re not wasting your money and understand that after just a few days training you’re not going to be at a professional level, whatever your certificates say! Ongoing dry and live firearms training and weapons familiarization is essential if your serious about working in hostile environments but learn to differentiate the difference between tacticool holidays and experiences and relevant training! Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics The post Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics appeared first on Circuit Magazine.

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