For executive protection professionals, the career demands that you are prepared to respond to a variety of threats, or deploy, relocate at a moment’s notice, having the right equipment prepared & with you to adequately respond is paramount.
Basic Equipment
Medical
Communications
Navigation
Identification
Sustenance
Tools
Illumination and Signalling
Specific Items
Miscellaneous
Medical: To prepare for threats ranging from criminals to targeted violence (terrorists, active shooters, etc.) as well as the more common threat from RTA’s and natural disasters, the most serious life-threatening concern is severe blood loss. Everyone should have access to an Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) and tourniquets to treat severe blood loss.
What's inside?
Heavy-duty gloves, preferably surgical (sterile) type
Tourniquets
Bandages
Trauma Shears (consider air travel)
Medical tape, preferably waterproof
Chest seals
Compression gauzes
Haemostatic granule packets
The Individual First Aid Kit is suitable for most people who expect to face critical situations. It contains most items you'd need to treat bleeding and trauma.
Communications: Mobiles and satellite phone (must check the legality of these within destination country) technology allows us to communicate almost anywhere in the world. The various applications available for professionals and amateurs is astounding and they provide a myriad of tactical and medical information, as well as checklists and other guidance to help us survive life threatening events.
Navigation: with the advances in GPS technology, our smart phones have built in navigation tools, both GPS based as well as mapping via cellular towers. Additionally, if we have internet access, we can pull up regular maps as well as satellite imagery. However, as technology is apt to fail, it is a worthy investment to learn how to use paper maps and compass for those moments when there is no internet, and you cannot get a satellite signal.
Identification: You should carry identification such as driver’s license, certifications, and any required permits. Additionally, you should carry applicable medical alert cards noting allergies and other medication conditions.
Sustenance: You can last days without food but little time without water. There are wide varieties of water storage devices available that can be adapted to your specific Go Bag.
Tools: These days it must be considered how you will travel, as these items will not get past airport security checkpoints and would be irresponsible to think otherwise.
Illumination and Signalling: Small LED lights are great for close in work (looking at documents, etc.) but are not so good at longer distances. They also last a long time on a battery and are very tough. Tactical lights with high lumen output are extremely useful for searching, and signalling.
Specific Items: Besides the general categories, individuals should adapt their Go Bag gear to their activities, as well as the specific threats in the environment they frequently deploy, reside in, and type of task.
Bigger Is Not Always Better
''If you do not have it attached to you, there is a good chance you will not have it when you need it''.
As much as possible, try to keep your survival items in your pockets, on your person, or attached to your body. Unfortunately, we cannot strap all our gear to our body, especially if we are working a covert protective detail in an urban environment for a C-Suite.
The next best thing is to get a Go Bag small enough so that there is a better chance that, in the event of an emergency, you will be able to get to it, and carry it, while being able to react to a threat.
Detailed Content Considerations
Emergency Cash (separate to have some throwaway cash in case of a robbery)
Emergency Bank Cards
Emergency Contact list
Passport, ID, Visa (Keep photocopies on person)
E-sim for mobile phone with unlimited data (arrange online when destination known, Maya Sim is a great solution, and cheap)
Pen(cil) and notepad
Cloud storage, which can be accessed anywhere (includes saved copies of ID, Documents, etc)
Mobile phone / Satellite phone and charging cables (various lengths)
Torch & batteries
Portable solar power bank
Essential Medication (if needed & with copy of prescription, country you are travelling to must be considered, as some countries within the GCC do not allow you take in certain medications)
Imodium, Pain Killers, Antihistamine are examples
First aid kit (IFAK)
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Sanitary items
Deodorant, soap, etc.
Water Wipes (water only, no fragrance)
Insect repellent/insect afterbite
Sun block
After sun
Water Bottle
Water purification tablets
Electrolyte sachets
Some food (energy bars, nuts, dried fruit)
Door Stoppers
Ear plugs
International Adaptors
Sewing Kit
Shoe polish
Sunglasses
Baseball cap/headdress (must be plain in colour, no logos, or flags)
You must always pack with the assumption that you will be boarding a plane and will be subject to the standard aviation security checks.
All baggage is usually plain civilian stye, no tactical bags.
Nothing on the baggage which identifies your nationality (such as patches/badges of flags etc.)
Bag must be secured.
All identification will be on persons, not inside the baggage, including photocopies.
Do you have more questions? Please contact the team at SABRE Risk to discuss how we can support you and provide advice to prepare you for your next task, or overseas trip.
Are you interested in Travel Safety & Security? Read more here.
operations@sabre-risk.com