SAS hero shares tips to protect yourself from today’s terrorist threat after his daughter was targeted by ISIS
The Gulf War's Infamous Bravo Two Zero mission survivor says to always be aware of your surroundings and to have a plan
FEARLESS soldier Chris Ryan is the bravest of the brave – but even he frets about the dangers posed by terrorists.
This fear was brought home to the Military Award winner when the SAS hero’s daughter became a target for ISIS-linked fiends.
As a result, the survivor of the Gulf War’s infamous Bravo Two Zero mission has now written a book of tips on how to stay safe in scenarios of terror and of daily crime.
Chris writes: “I was in America when an email arrived from a detective chief inspector from Midlands anti-terrorist unit. ‘Contact me’. My a*** nearly went through the floor.
“There had been a threat levelled against my daughter.
“She had posted a picture of me at a book signing in the City. That picture had been seen by a faceless
enemy who had worked out who she was.”
While police were able to swing into action in that case, Chris, 55, realised: “We can’t always rely on authorities to keep us and our families safe.”
Below he shares some of his expert tips in the book for staying safe.
- Safe: How To Stay Safe In A Dangerous World by Chris Ryan, published by Coronet, is out now for £16.99.
1) Stay safe in the street
MOST street crime is opportunistic. Muggers don’t want to work hard. They are looking for easy targets and low-risk opportunities.
Most street crime happens in the late afternoon and into the hours of darkness.
Our first line of defence is exceptional situational awareness.
For those who haven’t undergone SAS jungle training, I’m going to give you a technique called the Cooper Colour Code. This breaks down alertness levels into four colours.
The key here is “Condition Yellow”, which is how most of us should be, most of the time.
When I’m out my head’s up, my phone’s in my pocket. A person in Condition Yellow knows that the possibility might arise that he or she has to defend themselves.
You can avoid potential conflict situations by removing yourself from the threat or the vicinity.
If this isn’t possible, you can prepare yourself in the event that the situation escalates.
A word of warning: It’s impossible to be in Condition Yellow if you’re staring at your phone.
DANGER SIGNS
Notice two or three of these signs at the same time? Get out of there
- Unexplained presence: If somebody is simply hanging out and doesn’t appear to have a particular reason for being where they are, be wary.
- Target staring: If you’re aware of somebody staring at you for an unusual amount of time, you should be on high alert.
- Matching your movement: You cross the street, they cross. You speed up, so do they. This is not normal behaviour.
- Distraction: If a stranger suddenly sparks a conversation it could be a distraction and is the oldest trick in the book.
- Hidden hands: If it looks like someone is hiding their hands they could be concealing a weapon.
- Unusual clothing: Someone wearing hot, heavy clothing when the weather is warm, you should be immediately suspicious.
If any of these scenarios happen, do the following:
- Appear confident.
- Plan your route.
- Put your phone away.
- Carry your bag closer.
- Get to a crowded area.
- Don’t go straight home.
- Avoid eye contact.
2)...during mass terror incident
FIREARMS ATTACK: Police advice is that you should run if you can run, hide if you can’t, and tell authorities what’s going on.
If running: Leave all your belongings. Move quickly and quietly. Try to encourage others to come with
you, but don’t let them slow you down if they can’t make their minds up.
If hiding: Try to find a place with thick walls – rounds can easily pass through plasterboard stud walls.
Try to avoid any dead ends and bottlenecks.
It can be a good idea to lock yourself inside a room. If you do this, remember that the door is probably a weak point through which rounds can pass. Stay away from it.
VEHICLE-RAMMING INCIDENT: Your best defence is heightened awareness. Be alert for the sight of speeding vehicles and the sound of revving engines. When walking on the pavement, try to face oncoming traffic.
KNIFE ATTACK: If a knife attacker can’t get close to you, he can’t hurt you. The worst thing you can do is to turn your back on someone wielding a knife.
If cornered, move into attack mode. Look for weapons. This might mean grabbing a chair or smashing a bottle. Liquids – hot or cold – are very good tools. A fire extinguisher will hold them back. Encourage other people to fight with you, and use projectiles.
Protect your torso, throat and the insides of arms and legs. It’s better to present the front of your forearms as you go in to attack.
BOMBS AND IEDS: Be suspicious of anything out of place, such as the “bucket bomb” left on a Tube last month, right. If you see someone placing an object in a public place – like a workman placing a bin on a rail concourse – don’t assume it’s official and OK.
SUICIDE BOMBER: A civilian’s only real defence is to identify them before they have a chance to detonate.
Statistically, a suicide bomber is most likely to be male and between the ages of 17 and 35. Their clothing will probably look out of place and unseasonal. They will almost certainly have a jacket on, and it will make them look unnaturally bulky.
Alternatively, the suicide bomb will be in a backpack. If this is the case, they may be gripping it very firmly. If you suspect a suicide bomber don’t call him out. This will cause mass panic. Move away and call 999.
3)...in your car
BE aware of what’s going on around you. In a line of traffic make sure you can see the wheels of the car in front. That way you have space to pull out in case of trouble.
Reverse park so you can get away more quickly. Never let your fuel tank dip below a quarter full.
Hide your car keys in the house. A high proportion of car theft happens from thieves breaking into a house and swiping the keys.
Switch your engine off. Never leave the car running when nipping to a cash point or shop.
Carjackers and enraged drivers are much less likely to engage in violent activity if they spot a dash cam on your windscreen. They are a very effective personal security tool.
I recommend those with two cameras, to film the front and back.
4)...and in your home
THINK like a thief. Burglars want an easy life. They want easy access without being seen.
Is there an area of shadow in the garden to make an approach?
Does the target leave and return at the same time every day? Is there an alarm?
Secure doors and windows and invest in good lighting. Use several indoor lights on different timer settings.
Put gravel down outside – it makes it hard for anyone to approach without being heard.
Hiding jewellery can be a bad idea. Thieves know all the crafty places. The only safe place is a safe that is bolted to the floor.
Think carefully about what is genuinely valuable.
Most people focus on jewellery and cash. In fact, passports and other identifying documents – such as mortgage papers and insurance certificates – are just as valuable.
This is because they can be sold on for identity fraud, which is a very big criminal business.
Most thieves will leave if they have something of value. That means a decoy box with some cash in it might serve as a tool in getting them out of your home.
5) By cyber secure
WHEN the terrorist cell targeted my daughter, they had been able to identify her on account of her online presence.
This was a sharp reminder to us as a family that, for all its benefits, the internet is a powerful tool for anyone who wants to do us harm.
Criminals harvest information from your social media sites in more subtle ways, too.
Details such as your name, address and date of birth can be used for identity theft. Personal information such as your mother’s maiden name or your favourite film can be used to guess the security questions for your online accounts.
Your online passwords are like the locks on your house.
If they’re weak, you’re asking to be broken into.
6) Be alert on hol
were an aberration. But they were not completely unpredictable.
The problem with holidays is that we relax. Nothing wrong with that. But we also let our guard down.
That’s a big mistake.
To keep your family safe on holiday:
- Check the latest Foreign Office advice on your destination.
- Before you hit the beach or bar familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. Look at a map. Ask yourself if there was a terror attack how would you stay safe?
- Blend in. If you look too much like a tourist you may be a target. Can you emulate locals?
- In the hotel room, use the safe and if someone knocks on your door, call reception to verify before opening. It’s a common ruse for intruders to pose as staff.
- When you go out leave a “Do not disturb” sign on the door and the TV on.
- If you do hear gunfire, take a moment to assess where it’s coming from. Head to a residential area rather than the beach or the hotel that might be a target.
7) Fight dirty
FIGHTING should be a last resort. But if you have no other option:
- Forget the movies – you’re not Bruce Lee. Use anything at your disposal.
- Don’t expect help – bystanders aren’t likely to get involved.
- Shock and awe – Surprise them. Scare them. Scream loudly. You might look like a lunatic but your aggressor may worry people will come to help.
- Commit yourself – You should never start a fight, but you should always finish one.
- Don’t punch – it’s more effective to use the heel of your hand. Up against his nose could break it.
- Go for the eyes, ears, throat or genitals – fight dirty to win.
- Scratch, stamp or bite – don’t be squeamish. Ineffective fighting puts you in more danger.
