Providing Personal Physical Protection to VIPs - CPD Course
Recognise - Respond - React. The Importance of Time and Distance in Close Protection
This course is designed to provide essential knowledge and skills for providing personal physical protection to high-profile individuals, covering everything from planning security measures and identifying hostile activity to effectively responding to threats.
Time and distance are important factors when planning personal protection during events such as public appearances, directly influencing reaction capability and threat mitigation. Time management ensures proactive decision making, allowing close protection operatives to anticipate threats rather than react under extreme pressure. Distance serves as a buffer, providing space to detect, assess and counter potential dangers before they escalate. incorporating both elements into effective planning reduces vulnerabilities and increases the chances of successfully protecting the principal.
History of the Course
This course was originally developed in 1996 by the training director at IPC. In 2008, Gavin de Becker released his book Just 2 Seconds, bringing into play the "Time and Distance" principle.
Along with transitioning articles, research, and experiments from Force Science, Sports Science and Psychology - Human Behaviour, the course has developed into what it is today - providing personal physical protection to high-profile individuals.
Two-Part Course
This course highlights the critical importance of rapid perception, decision-making, and response in life-threatening encounters. By analysing scenarios and real-life incidents, the course emphasises the necessity of training that enhances the need for a high level of knowledge and skill in:
- Situation Awareness
- Counter-Surveillance
- Behavioural Detection
- Strategic Positioning
- Threat Analysis
- Security Planning for Events
- Communications
- Conflict Management
- Physical Intervention
- Defensive Skills
Certification
Certification - 2 Certificates for this course
The Theory of Providing Physical Protection to High Profile Individuals - Completed and Passed
Practical Aspect of Providing Physical Protection to High Profile Individuals - Attended and Passed
Part 1- Theory £79.00
Part 2 - Practical £125.00
Part 1: Theoretical Foundations of Physical Protection (Self-Study)
This section will focus on the theory principles of threat identification, reaction times, and effective protection strategies. Through in-depth analysis, you will explore case studies of historical attacks, examining the tactics used, vulnerabilities exploited, and lessons learned. The objective is to develop a strong theoretical understanding of risk assessment and rapid decision-making in high-stakes environments.
Assessment:
You will be required to complete an assessment pack designed to evaluate your understanding of threat identification, reaction times, and protection strategies. This assessment will contribute to your overall course evaluation.
The assessment will be forwarded to our IQA for marking. Our IQA has extensive operational experience gained in the private sector and during his military career, including Special Forces.
A certificate will be issued on successful completion of part 1.
Part 2: Practical Application
This section focuses on hands-on training through scenario-based exercises, reaction drills, and real-time decision-making under pressure. You will engage in controlled simulations designed to test and enhance your ability to identify threats, react effectively, and apply protective measures. Training will also include physical intervention techniques and defensive tactics to equip you with the necessary skills for real-world security operations.
The practical part of the course includes baseline reaction tests, physical interventions and defensive strategies.
Realistic scenarios from meet and greet, including MP surgeries, and book signings, managing paparazzi, and red carpet events. live performances (stage). From security planning to scenarios where the attacker feels they have nothing else to lose.
Error analysis - freezing or poor reaction, startle response, use of force, poor positioning, poor team communications.
Assessment:
Visual assessment throughout the practical course.
A certificate will be issued on successful completion of part 2.
A Scientific Approach - Physical and Mental Reaction
With the use of high-speed cameras, inertial sensors, and biometric data to track body mechanics, defensive reactions, and evasive manoeuvres in real-time, we can analyse response times under stress, this approach helps refine training protocols, improve threat recognition speed, and optimize tactical movement in high-risk environments.
Will you react to a threat fast enough?
- Reaction times after a pain stimuli
- Reaction times after confusion
- Reaction time after physical exhaustion
- Reaction time after mental fatigue
Purchase Part 1: Self-Study
A PDF book and assessment pack will be sent to you via email. Once complete, return for marking. On successful completion a CPD certificate will be sent to you.
Purchase The Reference Book Only
A PDF version of the reference book without the course.
Recommended Reading "Just 2 Seconds"
Just 2 Seconds
By Gavin de Becker
Available from Amazon