| Science of Safety is the foundation of Assault | | | | Recommendations based on the statistics presented |
| Prevention. We created this concept (SOS) to | | | | above: |
| differentiate ourselves from others in our field. | | | | Wear a seat belt. |
| Traditionally, people who are interested in information | | | | Do not drink and drive. |
| related to personal safety and security turn to the field | | | | To minimize alcohol related fatal crashes, minimize |
| often referred to as the safety or security industry. | | | | vehicle travel between the hours of 6:00pm and |
| This field has served multiple purposes for many | | | | 6:00am. |
| years. However, the industry as we know it has a | | | | To reduce all fatal crash risk, minimize vehicle |
| checkered reputation. This industry hosts bodyguards, | | | | travel between the hours of 9:00pm and 6:00am. |
| private uniform security guards, defense contractors, | | | | As much as is practical avoid two-lane, undivided |
| executive protection agents, retail theft specialists, and | | | | roads. |
| a variety of self-defense, tactical, and security | | | | Drive at slower speeds. |
| instructors. Unfortunately, it has become very difficult | | | | Look at the statistical facts. How much risk has been |
| to differentiate the credibility and quality of these | | | | reduced by using these strategies? |
| people. Most of these entities would much rather sell | | | | We can use the same type of methodology in |
| you their on-going services than teach you appropriate | | | | reducing the risk of becoming a crime victim. |
| principles you can apply and carry forward on your | | | | This is the Science of Safety. |
| own. | | | | Perception is most peoples reality. However, |
| We have reached a point in research and technology | | | | perception may be far removed from reality. This is |
| where we can be reasonably certain of the outcome | | | | why the effort of considerable research into crime |
| of many variables; hence the Science of Safety. | | | | trends, criminal traits and real-life violence |
| For example, we know from years of research that | | | | characteristics are valuable. As a result, we are able to |
| 85% or more of self-defense shootings occur in low | | | | recognize valid and reliable conclusions that will |
| light or darkness. We find it rather remarkable that | | | | effectively reduce daily risk, rather than making faulty |
| many states do not require low-light shooting as part | | | | assumptions based on inaccurate perception. |
| of their qualification test for civilians to obtain their | | | | Avoiding victimization is a thinking persons game. |
| permit to carry a handgun. | | | | Reducing the risk of becoming a victim of crime does |
| Additionally, we know the statistical probability of | | | | not require the average person to become a black |
| pointing a firearm at someone, much less pulling the | | | | belt in martial arts, a sharpshooter or a skilled weapons |
| trigger, is highly unlikely. It is much more likely a person | | | | artist. The primary consideration in crime victimization is |
| might have to apply force using their hands against an | | | | how you recognize and process the world around you. |
| adversary who attacks. Why then, all the media | | | | Unfortunately, many people walk around somewhat |
| emphasis on handguns and carry permits? We do | | | | self-absorbed in their own little bubble. By doing so, |
| believe in preparing for the worst case scenario, but | | | | they miss important environmental and behavioral clues |
| our focus is on what is more likely rather than the | | | | that are available to make good cognitive decisions |
| improbable. | | | | regarding their safety. |
| We know that there are assessments available in | | | | Being aware of these clues and processing that |
| which, if appropriately trained, a lay person will have | | | | information properly is much more significant to your |
| just as much success as a mental health professional | | | | safety than being adept at motor skills training |
| in determining the likelihood of violence. Should Human | | | | (self-defense). Preparation through proper training and |
| Resource Departments use these assessments? | | | | learning what it is you should be paying attention to can |
| These are just several indicators the traditional safety | | | | reduce the daily risk we all face. Here are some simple |
| and security industry is out of step with the realities of | | | | precautions to take into your daily life: |
| research and is disconnected from real life. This is our | | | | 1. Having someone else with you reduces the risk of |
| driving motivation; to present relevant, realistic and | | | | personal violence by up to 80%. |
| practical information. | | | | 2. Having a third person with you reduces the risk of |
| All of our services are built upon years of respectable | | | | personal violence by up to 90%. |
| research in the areas we provide services including | | | | 3. Learn to say no, emphatically, to a stranger who |
| violence, human behavior, science, physics, learning | | | | approaches you, regardless of their story. |
| theory and common sense. | | | | 4. Be aware of your surroundings. If you need help, |
| Have you even been in a car accident? If so, you | | | | you choose whom you will ask. You are far less likely |
| probably did not leave the house planning to have an | | | | to randomly pick a person wanting to do you harm, |
| automobile accident that day. That is how violence | | | | than waiting for someone to approach you. |
| erupts into our lives. It is spontaneous, unexpected and | | | | 5. In public areas, look around your vehicle as you |
| quick. No crime victim ever thought they would | | | | approach it. Look into your vehicle before you get into |
| become a victim on the dreadful day they became | | | | it. When out at night, park in a well-lighted area. |
| one. | | | | 6. When at home, park in the garage if you own one. |
| We don't like to think about it. But crime and violence | | | | Scan the garage before you close the garage door. |
| rears its ugly head daily through our media outlets. | | | | Although not a common tactic, assailants will wait in |
| When we consider the most horrific of these cases, | | | | hiding and enter through an open garage door. |
| who, at one time or another, has not asked | | | | 7. If you own a cell phone and feel you might be in a |
| themselves; | | | | place that puts you at risk, have it pre-dialed to 911 or |
| "I wonder what that must have been like for the | | | | the local police telephone number. Then if you do need |
| victim." | | | | to call for help, just push the call button. |
| "If that was me, how would I have reacted?" | | | | 8. If you are approached, do not let a stranger come |
| "What could I have done to avoid that situation?" | | | | within two-arms length of you. Assailants must control |
| According to statistics released by the Bureau of | | | | victims in order to successfully complete their crimes. If |
| Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey, | | | | the assailant cannot grab, hit, stab or kick you - their |
| United States residents age 12 or older experienced | | | | ability to control you is greatly reduced. |
| approximately 23 million crimes. This figure includes all | | | | 9. Never, ever, allow yourself to be taken to a |
| categories of crime. Therefore, you have | | | | secondary location should you be confronted by a |
| approximately an 8% chance of being a victim of | | | | potential assailant. Assailants look for privacy to |
| crime in a country of approximately 300 million people. | | | | successfully victimize people, and sometimes that |
| The trick, of course, is to stay out of that 8% | | | | involves taking the victim to a secondary location. Fight |
| category. How does the average citizen prepare for | | | | where you stand! Statistically, you are far better off |
| this? Unfortunately, many people don't give it much | | | | than being taken to a secondary location. |
| thought, or do not know what they should do. | | | | Much like the example we used in fatal car crashes, |
| Additionally, Americans are experts at denial. If you | | | | these recommendations are a result of studying solid |
| need proof just look at the amount of debt most | | | | research in the areas of crime victimization, criminal |
| Americans carry, or the national debt. | | | | behavior and characteristics of specific crimes. |
| Using a more practical example, the National Highway | | | | In the area of individual training for personal protection |
| Traffic and Safety Administration reports there were | | | | the amount of dollars spent on achieving a designated |
| 38,588 fatal crashes in 2006. Looking into these | | | | rank in a martial art is typically around $5000. It requires |
| statistics more closely; | | | | years of practice to create fine motor skill reactions |
| 22,830 of the victims were drivers. | | | | which are generally unrealistic in real world application. |
| 9,156 were passengers. | | | | As AP has demonstrated through years of course |
| 4,810 were motorcycle riders. | | | | training, refinement, and field testing, an individual with no |
| 106 are categorized as unknown. | | | | military, martial arts or self defense training can |
| Of the total fatal crashes 13,723 occurred | | | | complete an appropriate self defense course and be |
| between the hours of 9:00pm and 6:00am. | | | | proficient to the 90th percentile of all personal threats |
| 68% of these crashes were at speeds of 45mph | | | | and vulnerabilities that they will ever encounter, and do |
| or greater. As speed increases, so does the risk of a | | | | so on the basis of solid legal precedence of case law. |
| fatality in a crash. | | | | This creates a very scientific approach, but it is entirely |
| Almost 75% of these crashes were on 2-lane | | | | dependant on the type of course. In fact, it has |
| roads, the bulk of them on undivided roads. | | | | created a whole new industry which is heretofore |
| In terms of alcohol: 49% of single vehicle fatal | | | | been referred to as the Science of Safety (SOS) |
| crashes were alcohol related. | | | | Industry. |
| In terms of alcohol: 30% of multiple vehicle fatal | | | | Undeniably, as we enter a new era in terrorism and |
| crashes were alcohol related. Within this category, | | | | criminal behavior the responsibility of security is falling |
| 68% were between the hours of 6:00pm and 6:00am. | | | | on the private sector, and creating a significant need |
| Seat belts save approximately 13,000 lives in the | | | | for the privatization of services. Individuals and |
| United States each year. An additional 7,000 fatalities | | | | organizations are expected be prepared. |
| could have been avoided had the victims been | | | | How can adequate preparation take place without |
| wearing seat belts. Total fatalities could drop by | | | | sacrificing significant time, while insuring that preparation |
| approximately 18%, if these victims had been wearing | | | | is relevant, professional and utilizes a holistic, proven |
| seat belts. | | | | system? As AP continues to explore the essential |
| By all estimates, wearing seatbelts reduce the risk | | | | needs of the community, and as the community |
| of death for a front seat vehicle occupant by 50%. | | | | increasingly realizes its need for this protective |
| Using these statistics can be helpful in reducing the | | | | perimeter, AP is leading the way in providing the |
| personal risk of becoming the victim of a fatal crash. | | | | solution. |