Detecting a Two Way Mirror Spy Myths Exposed

Fear-peddling Fairies Aren't Doing You any Favors and Alarmist Santa Isn't Bringing You a Gift. 

 by The Self Defense Mythbusters in cooperation with Nottingham Sword & Shield Security, Hit Like a Girl, VIPER Violence Survival School and USA Martial Arts

Are you being spied on with a two way mirror?

Here's another one that keeps making its rounds.  A healthy bit of skepticism is important - especially when it comes to safety advice.  Be cautious of to whom you listen.  The truth will set you free and FREE advice can be the most expensive kind.

How can you tell when you are in a room, restroom, motel etc. with a mirror or a 2-way glass?
Here's how: I thought it was quite interesting! And I know in about 30 seconds you're going to do what I did and find the nearest mirror.
Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not? A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on.
When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror (i.e., they can see you, but you can't see them)? There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms . It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by looking at it.
So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?
TWO WAY GLASS IMAGE MIRROR IMAGE
Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is GENUINE mirror. However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE! IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR!
"No Space, Leave the Place" So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything.
REMEMBER. No Space, Leave the Place:
Ladies: Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.
Men: Share this with your wives, daughters, daughters-in-law, mothers, girlfriends and/or friends.
_____________

This detection method is flawed and more folly than helpful safety advice.  Issue some pseudo-self-defense advice, tack on a nice diagram for credibility and an appealing tag line that rhymes and people are far more likely believe it then forward it on to friends.  Now ad some scary words in capital letters and throw in a few exclamation points and you have the beginnings of a viral internet letter or social media post.  Although people have pure intentions by passing these on, they are inadvertently perpetuating a common safety blunder that can suppress safety judgment, and scramble innate survival intuition.

The above example is not factual because the reflection of the mirror is determined by the manufacturing process, lighting, type of mirror, backing and coating.  The finger nail method is more likely to identify a first surface or second surface coating, both common mirror types.  All of these factors can create the conditions to thwart this urban myth test - a test which might lead to some undue anxiety or even embarrassing choices.

Detecting Observation Mirrors or Two Way Mirrors

Here are some better methods of detection of two way glass or covert surveillance:
1. Most two way mirrors are mounted into a wall, rather than hung on a wall.
2. Cup your hands around the sides of your eyes and press up against the mirror to block light. Often you can see through to some degree.
3. Two way mirrors tend to appear darker than regular mirrors and thus can prompt further investigation.
4. Rapping on the mirror can indicate if it has something behind it or not based on the sound.  Transparent mirrors tend to not have anything behind them and may produce a more hollow sound.
5. If you can turn off lights in your room it will be easier to detect as well.  The two way glass requires the light in the reflective room side to be bright while the observation side to be dark.  Often the mirror will be exposed if someone leaves the observation side dark room and leaks hallway light in through the door.
6. Angle a light source against the mirror such as a flashlight.  You will usually see light penetration on the other side.

So before Alarmist Santa brings you another free holiday gift, make sure it's not a lump of coal.  Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Mankind.

How Effective is Your DT Really? Can You Perform When It Most Counts?

Will You Be Able To Perform Under Stress When It Most Counts and Your Life Is On The Line?

Bodyguards, Police, Security and Protective Agents - A Nagging Question
Every LEO Police, Guard or Close Protection Agent (bodyguard) needs to have confidence in his or her ability to get the job done and go home safe to one's family.  When push comes to shove, do you really have what it takes do avoid injury and liability?

Learn The Truth About Your Real Abilities

This blog article is not designed to disparage any training method you have had, rather it is to encourage operators to ask honest questions that get to the truth and purpose of their training.  It could be a starting point that eventually saves your life, or that of another person.

Are you learning proven, effective techniques and strategies that are best for you?  

A scientific method or process is considered fundamental to the scientific investigation and acquisition of new knowledge based upon physical evidence. Scientists use observations, hypotheses and deductions to propose explanations for natural phenomena in the form of theories. Predictions from these theories are tested by experiment. If a prediction turns out to be correct, the theory survives. Any theory which is cogent enough to make predictions can then be tested reproducibly in this way. The method is commonly taken as the underlying logic of scientific practice. A scientific method is essentially an extremely cautious means of building a supportable, evidence-based understanding of our natural world.

The basis of all of my firms training is efficacy.  

That is, it doesn't matter what big name teacher you had, what "undefeatable" system you learned or if you tow the blue line with the minimum Academy training.  It doesn't matter how cool your gear looks, what muscles you have built or that you "can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee." Knowledge is never to be confused with ability.

Just because you know something doesn't mean you can use it.  

Knowledge without ability to implement is nothing more than persuasive conversation and interesting trivia.  YOUR ability is the factor that matters most.  When push comes to shove, can you deliver when needed? Can your partners and buddies depend on you?  Can you depend on your ability to execute good judgement and skills and bring to bear the necessary attributes to survive or properly manage a violent encounter?

Military, Law Enforcement, Police, SWAT, Security, Corrections Training In Phoenix Arizona

So how do you know if you can actually perform in the 4-6 most critical seconds of your life?

One of the best methods we've found is through continual testing.  This reveals one's ability to think under stress, assess situations, and match skills and a strategy to the problems.  Some of the most important elements in our training include Adrenal Stress Conditioning, Stress Inoculation Training, Situational Strategy Selection in Scenario Based Training.  Although simulating combat is never the same as actual combat, we've found it to be the best way to safely training and quickly improve an individuals skills and abilities.  

You'll find this is a consistent training pursuit among elite units such as SWAT, Special Forces and other Special Operations units.  Why?  It provides quick and accurate feedback for adjustment.  It eliminates a lot of guesswork and the human emotions and opinions that often cloud feedback.  

Hand to Hand Combat, Patrol Combatives, Police Defensive Tactics, Use of Force Options, Close Quarters Combat, Street Survival Training 

Experiential education trumps all others.  The idea is to immerse the individual in the situation so that they have real time problems to solve.  Then, using after action reviews (acrostic AAR in military jargon) the individual is given the opportunity to critique themselves before the instructors do and build on the experience.  The instructors can then provide solutions and suggestions for the individual to try on the next round and immediately implement the corrections.  It is not only highly effective, but highly rewarding because it builds confidence through competence.

If you would like to test your skills or sharpen your abilities I invite you to visit http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecurity.com for some internet training specials and upcoming course dates.  Mission specific and force specific training solutions are developed on a case-by-case basis.  

About

John Nottingham works under contract with HELIX Tactical , Arizona Security Professionals and other agencies to provide cutting-edge training and testing for "Protectors", ie Military, Law Enforcement, Security and Corrections.  He is the owner of Nottingham Sword & Shield Security tactical training and executive protection firm based in Scottsdale/Phoenix Arizona USA. http://scottsdaleexecutivesecurity.com

Advanced Threat Assessment and Management - PINS

Threat Assessment and Management 
PINS: Pre-Incident Indicators - Red Flags for Workplace Violence and Predicting Violent Behavior


The following passage is excerpted, with permission, from Gavin de Becker’s book, The Gift of Fear.
Pre-incident indicators (PINS) typically manifest themselves in several ways. Close scrutiny in the workplace is essential when dealing with a difficult or concerning employee. While the use of check-lists is no replacement for professional assessments, arming supervisors with this information empowers them to watch for red flags.

There are no short-cuts for high-stakes predictions. Adults typically do not communicate their violent intentions as often as teenagers who act out similarly. Adults are more likely to ‘hold their cards close to their chest’. With adults, there may only be the utterance of a threat, even a veiled or indirect threat or what appear to be merely passing comments. All threats and concerning comments should be taken seriously.

According to Gavin de Becker, PINS fall into the following main categories:

1. Inflexibility – The employee resists change, is rigid and unwilling to discuss ideas contrary to his/her own.
2. Weapons – S/he has recently obtained a weapon, has a weapons collection or makes jokes or frequent comments about weapons.
3. Sadness – S/he is sullen, angry or depressed. Chronic anger is an important predictor of violence. Accordingly, chronic anger should never be ignored. Signs of depression include changes in weight, irritability, suicidal thoughts and references, hopelessness, sadness and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
4. Hopelessness – S/he has made statements like "What’s the use?", "Nothing ever changes anyway", "I’ve got no future". S/he makes suicidal references or threats, or s/he makes or describes plans consistent with committing suicide (gets affairs in order, sells off or gives away possessions). Pessimism is an important predictor of problems just as optimism is an important predictor of success.
5. Identification – S/he identifies with or praises other perpetrators of workplace violence. S/he refers to, jokes about, or is fascinated with news stories about major acts of violence. S/he is attracted to violent films, magazines (Soldier of Fortune), violent books or gruesome news events.
6. Co-worker Fear – Co-workers are afraid of or apprehensive about him/her (whether or not they can articulate their reasons). This PIN seeks to capture the intuition of co-workers.
7. Time – S/he has used Threats, Intimidations, Manipulations or Escalations towards management or co-workers.
8. Paranoia – S/he feels others are "out to get" him/her, that unconnected events are related, that other people are conspiring against him/her.
9. Criticism – S/he reacts adversely to criticism, shows suspicion of those who criticize him/her and refuses to consider the merits of any critical observations about his/her performance or behavior.
10. Blame – S/he blames others for the results of his/her own actions and refuses to accept responsibility.
11. Crusades – S/he has undertaken or attached him/herself to crusades or missions at work. This is particularly significant if s/he has waged what s/he might characterize as a "one-person war".
12. Unreasonable Expectations – S/he expects elevation (promotion), long-term retention (job security), an apology (for some perceived slight), being pronounced the winner in some dispute, or found to be ‘right’.
13. Grievance – S/he has a grievance pending or s/he has a history of filing unreasonable grievances.
14. Police Encounters – S/he has had recent police encounters (including arrests) or s/he has a history that includes assaultive or behavioral offenses.
15. Media – There have recently been news stories about workplace violence or other major acts of violence. Media reports on these subjects often stimulate others who identify with the perpetrators and the attention they got for their acts.
16. Focus – S/he has monitored the behavior, activities, performance, or comings and goings of other employees, though it is not his/her job to do so. It is statistically significant that nearly half of all stalkers show up where their victims work and companies would be wise to understand this dynamic.
17. Contact – If s/he was fired, s/he has instigated and maintained contact with current employees, s/he refuses to let go and appears more focused on the job s/he just lost than in finding other employment.

Gavin de Becker cautions that while no single PIN can carry a prediction, and not all serious cases will contain the entire list, the foregoing are some warning signs to which to be alert. Forewarned is forearmed. 

http://NottinghamSwordandShieldSecurity.com

http://USA-MartialArts.com

http://BeMyOwnBodyguard.com

NTS Tactical | Nottingham Sword & Shield Security Trainers

Training and Consulting for Military, Law Enforcement, Security, Corrections and Civilians
4731 E. Greenway Rd Suite 10
Phoenix, Arizona 85032
Telephone: 602-896-8721

First week at new tactical training firm

John Nottingham, PI

Assistant Director of Training

The first week has been comprised mostly of getting familiar with goals, objectives and the direction of the team.  Conducting some research, I found most of the local firms who trained are highly specialized or don't offer much in the way of advanced training.

I made several presentations with concepts and ideas to implement.  They seemed to be well received thus far.  They like my existing training programs, outlines and format from NTS and NSAS.  We should be able to easily incorporate my research into this new project.  Still waiting to see what that is worth to the firm and work out the details of using my programs.  I look forward to good things.

Proposing names and basic logo design ideas the Chief settled on the name HELIX TACTICAL.  Not only does it have a nice ring, it is short, easy to remember and seemed to be original.  That should make it a better choice for a url and branding.

My interviews with staff and clients have indicated a need for professional training as a means to advance careers, improve job opportunities and pay.  Another goal is to make the training enjoyable and remarkable to the point where clients become raving fans.  I know that if we can create the best training experience that they will refer others and our program will grow.

Stay strong. Stay safe.

Which is More Important, Technique or Mindset?

Security [Self Defense] is a Mindset Part II

When people ask which is more important, mindset or technique I have to say neither.  Why? Because to agree with that flawed premise is simply playing games with semantics.  In my view, personal security and effective self defense is both mental and physical.  Mental floss arguments and stimulating discussions may satisfy some deep seated need for cerebral exercise, but when punches or bullets fly, the real priorities emerge and the mind and body are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, I would argue that how well the two are integrated will influence much of the outcome.

Feet to the fire in this hypothetical exercise of the imagination I would side with mindset.  I choose mindset because prisons around the world are filled with criminals who effectively used violence without training, knowledge or special ability.  Intent (mindset), opportunity and simple human ability were all that was needed.  

"...prisons around the world are filled with criminals 

who effectively used violence without training."

For my security teams I look for individuals with the right attitude and mindset.  With that, we can equip them with the tools and techniques needed to excel at the job.  Ultimately, the mind controls the body.

Take for example Rhonda.  She is a forty something Mom with a sweet and nurturing disposition.  In two bodyguard schools I saw the other participants, mostly men with security, law enforcement and military backgrounds, presume to be able to assess her ability.  They patronized her constantly even going as far as to repeatedly ask her if she wanted to opt of some of the more intense simunitions and scenario training. 

Proud Martial Arts instructor, I sat back quietly with a smirk on my face knowing what was to come from this unassuming Black Belt.  She outperformed most all of them (even the guys bragging about protecting the President) and graduated at the top of her class.  Her client lived – theirs didn't.  It's hard to argue with results. 

Fluke?  Not at all.   It was mindset coupled with conditioning.  She has great judgment under stress and had the courage and wisdom to get experience in stress training.  Never judge a book by its cover.    Black Belt Bodyguard Rhonda went on to help me create the Hit Like a Girl home and office parties self defense personal security training.  

For these reasons as well as those in the previous blog article, I advocate great teachers, scenario based and stress inoculation training, problem solving and decision point exercises.   Merge that with creating a team culture that supports the mission and you have a winning formula.   A winning mindset is making a choice to accept responsibility for how the world works.

**********

NTS provides on or off site training.  Unique Security Services and Self Defense Training nationwide including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Phoenix Arizona areas.

In cooperation with: John Nottingham's USA Martial Arts Scottsdale PV Phoenix, Nottingham Sword&Shield; Security and Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security Training

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom     
 http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com    
 http://USA-MartialArts.com   
 http://ScottsdaleKarate.com  
 http://JohnNottingham.com  
JKD Concepts PFS Progressive Fighting Systems "Filthy MMA" http://fighting.net/johnn

Author 

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards.  He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management.  A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools. 

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele.   Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence.  Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services

Security [Self Defense] is a Mindset

Security (Self-Defense) is a Mindset

Part I

I tend not to refer to personal security as self-defense for several reasons.  As security professionals we view things differently than the typical self defense, martial arts, and law enforcement perspectives.  As the old saying in the bodyguard profession goes, “Dead clients don’t pay.”  We cannot afford to be reactionary and thinking only "defense" or we will be behind.

In many peoples minds “self-defense” often conjures up images of Karate Gi clad instructors barking out cadence to punching or the angry tough-chick exacting overly enthusiastic revenge on certain male body parts. 

Given my martial arts and military background, I have had it instilled in me the importance of mindset and belief system.  For many, the term self-defense can automatically presume a defensive or reactionary mindset.  Defensive or reactionary for our way of thinking is weak, too slow and can be quite messy. 

Instead, we prefer to be pro-active, prepared, trained and assertive or on the offensive.  As a model in nature, predators tend to own territory, initiate early action and dictate terms.  Thus, their lives are less dictated by fear and more on thriving.  It's a mindset. 

Mindset is based on:

1.      Beliefs

2.      Experience

3.      Confidence

Ones beliefs should be based on facts and accurate information.  I have seen the results of distorted beliefs and operating on bad information.  Much inaccurate information continues to circulate in martial arts and self defense circles due to a lack of independent testing and analysis from actual use.  

Experience conditions the body and mind.  All to often education is confused as knowledge and knowledge is confused with ability.  An individuals ability is a result of all of those things put into practice as conditioning.
  
Confidence is based on competence.  I believe and teach that competence comes from proper training and the application of transferred or first hand experiential knowledge. 

In the next article I will share some thoughts on other aspects of a winning mindset for self defense and security.  I will write about how anyone can learn to improve his or her mindset and increase security and the ability to protect what is valuable.


**********
NTS provides on or off site training.  Unique Security Services and Self Defense Training nationwide including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Phoenix Arizona areas.

In cooperation with: John Nottingham's USA Martial Arts Scottsdale PV Phoenix, Nottingham Sword & Shield Security and Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security Training

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom     
 http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com    
 http://USA-MartialArts.com   
 http://ScottsdaleKarate.com  
 http://JohnNottingham.com  

Author 

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards.  He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management.  A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools. 

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele.   Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence.  Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services.