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.

School Shooting & Office Attack Survival - Analyzing Four Ways To Survive a Shooter

Four Ways To Survive School Shootings and Office Attacks

Bodyguard trainer and Close Quarters Combat Instructor John Nottingham offers review, insight and analysis of an instruction video on YouTube on how to survive a school shooter or office attack.

Mr. Jim Wagner is a popular figure often featured in Black Belt magazine as well as other publications, including the internet, regarding self-defense, Police Officer training, and tactical survival instruction.  Here I will review a video of his from YouTube and offer some commentary.  My hope is that it serves to enlighten, improve discussion and be fuel for better training.

Don't get your undies in a bundle, these are only my opinion and not specific prescriptions.  If you want that, you'll have to come to one of our training events as it is a complex issue deserving adequate time and instruction.  This is not intended as a magic pill or quick fix.  By the way, never confuse knowledge for ability.

The video description reads:
Office massacre & school shooting survival-

If someone came into your work place, classroom, or any public gathering and started shooting people, and at YOU, do you know what to do to increase your chances of survival? As my student I'll show you step-by-step the four major survival options in an office massacre or school shooting: 1. Escape 2. Hide 3. Barricade 4. Ambush. You can also teach young children the first two options.

First of all, I agree with Mr. Wagner that even children can and should learn the self defense concepts, age appropriate of course.  I believe that self-defense is an essential life skill that builds inner-strength and a more civil and compassionate community.

SURVIVAL SIGNALS  "THE GIFT OF FEAR"

School survival training can be done with an empowerment teaching model that doesn't scare them or cause them to worry unnecessarily.  However, my view is that it starts with parents in the home, teachers at school and an alerted citizenry ready to accept the reality of attacks, the propensity for violent behavior, abuse, bullying and how it is all related to the individual responsibility of self defense.

School Survival Video Review
Watch the video and follow along.
Note: The assessment stage here was mostly skipped. The video starts with the response to a stated threat. I didn't see mention of force multiplication, communication or weaponization (granted it is a segment of a much larger training program). 


I. ESCAPE
Planned escape routes can be very helpful. Consider that most of us drill fire escape routes and this might be a good option.  The key is reducing exposure time to the danger.  The quicker route is usually best but that is based on the location of the shooter.    Multiple escape route options are advised.  

Look, listen, breathe, plan, execute and adapt.

2. HIDE
We would emphasize the selection and difference between cover (can inhibit a round) and concealment (visual interruption), the importance of diversion and violence of action. Conceptually Mr. Wagners framework is sound in our view. 


3. BARRICADE
Barricading is critical, even if it just delays to create a greater window of opportunity for escape. His choice for barricade is ridiculous, especially with so many better options available to him.  Simple testing would prove this.  Take quick inventory of what is around you that could be used as a weapon of opportunity or environmental geometry that could be used to your advantage.


A better option would be restricting handle movement and wedging things under and in the hinges of the door as a door stop, then the big desk in the room. Offices should be equipped with a security wedge and thicker doors for higher priority targets in my opinion.Preparation goes a long way.  As I learned in Boy Scouts, be prepared.   


A chair under the door handle as a wedge might work, depending on the chair and handle. A little practice here can go a long way.  Either way, use redundant mechanisms to block the door.  Plan on Murphy's law and use him to your advantage. 

School Shooting/Office Attack Survival Safety Ti: Distance creates time and options. 

Note also that drywall is of little protection from flying bullets. The door may be thicker than the wall. Consider your environmental geometry careful and refer to your assessment based on context.   

Personal Security Survival Note: Assault rifle rounds are likely to pass through most things in an urban environment.  Just because they can does not mean that the attacker necessarily will shoot through walls.  Our research shows that it is actually rare.

4. AMBUSH
On the AMBUSH, a padded computer bag would not be my first choice, nor would I be standing as a big target next to door frame. A pen to the eye socket (specific targeting until desired result achieved) might be a better option. The goal isn't simply to "knock him", the objective is a disruption to the nervous system to elicit an effective physiological response and mental disruption (The V.I. of VIPER =Violence Interdiction) . We would also advocate overwhelming force by recruiting those around & creating a game plan you so you're not 1 on 1. 1 on 1 is an equilibrium- we want superiority. 

Be aware of prescription without diagnosis, overly ridged rules, assumptive language and the difference between others abilities and your own.  "Know thyself."

NEVER rely on the function of an unknown firearm, instead plan to use it in a manner that has the highest likelihood of getting a desired result. He makes a great point in NEVER assuming you have only one shooter in the scenario. Reverse engineer real crime scenarios rather than risk recreating them from movies and imagination. Isolate the key survival factors and train, train, train. Ask better questions, get better results.

We salute fellow Army Veteran Mr. Wagner for his work on behalf of Officers, Military and civilians in his efforts to help people stay safe.  He clearly has some solid concepts that we can agree upon.  We would emphasize some assessment, communication and force multiplication tactics as well.  For more information on Nottingham Sword & Shield Security Bodyguards Training or any NTS course, feel free to contact us at info@usa-martialarts.
GUARDIAN Family Protection | VIPER Personal Protection Close Quarters Combat Self Defense | Officer /Agent Survival | John Nottingham's IMPACT

VIPER Street Combat Personal Protection Self Defense

A Young John Nottingham Graduating Jump School "Airborne!"

Inspired by Special Forces

In the early 90s I developed a course called VIPER. It was born out of an experimental military combatives course I engineered and taught while a rookie serving in a Special Forces Reserve Unit. My unit encouraged me to use my martial arts teaching background to research and develop a quick learn hand to hand combat and hand to weapon combat course. I collaborated with a 7th Special Forces and 82nd Airborne combat veteran named Wes Infiesto (a remarkable Kajukenbo, Shinkendo and Aikido martial artist and later SWAT officer.) What started as a simple experiment to liven up and functionalize Army PT (physical training) sessions turned into much more.

The research lead me to Krav Maga, Sambo, Systema, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Chu Fen Do (Coach Tony Blauers system), Jeet Kune Do as well as Paul Vunak and many more. It was a phenomenal starting point for research and development.

Tested, Tested, Tested Again - No Sacred Cows in Self Defense

When tested, the lessons learned lead to radical changes the direction of my research, teaching and career. We had to reverse engineer the process and question everything my team and I had ever been taught. I owe that to the encouragement of my mentors - many of whom were veteran Army Rangers, Military Intelligence Agents and Special Forces instructors. It was an ignition point that altered my trajectory, now twenty plus years later of doing this research and teaching. I took those lessons and that direction, along with my experience teaching thousands of men, women and children and applied the concepts to civilian personal protection use. Integrating bodyguard tactics, it became VIPER - a different approach to self defense.

VIPER STREET COMBAT - Not Really "Self Defense"

Why VIPER? Mostly it was born out of my poking fun at the tough names of some of the other fighting and self defense courses on the market. SCARS was one of the biggest programs going at the time and gaining much notoriety for having been a test program for Naval Special Warfare (NAVY SEALS BUDS).

For those of us with Military backgrounds we often have an affinity for acronyms. It's a helpful way of remembering things and was a convenient way to package something that was a self defense (personal protection) system I consider unique. The name VIPER also was fitting due to the nature of a vipers natural protective mechanisms.

Survival Training Force Options - A Different Kind of Street Self Defense

VIPER stands for Violence Interdiction Personal Evolutionary Responses. The foundation of the program is to use strategy, fear management and innate survival mechanisms to increase effectiveness in identifying, preventing, thwarting and intervening in would-be violent encounters. It is a rapid learn last resort safety self defense system designed for reality based self defense for todays streets.

It's About Results - Not About Symbolism, Style or Show

Rather than having the focus of most systems, technique, VIPER emphasized results. It doesn't matter what you know or don't know. It doesn't matter how stylized or pretty it is. What counts is using whatever assets, means and abilities to change the context of the situation to put the odds in the clients favor. Objective? To have the peace of mind that comes from the confidence that one is equipped to survive and go home to one's family.

It Doesn't Matter What You Know - It Only Matters What You Do

It only matters how well you could manage a simulated violent crime encounter. It also had to be highly adaptive to address individual physical, emotional or mental limitations. Some clients simply do not have the athleticism to bring to bear that many MMA or Martial Arts trainers adapting their skills to a self defense context often provide. It had to work for clients even if they are out of shape. It had to be real in every sense of an individuals lifestyle, and have efficacy throughout ones life.

Context driven, mission specific training

If we do our job, the client experiences a remarkable leap in confidence, skill and ability to prevent, deter and de-escalate what would be the most violent 4-6 seconds of his or her life. What my team and I became really good at was doing it safely in a way that empowers people rather than intimidates individuals. Each of our training courses are tailored to the individuals or organizations in which they would use it.

VIPER Personal Protection - Think Like a Bodyguard

The VIPER STREET COMBAT name was a way of separating it from reactionary, defensive mindset so-called self defense courses out there. I have since elected to use VIPER STREET COMBAT to describe a sample video product promoted through TRS & Fightfast.com. The full course is a hands-on, classroom and interactive scenario based live training event we refer to as VIPER Personal Protection. VIPER Personal Protection integrates the same strategies we teach to bodyguards and law enforcement to predict potentially violent situations as well as being one step ahead of a potential attacker.

It is not designed to teach individuals how to fight, rather it is designed to teach individuals how to avoid, disrupt and derail a criminal attack. While intensely effective physical intervention skills are taught, they are only used as a last resort to neutralize danger and create a window of opportunity for escape.

Research on Self Defense & Defensive Tactics

My team and I continually research and push to innovate, develop and test the cutting edge methods to offer our students effective problem solving options. Our archives of hundreds of scenarios, video crime footage, news articles and other research continues to guide our work. I collaborate with a team of experts including one of my top students Instructor Don Gray, an Iraq War veteran formerly with the 82 Airborne who is a Modern Army Combatives instructor. (Admittedly, I'm really proud of him and hope you'll get a chance to work with him - he's extraordinary.) Our collaboration provides us with the ability to offer non-traditional insights, advice and solutions to clients looking to get an advantage and stay safe.

Standing On The Shoulders of Giants

I've been very blessed to have studied from and researched some of the leading minds in this field and taught thousands of students around the world. From Coach Tony Blauer, Sigung Paul Vunak, Mr. Gavin de Becker, my Special Forces mentors and my loyal students and clients (from whom I learn from every day), my path is certainly unique. I don't mention those names with the intention of namedropping for vicarious fame by association, rather to accurately acknowledge their influence on my work and to give proper credit where credit is due.

Heaven knows I've tested some crazy marketing and cheesy ads out there but anyone who knows or has worked with me knows how seriously I take giving credit and acknowledging my teachers and the pioneers who advance the cause of protection.

It is their generosity in sharing rather than judgmentally comparing that inspired and encouraged my growth over these past 25 plus years. I hope to be able to share some of our research and findings with you one day. If you are a trainer, I consider you part of the team and the solution our world despirately needs. It would be an honor to collaborate with you and share our findings to continually equip the good guys with the skills they need to succeed and build a more peaceful world.

Read more here http://usamartialarts.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/1613/

VIPER PERSONAL PROTECTION

Rapid Learn Strategic Self Defense Course Integrating Highly Potent Physical Intervention Survival Skills, Fear Management, and Protective Studies Through Classroom Education and Scenario-based Immersion Training.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/VIPER-Street-Combat-Personal-Protection/109168292448760

HIT LIKE A GIRL

Self Defense Personal Protection for Women -Bodyguard Strategies for Brains Over Brawn

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hit-Like-a-Girl/339618134337

Nottingham Training Systems

Nottingham Sword & Shield Security

4731 E. Greenway Suite 10

Phoenix, Arizona 85032
http://USA-MartialArts.com 

(602) 896-8721

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Krav Maga Background

Krav Maga Background

In 1964, Grandmaster Imi Lichtenfeld finished his military service and adapted Krav Maga to civilian frameworks. In Israel, the style has become an important part of the educational system and is taught to elementary and high school students on the national curriculum along with being taught at the Wingate Institute, one of the world’s leading physical fitness centers. It is taught to men, women, and children under the auspices of the Israeli Ministry of Sport and Education. Krav Maga is the official system of hand-to-hand combat and self-defense employed by the Israeli Defense and Security Forces, the Israeli National and Military Police and its Special Operations and Anti-Terrorist Units. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) including their Special Forces Units, Israeli Police, and Internal Security Branches currently uses this style on a day-to-day basis. Haim Gidon and Eyal Yanilov are the most well-known advocates of the discipline in Israel, and are involved with spreading Krav Maga across the world. Haim Gidon hosts several international seminars every year in Netanya Israel. Eyal spends most of his time writing Krav Maga instruction books and teaching seminars across the globe.

Krav Maga

Krav Maga is taught to all ages and abilities, at community centers, schools, and clubs throughout the world. Krav Maga is taught to Sky Marshals, commercial airline crews, and has expanded outside the borders of Israel and is very successful in the United States, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Italy, Poland, Japan, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand. Many United States local law enforcement, federal agencies, state police, SWAT and other special operations teams have been taught Krav Maga.

KM Worldwide

Krav Maga Worldwide Enterprises and the Krav Maga Association of America are the primary advocates of Krav Maga in the USA and have pioneered its use by law enforcement personnel. Chief Instructor, Mr. Darren R. Levine, is a Senior Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles’s Crimes Against Peace Officers Section (CAPOS), a special unit dedicated to prosecuting violent crimes. David Kahn heads the Israeli Krav Maga Association branch in the United States in New York and has authored the book Krav Maga published in 2004. Other organizations and their members that have been trained in Krav Maga include, but are not limited to the following:

• Federal Bureau of Investigations
• United States Marine Corps
• United States Marshals Service
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
• Drug Enforcement Administration Arrest and Control Unit
• U.S. Treasury Department
• U.S. Immigration Service
• U.S. State Department
• U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
• U.S. Coast Guard - Port Security Unit
• U.S. Coast Guard - Tactical Law Enforcement
• U.S. Coast Guard - Drug Interdiction
• New York City Police Department
• Illinois State Police
• Chicago Metro Police Department
• Alabama State Police
• Baltimore County Police
• Connecticut State Police
• Pennsylvania State Police
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• Ohio State Highway Patrol
• Florida State Highway Patrol
• California Highway Patrol
• California Department of Justice
• Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
• Los Angeles Police Department Academy
• Santa Monica Police Department
• El Segundo Police Department
• Beverly Hills Police Department
• Burbank Police Department
• Pasadena Police Department
• New Jersey State Police
• New Athens Police Department
• National Police of Iran

Nowadays, this system is trained world wide. The European federation is headed by Richard Douieb, who teaches Krav Maga in Paris. The World Krav Maga Federation gathers seven European countries and is headed by Thierry Viatour.

In addition to the Israel Defense Forces, several other special forces (for example GIGN, FBI, and SWAT) have already adopted this system for their contact combat.

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Police & Law Enforcement Training in Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona

UFC Champ Dan "The Beast" Severn Teaches Police at USA Martial Arts

Police & Law Enforcement Training at NSAS 

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Our integrated training program for law enforcement incorporates elements from Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and Hapkido.  This program is carefully-integrated for versatility, meaning that similar defensive principles apply to a variety of hostile situations. Therefore, the system can be learned in a relatively short period of instruction. 


The system is designed to train large numbers of personnel at one time. The techniques are easy to retain with minimal review and can be performed under extreme stress. The Krav Maga System has been highly praised by defensive tactics instructors from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as well as hand to hand combat trainers from special units of the military.  Jeet Kune Do has been used to train elite units such as the US Navy SEALS.  Hapkido (Hwarang Do) and BJJ (Modern Army Combatives) has been taught to US Army Rangers and Special Forces Green Beret.

Police Officer Discount

The team at USA Martial Arts and Nottingham Sword & Shield (NTS TACTICAL) appreciates the commitment and contribution that Police Officers make to our community. Come in and try a free class and ask about our discount for Police Officers.
Call 602-896-8721 for more information.
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