Personal safety Books

Book SynopsisSpotting danger before it happens is a skill that can be developed and may even save your life. Understand the threat Build situational awareness Develop personal defenses A mother dropping her teenager off at the mall, a young man leaving home for college, a family about to head out on their first trip overseas. What do all of these people have in common? They all have a vested interest in their personal security and the wellbeing of those they love. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, there were an estimated 1.25 million violent crimes committed in the United States in 2018. Make no mistake; in a world filled with crime and violence, you are your own last line of defense. Continuing on the path of The Gift of Fear (Gavin deBecker), Spotting Danger Before It Spots You, author Gary Quesenberry breaks down the basic techniques necessary to help you develop good situational awareness and increase your levels of personal safety. Gary calls upon his extensive background as a Federal Air Marshal and defensive tactics instructor to explain these methods in simple terms that will greatly improve your general understanding of how, when and where violence occurs. He will then take the next critical step—providing you with the tools you need to properly identify and evade danger before it ever has a chance to materialize. You will learn The common traits of predatory behavior How to conduct a personal “safety check” How to develop strong awareness skills What to do when you spot potential trouble Staying safe and living life free of worry and fear “Today more than ever, it is imperative that we pay close attention to our surroundings and learn how to interpret what’s happening around us. Tragic events can often be both predictable and preventable.” — Federal Air Marshal Gary QuesenberryTrade Review"A work that is greater than the sum of its parts, and unlike anything else available on this critical topic. This book stands out because of Gary’s incredibly thorough and comprehensive presentation of situational awareness, a life-saving ability to spot danger in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones. I have read many books on the subject, and I can honestly say that no one has even come close to matching Spotting Danger Before It Spots You when it comes to teaching situational awareness. This fundamental skill is key to surviving and overcoming the array of threats that confront the average citizen in the world today. Armed with the skills taught in this book, you will not need to live in fear; you will live instead in a state of awareness and readiness. —Dave Grossman, Lt. Colonel, US Army (ret.), author of On Killing, On Combat, and Assassination Generation, Director, Killology Research Group A federal air marshal offers a guide to observing and evaluating your surroundings. Quesenberry’s nonfiction debut draws on his 19 years of experience as an air marshal, a job that gives him “a first-class ticket into the world of covert surveillance, surveillance detection, and self-defense.” In hundreds of settings, he has been the person paid and expected to know what’s going on and to anticipate and counter any potential dangers. By contrast, as he quite rightly points out, most people relax themselves into a false sense of security by thinking “nothing will ever happen here” or “that would never happen to me.” But even the author’s cursory listing of some of the 21st century’s worst outbreaks of terrorist violence all over the world should make it clear to readers that they can no longer afford such attitudes—they must take a large part of their safety into their own hands. Quesenberry’s aim in his book is not only to change those attitudes, but also to arm readers with the basic perception shifts that will help them guard their own well-being. The foremost of these is “situational awareness,” which the author describes as “the ability to identify and process environmental cues to accurately predict the actions of others.” The adverb is crucial: Readers are gently admonished to discard their reflexive prejudices and assumptions and “identify and process” what they’re actually seeing in any environment (as the author points out, preset perceptions can sometimes blind a person to reality). In quick, sharply paced chapters full of well-chosen anecdotes and bulleted points, Quesenberry instructs readers on how to expand their awareness of the people and things in their immediate area, how to assume an aggressive mindset in order to anticipate how actual predators think, and even the basics of one-on-one self-defense. Much of what the author relates is elementary in nature—travel advisories all over the world urge some variation of situational awareness—but the clarity of this manual makes it stand out. A vigorous and memorable primer on heightening awareness to prevent or counter danger. —KIRKUS ReviewsTable of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION PHASE ONE – Understand the threat Chapter 1: The basics of predatory behavior 1.1 How predators choose their targets – The seven-second PROD 1.2 Perception 1.3 Risk 1.4 Observable value 1.5 Defenses 1.6 Think Like a Predator Situational Awareness in Action: The Foiled Millennium Terror Plot Exercise: Target Selection Key Points Chapter 2: Conducting a self-assessment 2.1 Who would target you? 2.2 What do they want? 2.3 When would they strike? 2.4 Where would they strike? 2.5 Start Thinking Like a Protector Situational Awareness in Action: The Attempted Time Square Bombing Exercise: Using the Self-Assessment Key Points PHASE TWO – Build your situational awareness Chapter 3: The basics of awareness 3.1 Defining the threat – Perception vs. Reality 3.2 The levels of awareness 3.3 Understanding the Reactionary Gap Situational Awareness in Action: Joey Grundl’s Big Delivery Exercise: The What-If Game Key Points Chapter 4: The next level of awareness – Comprehend, Identify, and Anticipate 4.1 Comprehend the situation 4.2 Identify what’s important 4.3 Anticipate outcomes 4.4 The Role of Intuition Situational Awareness in Action: Ten-Year-Old Danny DiPietro Exercise: Environmental KIMs Games Key Points PHASE THREE – Develop personal defenses Chapter 5: What comes next 5.1 Establishing a basis for action 5.2 Avoidance – The safest option 5.3 Escape 5.4 De-escalation 5.5 Confrontation Situational Awareness in Action: Lee Parker’s Backpack Exercise: Route Planning Key Points Chapter 6: Reinforcing your defenses 6.1 Improving mindset 6.2 Minimizing distractions 6.3 Controlling fear 6.4 Building Confidence Situational Awareness in Action: Julianne Moore Stops a Kidnapper Exercise: Counting Drills Key Points Chapter 7: Putting It All Together Situational Awareness in Action: Uber Hero Keith Avila Exercise: Six Steps to Spotting Trouble Key Points CONCLUSION APPENDIX ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Book SynopsisThings change, and as the world becomes more challenging, we need to take the time to prepare our children. Not in a threatening or scary way, but in a way that is fun, engaging, and will give them the best possible chance of ensuring their own wellbeing. Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your KIDS is a book about presenting the concepts of situational awareness to children (ages 5 - 12) in a way that will keep them engaged and help them take an active role in their own personal security. This book will show you how to use fun, interactive games to build situational awareness skills such as: How children can identify and understand normal environmental behaviors. How children can spot abnormal behaviors within their given environment. How to give children a plan and a means of avoidance or escape should a dangerous situation present itself. Whether you're a parent, relative, or work in the childcare industry, the things you impart upon children will have a lasting impact on the way they live their lives. Nowhere is this more important than in the area of personal safety. As caregivers, we have a great responsibility for the security and wellbeing of our children, and to guide them along the path to independence. Your child’s future success will depend on their ability to interact with their surroundings and make sound decisions based on what they see. That’s the foundation of situational awareness. Author Gary Quesenberry has spent nearly two decades working as a federal air marshal. The training methods outlined in this book are based on the lessons learned not only as a counter-terror agent but also as a father of three.Trade Review"A brief, practical manual for parents and caregivers who want to help children identify and safely respond to dangerous situations. As the book goes on, readers are sure to gain confidence in their own ability to sensibly safeguard their young ones." — Kirkus Reviews "Exceptionally well written, comprehensively informative, impressively organized and presented, "Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your Kids: Teaching Situational Awareness To Keep Children Safe" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to family and community library Parenting & Public Safety collections." —Midwest Reviews "Gary’s latest book, Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your Kids,is an amazing piece of work that can prepare your children for the unexpected dangers they may one-day face. Given that there is an epidemic of child sex trafficking right here in the United States, our children need to be educated about the importance of situational awareness, but parents and caregivers need to provide that education in a manner that won’t completely terrify them. This book does an incredible job of giving adults the tools they need to do just that. Gary sets forth lessons that instill the basics of situational awareness in a way that is fun and engaging for both adults and kids. If there is a child in your life who you care about, please read this book." —Craig Sawyer, founder of “Veterans for Child Rescue,” former Navy SEAL, DEVGRU sniper "Many parents today believe that protecting their children from the dangers inherent in our society means avoiding sensitive issues and keeping their children locked away in a protective bubble. Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your Kidsbreaks you out of this mindset and shows you what children need to know if they are to navigate the uncertainties of the modern world. This book is a must-read for all new parents and young adults going off to high school or away to college." —Joseph Koury, thirty-year veteran, Special Operations soldier "When parents, especially mothers, attend my trainings, the number-one question I get asked is, “How do I teach my kids situational awareness without scaring them?” After reading Gary’s book, I now have a resource I can recommend with complete confidence. Gary has taken all his knowledge and years of experience with the Federal Air Marshals and created a comprehensive and relatable step-by-step guide for building situational awareness skills in children. He shares stories of his own children’s quick thinking, as well as heroic tales of children who knew what to do in an emergency situation; these stories offer parents positive examples of the importance of building these skills. Gary expertly identifies age-appropriate games that can be played by anyone and explains how they build lifesaving skills in children. This book is a must-read for every parent!" —Kelly Sayre, founder and president of The Diamond Arrow Group, expert instructor in Situational Awareness Training for Women, EAP consultant "Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your Kidsis a must for all parents. Not only does Gary give you everything you need to keep your family safe, he imparts years’ worth of instructional experience. Gary shows you the tricks of the instructional trade and helps you relay this extremely important information. This book is not designed to instill fear. In fact, it will probably help the entire family to sleep better at night." —Billy Williams, supervisor, Counterterrorism and Explosives Training Section "As a former homicide and juvenile crimes detective sergeant, I can attest to the horrific dangers in the world we live in today. I know that if the victims of the crimes I investigated had had the tools contained in this book, they might still be alive. As a senior executive in law enforcement, I can confirm that there are grave dangers all around us. Most people are unaware of and often ill-equipped to survive these dangers. Gary is an expert in this field and teaches essential life-saving principles that are easy to learn and implement." —Dana Chong Tim, government executive, former homicide and juvenile crimes detective-sergeant "In this book, Gary applies his expertise on situational awareness to issues unique to children, and does it in a completely entertaining way. This will be your go-to guidebook for creating real security for your family." —Kelly D. Venden, retired Army Special Operations, federal law enforcement, owner of Criterion Tactical, LLC "Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your Kids: Teaching Children Situational Awareness to Stay Safe is one of those must-have parenting books. Gary Quesenberry is one of the premier experts in threat detection and situational awareness in the world. His vast experience makes him extremely qualified to offer his insights into any topic involving safety and security. He is also a proud husband and father who has put into practice the same techniques and methods while raising his own children. They are tested and proven. This is a fun and interactive book that helps kids figure out that they can have some level of control in their own lives and, more importantly, have the confidence that comes from knowing how to be safe and secure in any environment. It’s a must for every bookshelf in America." —Matt Cubbler, U.S. Army intelligence veteran, twenty-seven-year career law enforcement officer, former Special Agent with the U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service,author, speaker, host of the “Two Dates and a Dash Podcast” "I teach situational awareness, firearms courses, and instructor-level courses. I thought I was doing a pretty good job of passing on situational awareness skills to my children and grandchildren, but after reading this book, I have learned some things to up my game. This is an excellent resource for parents and grandparents to help kids learn to be more situationally aware, listen to their gut instinct, be wise to the mood of their environment, and plan ahead for when things don’t turn out to be all rainbows and unicorns. Plan on reading this book more than once because it is packed with great information!" —Dawn Dolpp, certified firearms instructor and training counselor "This second book in Gary’s situational awareness series is must-read primer for all parents who want to keep their children safe in the dangerous world we live in. Purchase this book, and you will learn from one of the best." —Maureen Sangiorgio, award-winning writer, NRA-certified firearms instructor/RSO "This book is truly eye opening! I deeply admire Gary’s openness and honesty in sharing his family’s own personal security scare. His story about having someone threaten his family’s safety while he was away serving our country as the tip of the spear for Homeland Security operations really connected with me as a retired law enforcement officer. It clearly illustrated the all-too-common tendency to switch on our heightened awareness when needed and inadvertently switch it off when we are home with our loved ones. This book will make every parent take a step back and see the bigger picture and how it affects their family. I was a big fan of Gary’s first book in this series, and this second book should be required reading for any parent out there." —Trampas Swanson, firearms instructor/training counselor, deputy editor of Private Military Contractor International magazine, retired law enforcement officer Table of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION PHASE ONE: What parents need to know Chapter 1: The parent’s role The basics of awareness The pros and cons of technology Avoid teaching fear Kids in action: Landon Clemmer saves his mom Practical exercise Key points Chapter 2: How children learn new tasks Kids in action: TJ Smith stops a kidnapping Practical exercise Key points PHASE TWO: What kids need to know Chapter 3: Teaching the basics Kids in action: Braydon Smith stops a home invasion Practical exercise Key points Chapter 4: Game night – Building a foundation for awareness Kids in action: Eyas Tran saves his neighbor Practical exercise Key points PHASE THREE: Teaching and reinforcing the specific aspects of situational awareness Chapter 5: Situational awareness for children Understanding normal behaviors Spotting abnormal behaviors Creating a plan Taking action Kids in action: Dylan Paul saves his teacher Practical exercise Key points Chapter 6: Give your children options Communication Avoidance Escape Confrontation Kids in action: Little Roman rescues his mom Practical exercise Key points Chapter 7: Common encounters Kids in action: CJ Saulsgiver performs CPR Practical exercise Key points Chapter 8: The “what if game” – Putting it all together Kids in action: Virgil Smith rescues his neighbors Practical exercise Key points Chapter 9: Working together Kids in action: Lexi Shymanski saves the day Practical exercise Key points CONCLUSION APPENDIX: Situational awareness checklist BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisSpotting danger before it happens while traveling alone or with your family is a skill that can be developed and may even save your life. So, you've decided to go on vacation. Good for you! Unfortunately, when planning a getaway, you must think about more than just the fun stuff; you must also consider your personal safety and the safety of those you're traveling with. This is where situational awareness comes into play. Domestic and international vacationers spend nearly 1.1 trillion dollars annually in the U.S. alone. Any time there's that much cash involved you can expect there will be someone nearby looking to take advantage of you. When traveling, you must acknowledge and prepare for this potential danger. In Spotting Danger for Travelers, you will learn how to develop a solid foundation of situational awareness, preemptively spot danger, quickly implement escape plans, and take control of your own safety while traveling. Details include: Conducting a threat assessment on your destination Properly securing your home while away Taking travel precautions on the road and in the air Securing your temporary accommodations Building situational awareness techniques specific for traveling Becoming familiar with your surrounding area Developing an appropriate cultural awareness Dealing with so called “common” encounters Creating contingency plans when “incidents” occur Regardless of your location, criminals tend to stick to specific patterns of behavior. This book will teach you important skills including how predators choose their victims, how to establish behavioral baselines, the process for identifying baseline anomalies, and how to harden your personal defenses. By implementing what you learn here, you can travel confidently and be secure with the knowledge that you can spot danger before it has the chance to spot you. “Today more than ever, it is imperative that we pay close attention to our surroundings and learn how to interpret what’s happening around us. Tragic events can often be both predictable and preventable.” —Gary Quesenberry Federal Air Marshal (Ret.)Trade Review“In his latest book Spotting Danger for Travelers, Gary Quesenberry draws on his nineteen years of experience as a federal air marshal to enlighten readers about the importance of situational awareness while traveling. Far from dry or clinical, Gary expertly weaves the technical aspects of situational awareness with personal stories and experiences to give the reader a deeper understanding of the critical role awareness plays in personal safety. The result is a comprehensive yet easy-to-read guide that covers everything from setting up home security before you leave to post-travel considerations once you return home. So whether you’re planning a big family vacation, solo business trip, or a quick weekend getaway, I highly recommend reading this book.” —Steven Pressfield, New York Times best-selling author, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, The War of Art, among others “The term “Spotting Danger” is more relevant today than ever before in this increasingly dangerous world. Gary encapsulates why we need to be a lot more aware of our surroundings in simple and straightforward terms that everyone can understand and relate to.” —Rick Collins, founder and CEO of S.A.F.E. Inc. “Every environment is different, and what is normal in one place may be a warning sign in another. Unfamiliar environments have inherent risks, and understanding this can be the difference between a memorable trip or a tragic experience. Spotting Danger for Travelers is an important addition to the Spotting Danger series as it breaks down everything from preparation to pre-incident indicators in a sequence that is easy to follow and fun for an individual or for the whole family.” —Joseph Koury, US Army, Special Forces; federal agent, special agent in charge, Newark Field Office ­­­­­­“Anyone who is a frequent traveler or is planning a domestic or international trip needs to read Spotting Danger for Travelers. Gary has taken the key fundamentals of international safety operations and applied them to a realistic and sensible approach. Like Gary’s other books in this series, he has presented principles of safety and security that are easily remembered and applied to enhance anyone’s safety. I’ve had the honor of meeting and working with Gary at the Federal Air Marshal Service and co-instructed many of the topics he covers specifically in this book. Gary is spot on as he describes his processes and taking situational awareness on the road. Having been in some questionable security situations with Gary, I can attest that the guidance Gary offers in this book works. I’ve been fortunate to be one of the founders of two security companies that has worked with hundreds of churches across the United States. Many of the preparation and operational principles outlined in Spotting Danger for Travelers has been taught to church staff and volunteers serving on mission trips. The examples in this book brought back a lot of memories of my personal world travel but most important the reminder of the everchanging world and the need to be more vigilant then ever in our travels.” —Troy Szotkowski, founder and CEO of ACG Security Consultants and National Tactical Security “Gary Quesenberry does it AGAIN! In this exceptionally well-written book, Gary effectively leverages his decades of experience in the counterterrorism and protection realm to succinctly communicate essential awareness fundamentals for traveling safely. The fourth book in Gary’s awareness series Spotting Danger for Travelers seamlessly complements his previous work. This book is timely, especially given ever-evolving global threats that many societies are currently experiencing from the effects of geopolitical tension. Gary brilliantly articulates what is often lacking in the awareness industry: practical application of situational awareness and what to do before and during travel. As a personal protection instructor, my clients constantly request additional enhanced domain awareness resources and training for their day-to-day operations. I now have a “go to” resource I trust and rely on! Not only for them, but for my family and loved ones as well. Gary’s ability to effectively communicate and tackle complex topics is sorely lacking in the awareness training industry. We should all be thankful for his commitment to equip others for success and for releasing another epic book on awareness. Spotting Danger for Travelers is a must-read for every traveler!” —Maury Abreu, CEO and chief instructor at Omega Protective Concepts, former sergeant (United States Marine Corps), federal correction officer (Federal Bureau of Prisons), and supervisory federal air marshal (Department of Homeland Security) “I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Gary for twenty years. I always knew that he was a true expert and professional when it came to firearms and counter-terrorism tactics and principles. His lifetime of serving and protecting our nation has been poured into the Spotting Danger book series. His latest book Spotting Danger for Travelers is another useful and insightful work where Gary shares his expertise in keeping you safe while traveling at home or abroad. There are few people with more understanding about the dangers in this world than Gary. So if he is sharing, I highly recommend you listen! It may just save your life or the life of someone you love.” —Matthew Cubbler, thirty-year LEO, former federal air marshal, author of A Brother’s Love: A Memoir, host of Two Dates and a Dash podcast “Before your next vacation or business trip, read Spotting Danger for travelers by Gary Quesenberry. You are responsible for your own safety, and the most important thing you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is to practice effective situational awareness. Quesenberry not only teaches you how to do this better, he also shares what you should be aware of while traveling and ways to better pay attention to your surroundings and your own behaviors. I really like that Quesenberry highlights things to be aware of that many people might never consider. But once you read this book and think about it, you will remember what it has to say on every future trip and be safer because of it. Practicing what Quesenberry teaches in this straightforward and practical guide will allow you to get out and travel, see more of the world, and enjoy life safely.” —Alain B. Burrese, J.D., martial artist, author of Survive a Shooting, Hard-Won Wisdom from the School of Hard Knocks, How to Protect Yourself by Developing a Fighter’s Mindset, among others “I’ve been a travel advisor and have owned my business for the last fifteen years. I’ve had the opportunity to travel by land, air, and sea. There are some points about safety I often stress to my clients, but Gary Quesenberry’s book has all the questions and answers when it comes to safe traveling in an easy-to-read format. He teaches that the scenery may change, but one thing that remains constant is the ability to identify potential problems before they become a danger to your safety. The concept I thought most important, on he reiterates throughout the book, is how to grasp the “mechanics of situational awareness.” His anecdotes are a big help in getting a grip on this concept. They are short, concise, sometimes amusing, but always to the point. You can imagine yourself in the situations that he describes. And you will certainly ask the question, “What would I do in this situation?” I will recommend this book to my clients so that they will become more of aware of the mechanics of situational awareness.” —Mary House, travel advisor, franchise owner, Cruise Planners “Once again Gary Quesenberry provides actionable information to keep his readers safe. This book builds upon other insights from his Spotting Danger series to inform travelers of what a predator sees in a tourist or business traveler, how to spot anomalies in new or unfamiliar cultures and locations, and how to manage every aspect of a trip from planning to safely returning home. Gary has compiled many useful tips into a comprehensive resource that helps his readers travel with confidence. As someone who frequently zigzags the country to host firearms training classes and matches, I will definitely put Gary’s travel strategies to use on my upcoming trips.” —Robyn Sandoval, executive director for A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting LeagueTable of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION PHASE ONE – PRE-DEPARTURE Chapter 1: Planning your trip Key Points Chapter 2: Conducting a threat assessment Key Points Chapter 3: Home security and support Key Points Chapter 4: Intel briefing Key Points Chapter 5: Equipment check Key Points Chapter 6: Things to avoid Key Points PHASE TWO – TRAVEL Chapter 7: Getting "switched on" – The basics of situational awareness 7.1 Don't be a target 7.2 Understand your surroundings 7.3 Identifying problems 7.4 Anticipating outcomes 7.5 Taking action Key Points Chapter 8: Security considerations 8.1 On the road 8.2 In the air Key Points PHASE THREE – ARRIVAL Chapter 9: On-site security Key Points Chapter 10: Communications Key Points Chapter 11: Area familiarization Key Points Chapter 12: Cultural awareness Key Points Chapter 13: Blending in Key Points Chapter 14: Spotting danger 14.1 Acts of terror 14.2 Kidnapping 14.3 Street crime, scams, and tourist traps 14.4 Civil unrest Key Points Chapter 15: Contingency planning 15.1 Medical emergencies 15.2 Separation 15.3 Lost communications 15.4 Incidents at home 15.5 Getting stranded Key Points Chapter 16: Maintaining control Key Points Chapter 17: Heading home Key Points Chapter 18: Post-travel considerations Key Points CONCLUSION APPENDIX BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisSpotting danger before it happens while traveling alone or with your family is a skill that can be developed and may even save your life. So, you've decided to go on vacation. Good for you! Unfortunately, when planning a getaway, you must think about more than just the fun stuff; you must also consider your personal safety and the safety of those you're traveling with. This is where situational awareness comes into play. Domestic and international vacationers spend nearly 1.1 trillion dollars annually in the U.S. alone. Any time there's that much cash involved you can expect there will be someone nearby looking to take advantage of you. When traveling, you must acknowledge and prepare for this potential danger. In Spotting Danger for Travelers, you will learn how to develop a solid foundation of situational awareness, preemptively spot danger, quickly implement escape plans, and take control of your own safety while traveling. Details include: Conducting a threat assessment on your destination Properly securing your home while away Taking travel precautions on the road and in the air Securing your temporary accommodations Building situational awareness techniques specific for traveling Becoming familiar with your surrounding area Developing an appropriate cultural awareness Dealing with so called “common” encounters Creating contingency plans when “incidents” occur Regardless of your location, criminals tend to stick to specific patterns of behavior. This book will teach you important skills including how predators choose their victims, how to establish behavioral baselines, the process for identifying baseline anomalies, and how to harden your personal defenses. By implementing what you learn here, you can travel confidently and be secure with the knowledge that you can spot danger before it has the chance to spot you. “Today more than ever, it is imperative that we pay close attention to our surroundings and learn how to interpret what’s happening around us. Tragic events can often be both predictable and preventable.” —Gary Quesenberry Federal Air Marshal (Ret.)Trade Review“In his latest book Spotting Danger for Travelers, Gary Quesenberry draws on his nineteen years of experience as a federal air marshal to enlighten readers about the importance of situational awareness while traveling. Far from dry or clinical, Gary expertly weaves the technical aspects of situational awareness with personal stories and experiences to give the reader a deeper understanding of the critical role awareness plays in personal safety. The result is a comprehensive yet easy-to-read guide that covers everything from setting up home security before you leave to post-travel considerations once you return home. So whether you’re planning a big family vacation, solo business trip, or a quick weekend getaway, I highly recommend reading this book.” —Steven Pressfield, New York Times best-selling author, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, The War of Art, among others “The term “Spotting Danger” is more relevant today than ever before in this increasingly dangerous world. Gary encapsulates why we need to be a lot more aware of our surroundings in simple and straightforward terms that everyone can understand and relate to.” —Rick Collins, founder and CEO of S.A.F.E. Inc. “Every environment is different, and what is normal in one place may be a warning sign in another. Unfamiliar environments have inherent risks, and understanding this can be the difference between a memorable trip or a tragic experience. Spotting Danger for Travelers is an important addition to the Spotting Danger series as it breaks down everything from preparation to pre-incident indicators in a sequence that is easy to follow and fun for an individual or for the whole family.” —Joseph Koury, US Army, Special Forces; federal agent, special agent in charge, Newark Field Office ­­­­­­“Anyone who is a frequent traveler or is planning a domestic or international trip needs to read Spotting Danger for Travelers. Gary has taken the key fundamentals of international safety operations and applied them to a realistic and sensible approach. Like Gary’s other books in this series, he has presented principles of safety and security that are easily remembered and applied to enhance anyone’s safety. I’ve had the honor of meeting and working with Gary at the Federal Air Marshal Service and co-instructed many of the topics he covers specifically in this book. Gary is spot on as he describes his processes and taking situational awareness on the road. Having been in some questionable security situations with Gary, I can attest that the guidance Gary offers in this book works. I’ve been fortunate to be one of the founders of two security companies that has worked with hundreds of churches across the United States. Many of the preparation and operational principles outlined in Spotting Danger for Travelers has been taught to church staff and volunteers serving on mission trips. The examples in this book brought back a lot of memories of my personal world travel but most important the reminder of the everchanging world and the need to be more vigilant then ever in our travels.” —Troy Szotkowski, founder and CEO of ACG Security Consultants and National Tactical Security “Gary Quesenberry does it AGAIN! In this exceptionally well-written book, Gary effectively leverages his decades of experience in the counterterrorism and protection realm to succinctly communicate essential awareness fundamentals for traveling safely. The fourth book in Gary’s awareness series Spotting Danger for Travelers seamlessly complements his previous work. This book is timely, especially given ever-evolving global threats that many societies are currently experiencing from the effects of geopolitical tension. Gary brilliantly articulates what is often lacking in the awareness industry: practical application of situational awareness and what to do before and during travel. As a personal protection instructor, my clients constantly request additional enhanced domain awareness resources and training for their day-to-day operations. I now have a “go to” resource I trust and rely on! Not only for them, but for my family and loved ones as well. Gary’s ability to effectively communicate and tackle complex topics is sorely lacking in the awareness training industry. We should all be thankful for his commitment to equip others for success and for releasing another epic book on awareness. Spotting Danger for Travelers is a must-read for every traveler!” —Maury Abreu, CEO and chief instructor at Omega Protective Concepts, former sergeant (United States Marine Corps), federal correction officer (Federal Bureau of Prisons), and supervisory federal air marshal (Department of Homeland Security) “I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Gary for twenty years. I always knew that he was a true expert and professional when it came to firearms and counter-terrorism tactics and principles. His lifetime of serving and protecting our nation has been poured into the Spotting Danger book series. His latest book Spotting Danger for Travelers is another useful and insightful work where Gary shares his expertise in keeping you safe while traveling at home or abroad. There are few people with more understanding about the dangers in this world than Gary. So if he is sharing, I highly recommend you listen! It may just save your life or the life of someone you love.” —Matthew Cubbler, thirty-year LEO, former federal air marshal, author of A Brother’s Love: A Memoir, host of Two Dates and a Dash podcast “Before your next vacation or business trip, read Spotting Danger for travelers by Gary Quesenberry. You are responsible for your own safety, and the most important thing you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is to practice effective situational awareness. Quesenberry not only teaches you how to do this better, he also shares what you should be aware of while traveling and ways to better pay attention to your surroundings and your own behaviors. I really like that Quesenberry highlights things to be aware of that many people might never consider. But once you read this book and think about it, you will remember what it has to say on every future trip and be safer because of it. Practicing what Quesenberry teaches in this straightforward and practical guide will allow you to get out and travel, see more of the world, and enjoy life safely.” —Alain B. Burrese, J.D., martial artist, author of Survive a Shooting, Hard-Won Wisdom from the School of Hard Knocks, How to Protect Yourself by Developing a Fighter’s Mindset, among others “I’ve been a travel advisor and have owned my business for the last fifteen years. I’ve had the opportunity to travel by land, air, and sea. There are some points about safety I often stress to my clients, but Gary Quesenberry’s book has all the questions and answers when it comes to safe traveling in an easy-to-read format. He teaches that the scenery may change, but one thing that remains constant is the ability to identify potential problems before they become a danger to your safety. The concept I thought most important, on he reiterates throughout the book, is how to grasp the “mechanics of situational awareness.” His anecdotes are a big help in getting a grip on this concept. They are short, concise, sometimes amusing, but always to the point. You can imagine yourself in the situations that he describes. And you will certainly ask the question, “What would I do in this situation?” I will recommend this book to my clients so that they will become more of aware of the mechanics of situational awareness.” —Mary House, travel advisor, franchise owner, Cruise Planners “Once again Gary Quesenberry provides actionable information to keep his readers safe. This book builds upon other insights from his Spotting Danger series to inform travelers of what a predator sees in a tourist or business traveler, how to spot anomalies in new or unfamiliar cultures and locations, and how to manage every aspect of a trip from planning to safely returning home. Gary has compiled many useful tips into a comprehensive resource that helps his readers travel with confidence. As someone who frequently zigzags the country to host firearms training classes and matches, I will definitely put Gary’s travel strategies to use on my upcoming trips.” —Robyn Sandoval, executive director for A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting LeagueTable of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION PHASE ONE – PRE-DEPARTURE Chapter 1: Planning your trip Key Points Chapter 2: Conducting a threat assessment Key Points Chapter 3: Home security and support Key Points Chapter 4: Intel briefing Key Points Chapter 5: Equipment check Key Points Chapter 6: Things to avoid Key Points PHASE TWO – TRAVEL Chapter 7: Getting "switched on" – The basics of situational awareness 7.1 Don't be a target 7.2 Understand your surroundings 7.3 Identifying problems 7.4 Anticipating outcomes 7.5 Taking action Key Points Chapter 8: Security considerations 8.1 On the road 8.2 In the air Key Points PHASE THREE – ARRIVAL Chapter 9: On-site security Key Points Chapter 10: Communications Key Points Chapter 11: Area familiarization Key Points Chapter 12: Cultural awareness Key Points Chapter 13: Blending in Key Points Chapter 14: Spotting danger 14.1 Acts of terror 14.2 Kidnapping 14.3 Street crime, scams, and tourist traps 14.4 Civil unrest Key Points Chapter 15: Contingency planning 15.1 Medical emergencies 15.2 Separation 15.3 Lost communications 15.4 Incidents at home 15.5 Getting stranded Key Points Chapter 16: Maintaining control Key Points Chapter 17: Heading home Key Points Chapter 18: Post-travel considerations Key Points CONCLUSION APPENDIX BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisKick fear to the curb. Learn the most effective ways to keep your family safe. Author Jason Brick, host of podcast Safety Family on the Block, provides a guided and easy-to-read exploration of how you can safeguard the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of your loved ones. With direct and informative pieces of essential knowledge, quick tips, and expert opinions, you can build a life that prioritizes health and safety without relying on fear-based decisions. Jason draws on his own experience as a martial artist, journalist, and father to further inform these skills. “Most soccer moms and minivan dads don’t have the background to absorb the various self-defense skills offered by ex-special ops experts. My role as a father and safety expert is to bridge that context-gap for other families”—Jason Divided into 10 bite-sized chapters each focusing on a different aspect of home and family safety, you will quickly become safer, better-informed, and more confident as a protector and a parent. Perfect for families looking to increase their knowledge and decrease their fear. Content Includes. Golden Rules Fire and Accident Prevention Car and Driving Safety Safety at School Online Safety Safer Sex and Relationships Communication and Safety Travel Safety Emergency Preparation Crime Prevention Each chapter consists of short essays on a single topic about family safety. Making Safest Family on the Block a great resource to dip into one bite at a time—fitting a parent’s actual needs in busy daily lives. Safest Family on the Block is what happens when a martial artist, journalist, and father gets really serious about protecting his family.

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Book SynopsisKick fear to the curb. Learn the most effective ways to keep your family safe. Author Jason Brick, host of podcast Safety Family on the Block, provides a guided and easy-to-read exploration of how you can safeguard the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of your loved ones. With direct and informative pieces of essential knowledge, quick tips, and expert opinions, you can build a life that prioritizes health and safety without relying on fear-based decisions. Jason draws on his own experience as a martial artist, journalist, and father to further inform these skills. “Most soccer moms and minivan dads don’t have the background to absorb the various self-defense skills offered by ex-special ops experts. My role as a father and safety expert is to bridge that context-gap for other families”—Jason Divided into 10 bite-sized chapters each focusing on a different aspect of home and family safety, you will quickly become safer, better-informed, and more confident as a protector and a parent. Perfect for families looking to increase their knowledge and decrease their fear. Content Includes. Golden Rules Fire and Accident Prevention Car and Driving Safety Safety at School Online Safety Safer Sex and Relationships Communication and Safety Travel Safety Emergency Preparation Crime Prevention Each chapter consists of short essays on a single topic about family safety. Making Safest Family on the Block a great resource to dip into one bite at a time—fitting a parent’s actual needs in busy daily lives. Safest Family on the Block is what happens when a martial artist, journalist, and father gets really serious about protecting his family.

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Book SynopsisThe statistics are spine-chilling: One in four women will be assaulted in her lifetime. With Knack Self-Defense for Women, the female gender finally has a comprehensive, picture-driven guide to personal security that covers all the essential strategies to maximize personal safety. Full-color photos accompany step-by-step, detailed instructions on each move. You’ll learn easy ways to improve your everyday security, and the book’s hands-on chapters provide you with simple and effective tools, culled from more than twenty martial arts, that could prove vital during an assault. Post-assault strategies and crisis management are also covered, rounding out this indispensable resource to your new empowerment.

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Book SynopsisMany Healthcare workers must deal on a daily basis with the transportation, preparation, storage, clean up, and disposal of cytotoxic drugs, which are used in chemotherapy because of their harmful effect on cancer cells. These drugs also have harmful effects on good cells, and they therefore pose a significant health risk to those who work with them. Yet there is little safety and health information available about them, and what information is available is scattered across a vast array of literature. The Safety and Health Handbook for Cytotoxic Drugs collects this information so that healthcare workers can better understand the drugs they work with and the safety and health procedures that should be followed. In it, author Samuel J. Murff presents comprehensive technical and procedural information on 106 of the most common cytotoxic drugs. The book provides guidance on quickly dealing with spills, reducing unnecessary exposure, and complying with pertinent regulations and standards in order to better equip healthcare workers to maintain a safe work environment.

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Book SynopsisExplains how short-term infections from foodborne diseases can lead to long-term health issues. Details food-processing to agricultural practices, global warming and imported foods. This book is an eye-opener for anyone concerned with the safety of our food sources.

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Book SynopsisCan fish, which has for so long been considered an essential part of our diet, really not be good for us? In Seafood Sense, Ken Babel sorts through fact and fiction to reveal the truth about the dangers and benefits of fish and other seafood. He explores in detail the reasons why the levels of mercury and other environmental toxins have risen in fish in recent times and exactly how these high levels can affect one's health.

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Book SynopsisIn Reinvent Your Personal Safety, Matt Tamas takes women through a proactive approach to personal safety, one that isn’t about honing technical moves or perfecting technique, but more about showing them how to work with their own body and mind, considering realistic scenarios, and training them to take appropriate action. Matt’s job, as a personal safety coach, is to not only give women the tools to fight back during an assault, but also to help them prevent themselves from being assaulted in the first place. The right action to take is often in advance of a likely violent encounter in order to avoid it altogether. The best way to protect one’s self is avoiding the situation in which she is forced to defend herself. Reinvent Your Personal Safety talks about the different ways this is possible, as well as about the best way to handle one’s self when violent confrontation simply cannot be avoided. This is for the high-school girl, for the grandmother, for the young professional, for the working mother – anyone who is willing to overcome their limiting beliefs about what they’re capable of and key into what self-protection is really about. In reality, knowledge of the appropriate action to take in any given situation is worth scores more than athleticism.

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Book SynopsisStraightforward advice on what to do under threat of a dangerous situation. The first three chapters in this book — Animal Dangers, Natural Dangers, and Human Hazards — describe what to do in a total of 24 specific emergencies. The fourth chapter, Basic Survival Skills, has 14 important tips on emergency preparedness and survival skills. Each crisis is summarized on a double-page spread with 1-2-3 what-to-do checklists, “Fast Facts”, “Life Savers”, “Did You Know”, and “If You” sidebars, and margin notes. The book’s eye-catching design features brilliant full-bleed colour and dynamic action photographs. The life-threatening scenarios include: Animal Dangers: What to do if you are bitten by a snake; How to escape from a bear; What to do if you are chased by bees. Natural Dangers: How to survive a hurricane; How to avoid being struck by lightning; What to do if you are caught in a flood. Human Hazards: How to escape from water in a car; How to escape from a burning building; How to avoid being crushed in a crowd. The Survival Skills include: Planning a trip; Using a penknife; Finding food; Making a shelter; Making a fire; Tying knots. Children like to feel in control. Knowing what to do in the case of an emergency increases the chance of survival and it also reduces fear. Even if readers never venture beyond the front door, they will enjoy Ultimate Survival Guide for Kids.

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Book SynopsisA manifesto for the systems-thinking-informed approach to incident and accident investigation, this accessible text is aimed at experts and generalists. A Glossary of Terms explains key concepts. The premise is both unoriginal and original. Unoriginal, because it stands on the shoulders of systems-thinking pioneers – Barry Turner, Bruno Latour, Charles Perrow, Erik Hollnagel, Diane Vaughan and other luminaries. Original, because it is populist: The Systems-thinking for Safety series shows how theoretical insights can help make the world a safer place. Potentially, the series as a whole, and this manifesto text, have agency. True to its mission to affect change, the book uses case studies to demonstrate how systems-thinking can help stakeholders learn from incidents, accidents and near-misses. The case studies of, for example, the Piper Alpha and Deepwater Horizon offshore disasters, the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the United States Navy collisions and the Grenfell Tower fire, demonstrate the universal applicability of systems-thinking. The manifesto argues that the systems-thinking informed approach to incident, accident and near-miss investigation, while resource intensive and effortful, produces tangible safety benefits and, by ensuring that «right is done», delivers justice and closure.Table of ContentsCONTENTS: Systems-thinking - Systems-thinking in practice - A case study in systems-thinking.

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