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The dangers of cramming over 140 hours of training into 7 to 9-days on the Subtleties of Close Protection!

Cramming over 140 hours of necessary training into a 7-day or 9-day program on close protection or executive protection as they do in the USA can pose several risks and drawbacks, both for the participants and the overall effectiveness of the training. Here are some of the key concerns we have:  

Physical Exhaustion: Intense physical training over a short period can lead to exhaustion, increasing the risk of injuries and reducing overall effectiveness. Physical stamina and recovery are essential for close protection training, and insufficient rest can compromise both.


Mental Overload: Learning complex skills such as threat assessment, surveillance, and protective manoeuvres in a condensed timeframe can overwhelm trainees. This can lead to inadequate retention of crucial information and skills, which are essential for effective close protection.


Lack of Skill Proficiency: Close protection involves nuanced skills that require practice and repetition. Cramming these into a week may not allow enough time for trainees to develop proficiency, potentially leading to underprepared bodyguards in real-world scenarios.


Stress and Burnout: High-pressure environments with long hours can significantly increase stress levels, which might not only affect learning and performance during the training but also lead to burnout, affecting long-term career sustainability in close protection.


Insufficient Scenario Practice: Effective training should include a variety of scenarios to prepare trainees for different situations they might face. A condensed program may limit the number and depth of practical exercises, reducing overall preparedness.

Limited Skill Retention: Skills learned in a rush are often quickly forgotten. The lack of sufficient practice and repetition can lead to poor retention of critical skills needed in actual protection duties.

Decreased Team Cohesion: Building a team dynamic is crucial in close protection, where individuals often rely on tight coordination and trust. Rapid courses may not provide sufficient time for developing these essential interpersonal connections.


Safety Risks: Quick and intense training might compromise safety protocols, which are critical in high-risk training environments. This can lead to accidents and injuries, which are detrimental to the trainees' well-being and the program's overall success.


Impact on Team Dynamics: Effective teamwork is essential in close protection. A rushed program may not provide sufficient time for team-building exercises and for participants to learn to work cohesively.


Legal and Certification Challenges: Certain jurisdictions may have specific requirements for the number of hours or the structure of training for certification. Rushing through training may not meet these standards, potentially leading to certification issues or legal challenges.

Quality of Instruction: Instructors may be forced to rush through material or skip important discussions and debriefs, which compromises the quality of the training provided.

Inadequate Assessment: Instructors may find it challenging to accurately assess each participant's competency and readiness when pressed for time. This can lead to participants being deemed proficient without having fully developed the necessary skills.

Overall, while the intention of a condensed program might be to rapidly prepare individuals for close protection roles, the associated risks and reduction in training quality can ultimately compromise the effectiveness and safety of the operatives. More balanced, extended training schedules are generally more conducive to producing well-prepared close protection personnel.

To mitigate these risks, training programs with the Professional Bodyguard Association are spread over a more extended period, allowing adequate time for rest, reflection, and deeper learning. This approach helps ensure that participants are not only skilled but also capable of sustaining high performance when it matters most.

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