Who is going to save you?

With any executive protection detail, who in your protection team is the person designated to provide critical care or aid in an emergency situation?

Panoptic Solutions - Australia & Asia Security & Risk Management provides services in line with the requirements of our Medical Director who has put in place robust and versatile guidelines for the provision of remote and austere medical service delivery. In doing so we are a company enabled to support clients with Doctors, Paramedics and Nurses where the need arises.

Failing that level of intervention, what can you expect from the agent on your shoulder and how qualified are they really?

The question then is, what first aid qualifications are needed for bodyguards in the industry across the UK under the SIA, Australia (NSW) under Bodyguard licencing endorsements and the United States of America

How do they compare to that of a degree qualified paramedic?

1. UK under the SIA (Security Industry Authority):Bodyguards in the UK need to complete a First Aid at Work (FAW) qualification or its equivalent before taking their close protection training. Some choose to also pursue the Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC) or similar, though this is above the minimum requirement.
2. Australia (NSW) under the Bodyguard licensing:As part of the competency requirements for the licensing of bodyguards in New South Wales, they must hold a current first aid certificate from a recognized provider. The exact specification can change, but generally, a basic first aid certification (like HLTAID003 Provide First Aid or its equivalent) is the minimum requirement. Under new legislation and course components for the qualification this has changed to HLTAID014
3. United States of America:First aid requirements for bodyguards in the U.S. can vary by state, as licensing requirements are state-specific. However, most states will require a basic first aid and CPR certification as a minimum. Some states or specific employers might require or prefer advanced certifications or courses tailored to tactical or trauma situations, but this is above the minimum.

Now how does that actually compare to someone who knows what they're doing in a critical life saving situation?

In Comparison to a Degree Qualified Paramedic: A paramedic's training is vastly more comprehensive than the first aid training required for bodyguards.

Paramedics undergo extensive medical training covering a wide range of medical emergencies, trauma situations, pharmacology, and more. They are trained to handle advanced life-saving interventions, administer medications, and use specialized equipment.

In contrast, the first aid training for bodyguards equips them to provide immediate assistance in emergencies until professional medical help arrives.

It covers basic life-saving techniques, CPR, and general first aid procedures. While it's essential, it's not as in-depth as the training of a paramedic. Nor should it be regarded as such.

It's worth noting that regulations and requirements evolve continually, so always check the latest guidelines from official sources when seeking or renewing licenses.

For those working on the shoulder, knowing you want to increase your capability is important, knowing how or what to enrol in to do so is even more important.

To bridge the gap between basic first aid/CPR training and a higher level of trauma care, there are several advanced courses and qualifications available internationally. Here are some of the more prominent courses in the UK, Australia, and the USA:

1. UK:FREC (First Response Emergency Care): Level 3 to Level 5. This course covers a variety of life-saving techniques, medical emergencies, trauma, and more. FAW (First Aid at Work) with Additional Modules: Some training providers offer the standard FAW course combined with additional modules on specific types of injuries or situations, such as gunshot wounds or terrorist incidents.
2. Australia: HLTAID014: This course goes beyond the basics and includes advanced resuscitation techniques and managing complex casualty scenes. HLTAID007 - Provide Advanced Resuscitation: Focuses on the use of equipment like oxygen, AEDs, and more. HLTSS00027 - Occupational First Aid Skill Set: A combination of units to equip participants with advanced first aid response and resuscitation techniques.
3. Also consider for the UK / Aus options an RTACC course
4. United States of America: Advanced First Aid, CPR, and AED by the American Red Cross: This is an advanced course teaching participants to recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing, and first aid emergencies. TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) and TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care): While originally designed for military personnel and tactical law enforcement officers, these courses have found favor with security professionals looking for trauma care training in high-risk environments. EMT-Basic (Emergency Medical Technician): This is a step closer to a paramedic, offering foundational skills and knowledge about emergency medical care.

Keep in mind that so much of our work is multidisciplinary and the better you maintain the skill sets required for immediate care and immediate risk management the better off the Principal will be and yet, you cannot be everything to everyone no matter how solutions focused you are.

These courses are more advanced than basic first aid but still not as comprehensive as a full paramedic course. Still, they are excellent for professionals seeking more proficiency in trauma care without going through the entire paramedic training.

Where there are some amazing cross overs from the backgrounds of different industries are what's happening around Australia with the Police Tactical Groups and their incorporation of medical training into their tactical teams. The developments in this space are being led by many focused and driven individuals with a the goal of providing the highest levels of trauma support in conflict environments.

Which is linked to what has been demonstrated through the work of select military units who exist that are absolute hero's and are well noted as being the closest things to angels that exist.

An example of one of these units are "PJs" often referred to a Para Rescue. Pararescuemen are a special operations unit of the U.S. Air Force. Their primary mission is the recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments. These specialists are trained to operate in a variety of terrains, including the sea, mountains, and desert they also only wear Large shirts and above.... or so the recruiting package says.

The next level up again is a whole 'nother thing and when you get to work with a cadre of medical professionals such as Kieran McCarthy you begin to understand just how important having medical support is in protecting your UHNW principal/s. Kieran holds a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a Masters of Public Health (Disaster & Emergency Management), is currently completing a Fellowship in Wilderness Medicine, and is also qualified in aviation and diving medicine.

Kieran has a distinguished service history of over 12 years with the Australian Army including three years providing the full spectrum of direct action support as a doctor within Special Operations Command. Kieran has deployed and operated within high risk austere environments including six deployments to East Timor, Afghanistan (twice with SOTG) and the Philippines; as well as domestically in many challenging environments.

If you'd like to know more about working with highly qualified experts in Medical and Security Risk Management around the world, get in touch with us at [email protected]

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