Notes from Hazardous Environment Training
Before Deploying to High Risk Area:
If going into an area with risks, prepare a plan (see my group’s plan we
made as an example, attached to this email) that explains where you're
going, what your contingencies are if you encounter risks, maps of your
route, locations and times you will call in to your supervisor to check in,
and emergency meet up points. Carry a map and be familiar with the
geography so that you can take alternate routes if necessary.
Be up to date on the current situation of the area you are reporting in.
Have there been any recent attacks – if so, where and by who? Are
there patterns you can look for to indicate risk (a normally busy market
area is empty for example) or factors that lead to increased attacks that
could be used as indicators or risk (such as anti-terror campaign by
security forces, a decision by your government that negatively impacts
armed groups or others).
What are the specific risks to you where you are going -- abduction,
torture, surveillance, or death? And how will you mitigate those risks?
Don't assume anything or become complacent because things
change. Find out what groups operating and where. How do you identify
them? What’s their modus operandi -- does it put you at risk?
If kidnapping risk (like Syria or Venezuela) -- prepare three proof-of-life
questions to leave in a sealed envelope with your manager (in a safe!) -and one copy with trusted family members. Make the questions
something only you would know.
How to Mitigate Risks:
Fit in -- dress like locals, don’t stand out, leave expensive things at
home -- from sunglasses to jewelry to shoes or anything brand name
etc... (Also, don't compromise your fixer by giving them any gifts that
could make them stand out – they have to stay there after your leave so
don’t put them at risk!)
Don't broadcast your location, plans or schedule on social media!
If the country, people, group is not friendly towards your news outlet, do
not have logos visible anywhere (microphones, etc…)
Are you dressed and acting appropriately for the culture? Gender
appropriate? Any language skills?
Stay out of big crowds -- positioning is important (think Tahrir Square - foreign reporters should have either been at a high position or at a
place where people come in and out of the protest -- NOT right in the
middle)
If you are a female and you must go into an area where there is a risk of
sexual assault, wear sports shorts over underwear, sports bra over bra,
pants, and a leather/strong belt. If you have a male colleague with you
and you must to go into a crowd, use a carabineer and climbing strap to
attach your belt to his belt. That way at least you won't get separated if
something happens.
Can you be engaged (by armed groups)? Stay out of that area. If you're
trying to get a shot of two opposing forces engaging each other, don't
stand in the middle, don't stand behind either side and don’t ever stand
directly behind a shooter actively engaging (journalists have been
killed this way) -- pick an angle off to the side where you won't be
caught in cross-fire.
Do not travel at night. Also, change your patterns/schedule. Don’t be
predictable.
Go in and out of high-surveillance-risk areas with clean (or a cheap
phone you buy solely for the trip) phones, memory cards filled with
neutral images – not empty, as it draws suspicion. Make sure your
laptop desktop is neutral and does not have anything you wouldn’t wan
security or intelligence in that country to see.
If your laptop is taken by state security officials in airports or elsewhere,
it has been compromised. Hide or encrypt what you dont want seen
(includes sensitive information on sources, fixers or local guides that
could put them at risk)
You should carry a grab-bag with you when out in the field.
Grab-bag contents: gloves, flashlight, phone/sat phone, maps,
guidebooks, carabineers, electrical tape, tarp, headlamp, first aid kit,
passport, 24 hours of food and water, fire lighting equipment, spare
batteries, etc... (add more as needed)
Bring body armor, helmet, elbow/knee pads as necessary (And wear it
even when you're in the car if you're in an area with road risks like
being engaged by armed groups, IEDs, etc...). Make sure the body
armor fits and there are no gaps (with females there can be gaps
especially in the sides -- tape to tighten to close the gaps if necessary)
First Aid in the Field:
Example of First Aid Kit contents: tourniquet, thick bandage for stopping
bleeding, compress, elastic gauze, plastic (saran) wrap, electrical tape,
medical scissors
These are three things that can really save lives that you should add
to first aid kit –
Russel Chest Seal (a new bandage with valves for injuries where lung
collapses) https://www.tacmedsolutions.com/product/russell-chest-seal/
Oales Bandage (Used by US military)
https://www.tacmedsolutions.com/product/olaes-modular-bandage/
And Celox – a hemostatic agent that will clot blood fast
http://www.celoxmedical.com/usa/products/usaceloxgranules/
Most common injuries in the field: Brain (31%) Torso trauma (35%)
Extremity blood loss (9%), Blast mutilating trauma (7%)
A common torso trauma is a tension pneumothorax -- which is when a
hole is made in the pleural cavity around the lung. Air enters the cavity
making the lung collapse and filling the cavity with blood. You can tell
it’s a tension pneumothorax if you look at the wound and the blood is
frothy or has bubbles in it -- that’s air from the cavity. The casualty’s
breathing will also be labored because one lung is doing the work of
two.
Doctors would fix this by inserting a tube into the cavity to release the
air pressure and allow the lung to re-inflate. Since you don’t know the
exact spot to stab the person, and would more likely kill them that way,
you can get the Russell Chest Seal -- a thin bandage with a valve on it
that you can stick on to the wound which allows air and blood out of the
cavity but not in. In 40-50 minutes the lung should be functioning.
CPR is useless if not within 30 minutes of a hospital (You will just keep
going forever?)
Tourniquets should be used for arterial bleeding on arms or legs. You
can tell its an arterial bleed because the bleeding may spurt, it will be
pulsating with the heart beats, it will be profuse, and will be dark colored
(Veinal and capillary bleeds are brighter red, but in many cases you
might see arterial and veinal bleeds at the same time so don’t go off
color alone).
Arterial bleeding has to be stopped within minutes or they will bleed
out and die. The tourniquet should be positioned at the joint above the
injury (elbow or shoulder for arm injuries and knee or groin for leg
injuries) and on as much bone surface – shoulder blade, knee cap,
elbow -- as possible so its better for reducing blood flow. Don’t put the
tourniquet on the meaty part of extremities because it doesn’t do as
much to stop the bleeding.
The windless (or metal twister that tightens the tourniquet) should be
positioned on top, tighten the tourniquet by twisting the windlass until
the bleeding is controlled -- then stop. Once bleeding stops, lock the
windlass on the metal loop.
Be familiar with the tourniquet before going into the field. Tourniquets
can only be tightened on someone for a couple hours before their limb
will begin to die. When releasing, unwind slowly or else clot will blow
out. Unwind a tiny bit at a time, then wait a bit and continue.
Checking someone's vital signs -Breathing -- look at chest fall and rise, is it even? strong?
Pulse -- best way to check is use two fingers on carotid artery on neck.
It may be difficult to feel in different circumstances so don’t spend more
than 10 seconds looking for it.
Remember, if they are breathing, they have a pulse!
Rapid Trauma Assessment -- "DR ABCDE"
In the field, first check if there is danger to you or the casualty -- check
around you. Break up the view so you see everything – start by first
looking high, then low, then middle, in 360 degrees around you. If the
casualty is out in the open and you are in cover, there may be shooters
trying to draw you out so when you go to help they will shoot you.
Once you have them behind cover, look for a response in the injured
person -- are they talking? Ask them where they feel pain? Do they feel
wet anywhere? (not 'are you bleeding?' -- they need to be comforted
and told they will be OK so that their heart rate stays down and they
don't lose as much blood or try to get up because they're scared)
If no (or weak) response, check if airway is open. Put the casualty on
their back, kneel behind their head and hold their head in their hands.
Tilt head back, lift their chin and look to see if anything's blocking the
airway.
If you suspect a spinal injury, do not tilt head back, just push
mandible (jaw) forward if you think something’s blocking the airway.
Breathing -- look, listen, feel. Is their chest rising and falling, can you
hear breathing? Is their nose flaring? Circulation -- if you couldn't
establish breathing check pulse on carotid artery. A normal heart rate is
60-100 beats per minute. Again, don't wait a whole minute to check this,
just give it about 10 seconds. Check for major bleeding by sweeping
your hands over their arms, legs, torso and back. Don't trust sight
especially if it's dark outside.
Disability? Are they Alert? Can they hear your voice? (You should be
constantly talking to the casualty it helps with survival rates and helps
keep them calm) Do they respond to pain? There is a pressure point in
the middle of the eyebrow, press hard on that spot for a response.
Environment and expose -- cut away clothing where necessary to
expose wounds. Keep them warm if cold and cool if hot. Evacuate to a
safe area.
How to Treat Specific Wounds:
If the wounded person has an arterial bleed (profuse bleeding that
pulsates), apply indirect pressure on the joint above the wound with a
tourniquet before applying a bandage. Don’t use tourniquet if it’s not
arterial bleeding!
Pack the wound with gauze because hands have natural gaps and are
not as good at controlling bleeding. Elevate if possible to slow bleeding.
Best bandage (and used by US military) is the Oales Bandage. It has a
plastic cup on it to protect an eye injury or be used to apply direct
pressure to a wound. After placing the bandage, wrap it with elastic
bandage with pressure to avoid slippage. Use electrical tape to keep the
bandage on. Then seal with plastic wrap and electrical tape to
protect from infection.
Plastic wrap is also the best thing to put on burn wounds because
it doesn’t stick like bandages and it protects from infection. You
can wrap it directly on the wound, seal ends with electrical tape, leaving
a small gap on top to pour in sterile water to cool the wound if you have
it.
If you have hemostatic agents like CELOX and want to use it to stop
bleeding -- first wrap fingers in gauze and apply pressure to bleeding
wound for about 2-3 minutes. Next, apply the celox, put the gauze back
on the wound with pressure for 10 minutes. The bleeding will stop –and
it’s twice as good at keeping people alive as a bandage.
Hemostatic agents are especially good for wounds where tourniquets
can’t be used – like torso, neck, or head
If a limb has been traumatically amputated (blown off), assess the
casualty as explained above (DRABCDE) and put the tourniquet on first!
Then place bandage over the stump, cover with elastic gauze, and use
electrical tape around it to hold it. Then plastic wrap the whole thing and
tape it.
General tips: Tab your tape and plastic wrap so you don't spend time
trying to find the end when time counts. Hold end of gauze in left hand
so it doesn't drag on the ground and introduce potential infections. If
possible, a sitting position is best for a wounded person who is
responsive and doesn't have a spinal injury -- it keeps them more alert.
If you want to improvise a tourniquet, use a bandana, the plastic ring
thing that detaches from water bottle tops, and a piece of metal (or your
medical scissors!). Fold up the bandana to a long narrow strip, put it
through the plastic ring. Next, tie the bandana at the joint above the
wound and move the ring to the top so you can access it. Knot the
bandana around the joint and the second loop around the
metal/scissors. Twist the scissors until the tourniquet is tight enough to
control the bleeding – then stop and put the end of the metal piece
through the plastic ring to hold it in position. Tie another knot around the
end of the metal thing through the ring to hold it all in place if you can.
Demonstrations or Riots:
Stay out of the crowd and out of potential crossfire. Never stand directly
behind a shooter or stone/Molotov throwers. Re molotovs, don’t wear
flammable clothes, cotton is best. Wear shoes you can run in, and don’t
wear a scarf or earrings or anything that could be used to injure you or
limit your movement.
Identify key persons, leaders, provocateurs, etc -- and stay away from
them. They are targets. Establish whether the groups friendly to media
or aggressive? Keep corporate/news logos out of sight unless
friendly.
Are protesters collecting debris, tires, or stones? They are probably
about to attack security forces, so stay out of their way. Tire smoke is
cancer-causing, stay away. Tear gas – make sure your teargas mask
canisters are full before you go to a demonstration – they need to be
changed often.
What are the patterns of movement in the crowd and security forces? If
you see armored vehicles or horses security forces are likely to come in
and break up the crowd, so get out of the way. If you see the security
forces line break, snatch teams will likely come out to arrest or beat
protesters.
Are there weapons present – lethal or non-lethal? (We will discuss later
how to take cover and what the ranges are for common weapons)
Improvised Explosive Devices and Suicide Attacks:
EID threat? Best thing is to drive fast through areas of high risk. IED's
are typically placed at spots where vehicles typically slow down. They
have to be triggered so there is a timing factor at play. There will often
be a pole or tree before the IED to allow them to time the explosion.
The faster you go the worse chance they have at getting it right.
How to mitigate risk: trust your instincts, do you see a tree and corner?
Accelerate! Is there a guy with a phone or radio? Is someone filming
"nothing"? Some armed groups like to film their attacks. Look for
wires, old car, dead animals, trucks, old IED holes, soft sand, bridge,
up, down slopes, sharp turn. Most of the time the IED will be buried so
you won't see it.
You can raise your chances of surviving an IED by wearing your helmet
and body armor. You can also put sandbags in the bottom of the car to
reduce impact from any explosion.
Vehicle born IEDs: heavy load, back heavy or low rear. Chemical
delivery in an urban area is suspicious, as are license plates that are
inconsistent with car registration. These bombs can bring down half a
street.
The kill zone of a compact car IED is 30 meters, and injury zone is 400
meters. Kill zone of a truck or van is 183 meters, and injury zone 2,000
meters.
Secondary devices are a common tactic of armed groups like Al Qaeda.
They target the first responders. Never go to a bombsite because
second bomb may still go off. Wait 45 minutes to be safe to go in
close.
Suicide bombers either wear a vest or carry a bag. Look for suspicious
movement, nervous behavior or unresponsive to commands, thin face
but big clothing, sweaty, wires, mobiles/radio.
Checkpoint Protocols:
Checkpoints are easy targets for attack. Never follow a military
convoy or potential target through a checkpoint. Pull over and let
them go ahead.
When approaching a conventional checkpoint: Lock your doors (when
locking doors do not let driver activate central lock, lock your own door
manually so you can unlock it quickly if you need to escape) and raise
windows. Keep camera and gear out of site. Know ahead of time if your
driver is armed. Have press ID ready but not visible, keep hands visible
and make no sudden moves. Avoid anger, rudeness. If instructed to
leave car, don't take anything with you. No filming. Conventional
checkpoints will have signs, military cars and equipment.
Unconventional checkpoints: You can tell its unconventional by
guards’ shoes (not military boots), mismatched or partial uniforms,
facemasks, or a lack of structures buildings. If you ID the group as a
bad one you don’t want to be stopped by, reverse or go off the flank.
(This decision depends on vehicle type, driver competency, who the
group is).
If you have to go through and you're taken out of the car and "stacked"
– lined up -- you're not going back to your car. They are getting ready to
move you.
At any checkpoint, you should expect to be searched (phones,
computers, footage). Know where checkpoints are and have dummy
memory cards, etc ready.
If you're in a hotel and its checkpoint is engaged, go to cover. Is there a
safe room? If not, go to a stairwell or corner, the most protected
spots. Are armed men coming in? Leave. If you hear gunfire outside,
don't run out front and don’t stay in the hotel. They will likely enter the
hotel and go room to room so you need to find a safe exit out the
back. (Choose a hotel that is set back from the road – less chance of
getting hurt in a bombing. Sometimes, the most ‘secure’ hotels are
more of a target because they have foreigners and journalists… so
consider alternative housing in secure villas or the like).
Kidnappings:
Kidnapping is big business -- there are about 8,000 cases a year for
ransom. Most go unreported because of the nature of the deals made
for release. Hundreds of millions have been spent on ransom.
If you are an economic asset you have a good chance or being freed
upon ransom alive. If it is a political kidnapping, you have a 10%
survival rate.
Check the current kidnapping risk in the region/country you are going to.
See who does it, why, how and where. And mitigate your risks.
Example -- You're in Turkey and you get through the border to Syria.
Worst idea (and what many freelancers are doing now!) is to ask a
random guy you meet there for the first time to help you across the
border. Despite having no context of the current status of the area and
risks, some reporters go with them. Most reporters kidnapped in Syria
are taken within 20 minutes of crossing into Syria – that means that the
kidnappers were likely tipped off by people at the border (who may
be posing as fixers).
To mitigate risks -- Stick to plan you made and gave to supervisors
before you left. Blend in, nothing expensive in view. Use old cars that
fit in with locals, not the typical NGO or government employ SUV’s!
Travel safe routes where you won't get lost, be unpredictable (don’t
leave your hotel at the same time every day), travel only during the
day, don't stop to help anyone on the side of the road, use antisurveillance methods -- watch your mirrors, recognize any cars,
photograph license plates so you can compare to see if its the same
one following you. Keep doors closed and locked (not central lock,
manual lock). Be alert – don’t be an easy target.
Surviving kidnapping - Kidnappers may be nervous during the snatch,
they may beat you, blindfold you, or drug you upon capture. Try to
regain your composure and organize thoughts. If you're rational you
have a better chance or survival. If they're giving you drugs, don't
resist -- its better for you and they have you controlled so they don't
have to use further violence. Passive cooperation is key.
James Foley and others who have been executed were likely drugged
at the time of death, you can tell by the eyes. Others may seem passive
before execution because they have been given so many mock
executions they don’t think they’re going to die.
Establish rapport with kidnappers by talking about your life, but don't
let them tell you any personal details. If you are to be released, and
one guy remembers he told you something that he thinks could put him
at risk, he may kill you. If kidnappers suddenly take masks off after
being protective of identities, that means they may be planning to kill
you and don’t care what you know anymore.
If you know the language, don't let them know. Listen. Avoid any
political and religious discussions, even if you think you have that in
common – you might find that you thought you were on the same page
with them but then out yourself as an enemy.
Maintain your dignity at all costs so it’s harder for them to kill you!
If you are kidnapped, don't try to negotiate for yourself, you may
promise something you can’t deliver.
They may use mock executions or other forms of torture. Sometimes,
prisoners are put through mock executions 3-6 times a day to mess with
their heads or make them complacent when it’s a real execution.
They may interrogate, water-board, beat you, put you in stress
positions, restrict diet, subject you to temperature changes, or isolate
you. Many times armed groups will use torture techniques that were
used on members of the group (like Al Qaeda uses CIA torture
techniques).
No one can tell you how a kidnapping is going to happen. Expect
everything and anything.
Plan on a long stay, and manage your time through some kind of
routine. If you don’t know what time it is, use light or darkness. If no
window, temperature cools at night can indicate time.
Don't try to escape, only works about 2% of the time. If you want to
try, you must be fit, know the area geographically and have survival
skills. If you do escape go to ground / cover immediately and only
move at night. Stay in cover during the day. Cities have a better chance
of escape than remote areas.
If there's a rescue attempt, hit the floor and stay there, away from doors
and windows. Make no sudden moves or allow yourself to be confused
with your kidnappers. Follow instructions, keep hands over your head or
stay down until security forces have identified you.
Surveillance:
If you're under surveillance or being followed, don't confront them. If
you’re being followed in a car, slow down or stop in public place. Don’t
speed up.
Sometimes you will get passive surveillance, several people who are
just told to follow you to know what you’re up to and report on you to
intelligence. It may mean nothing and just be protocol.
Don't trust hotel staff or that your room is not being looked through
while you're out – don’t trust hotel safe. While in the room, use the lock
and a door stopper/wedge you bring with you to use while sleeping or
in the shower.
Protecting sources - Be careful with what you say on the phone, as little
as possible. Emails in country at high risk of surveillance should be
encrypted, use aliases. To communicate, you can set up a dummy
email and leave messages in the draft box. Give them the log in and
they can check that without any communications being sent.
Meet in a safe location, and discuss how facts will be used so you
don’t endanger locals.
When using satellite communications or broadcasting, stay away while
transmitting if there is a risk of air strike or other strikes -- you can use
long chords or remote equipment for this. If you have to be near it, just
do a very short transmission at any one time. Your position can be
triangulated by people who may attack you. That's how Marie Colvin
was killed in an airstrike in Libya.
Risks while Traveling in Vehicle:
If your vehicle is ambushed by shooters from another car, keep moving!
Don't freeze! Drive forward or backward. If it’s a drive by shooting, you
can mitigate risk by watching mirrors and knowing who's around, see
weapons, open windows, suspicious cars, etc
If its a linear ambush, from a stationary armed group to the side of the
road, then get out of the car is its not armored – a soft skin car will
not stop bullets. Jump out, zigzag to ditch or other cover.
If no close cover (10-20 m) then get out of car and take cover behind
engine – it’s the only part of a normal car that will stop most types of
ammo. If you're stuck inside, then get as far down and low into the well
as possible.
Types of shooters and weapons ranges:
Snipers: The most deadly and will get the kill with one shot from a
distant, unseen position. Highly trained and deadly from 800 meters to
2km. Look for possible snipers in 'kill holes' (bombed out holes in
buildings) or other areas of good cover.
Small arms: run and zigzag away. It’s hard to hit someone running if the
shooter is not well trained. At 10-15 m you have a low chance of getting
hit by an untrained shooter. With a trained shooter its 25 m. If you are
close and see the top slide on the gun stay back, it means the gun is out
of bullets or jammed so run!
High velocity/ AK47, M-4: effective range 300 m. Not accurate, shoots
high because it kicks back.
Submachine gun: effective range 70-100 m
Shotgun: effective range 50 m (Used mostly to blow out doors etc)
Machine gun: effective range 800-1000m if on a tripod. Shoots several
hundred rounds per minute. Known as an "area weapon" because
bullets will be flying everywhere.
Heavy machine gun: effective range 2000 m - uses .50 cal armorpiercing ammunition. Daesh has it. Makes a crack-thunk sound. After
you hear the crack, count as fast as you can until you hear the thump
sound -- if you get to 6, its about 600 m away.
Mortar attacks: they might use 'bracketing' to hit their target. That
means the first mortar will land in front of you and the second behind.
The third will be aimed at you. Move to soft ground (less risk of
shrapnel and force) away from previous hits and smoke. If in a car, get
out of car to the side cover, bushes, or structures. Corners of walls
and stairways are best.
Artillery strike? Hit the floor. Shrapnel is a big risk but flies out and up
from bomb site so you have a 20-30 degree angle you can use to your
advantage by staying as low as possible.
Coming Under Attack in the Field:
Don’t run, get down immediately and crawl to closest cover (walls,
ditches, even vegetation to hide from site). Once behind cover, stay on
stomach anyways, don't get up and kneel. Stay away from windows
if at risk of sniper.
If you are running (while staying low and zig-zagging!) from cover to
cover the gap between covers should not be more than 10m or so. Dive
into cover, don’t walk in, it gives you can extra ten feet of cover.
If you're in a group, don't move all at once if engaged by shooters.
One person should run to the nearest cover while zig-zagging. Have 1015 m between people. Leopard crawl or roll short distances.
Be quiet while in cover, if you have a team, make sure you go over hand
signals ahead of time for danger and other indicators. Try to figure out
where the shot came from, and look for potential cover they're using and
determine your best escape route. Types of cover: walls, trees,
vehicles, stay off high ground, stay in trenches, dips in the earth.
If you know where the shots were fired from, you can use “sterile
lanes” cover provides. Say your behind a low wall and the shots came
in front of you. You can back up a significant distance crawling while still
being “covered” from their site.
Dont cross open gaps (like if shooters are down a street and you’re
behind a building but want to get to the other side of the street) The first
person across may get through, but after that they'll be waiting to shoot
the next one. This is where your geographical knowledge and maps
come in handy. Take the long way around and if part of your group is
on the other side, meet them at prearranged emergency meet up spot.
Never look over cover, use a mirror, go-pro, or a camera. Always keep
low behind cover. When getting up from cover, crawl to either side so
you're not getting up at the exact spot you went down. They'll be
aiming at that spot and waiting for you.
Cover for Specific Weapons:
AK47 / low velocity weapons -- you can use a concrete wall. But high
velocity rounds will go through concrete, trees (unless 2 ft or more in
diameter), brick walls, and soft-skinned vehicles.
Sand is the best cover. So if you find a ditch, hill or sandbags get
behind those
General Safety Tips Working in the Field:
You can use go-pros to look around corners without exposing yourself.
If you're wearing body armor, don’t use military colored or camo style.
Blue is best, with a press sign on it. Make sure ceramic plates are
inserted and not cracked. You can cut out same sized piece of yoga
mat to put between your chest and the plate to prevent cracked ribs in
case of getting shot.
If a group you’re filming is using an antiaircraft weapon, get the hell
away from them they are a major target. If the weapon is on a
rotational platform, it might spin around and hit you
unintentionally.
If filming/photographing firing positions, do not stand directly behind
shooter.
Al Al Jaz digital staff
Chris
Emily
Edme
Allison
Anna Lekas