Attempted kidnapping, carjacking and other emergencies are among the situations Utah author and former CIA officer Jason Hanson explains how to prevent and prepare for in his new book, “Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life” (Perigee Books, $24.95).
Hanson appeared in season five of ABC’s "Shark Tank," and he pitched his survival escape training business. Daymond John invested in the Spy Escape and Evasion course. Since then, Hanson has been able to construct Spy Ranch, a 320-acre property in Cedar City. There, he teaches firearms training, evasive driving techniques and hand-to-hand self-defense.
“My mission is to help good, honest Americans keep their family safe,” Hanson said in a recent phone interview.
In his book, Hanson shares information that is offered in his Spy Escape and Evasion course. Some of those techniques include how to escape rope, handcuffs, zip ties and duct tape, as well as gun and knife disarms.
“That is the whole point of the book; I teach you the foundation of what you need to be prepared,” Hanson said. “I also do cover what happens if you are, heaven forbid, ever kidnapped or have a home invasion.”
Hanson said many of the people he teaches are concerned about home invasion. He has observed that criminals will case neighborhoods and look for a house that will be easy to invade. But, he added, there is an easy fix that can be put into practice immediately.
“Talk a walk around your neighborhood and look at all the houses,” Hanson said. “If your house looks like it’s easiest to rob, clearly you need to change something.”
Some simple, inexpensive items he recommends are alarm signs in the front yard, alarm stickers in the windows, dog bowls on the front porch and motion sensor lights.
Of all the chapters in the book, Hanson said the most important is “Situational Awareness.” Throughout the book, he repeatedly notes the importance of being aware of your surroundings. Hanson was quick to point out that most people walk around with their heads down, texting on their cellphones.
“Most crimes are crimes of opportunity,” Hanson said. “What I recommend is keep your head up. It’s not difficult to do. It doesn’t take great effort. When you are walking around in public, have your head up so you can scan, so you can look around, so you can make eye contact with people.”
Another common problem that Hanson sees is the lack of 72-hour kits. Hanson, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said that in his ward or congregation, a food supply checklist is handed out each week to remind people to build their food storage.
“Anybody can build up their 72-hour kit the same way,” Hanson said. “The average American has very little prepared. … They can’t survive for three days.”
In “Spy Secrets,” Hanson discusses self-reliance and the importance of a 72-hour kit. He suggests three days' worth of food and water, fire starters, flashlights and sanitation.
Another versatile tool he has is a tomahawk. Hanson used one to break through ice after his family’s car slid on a sheet of ice and lodged in snow. Another item Hanson suggests is a tactical pen. This is a self-defense tool that is a regular writing utensil but is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and is heavy enough you can strike somebody or smash out glass if you need to escape.
Hanson trains a wide variety of people and teaches them to avoid violence at all costs. In the chapter titled “Defending Yourself,” Hanson discusses escape and self-defense tactics. Though Hanson believes it is important to know these techniques, he says violence should be the last resort and that it is critical to “get off the X.”
“Movement saves lives,” Hanson said. “What I try to teach people is don’t bury your head in the sand. … Do something and prepare ahead so you don’t freeze.”
“Spy Secrets” contains other chapters, including “Travel Safety,” “How to Run Countersurveillance,” “Social Engineering Secrets,” “How to Be a Human Lie Detector” and “How to Disappear Without a Trace.”
Hanson hopes people will feel empowered and gain self-confidence through these techniques.
“I hope … they read it over and say, ‘I can do this,’” Hanson said. “I don’t have to be CIA, FBI, Navy SEAL or some ninja to implement these things. All of us can do these simple things to keep ourselves safer.”
In addition to Spy Ranch, Hanson is planning to launch spy schools all over the country in January 2016.
“Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life” has no swearing. Hanson makes reference to news stories of rape and other violent crimes, but they are not described in detail.
For more information, see spyescape.com.
Email: caresa.randall@gmail.com