Safety At Work: Skills to Calm & De-escalate Aggressive & Mentally Ill Individuals - For All Involved in Threat Assessment & Threat Management

by Ellis Amdur, William Cooper

Corporate Security, Human Resources, Executive Protection, and Loss Prevention Professionals must deal with individuals suffering from psychiatric or substance use disorders on a frequent basis. Ellis Amdur and William Cooper offer these officials a comprehensive set of strategies to keep themselves, those they are protecting, and the general public safe while functioning at the highest level of professionalism. The first sections of this book focus on tactical concerns: threat assessment, tactical plan- ning and the development of a safety mindset. In the second major section of the book, the authors focus on us: what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm for the purpose of maintaining one's own center in crisis situations. In the heart of the book, they discuss specific behaviors ranging from confusion and obses- sive concerns to psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In two very important chapters, they discuss interactions with opportunistic and manipulative individuals (at worst, those referred to as psychopaths), people who present a danger to the psychological and physical well-being of anyone with whom they come in contact. They then move on a discussion of aggression, whether directed at you, the professional, or others, and how to de-escalate aggressive and chaotic individuals once a crisis begins. Amdur and Cooper elucidate the various motivations that drive aggression and further delineate the different types of aggression that result. De-escalation tactics are specific - one learns how to immediately recognize what mode of aggression the person is displaying, and then, one can quickly and effectively implement the de-escalation tactics that are best suited to deal with the aggression one is facing. Final sections address staff members who function in specialized roles, including recommendations for training of support personnel and new hires.

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Ellis Amdur balances two careers, that as a crisis intervention specialist, through his company, Edgework and as a 50+ year practitioner of traditional Japanese martial arts. His writing meets right in the middle.
Among his non-fiction works are thirteen profession-specific books on verbal de-escalation of aggression, two books for hostage negotiators, two on the art of tactical communication with hostile individuals, one on the art of psychotherapy, and has edited a book by Evelyn & Shelley Amdur on the former's career as a hospice social worker.

He has written and published three books on martial arts, the iconoclastic Dueling with Osensei: Old School, a work on classical martial traditions and Hidden in Plain Sight, on esoteric knowledge within various martial traditions.

In fiction, he is a co-author of the graphic novel, Cimmaronin, and the author of two novels, The Girl with the Face of the Moon, and Lost Boy. His third novel, Little Bird & the Tiger, set in Meiji Japan, is due for release in 2023.

His books are considered unique in that he uses his own experiences, often hair-raising or outrageous, as illustrations of the principles about which he writes, but it is also backed by solid research, and boots-on-the-ground experience.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safety At Work is a clear and concise look at a variety of different behavioral challenges that one may face in the workplace. The book outlines strategies for handling each kind of challenge with a strategy of maintaining safety while doing all that one can to de-escalate a potentially violent situation. "Safety At Work" is an absolute must have for all people in the business world.

Business owners should consider both this book and Mr. Amdur's training for their employees.