What is a HEAT Course

Before commencing the Spearfish HEAT course, I had never evaluated my security awareness and how to react to potential scenarios. After completing the first module on risk assessment for personal and travel security, I realised how unaware of potential threats and situations I was. However, by starting off with a theory day involving the analysis of potential risks, threats and vulnerabilities, as well as how to minimise them through planning, I felt more prepared to prevent and respond to a situation appropriately.

The course supplied me with mental and physical knowledge which was tested through practicals and scenarios which aimed to increase my competence and confidence to put into practice the training in any environment. It provided me with the theoretical understanding of how and why my body reacts to a situation, as well as my own natural reaction as even in the test scenarios my heart was racing. Whilst I learnt I cannot predict how I will react to a life-threatening scenario or anticipate the adrenaline experienced from saving someone’s life, I at least come out with a sense of being prepared and being able to respond to a situation.

By the end of the course I had experienced how to navigate a checkpoint, to react to a complex scenario, as well as to improvise my own tourniquet. Throughout the trainers had been informative and shared their own experiences to help me actively participate in learning whilst remaining open and honest about sensitive situations. They led engaging discussions and practical sessions to demonstrate the many possible scenarios that could occur, following them with the appropriate tools and skills to use in order to defuse and escape from the situation.

Whilst I do understand that risks and responses are situational, the course gave me a sense of calmness to be able to decide my reaction quicker and manage a situation. Most importantly, it left me feeling more prepared for any situation or environment that I may enter.

Additionally, the class involved an interesting cross section of individuals with fascinating backgrounds and stories relating to their own experiences which showed that clearly some of the other trainees will have more use of the skills than I will.