HIGH RISK OPERATIONS PROGRAM

Program Overview

The High Risk Operations Program consists of four days of intensive training.  During the programs students will receive classroom presentations on vehicle dynamics, vehicle security, armored vehicles, convoy operations, and combat driving in high-risk environments. 

The bulk of the program will be spent performing a series of hands on driving exercises and scenario based drills.

CLASSROOM SUBJECTS

The Driver, the Car, and the Road

Participants will learn about the “Driver’s Triangle” and how it applies to what goes right and what goes wrong every time a driver is put into a potential vehicle emergency.  Participants will also learn about the human body’s physiological reaction to emergencies and how the flight-or-flight response applies to driving emergencies.  Finally, participants will understand the feet-per-second concept and why it is a more useful unit of measure for drive-time emergencies than miles-per-hour.

Vehicle Dynamics

Participants will turn driving into math and understand the physical forces that act upon vehicles in motion.  In particular, participants will understand the friction that is created between the tire contact patches and the road surface and the effect of lateral acceleration on the contact patches’ ability to control the vehicle.

SUV Performance and Anti-Rollover Driving

Though SUVs are prone to un-tripped rollovers, a few simple driver inputs can allow anyone to drive an SUV in a high-performance manner during an emergency situation.  Participants will learn why un-tripped rollovers occur more often in SUVs and how to avoid them.

Vehicle Security

Participants will learn how to properly secure a vehicle before, during, and after drive-time. Discussions will include:

• Surveillance Detection and Route Planning
• Pre-Operational Security
• Operational Security
• Post-Operational Security

Armored Vehicles:

The increase in the use of armored vehicles is staggering. We will supply students with information that will aid them in first deciding if they need an armored vehicle, and then supply the information that will allow them to make an intelligent and economical decision.

Combat Driving:

Participants will learn the concepts of vehicle contact, firearms deployment from a vehicle, and dismounted engagements.

Convoy (Motorcade) Operations:

Discussions will include convoy/motorcade composition, multi vehicle movements, formations, and communications.

 

PRACTICAL EXERCISES

SLALOM EXERCISE

Participants will drive through a four-cone slalom to master the fundamentals of seating and hand position; aggressive and smooth steering; performance driving vision; skid and off-road recovery skills; and the control of lateral acceleration.

BRAKE AND TURN EXERCISE

Participants will learn how to use maximal braking while retaining directional vehicle control.

EVASIVE LANE CHANGE EXERCISE

Participants will learn how to quickly react to a vehicle emergency in which they must make split-second decisions while maintaining vehicular control in an accident avoidance situation.

CORNERING EXERCISE

Participants will learn racecar driving techniques for high-speed vehicle handling including lines and apexes driving and performance braking.

REVERSE SLALOMK-SLALOM EXERCISE

Participants will learn how to rapidly and surgically backup sedans and SUV’s in response to roadblocks and frontal ambushes.

STRAIGHT LINE BACKING EXERCISE

Participants will learn how to quickly and safely back away from a frontal vehicle ambush.

J-TURN EXERCISE

Participants will learn how to perform a rapid reverse-of-direction to speed away from a frontal vehicle ambush.

COMBAT DRIVING EXERCISES

• Vehicle Contact Drills
• Single and double car ramming techniques
• PIT and Counter PIT techniques
• Push-Out drills
• Firearms deployment from a mobile vehicle

Vehicle Dismount Exercises

Once a vehicle is totally disabled during an attack, the occupants must rapidly and aggressively dismount their vehicle(s) and fight to safety.  Participants will learn how to safely and effectively dismount a disabled vehicle and launch both armed and unarmed responses.

REACTING TO A VEHICLE AMBUSH:

Students will practice driving into simulated vehicle attacks. Students will practice the skills taught in previous exercises to remove themselves from a violent confrontation.

RECOGNIZING IED’S:

Students will be given instruction on IED recognition as it pertains to the vehicle. This will include IED recognition and vehicle inspection techniques. Each attendee will undergo a hands-on vehicle inspection utilizing the techniques taught in the program.