Jim Wagner my self-defense instructor: Hotel security while traveling

SUBJECT: Hotel security for business and vacation PURPOSE: Safety inside and outside of the hotel room NUMBER: 11.03 Hotel Security SECTION: Travel Security COURSE: Situational Awareness LEVEL: 2 SYSTEM: Jim Wagner Reality-Based Personal Protection All rights reserved.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Ish00back, you're right. The safest way not to get anything tampered with or stolen in your room is to take everything with you when you leave. However, this could be quite a hassle if you have to temporarily "live there." Like anything, it depends on the threat level. Be A Hard Target.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

GetAominos, if you find that the room is bugged you can do one of three things: 1. Give false information to the device. 2. Destroy it. 3. Vacate that room and go elsewhere. Be A Hard Target.

[@Octopussyist]

10 points from me for starting with fire safety. Now I finally believe your stuff is reality based.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

ajsiemers, "giving false information" is a good tactic if you are working in the "spook" world. I don't really cover this in the video because the video is intended for the average citizen. Thanks for you comment. Be A Hard Target.

[@fredbazoo]

Your a man of practical knowledge and sense Jim. All your techniques are simple, effective and practical. Not Hollywood theatrics. Well done!

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

RomanBelvedere, you pose a good question. Many of the techniques I show in my videos are things my instructors have taught me over the years (police, corrections, and the military), others come from real-world experiences, and yet others are techniques and training methods that are original that I came up with by putting two and two together. Be A Hard Target.

[@MrSuperJayJay84]

You also have to check for bedbugs

[@PpAirO5]

🤦‍♂️😂

[@SamKeupoN]

Great video If you worry about information security: 1) Soak the receipts into water before throwing them in the bin (efficient and convenient) 2) RFID blocking is becoming mandatory for your passport and possibly your credit cards 3) Do not use any free/public wifi with your own device 4) Actually turn off wifi and bluetooth on your smartphone It might sound paranoid as well but I guess it comes with my job as an IT Security specialist

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Excellent advice! Thanks. Be A Hard Target.

[@JamieVegas]

Very few credit cards use RFID. Perhaps none of them these days. Those RFID blocking wallets are a complete scam based on ignorance. None of the new chipped cards (EMV cards) use RFID, and all new cards are going to be chip cards.

[@jatbatman]

@@JamieVegas exactly! The easiest way to test your card is the tap and pay pads at stores. You're phone is far more likely to have RFID technology than any card in your wallet. Most people have no idea what the chip in their card is though.

[@flyairhost]

One thing I do not agree with the video: we are taught that, when traveling on a group and staying nearby, to go with escort each other to the room and hold the door open as the occupant checks the room for an intruder (under the bed, behind shower curtain and closet) to ensure no one is hiding. Then close and lock the door. There have been cases of someone already in the room hiding when the occupant walks in. Closing the door completely as you walk in to your room before doing s safety sweep can lead to trouble.

[@snowbird29803]

Thanks for posting this video. Like you, I have learned to be aware of many possibilities however remote. I do these things in my hometown too, like choosing the best table at a restaurant. It's good to know you and others think this way too. I took a lot of ribbing from my family for my advanced planning...I was called "the man with the plan". I would just 'shoot back' with: "when you have no plan, it's a plan to fail". I've had to bail my family out of trouble many times b/c of their poor planning. This process you espouse can also be called "doing everything right" and there's nothing wrong with doing your best to have a safe and successful trip or vacation.

[@adrianm1429]

good video, its essential to be prepared for anything, I liked the door-stop. I would've never thought of that but very useful.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Adrian, thank you for your feedback. Be A Hard Target.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

ListerMetal makes the comment "PARANOID." So, what you are saying is that being aware of dangers in this world is being paranoid. I guess that also makes us Reality-Based Personal Protection people "paranoid" drivers as well. When I see someone coming into my lane I slow down or move. If I see a ball roll out into the street I know a child may be coming after it. No, it's not being paranoid, it's understanding dangers. Be A Hard Target.

[@msjswapnil]

Thanks for the video Mr. Wagner :D

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Guicho Mora, I would not rappel down paracord, but you can make yourself a ladder by tying loops into it for handles. Obviously, I recommend that you attend some professional climbing courses because any rappelling or climbing using ropes can be DEADLY. In this video I am just giving people ideas and not going into too much detail on any one item. Be A Hard Target.

[@nickc8819]

@Jim Wagner, excellent tips.

[@sogyseal7962]

Great video Jim. One thing I learned from a Clancy novel when checking mirrors, pretty much just a bathroom mirror, is turn the shower on full hot and look for places in it that don't look quite right. Run the radio if an audio bug is suspected. Dont forget to cover the peep hole in the door. Also as someone has already said, never use public wifi without first turning on your vpn.

[@therianstrauss]

This was really interesting, thank you.

[@kumainkana3576]

i am a traveler , i have to work state by states every 3months..thank you for your videos about safety.. subscribed on your channel please post more.

[@MsSuperww]

Nice video, with useful orientations!

[@ryanjameschavez7635]

Very useful information..this 18 mins. Informative video could save a life. Tnx.

[@wilk1531]

Some good info here Jim

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

You're welcome. Be A Hard Target.

[@geniemaster5907]

Thanks Jim. I Liked it. Nice ideas pointed. Some would think it's just paranoiac, but things might happen and like you said in the video: "it's an additional insurance", so why not?

[@PpAirO5]

Great stuff 👍

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Thanks Patrick. BE A HARD TARGET Jim

[@disgrunttold130]

you are so right.... ignorant and closed minded people who are soft (easy) targets will often use the words paranoid to describe someone with high situational awareness who are keen to their environments. It's far easier to live blind and think the world is full of sunshine and butterflies...but there is so much senseless evil out there you never know when its going to pop up and you have to react. its the difference between survival/statistic...because I want to live to see my family next day

[@8digitPDX]

Avoid any easy to recognize slogans, symbols or logos on your clothing if you are looking at evading stalkers in those sorts of crowded foot traffic areas. They can more easily remember a slogan or logo than other colors or features of your clothing.

[@Azriel261]

The only problem is if there is a fire, you will have to take the time to remove the stopper to get out

[@Octopussyist]

Normally I tear up receipts etc. and dump the pieces in different trash cans. Once I forgot a slip from the credit card payment in a cheap hotel in Berlin. A few hours after I checked out I had my first and only "irregularities" on my credit card account ever.

[@Tamerlane666RLSV]

Very informative and well made. Let's get you a mic for better audio?

[@PeterNichtlustig0815]

Your German is cool!

[@KosanGM96]

Jim i have a question: You can use the paracord for rapell???? I know that the paracord is to strong, but the friction that the paracord have when you do the rapell its danger for the paracord? where i can investigate this? Can you help me? regards and sorry for my English!!

[@Azriel261]

Use a cord that has a grappling feature, its quick and it is made of the same material.

[@MrChris-bx7ss]

that room key rack on the wall at the front desk is far to easy for any passer by to grab keys off of.

[@Azriel261]

And Wagner does have a point. I was in Puerto Rico on vacation last year and some random guy came up and wanted my room number and information. And he was trying to offer me drugs on top of that. Well I told him that I am police officer from the mainland and that I could have him locked up lol. He just dropped his guard and walked away.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Robert, your story is a good illustration of my warning in the video. Be A Hard Target.

[@keithclunk3125]

@12:10 you referred to the exit where you said *"I could also see someone come in to the side before they see me"* .. at that very moment someone did come in and you weren't looking. Hilarious!

[@germed]

in all the vids i saw from you the sound is terrible

[@paulpowell4871]

You got to the room, tossed your bag inside and went out looking around. meanwhile they opened your bag tossed your laptop and cash out to the friend through the window. then waltzed out the door. I always recon the room first.

[@paulpowell4871]

bring your own carbon/ smoke detector, they have a 10 year life span and I dont trust the ones in the hotel.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

That goes without saying. BE A HARD TARGET Jim

[@rubadux]

it depends on who set up the bug and who / what is the actual target. If you suspect the govt., don't destroy it, you could get in trouble for damaging govt. property or tampering w/evidence. You don't know if the bug is aimed at you, s.o. else, or every visitor in general. If police is trustworthy, report it but don't touch. These days, bugs may be used for many purposes. This is not paranoid, you can adjust the measures according to the region or city you are visiting.

[@sandan2358]

I’m getting a doorstop before my next trip.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

That's a good idea. Every piece of equipment that makes you safer helps. BE A HARD TARGET

[@Vendetta760]

11:24.....ahaha I thought you was gana say Bible...Then it was ur light....Humor

[@Cees5maart44]

Mr. Wagner, did you notice that you are in Europe in a village hotel, not in the USA !

[@alfredzig2035]

... as a matter of fact, Western Europe is becoming just as dangerous as USA.

[@jatbatman]

First, personal safety and security are a full time thing. If you don't take those simple steps you will be victimized. Second, it doesn't matter where you go, there's going to be good and bad people. Third, terrorism and certain types of attacks are more likely in areas where the citizenship is disarmed and less capable of fighting back.

[@johnparry]

Paranoid !!!

[@ajsiemers]

Giving false information is a good strategy imo

[@RomanBelvedere]

All of those little details that you talk about, such as sitting down at a restaurant being able to see everything, or having a plan, and always being ready, did someone teach you this in your years of service? Or is that kind of common sense which you picked up on your own?

[@ListerMetal]

PARANOID

[@doncastriglionejr]

Jim is dead on...alot of you never goto the urban hood or inner-city areas of your town...you need these types of things everyday. I have been many places in Detroit, Cleveland and Washington DC where someone can come at you at a diner or restaurant with a gun or have a shoot out...alot of you would not know what to do and get killed. I've learned this stuff from policemen years ago, and like what Jim said, know how to get out such situations. After you practice a few times, it become natural and takes only a minute of two of inconvenience. Plus traveling abroad, people tend to spot the Americans, and with that has built in hassles and dangers...and you always want to have your head on a swivel...especially in dangerous places I have been in Central America.

[@jimwagnerrbpp]

Thanks for confirming the instructions I gave on this video. I'm happy you took the time to write your comment. Be A Hard Target.

[@TravelRiskManagement]

Not a bad concept but the audio and lighting quality detracts from the message. Might be better if you broke the sessions into stages and addressed the content in a natural progression. Thanks for the video.

[@disgrunttold130]

what people don't understand is that people who are AWARE subtlely do this and it doesn't hinder their lives are all...its just little things you do and take note of. it's not PARANOID...because its not interfering with life in any way...its just doing things to ensure you're not a victim. It's like wearing a seatbelt.....or locking your front door. Because death and criminals are opportunist jackasses and love to see people set themselves up for failure. oorah...

[@carolyndignam3592]

I love your videos. But dear god man you practically scream while making it. I had to turn my volume down 3/4, and you were still loud!! It was distorted 𝒀𝒐𝒖 spoke so loudly. These cameras have fabulous sensitivity you can just speak at a normal decibel and be heard just fine. Please take this into consideration and with constructive criticism. Like I said I do love your videos, but I may need to mute you if you keep up the very loud speaking!!

[@poland_stronk3044]

Caliphate of Germany ^^

[@Azriel261]

And unless you know how to tie a knot quickly, you'll most likely just drop down and break a leg or something.

[@academyofselfdefence]

They will ambush you in that quiet little place Jim, not in Berlin.

[@igorpopovic3241]

the paronoy person