Several months ago, I watched a clip from Shark Tank TV show that featured ex-CIA officer, Jason Hanson, and his pitch for Spy Escape and Evasion:

Spy Escape & Evasion Review

I’m not sure if he ultimately was successful with his pitch and Shark investment, but we did have an opportunity to attend his Spy Escape & Evasion Show in Las Vegas at the Stratosphere.

Getting out of duct tape? Was that for real? Absolutely. I brought a friend with me, and she went up on stage to get tied up. A simple jerk, with the right angle and speed, was all she needed to break the duct tape.

Unlike most Vegas shows, Spy Escape & Evasion was not only entertainment, but also chock-full of secrets, tips and skills that could prove incredibly useful, even save your life.

Once we got the “showy” entertaining demonstrations out of the way (duct tape and zip ties), Mr. Hanson focused on the real meat of his show: teaching us about situational awareness.

Situational awareness is being aware of your surroundings, knowing what’s going on around you and being alert of any potential dangers. With so many people addicted to their cell phones, even when walking, driving or just at dinner, we’ve lost our ability to detect and perceive what is happening around us.

Just a week prior to attending this show, my car got stolen, right from under my nose in my own garage in a gated community. Had I not been so deep in thought about the day’s schedule, I might have noticed the lookout person sitting on the curb down the block and a strange car following a few paces back.

Spy Escape & Evasion was not just a “show” but a class on how to protect yourself, your home and your family. Highlights of what I learned, and am putting to use:

• Carry a tactical pen for protection – it’s not only useful for writing, but it can break car windows, and can be used as protection. The one I purchased has a built in LED flashlight. It’s under $12 on Amazon, and even if I never use it in a fight, I feel safer walking to my car with the flashlight on. According to Mr. Hanson, the tactical pens are more likely to get through airport security.
• Leave a dog bowl outside your front door. Burglars like easy targets. Security cameras are easy to disable and auto-on lights are simple to avoid. But dogs can be unpredictable. With a community full of homes to target, burglars would most likely skip the homes with dogs.
• Pickpocketers are easier to spot if you practice situational awareness. Thieves will try to match your walking step and pace just prior to the pickpocketing. An easy way to disarm them and throw them off their game, is to just turn to face them, look them in the eye and ask an innocent question, “Do you have the time?” The great thing about this strategy is that even if they actually were just an innocent person, it’s just a pleasant question.

Mr. Hanson has an online store where you can purchase personal safety gadgets. If you’re in Las Vegas and want to see his show, tickets are for sale here. Shows are every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until the end of the year.

Spy Escape & Evasion Giveaway

Giving away 4 tickets to Spy Escape & Evasion Show in Las Vegas, at the Stratosphere.