Hostile Environment Integrated Security Training (HEIST)

When you are faced with imminent threat – what course of action will you take?

Course Overview

The Hostile Environment Integrated Security Training (HEIST) is an intensive 5-day program designed to prepare participants for high-risk, unpredictable situations. Combining practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and psychological readiness, it equips you to confidently and effectively respond to real-world crises.

Using techniques like stress inoculation, HEIST simulates high-pressure scenarios to build resilience and composure. Led by experts from military, law enforcement, and security sectors, the course focuses on critical skills such as:

Strategic De-Escalation Training includes handling high-stress situations involving aggressive individuals or groups, with practical strategies for managing confrontations.
Quick-Thinking Under Pressure Prepare for sudden threats and develop rapid, life-preserving decision-making skills under intense pressure.
Extreme Threat Management Learn to respond swiftly and effectively to critical incidents, gaining the ability to act with calm and decisiveness, even in severe conditions.
Navigating Coercive Situations Gain exposure to handling situations where you're held against your will, equipped with survival tactics and the mental fortitude necessary to persevere and overcome the situation.

Who Should Attend?

HEIST is not just for those operating in war zones or high-risk regions overseas; it’s also for anyone serious about personal safety and security in today’s unpredictable world.

Whether you’re navigating the complexities of international assignments or simply concerned about your safety at home, HEIST offers valuable skills for a wide array of individuals and organizations. This program is ideal for:

Concerned citizens focused on personal safety and security
Crisis management professionals facing critical situations
Corporate executives responsible for high-stakes decision making
Military and law enforcement personnel enhancing tactical skills
Private security contractors safeguarding clients and assets

Entry Criteria

The HEIST program is designed to equip professionals with the skills they need to navigate high-risk environments effectively and safely. While the training is intensive and tailored to specific operational challenges, we welcome participants from a variety of professional backgrounds who can benefit from this specialized knowledge.

Who Should Apply

This course is ideal for:

Individuals with a clear professional need for hostile environment training, including those in high-risk roles such as security, humanitarian aid, journalism, or corporate operations in challenging regions.
Professionals who have previously completed Hawkeye Dynamics courses and are ready to advance their skills.
Anyone committed to using the training responsibly and for the right reasons.

Our Standards

To maintain a safe and effective learning environment, all participants are expected to uphold the core values of Safety, Growth, Professionalism, Compassion, and Courage throughout the course. These values are essential for fostering trust and integrity during training.

How We Select Participants

Our screening process is designed to ensure that the training is provided to those who genuinely need it and will apply it professionally. This helps maintain the focus and quality of the program while ensuring that every participant benefits from the experience.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility or would like to discuss how the HEIST program can support your professional goals, our admissions team is here to help. We encourage you to get in touch to explore whether this course is the right fit for you.

What an empowering course! While I hope the situations I learnt and experienced with regards to my and potentially my family’s/colleague’s personal safety never occur, the knowledge of how to recognise and avoid them, get out of them, and respond if you can’t avoid them was invaluable.

While the classroom information was great, the realistic role play scenarios provided the opportunity to really experience and practice what was taught and this was priceless given it may well save your/your family’s life one day.

Thank you to the experienced instructors for their professional instruction, highly recommended!

Rick - Corporate Vice President

Training Locations

The HEIST is predominantly conducted in Christchurch, New Zealand. Our choice of training location provides a realistic and beneficial environment for scenario-based training, closely resembling the situations participants may encounter.

For customised group training sessions, alternative locations may be considered upon request. Our skilled training team has the capability to travel domestically and internationally, providing on-site training tailored to your specific needs, in the environments you’re likely to face. Please get in touch directly to discuss your particular requirements.

Please note that due to the nature of the training, location accessibility and weather conditions can vary. Suitable preparation and gear is recommended.

For more guidance on how to prepare for your course, please reach out to our team directly.

Pricing

At Hawkeye Dynamics, we are committed to providing quality training at a competitive price. While we cannot list detailed pricing information on our website due to the tailored nature of our offerings, we assure you of a fair, value-for-money investment in your safety and preparedness.

The investment for the HEIST course includes:

Comprehensive course materials and resources
Experienced instructors with relevant real-world experience
Scenario-based hands-on training sessions
A certificate of completion

How To Register

We have a number of pricing structures in place to accommodate the needs of different organisations and individuals, including discounts for group bookings.

For further details on pricing and to register for our HEIST course, please fill out our ‘Contact Us Form’ or directly reach us at admin@hawkeyedynamics.com. We will promptly get in touch to discuss your specific requirements and guide you through the registration process.

Please Note: Our course dates are subject to change based on demand and availability. Early registration is encouraged to secure your place.

Frequently asked questions

Explore our FAQs to find detailed responses to commonly asked questions about the HEIST course.

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Feel free to contact us today.

Contact

Is the HEIST course physically demanding?

Yes, HEIST is physically demanding.

It includes specialized physical training sessions led by professional trainers designed to simulate real-world conditions and improve your physical response capabilities. While you are not required to be in peak physical condition to participate, we recommend that you arrive free from injuries to fully engage in and benefit from all aspects of the training.

Is any prior experience required to enrol in the HEIST course?

Prior experience is indeed required to enrol in the HEIST course, given its advanced nature. Individuals interested in this training must either have successfully completed any Hawkeye Dynamics' training program, or currently be actively working in a field that is relevant to the training.

In addition to the above prerequisites, we take into consideration the character and values of potential participants. As such, selection for HEIST also involves an assessment of the individual's alignment with our Core Values. This ensures that the course is a good fit for the participant and that they can fully engage with and benefit from our training.

We are committed to providing a rigorous, advanced training experience that prepares participants to handle challenging situations effectively. This commitment requires us to ensure that all participants are suitably prepared and aligned with our values before embarking on the HEIST journey.

What should I expect from the learning environment?

You can anticipate an immersive and challenging learning environment in the HEIST program. A majority of the training will be hands-on and practical, designed to expose you to physically and mentally demanding scenarios that you're required to navigate and overcome.

Our approach to learning is experiential, putting you directly in situations that simulate real-world threats. The tasks and exercises will require both physical agility and mental resilience, making you confront and conquer adversities similar to those you might encounter in a hostile environment.

While the focus is largely on practical scenarios, there will also be a component of classroom instruction. This theoretical grounding provides the necessary backdrop to the practical exercises, giving you a foundational understanding of key concepts, strategies, and tactics. The balance of in-depth instruction and hands-on experience is intended to ensure a comprehensive understanding and competency in managing high-risk situations.

What type of support is available to students after course completion?

After concluding the HEIST program, students can still rely on our support. We offer post-training resources to further enhance and consolidate the skills acquired during the course. Additionally, students have the privilege of seeking guidance, answers, or advice from our team of expert trainers even after course completion. It's our unwavering commitment to ensure each HEIST graduate feels confident and competent in applying their newly learned skills in their respective fields.

What is the typical class size for the HEIST course?

The standard class size for the HEIST course is set at 8 participants. However, provisions can be arranged for accommodating larger groups if requested.

Can the training be conducted at our own location?

While we can arrange for our experienced trainers to conduct sessions at your preferred location for your convenience, we strongly recommend utilizing our designated training sites. These locations are purpose-built and equipped with extensive resources that aid in providing a thorough and immersive training experience. This way, we can ensure the highest quality training possible. However, we do understand and cater to unique needs and can adjust accordingly if required.

How long does the HEIST course take to complete?

The HEIST course is structured over 5 comprehensive days, beginning early each morning and often extending well beyond standard hours.

This intensive format is designed to maximize the learning experience, preparing participants through prolonged practical exercises and simulations that test their endurance and skill in high-stress situations.

What is the main difference between HEAT and HEIST?

The primary difference between the HEAT and HEIST courses lies in their approach and focus areas.

Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), is designed as a pre-deployment course that places a strong emphasis on risk prevention and mitigation. It is meant for international travellers such as aid workers, journalists, and others who might be travelling to high-risk areas. The course teaches skills such as first aid and trauma response, with the primary goal of helping individuals avoid dangerous situations altogether.

On the other hand, Hostile Environment Integrated Security Training (HEIST), is designed to equip individuals with skills to handle the 'reactive' phase of a critical incident. In other words, while HEAT is about avoiding potential threats, HEIST is about how to act when a threat is unavoidable. The focus here is entirely on managing and surviving extreme threats after the event has occurred.

In summary, if you're looking to prepare and prevent, you'd likely benefit more from HEAT. But if your goal is to understand how to respond in unavoidable threatening situations, HEIST would be the more appropriate course.

Equip yourself with the ability to act, not freeze, when it counts.

We're here to prepare you for the unexpected, enabling you to face any challenging situation with confidence and effectiveness.

Contact us today and secure your place in our upcoming HEIST course. We look forward to embarking on this transformative journey with you.

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