Hostile Environment Awareness Training
Prepare, Adapt, Overcome.
In an unpredictable world, preparedness is not just an advantage, it’s a necessity. Building on our reputation for elite team development, resilience training, and leadership coaching, Who Dares Group is now delivering Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). Designed for organisations, security teams, media personnel, corporate travellers, and NGOs, this specialised training equips individuals with the skills needed to operate safely in high-risk environments.
With our background in Special Forces operations, crisis management, and high-pressure decision-making, we are uniquely positioned to provide immersive, high-impact training. Our HEAT courses go beyond theory, integrating real-world scenarios, hands-on crisis simulations, and expert-led sessions to prepare participants for the unexpected. Whether facing civil unrest, natural disasters, or security threats, this training ensures that individuals and organisations have the confidence and capability to navigate challenging situations safely.
What is HEAT?
Definition of HEAT
(Hostile Environment Awareness Training)
Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) is a specialised programme designed to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to operate safely in high-risk or unpredictable environments. It prepares participants to handle security threats, emergencies, and crisis situations they may encounter while working or travelling in conflict zones, unstable regions, or remote locations.
Hostile Environment Awareness Training helps participants develop resilience, adaptability, and confidence, ensuring they can respond effectively to threats and challenges in extreme conditions. The training is often delivered in a mix of classroom-based learning and realistic scenario-based exercises in outdoor training environments.
What Does HEAT Training Cover?
Situational Awareness & Risk Assessment:
Understanding threats, staying alert, and making informed decisions in hostile environments.
Personal Security & Conflict Avoidance:
Techniques to de-escalate confrontations and avoid dangerous situations.
Kidnap & Hostage Survival:
Strategies for managing captivity and dealing with interrogations.
First Aid & Trauma Care:
Medical skills for responding to injuries, including wound management, CPR, and dealing with severe bleeding.
Navigation & Survival Skills:
How to move safely in unfamiliar or remote locations.
Vehicle Security & Checkpoints:
Handling roadblocks and ensuring safety when travelling.
Crisis Response & Evacuation Planning:
Procedures for emergency evacuations and managing crises effectively.
The Benefits of HEAT:
Why You Should Invest in Hostile Environment Awareness Training
For Individuals
Personal Safety & Preparedness
Personal Safety & Risk Awareness:
Learn to identify and avoid threats before they escalate, and develop a proactive security mindset to stay safe in volatile areas.
Increased Confidence & Preparedness:
Feel empowered to travel and work in high-risk locations, and learn how to react in crises without panic.
Crisis Management & Decision-Making Under Stress:
Gain the ability to stay calm under extreme pressure (e.g., during an ambush or riot), and improve critical thinking and problem-solving in emergencies.
Survival Skills in Hostile Situations:
Master techniques for urban and wilderness survival (e.g., navigation, shelter-building), and learn hostage survival strategies, including psychological resilience.
First Aid & Medical Training:
Acquire lifesaving trauma care skills (e.g., treating gunshot wounds, severe bleeding, fractures), and the ability to provide emergency first aid in remote or conflict areas.
Enhanced Career Prospects:
Gain a valuable certification recognised by employers in journalism, security, NGOs, and corporate risk management, and stand out in international job roles requiring safety expertise.
For Organisations
Security, Compliance & Business Continuity
Protect Employees & Ensure Duty of Care:
Fulfils legal and ethical duty-of-care obligations for staff working in dangerous areas, and reduces corporate liability and insurance costs.
Stronger Team Resilience & Cohesion:
Enhances teamwork in high-pressure situations by developing a shared security culture, making teams more resilient in crisis zones.
Minimise Operational Disruptions:
Employees trained in security awareness are less likely to fall victim to attacks, kidnappings, or crime. HEAT ensures business continuity by preparing teams for crises (e.g., evacuation planning).
Improved Reputation & Compliance:
Demonstrates commitment to employee safety and risk management, and aligns with ISO 31030 (Travel Risk Management) and corporate security policies.
Reduced Financial & Legal Risks:
Lowers the risk of lawsuits, ransoms, and insurance claims, and reduces costs linked to emergency evacuations and medical treatments.
Preparedness for Global Expansion:
Enables safe business operations in high-risk regions. This gives executives and staff the confidence to work internationally.
Why Invest in HEAT?
Because being unprepared is not an option
In today’s world, risk is unavoidable. However, with the right training, you can control how you respond to it. Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) is an investment in safety, resilience, and preparedness, ensuring that individuals and organisations can operate confidently and effectively, no matter the circumstances.
Personal Safety
For Individuals | Reduces risk of harm |
For Organisations | Protects employees in high-risk zones |
Crisis Response
For Individuals | Teaches quick decision-making |
For Organisations | Prevents operational disruptions |
Survival Skills
For Individuals | Prepares for hostile situations |
For Organisations | Ensures business continuity |
Medical Training
For Individuals | Provides lifesaving first aid skills |
For Organisations | Lowers medical emergencies & costs |
Confidence
For Individuals | Increases resilience in danger |
For Organisations | Reduces legal & financial liability |
Career Advantages
For Individuals | Enhances employability |
For Organisations | Boosts corporate reputation |
Who Needs HEAT?
| Industry | Who Needs It? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
|
Media & Journalism |
Reporters, photojournalists |
War zones, riots, kidnapping |
|
NGOs & Humanitarian Aid |
Aid workers, UN staff |
Civil unrest, remote work |
|
Governments & Diplomats |
FCDO, embassy staff |
Kidnap risk, political instability |
|
Security & Risk Management |
Protection officers, risk analysts |
High-risk corporate & VIP security |
|
Oil, Gas & Energy |
Engineers, offshore teams |
Insurgency threats, piracy |
|
Corporate Business Travel |
Executives, employees in global roles |
Political risk, ransom threats |
|
Charities & Missionaries |
Faith-based organisations |
Persecution, conflict zones |
Contact Us today to ensure you're prepared
Our Process:
Structured, Adaptive, Effective
Preparation & Onboarding
Before training begins, participants go through a structured onboarding process, including registration, documentation, and logistical arrangements. Training content can be customised to suit industry-specific risks, organisational policies, or regional challenges, ensuring relevance and applicability.
Pre-Course Briefing:
A dedicated briefing session provides an overview of the training, safety protocols, and expectations. Participants receive schedules, preparatory materials, and guidance on physical and psychological readiness. This step ensures a smooth transition into the training environment and maximises engagement.
Training Delivery
Training combines classroom-based learning with practical, scenario-driven exercises. Participants develop skills in risk assessment, crisis response, medical intervention, and situational awareness, with real-world simulations reinforcing critical decision-making under pressure. The format remains adaptable to meet diverse needs.
Debrief & Certification
Following training, participants engage in structured debriefs to reflect on key takeaways, lessons learned, and areas for improvement. Assessments may be conducted where applicable, and successful participants receive certification. Additional resources and post-training support ensure continued development.
Why Choose Who Dares Group
What Sets Who Dares Group Apart in Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)?
When it comes to Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), Who Dares Group stands out from competitors by leveraging their Special Forces expertise, immersive training methods, and a tailored approach to security and crisis preparedness.
Special Forces Expertise
Training is delivered by former UK Special Forces personnel with real-world experience in conflict zones, crisis management, and high-risk operations. Their insights go beyond theory, ensuring participants receive battle-tested knowledge and tactics.
Immersive, Realistic Training
HEAT courses incorporate scenario-based learning, live role-play exercises, and high-pressure simulations. Participants experience kidnap scenarios, emergency medical interventions, and survival exercises to prepare for real-world hostile environments.
Customised Industry-Specific Programmes
Unlike generic security training, Who Dares Group tailors HEAT courses to the specific risks faced by different sectors, including journalists, NGO workers, corporate executives, and government personnel. This ensures maximum relevance and practical application.
Compliance with Security Standards & Legal Requirements
With expertise in Martyn’s Law, ISO 31030 (Travel Risk Management), and duty-of-care obligations, Who Dares Group helps organisations stay compliant with evolving security laws and best practices. This ensures businesses and employees operate with the highest safety standards.
Tactical Medical & Trauma Response Training
HEAT participants receive hands-on first aid and trauma care training, including catastrophic bleeding control, gunshot wound treatment, and casualty evacuation procedures. This ensures they can respond effectively in medical emergencies.
Post-Training Support & Continuous Learning
Learning doesn’t stop after the course; Who Dares Group offers ongoing access to security insights, refresher courses, and crisis advisory services. This ensures participants remain up-to-date and prepared for emerging threats.
This is not just another security course
This is elite-level preparation, delivered by those who have operated in the world’s most hostile environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
HEAT is a specialised training programme that prepares individuals to operate safely in high-risk or unpredictable environments. It covers risk assessment, personal security, situational awareness, emergency first aid, crisis response, and survival strategies to help participants handle potential threats and challenges.
HEAT is designed for anyone who may work or travel in unstable or high-risk areas, including journalists, humanitarian aid workers, corporate professionals, security personnel, and government staff. It is particularly valuable for those operating in regions affected by conflict, civil unrest, crime, or natural disasters.
A HEAT course includes a mix of classroom learning and practical exercises. Key topics include personal safety, threat recognition, conflict avoidance, emergency medical care, kidnap survival, navigation, and crisis management. Realistic scenario-based training ensures participants gain hands-on experience in handling high-pressure situations.
The duration of HEAT courses varies, but most run between three to five days. Some providers offer intensive short courses, while others include extended sessions with advanced simulations and in-depth training.
No prior experience is required. HEAT courses are designed for individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels. The training provides foundational security awareness and practical skills, making it suitable for beginners as well as those with previous field experience.
HEAT training involves practical exercises and role-playing scenarios but does not require extreme physical fitness. Participants are encouraged to engage at a level they are comfortable with. Training providers ensure the course is accessible to people of different physical abilities while still maintaining realistic learning conditions.
It is recommended to refresh HEAT training every year. Security threats and best practices evolve over time, so regular refresher courses help ensure that participants remain up to date and confident in their crisis response skills.
Yes, corporate professionals who travel to emerging markets, politically unstable regions, or areas with heightened security risks can greatly benefit from HEAT training. The course equips them with essential skills for assessing threats, responding to emergencies, and ensuring their personal safety while abroad.
HEFAT (Hostile Environment and Emergency First Aid Training) is an extended version of HEAT that includes a greater focus on emergency medical response. While HEAT covers general security awareness and survival skills, HEFAT places additional emphasis on trauma care, treating injuries in hostile environments, and life-saving first aid techniques.
To enroll in a HEAT course with Who Dares Group, you can visit our official website or get in touch with our training team directly. We offer tailored courses for individuals and organisations, with flexible training options designed to meet specific security needs and operational requirements.
