Books by Ellis Amdur

The first sections of this book are concerned with threat assessment: rather than a mere list of risk factors, the authors offer concrete skills on the development of a safety mindset, and further, techniques to develop and hone intuition, that early warning system that warns of danger before your conscious mind is even aware there is something wrong. This also includes what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. Rather than abstract pronouncements, the author offers specific strategies, including a method of breathing for the purpose of maintaining one’s center in crisis situations.The next sections are the heart of the book, discussing specific behaviors ranging from confusion and obsessive concerns to psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In one very important section, the author discusses interactions with opportunistic and manipulative individuals (at worst, those referred to as psychopaths), people who present a danger to the psychological and physical well-being of anyone with whom they come in contact.This is followed by a section on suicide: recognition of patterns of behavior that suggest suicidal intent and best-practice communication and interventions for frontline officers, who must deal with the suicidal inmate first.Next is a discussion of aggression, whether directed at the correctional officer or others. These sections focus how to de-escalate aggressive and chaotic inmates once a crisis is in play. The author elucidates the various motivations that drive aggression and further delineate the different types of aggression that result. De-escalation tactics are specific – one learns how to immediately recognize what mode of aggression other person is displaying, and the, one can quickly and effectively implement the de-escalation tactics that are best suited to deal with it. Safe Within the Walls is ideal to use as a core text to set up a comprehensive program within a prison to protect both inmates with mental illness and correctional officers. Finally, in essential appendices, the book presents protocols on current information on positional and compression asphyxiation (authored by Dr. Gary Vilke), and a protocol, specific to correctional officers, on excited delirium (authored by Lieutenant Michael Paulus, ret.) Rather than abstract information, more useful in a consulting room than in the field, Safe Within the Walls is tactically based, from start to finish.

Although call-takers at an Emergency Dispatch Center are under no immediate physical threat, they are often the focus of intense verbal violence. In this comprehensive guidebook, Ellis Amdur, with the assistance of consultants whose cumulative experience in emergency call-taking and emergency dispatch totals over one hundred and twenty years, walks professionals working in Emergency Dispatch Centers through a multitude of steps they can use to assist first responders, callers and other members of the public, while functioning at the highest level of professionalism. The first section of this book discusses general principals required to prepare an emergency dispatch center for calls from emotionally disturbed individuals, as well as threat assessment: how to acquire essential information necessary to prepare first responders for any potential risk at the scene. In the second major section of the book, he focuses on us: what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. Rather than abstract pronouncements, he offers specific strategies, including a method of breathing for the purpose of maintaining a one's own center in crisis situations. He then moves on to the heart of the book, discussing specific behaviors ranging from confusion and obsessive concerns to psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In one very important section, he discusses interactions with anti-social and psychopathic individuals, people who present a danger to the psychological and physical well-being of anyone with whom they come in contact. He moves on to suicidal callers, and then how to de-escalate aggressive and chaotic callers once a crisis begins. De-escalation tactics are specific - one learns how to immediately recognize what mode of aggression the person is displaying, and then, one can effectively implement the de-escalation tactics that are best suited to deal with the aggression one is facing.

Individuals suffering from psychiatric or substance use disorders sometimes display any one of a number of frightening behaviors: verbal outbursts, physical threats and even violence. Not only Corporate Security, Human Resources, Executive Protection, and Loss Prevention Professionals, but anyone who works may be forced to deal with such individuals. In this comprehensive guidebook, Ellis Amdur and William Cooper offer everyone a comprehensive set of strategies to keep themselves, those they may be responsible for protecting, as well as the general public safe while functioning at the highest level of professionalism. The first sections of this book focus on tactical concerns: threat assessment, tactical planning and the development of a safety mindset. In the second major section of the book, the authors focus on us: what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. Rather than abstract pronouncements, they offer specific strategies, including a method of breathing for the purpose of maintaining one's own center in crisis situations. In the heart of the book, they discuss specific behaviors ranging from confusion and obsessive concerns to psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In two very important chapters, they discuss interactions with opportunistic and manipulative individuals (at worst, those referred to as psychopaths), people who present a danger to the psychological and physical well-being of anyone with whom they come in contact. They then move on a discussion of aggression, and how to de-escalate aggressive and chaotic individuals once a crisis begins. Amdur and Cooper elucidate the various motivations that drive aggression and further delineate the different types of aggression that result. De-escalation tactics are specific - one learns how to immediately recognize what mode of aggression the person is displaying, and then, one can quickly and effectively implement the de-escalation tactics that are best suited to deal with the aggression one is facing. Final sections address staff members who function in specialized roles, including recommendations for training of support personnel and new hires.

Individuals suffering from psychiatric or substance use disorders sometimes display any one of a number of frightening behaviors: verbal outbursts, physical threats and even violence. In this comprehensive guidebook, Ellis Amdur walks professionals working in healthcare and social services settings through a multitude of steps they can take to keep themselves, their colleagues, and their clientele safe. The focus of this book is behavior not diagnosis. The first sections of the book discuss specific behaviors ranging from such relatively minor irritants as reluctance to complete tasks and obsessive concerns to more troubling, pervasive syndromes such as psychosis, mania and disorganization. In one very important section, he discusses interactions with anti-social and psychopathic individuals, people who present danger to the psychological and physical well being of both staff and patients.The second major section of the book focuses on us: what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. Rather than abstract pronouncements, he offers specific strategies, including a method of breathing that is for the purpose of maintaining one’s center in emergency situations.He then moves on to direct face-to-face encounters, covering situations that may occur within a clinic or office, as well as out in the community, be it someone’s residence, on the street, or even one’s car. This includes how to handle tense situations before they deteriorate into chaos, and how to de-escalate once a crisis has started. Amdur elucidates the various motivations that drive aggression and further delineates the different types of aggression that result. De-escalation tactics are specific — one learns how to instantly recognize what mode of aggression the person is in, and then, well-trained and practiced, one can almost instantaneously shift into the correct de-escalation tactic that fits the aggression one is facing.The final sections of the book offer a macro-view: how to establish and maintain a culture of safety both within your agency and your personal life. The likelihood that one will have to use de-escalation skills or other self-protective strategies is far diminished when such a culture of safety is in place.

Individuals suffering from psychiatric or substance use disorders sometimes display any one of a number of frightening behaviors: verbal outbursts, physical threats and even violence. In this comprehensive guidebook, Ellis Amdur walks families through a multitude of strategies they can use to keep themselves, and their mentally ill family member safe. Amdur's focus is based on behavior rather than diagnosis.The first sections of the book discuss specific behaviors ranging from such relatively minor irritants as reluctance to complete tasks and obsessive concerns to more troubling, pervasive syndromes such as psychosis, mania and disorganization. In one very important section, he discusses interactions with manipulative individuals, people who present danger to the psychological and physical well being of everyone in your family.In the second major section of the book, he focuses on us: what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. Rather than abstract pronouncements, he offers specific strategies, including a method of breathing that is for the purpose of maintaining one s center in crisis situations.He then moves on to direct face-to-face encounters, covering situations that can occur anywhere: in the community, at your residence, on the street, or even your car. Instruction includes how to handle tense situations before they deteriorate into chaos, and how to manage a crisis once it has started, whether it concerns an adult or a young person. He instructs you on how to instantly recognize what mode of aggression the person is in, and then, well-trained and practiced, how to almost instantaneously shift into the correct de- escalation tactic that fits the aggression one is facing.

Individuals suffering from psychiatric or substance use disorders sometimes display any one of a number of frightening behaviors: verbal outbursts, physical threats and even violence. In this comprehensive guidebook, Ellis Amdur walks professionals working in inpatient and residential settings through a multitude of steps they can take to keep themselves, their colleagues, and their clientele safe. Amdur's focus is based on behavior rather than diagnosis. The first sections of the book discuss specific behaviors ranging from such relatively minor irritants as reluctance to complete tasks and obsessive concerns to more troubling, pervasive syndromes such as psychosis, mania and disorganization.In one very important section, he discusses interactions with anti-social and psychopathic individuals, people who present danger to the psychological and physical well being of both staff and patients.In the second major section of the book, he focuses on us: what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. Rather than abstract pronouncements, he offers specific strategies, including a method of breathing that is for the purpose of maintaining one s center in crisis situations.He then moves on to direct face-to-face encounters. This includes how to handle tense situations before they deteriorate into chaos, and how to de-escalate once a crisis is in play. Amdur elucidates the various motivations that drive aggression and further delineates the different types of aggression that result. De-escalation tactics are specific one learns how to instantly recognize what mode of aggression the person is in, and then, well-trained and practiced, one can almost instantaneously shift into the correct de-escalation tactic that fits the aggression one is facing.The final sections of the book offer a macro-view: how to establish and maintain a culture of safety within the hospital or residential setting. The likelihood that one will have to use de-escalation skills or other self-protective strategies is far diminished when such a culture of safety is in place.

Hostage negotiation is one of the most remarkable areas of law enforcement. Through a combination of tactical communication, empathic connection and, at times, subterfuge, negotiators persuade desperate, suicidal or homicidal individuals, often intoxicated or mentally ill, to relinquish their position of power and submit to police authority. In this book, the reader will find thirty different training scenarios that cover the gamut of mental illness and personality disorders, as well as common situations that lead otherwise ordinary people into desperation. Most of them are based on cases that one or the other of the authors have actually encountered. There are full instructions on how to set up the scenario, and how to brief the role player so that he or she plays it true-to-life. The scenarios are colorful, unpredictable, and multi-layered, and require active involvement of the secondary negotiator and the rest of the team for intelligence gathering. Just as a real situation can change radically when new information is acquired, most of the scenarios will have unexpected twists that require the negotiators to think on their feet, and sometimes diametrically change directions. Many include SWAT, and some are specifically crafted so that tactical officers can practice various skills during the scenarios, such as food deliveries, release of an injured hostage, delivery of the throw phone, or documents the subject has demanded. They can plant listening devices, or attempt to get a visual on the scene. Team leaders can program the negotiation exercise for 'failure,' something that neither SWAT nor the negotiators will be informed. When it is suddenly time to go, they must be ready to tactically respond. Although it is an educational read for anyone involved in crisis intervention - far beyond police work - it is written as a resource book for HNT/CNT teams.

People suffering from psychiatric or substance abuse disorder can display any one of a number of frightening behaviors. Ellis Amdur and John K. Murphy offer firefighters and EMTs a comprehensive set of strategies to keep themselves and their patients safe, while functioning at the highest level of professionalism. Rather than abstract information, more useful in a consulting room than in the field, Cooling the Flames is tactically based, from start to finish. The first section of this book addresses field safety, including both strategic planning and honing your intuition to pick up early signs of danger. In the second section, the authors offer specific strategies to maintain integrity and calm in crisis situations, including a method of breathing for the purpose of maintaining one's own center in crisis situations. They then discuss interventions with those displaying confusion and obsessive concerns, psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In one very important section, they discuss interactions with manipulative people, who present a danger to the psychological and physical well being of anyone with whom they come in contact. The authors discuss suicidal patients, not only from the perspective of despondent individuals who attempt to kill themselves, but also offer strategic interventions for those who either threaten to harm themselves, or repetitively do so, requiring regular involvement of EMS, police, hospitals and the mental health system. The authors explain how to immediately recognize different modes of aggression, and then outline how to quickly and effectively implement de-escalation or control tactics best suited to deal with the type of aggression one is facing. In three essential appendices, they present protocols for physical and chemical restraint, current information on positional and compression asphyxiation (authored by Dr. Gary Vilke), and a protocol, specific to fire and EMS, on excited delirium (authored by Lt. Michael Paulus, ret.)

Inmates in correctional facilities suffering from psychiatric or substance abuse disorders sometimes display any one of a number of frightening behaviors: verbal outbursts, physical threats and even violence. This comprehensive guidebook offers correctional officers in jail settings strategies to keep themselves and inmates as safe as possible, while functioning at the highest level of professionalism. The first two sections of the book discuss the environment within jail and in the surrounding community that chronically mentally ill individuals cycle within. The third section is concerned with threat assessment: the authors offer concrete skills on the development of a safety mindset. In the fourth section, the authors focus on how to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. They offer specific strategies, including a method of breathing for the purpose of maintaining one's center in crisis situations. They then discuss specific behaviors ranging from confusion and obsessive concerns to psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In one very important section, they discuss interactions with opportunistic and manipulative inmates, people who present a danger to the psychological and physical well-being of anyone with whom they come in contact. They then move on to a discussion of aggression, whether directed at the correctional officer or others. There is a specific section set aside on dealing with aggressive youthful offenders. The authors discuss how to de-escalate aggressive and chaotic inmates once a crisis is in play. De-escalation tactics are specific - one learns how to immediately recognize what mode of aggression other person is displaying, and the, one can quickly and effectively implement the de-escalation tactics that are best suited to deal with it. In three essential appendices, they present protocols for physical and chemical restraint, current information on positional and compression asphyxiation (authored by Dr. Gary Vilke), and a protocol, specific to fire and EMS, on excited delirium (authored by Lt. Michael Paulus, ret.)

The first section of this book is tactical: everything from field safety and strategic planning on one side, to honing your intuition to pick up early signs of danger on the other. In the second section of the book, the authors focus on us: what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. Rather than abstract pronouncements, they offer specific strategies, including a method of breathing for the purpose of maintaining one's own center in crisis situations.They then move on to the heart of the book, discussing specific behaviors ranging from confusion and obsessive concerns to psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In one very important section, they discuss interactions with opportunistic and manipulative individuals (at worst, those referred to as psychopaths), people who present a danger to the psychological and physical well-being of anyone with whom they come in contact.Amdur and Hutchings do not merely confine themselves to the important subject of despondent suicidal individuals who attempt to kill themselves. They also offer strategic interventions for "parasuicidal" individuals, those who either threaten to harm themselves, or repetitively do so, requiring almost constant involvement of police, hospitals and the mental health system. In one very important chapter, the authors discuss "suicide-by-cop," where self-harm and interpersonal aggression are folded into the same act.They then move on to a discussion of anger and potentially violent behavior, whether directed at law enforcement officers or others. The authors give succinct information on how to immediately recognize different modes of aggression, whether displayed by adults, youth, or children, and then outline how to quickly and effectively implement de-escalation or control tactics best suited to deal with the type of aggression one is facing.Finally, in essential appendices, they present protocols on current information on positional and compression asphyxiation (authored by Dr. Gary Vilke), and a protocol, specific to police, on excited delirium (authored by Lieutenant Michael Paulus, ret.) Rather than abstract information, more useful in a consulting room than in the field, The Thin Blue Lifeline is tactically based, from start to finish. This book can function as the foundation of any law enforcement Crisis Intervention Team program, providing a comprehensive course of study of "boots-on-the-ground" encounters with emotionally disturbed individuals. In the same vein, the information in this volume provides core information on communication, which will be invaluable to any crisis/hostage negotiation team.

Parole and probation officers must deal with individuals suffering from psychiatric or substance abuse disorders on a frequent basis. Ellis Amdur and Alan Pelton offer parole and probation officers a comprehensive set of strategies to keep themselves as well as the general public safe, while functioning at the highest level of professionalism. The first section of this book offers an overview of the role of community corrections in dealing with the mentally ill and/or substance abusing offender. The second section is tactical: everything from field safety and tactical planning on one side, to honing your intuition to pick up early signs of danger on the other. In the third section of the book, the authors focus on us: what we can do to achieve a state of integrity and powerful calm. Rather than abstract pronouncements, they offer specific strategies, including a method of breathing for the purpose of maintaining one's own center in crisis situations. They then discuss specific behaviors ranging from confusion and obsessive concerns to psychosis, mania and acute disorganization. In one very important section, they discuss interactions with manipulative individuals (at worst, those referred to as psychopaths), people who present a danger to the psychological and physical well-being of anyone with whom they come in contact. They then move on to a discussion of aggression, whether directed at the parole or probation officer or others. There is a specific section set aside on dealing with aggressive youthful offenders. Amdur and Pelton discuss how to de-escalate aggressive and chaotic individuals once a crisis is in play. De-escalation tactics are specific - one learns how to immediately recognize what mode of aggression the person is displaying, and then, one can effectively implement the de-escalation tactics that are best suited to deal with the aggression one is facing.

Hostage negotiation is one of the most remarkable sub-specialties in the corrections environment. Through a combination of tactical communication, empathic connection and, at times, subterfuge, negotiators persuade desperate, suicidal or homicidal individuals, often intoxicated or mentally ill, to relinquish their position of power and submit to the authority of the correctional institution. This is the second book in Amdur and Eddy's series. It focuses specifically on the corrections environment. In this book, the reader will find thirty-two different training scenarios that cover the gamut of mental illness and personality disorders. Most of them are based on cases that one or the other of the authors have actually encountered. There are full instructions on how to set up the scenario, and how to brief the role player so that he or she plays it true-to-life. The scenarios are colorful, unpredictable, and multi-layered, and require active involvement of the secondary negotiator and the rest of the team for intelligence gathering. Just as a real situation can change radically when new information is acquired, most of the scenarios will have unexpected twists that require the negotiators to think on their feet, and sometimes diametrically change directions. Many include ERT, and some are specifically crafted so that tactical officers can practice various skills during the scenarios, such as food deliveries, release of an injured hostage, delivery of the throw phone, or documents the subject has demanded. They can plant listening devices, or attempt to get a visual on the scene. Team leaders can program the negotiation exercise for 'failure,' something that neither ERT nor the negotiators will be informed. When it is suddenly time to go, they must be ready to tactically respond. Although it is an educational read for anyone involved in crisis intervention, far beyond corrections work - it is written as a resource book for HNT/CNT teams.

If there were an "e;ordinary martial arts book"e;, this would be its evil twin. Unflinchingly honest, writing from an unique, insider-turned-outsider's perspective, Ellis explores aspects of budA its philosophies and dilemmas through the lens of aikido, a modern martial art whose founder is discussed in reverential tones and wrapped in quasi-religious mystique. Looking at the idea of budAas-way-of-life and a path to personal perfection, Ellis confronts the real-world complexities and contradictions behind these simplified stereotypes, revealing insights which hold value for any martial artist or even a non-martial artist with an interest in the darker aspects of human nature. - Dave Lowry, author of Persimmon WindIf you are a long-time martial artist, you have likely been either the recipient, the victim - or both - of the "e;wise old master"e; phenomenon, whereby budo students reverentially enfold their teachers as martial, moral and mystical juggernauts sans reproach, in which case, this book will make you clench your fists and laugh out loud, often while reading the same sentence.. Iconoclastic, rebellious, yet fiercely holding to some of the most traditional values of Japanese martial culture, Amdur brought something new to martial arts writing - a startling honesty about the flaws, not only within martial arts culture, but also within its practitioners, often using himself as an exemplar of the latter. Originally published in 2000, and now fully revised, with eight new chapters, new artwork and photography, Dueling with O-sensei, Revised and Expanded Edition will be an invaluable addition to the library of old readers and new alike.

Translation of illustrated 1595 Dutch manuscript Schermkunst (Swordplay). Discusses fencing with single sword, rapier and dagger, rapier and buckler, halberd, and full pike. Translated and contextualised by Reinier van Noort, a respected Dutch swordsman, instructor and researcher. 39 colour illustrations.