Trying to Be a Hero and Winding Up a Zero

Abstract Personal safety and security is, in the last resort, the responsibility of the individual. The wise do not rely on providence to shield them from the dangers and unpleasantness of modern life. This article explores the phenomenon of victimization and why some seem singled out for harm that others avoid. There are natural defenses and those that can be developed through assessment and training. Some clearly lead more hazardous lives than others. Training, even for those whose fate is placed in the hands of personal protection specialists, is still a necessity and can make all the difference in terms of survival.