When escorting the principal through a crowd of people who are expecting him and engaging in contact with him (shaking hands, asking for an autograph, etc.), you hold your hands somewhere around the level of your lower ribs, like in the picture at right….
…or the guy in the background (between Hillary and the black lady) (below)
Reason for this is that if there’s a stabbing attempt or something similar you can quickly react and slap/push down the attacking arm quickly, without having to waste precious moments on raising your own arms and then changing the direction of movement of your hand (losing more time) and pushing theirs down. In most of other pictures, where the hands are at the general hip level, it’s just a regular ‘ready for action’ stance.
More Secret Service hands…
More on this subject Interesting stuff here. (At least I found it interesting.)
Really? How significant an increase in reaction time could it really be? I could see a no-hands-in-your-pockets rule…but this just seems weird to me. Seems like the main thing it’d do is make your forearms and elbows tired. Of course, I guess that WOULD provide extra motivation to get out of that stance! 🙂
You should read the link “more on this subject”, it explains why. If you’re hands were resting at their sides during an attack….you have to lift your arm(s) above the weapon, then change direction downward, then slap or grab….while they’re at mid resting position (martial arts training helps too, btw) only the single move to grab or slap is necessary, reaction time is everything. In quarter mile racing it’s the same, you don’t place your foot on the mat and then the pedal, you’ll lose everytime.
I wonder until what point are past Presidents protected by the Secret Service? I guess that’s a secret huh?
Past presidents are protected for life. I knew that since grade school.
I can see the advantages.
Abe Lincoln
I knew they were protected for life since school too
hopefully bushes entourage will be as pathetic as he is…lol
Presidents are no longer protected for life. Starting with the second Bush, secret service protection only extends for 10 years beyond the end of their term. Source (Wikipedia)
well these bodyguards are doing a great job! i appreciate it
Actually, past presidents are now only protected by the SS for I think 10 years. However, shrub was granted an extension (for how long I know not). I’m guessing he thinks he’s going to need it for some reason…