Page 32 - TPA Journal January - February 2019

Technology noticed during the rescue of hostages at the
The sound of the trumpets and the sudden light Entebbe Airport in 1976. When the Israeli rescue
produced by breaking the clay pots covering the force made entry into the airport terminal where
torches produced an effect similar to the flash- the hostages were being held, they shouted
bang grenades used by modern tactical units. The commands in Hebrew and English for the
modern devices consist of a non-fragmenting hostages to stay on the floor. The noise of the
cardboard canister, approximately the size of a entry, coupled with the use of multiple languages,
toilet paper insert, filled with gunpowder and produced fear, confusion and panic among some
magnesium and activated by a standard grenade of the hostages. Although most of the hostages
fuse. followed directions properly, a small number
either rose to see what was happening or
The bright flash up to one million foot-candles attempted to flee the scene. Regardless of their
causes a temporary blindness (eight to twenty-five intentions, they were caught in a cross-fire
seconds) while the pupils adjust to the extremes of between the terrorists and the rescue force. In
darkness and light particularly at night. The loud essence, they unwittingly compounded the
sound of 175 decibels produces a temporary problem. Consequently, the need to develop the
deafness among all who are nearby and can also means to produce a temporary disorientation and
produce temporary vertigo (imbalance) among incapacitation among hostages and terrorists alike
some people when the inner ear is vibrated by the was quickly recognized and the commercially
sound waves and blast pressure (Pushies, 2016). produced less-lethal weapons industry was born.
Anyone subjected to these extreme levels of visual
and auditory stimulation and the resulting sensory Conclusion
deprivation will also feel a certain amount of The Bible was written using the language and
confusion and even panic. If the sound and light analogies of shepherds, farmers, fishermen,
are sudden and unexpected and the individual has craftsmen, and traders of the era. However,
not experienced the sensation before, the effects principles are applicable to modern vocations—in
are even more profound. Topical disorientation this case law enforcement organizations and
results whereby the individual is unable to make personnel. Similar to the troops under Gideon’s
use of selective spatial information for fighting, command, today’s specialized units must be
flight, or negotiation. In short, the individual is properly organized, staffed, trained, and equipped
unable to use any form of internal roadmap that to use whatever tactics may be necessary to
results from memorized landmarks or cognitive neutralize the actions of the adversary
strategies. The tactics and the skills needed to successfully, safely, and legally. Whether we are
employ them successfully are perishable. Just as discussing SWAT teams, homicide detectives,
an athlete develops automatic responses to the undercover investigators, or underwater evidence
fluid actions of an opponent, the effectiveness and technicians, the organizational principles are the
efficiency of the response is possible only through same:
continuous supervised training and practice. 1. As the fulfillment of an organization’s
mission becomes more complicated, the need
The need for temporary disorientation was for specialization increases correspondingly.

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