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A former bodyguard to the Dalai Lama tells Colin Parish how to stay safe
SUMMARY
As bodyguard to the Dalai Lama and European royalty, Zeb Glover knows all about self-defence and martial arts - skills he is keen to share with nurses.
Keywords
Self-defence * Martial arts * Conflict management * Violence * Aggression
When Zeb Glover worked as a bodyguard for the Dalai Lama his main job was preventing devotees in wheelchairs from hurling themselves at the living god. They hoped that a blessing, or better still a touch, from the Tibetan leader would cure them of their illness or infirmity. But when Mr Glover is not protecting a leader or providing 'close protection' for European royals, he runs a business called Safe Space, which trains people in martial arts and self-defence.
Mr Glover has worked with health and social care staff helping them to manage conflict and deal with violence and aggression. Many of their clients - adults and children - are vulnerable, but they can exhibit violent and unpredictable behaviour. Training staff to manage such behaviour is vital to maintain safety, but it also entails helping staff to deal with strong emotions, including their own anger and fear.
The issue of violence is a difficult one for nurses. Their instincts are to nurture and care for people, yet nursing staff are frequently subjected to attacks from patients and relatives. When nurses are forced to protect themselves or restrain patients who are acting violently, they have to be acutely aware of their duty of care to the person who isattacking...