PMCI September 2016 | Page 12

pmcimagazine.com PMCI: I know that you have a tie-in with Suarez International; could you tell me about that? SISA: I am the sole affiliate instructor for Southern Africa and own the brand Suarez International South Africa. Suarez Int USA is one of the leading firearm training brands in the world. It can be highly controversial but as one of my clients said, “Man this stuff is simple and works!!!” We maintain a very high standard of training, safety and professionalism, whilst making the training environment relaxed and open to learning. PMCI: Where do you see SUAREZ International South Africa evolving in the future? SISA: Within a very short time we are becoming more and more sought after around the world. Our goal is to train up competent qualified SI South Africa instructors that are able to travel around within Africa conducting life-saving training. We are planning for the instructors a yearly symposium. To attain a Suarez Instructor rating will not be easy and will have to be earned. Current day firearms training is like a flight instructor teaching a new student. The instructor shows the client the plane, they get in the instructor takes off and once at cruising altitude they do some drills until the instructor is happy; then the instructor lands the plane and they both smile and part ways. What we are focusing on, it I can use the same analogy, is we want to teach the client to taxi to the runway, know how to speak to the control tower, take off, do emergency drills but land safely again. We teach our client how to set themselves up for success in their lives. Our training is holistic; I want the client to know how to carry, when to use, to think for themselves, to adapt and overcome, because nobody is coming to help you! As we have so many vehicle-related crimes in South Africa, my new book is titled “Dynamic Vehicle Combatives; An introduction to defending yourself inside and outside a vehicle”. This provides a look into our Dynamic Vehicle Combines class. There are many priceless nuggets thrown into the book that I personally use on a daily basis to set myself up for success; nuggets like keeping people away from your vehicle by using alternative methods, and nuggets from VVIP operations. This is focused on the civilian in vehicles but can be adapted for military or VIP operations. The follow up book due for release early next year is “Structure Combatives; Setting yourself up for success in your home”. PMCI: Without going into specifics who do you and your successful trainees work with? PMCI: If someone reading this article likes the sound of what you offer, what should be their next step? SISA: If you are interested in having me to run classes, I can be contacted on via mail address gerald@suarezinternational. co.za, or the Facebook page Suarez International South Africa. Our website www.suarezinternational.co.za gives further details on hosting requirements and benefit to the person hosting. You are required to answer some questions about yourself as do place restrictions on who we will train and where. SISA: We have all from international security operatives and current SA special force operators to first time shooting divorce lawyers! PMCI: Thanks so much for talking to us Gerald. We wish you every success with the books, and certainly look forward to working with you and SI South Africa more in the future! SISA: Yes and no. We do have some equipment available for clients. The very restrictive firearm laws here in South Africa do restrict one from owning certain equipment. 12