NSI BSG / PSBD Security Guard Cheat Sheet

Legal boundaries and NSI training

Not published of exam
Course versus licence Current authority instructions Preventive security role Training assessment

Guard duties and specialist settings

Not published of exam
Post orders and handover Specialist settings Patrol and escalation Communication

Fire and critical incidents

Not published of exam
Evacuation and fire alarms Suspicious items Gas and telephone threats Alarm procedures

First aid and occupational safety

Not published of exam
CPR and AED Bleeding and choking Heat illness Workplace risk controls

Access, observation and reporting

Not published of exam
Identity and permission Searches and key control CCTV and reports Evidence handling

Quick Facts

Course NSI Basic Security Guard
Audience Abu Dhabi and Western Region
Published Written Pass 70%; authority variations possible
Course Grading Five components; physical tests also
Exam Count / Time Not published by NSI BSG
Course Validity 2 years; licence separately controlled
Police 999
Ambulance / Fire 998 / 997

Abu Dhabi BSG vs Dubai SIRA LA

NSI BSG

Course audience: Abu Dhabi/Western Region
Legacy PSBD search terminology
Course certificate is not universal permission

Dubai SIRA

Dubai security-personnel licensing
Separate local approval process
Confirm role and employer requirements
Confirm actual emirate and assigned role

Lawful Response Picker LA

Visitor refuses a required entry search → Refer or deny entry under procedure
Someone presents a badge for wrong-zone → Verify permission before allowing entry
A confrontation creates immediate danger → Withdraw, seek help and call police
Course certificate presented as work permission → Check separate authority approval and licence

Law and Course Boundaries LA

Article 12 Preventive protection; not police functions
Article 16 Weapons require approvals and licences
NSI BSG Audience Abu Dhabi and Western Region
Dubai Work Check separate SIRA personnel licensing
Course Certificate Does not itself authorise employment
Retake Rules Obtain current authority and NSI instructions

Guard vs Police LA

Private Guard

Prevents, observes and reports
Follows lawful assigned site duties
No general police investigation authority

Police

Exercises statutory law-enforcement powers
Investigates crimes under legal authority
Directs criminal-incident response
Uniforms do not confer police powers

NSI Published Course Assessment LA

Written Component 40%; written pass mark 70%
Language Component 20% of published course grading
Practical Component 20% of published course grading
Notebook / Deportment 10% each; physical tests also listed
Overall Course Pass 70%, unless authorities specify otherwise
BSG Course Validity 2 years; separate from licence conditions

Four Ds GU

Deter, detect, delay, deny; use complementary protection layers
Deter: visible protection Detect: alarms and observation Delay: barriers Deny: controlled access

Patrol and Reporting Picker GU

A lone-worker radio stops working → Report and restore required communication controls
CCTV footage captures a serious incident → Preserve recording and authorised transfer record
Relief guard arrives with unresolved incident → Explain actions, risks and outstanding tasks
Report contains an unverified claimed motive → Attribute or label uncertainty explicitly

Guarding and Patrol GU

Life Safety Avoid confrontation during armed robbery
Handover Incidents, risks, keys, faults, outstanding actions
Post Orders Use current lawful site instructions
Lone Working Confirm check-ins and missed-contact escalation
Electrical Hazard Isolate area; summon authorised assistance
Suspicion Report behaviour and context, not stereotypes

Specialist Setting Priorities GU

Hospitals Protect care, privacy and emergency access
Events Monitor crowd pressure; maintain escape routes
Museums Report damage; do not handle exhibits
Critical Infrastructure Verify zone-specific permission and contractor task
Cash in Transit Requires correct specialist role and training
Ports / Airports Restricted access; respect customs/immigration boundaries

PASS for Trained Extinguisher Users FI

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep; always preserve escape
Correct extinguisher rating Raise alarm first Withdraw if conditions worsen

Water vs CO2 Extinguisher FI

Water

Suited to rated ordinary-combustible fires
Do not use on energised equipment
Never spray into burning cooking oil

CO2

Use only for rated fire hazards
Asphyxiation risk in confined spaces
Follow handling instructions; cold-discharge hazard
Read rating and retain safe escape

Fire and Suspicious-Item Picker FI

Fire or smoke threatens an escape → Raise alarm; use alternative safe route
Small fire, trained guard, suitable extinguisher → Only attempt with clear escape available
Suspicious object discovered during search → Leave untouched; withdraw and notify police
Gas smell inside an enclosed area → Evacuate; avoid switches; call from safety

Fire and Evacuation FI

Fire Triangle Fuel, heat and oxygen
Raise Alarm Call 997; implement evacuation plan
Extinguisher Selection Read rating; colour alone is insufficient
PASS Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep; trained users
Safe Exit Maintain escape route; withdraw from danger
Re-entry Only after police/Civil Defence all-clear

Critical Incident Response FI

Gas Leak Withdraw; avoid switches; call from safety
Suspicious Package Do not touch, open or move
Exclusion Zone Follow plan and police directions
Telephone Threat Record exact words and call details
Alarm Fault Report, record and apply authorised controls
Missing Evacuee Tell responders; do not re-enter danger

Heat Exhaustion vs Suspected Heatstroke FI

Heat Exhaustion

Weakness, sweating, dizziness possible
Cool; fluids only if safely alert
Escalate worsening or persistent symptoms

Suspected Heatstroke

Confusion or collapse during heat exposure
Call 998 and begin rapid cooling
No oral fluids if consciousness impaired
Do not wait for a thermometer

First-Aid Picker FI

Adult unresponsive and breathing abnormally → Call 998; CPR and AED
Severe external bleeding seen → Direct pressure; urgent ambulance assistance
Conscious adult cannot cough or breathe → Trained back-blow and thrust sequence
Confusion or collapse during heat exposure → Call 998; cool rapidly; protect airway

Immediate First-Aid Decisions FI

Unresponsive, Abnormal Breathing Call 998; start CPR; obtain AED
Adult Compressions 100–120/min; approximately 5–6 cm
CPR With Breaths 30:2 when trained and able
Life-Threatening Bleeding Direct pressure; trained limb-tourniquet use
Severe Adult Choking 5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts
Heat With Confusion Emergency cooling and 998; no drinks

Safety Boundaries FI

Scene Safety Protect yourself before approaching casualty
AED Analysis / Shock Nobody touching; follow device prompts
Pregnant Choking Adult Use chest thrusts instead of abdominal
Embedded Object Do not remove; pressure around object
Heat Prevention Rest, cooling, hydration, acclimatisation and monitoring
Practical Competence Use current training and dispatcher instructions

Report Essentials AC

Who, what, when, where, actions, notifications
Describe observed facts Attribute other accounts State uncertainty clearly

Fail-Safe vs Fail-Secure AC

Fail-Safe

Releases upon operating-power loss
Check emergency-egress arrangements

Fail-Secure

Controlled side remains secured without power
Check emergency-egress arrangements
Neither label alone defines fire-alarm integration

Access and Search Controls AC

Entry Check Identity, permission, destination and visit purpose
Visitor Privacy Collect only authorised necessary information
Search Refusal Refer or deny entry; never punish
Dangerous Find Stop search; isolate; notify responders
Vehicle Search Control traffic; use trained safe methods
Missing Key Notify control; assess exposed access immediately

Observation vs Inference AC

Observation

What you directly saw or heard
Record time, place and exact words

Inference

Interpretation or suspected explanation
Label uncertainty and attribute other accounts
Keep guesses separate from witnessed facts

Records and Evidence AC

CCTV Fault Record affected view; arrange compensating observation
Original Footage Protect against overwrite; authorised export only
Evidence Transfer Log handlers, times and material transferred
Radio Message Identity, location, facts and assistance needed
Notebook Correction Original remains readable; identify the correction
Incident Report Separate observations, attributed accounts and inference

Common Traps

Course Validity versus Permission to Work

Valid course certificate ≠ Current authority requirements and employer authorization

Assessment Notice versus Universal Duration

Timing in your actual assessment notice ≠ Unpublished universal NSI test-duration assumption

Search Refusal and Lawful Escalation

Lawful site-procedure escalation after refusal ≠ Refusal authorizes force

Equipment Rating versus Colour Shortcut

Equipment rating and operating instructions ≠ Universal class-letter or colour shortcut

Heatstroke Response: Confusion Requires Urgent Cooling

Urgent cooling when confusion occurs ≠ Waiting for a temperature measurement

Evidence Preservation versus Personal-Phone Copies

Protected originals; authorised exports; logged transfers ≠ Uncontrolled personal-phone copies: confidentiality risk

Last Minute

1. UAE: police 999; ambulance 998
2. UAE: fire/civil defence 997
3. Confirm course, authority and assigned role
4. Prioritise life over property
5. Read current post orders
6. Verify identity and zone permission
7. Maintain emergency exits and safe routes
8. Leave suspicious items untouched
9. Use current first-aid training
10. Record observations without invented motives
11. Protect original evidence and confidentiality
12. Report faults and missing keys
13. Complete a meaningful shift handover

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