diff --git a/examples/shields/rl/utils.py b/examples/shields/rl/utils.py
index 9024c4d..28936b9 100644
--- a/examples/shields/rl/utils.py
+++ b/examples/shields/rl/utils.py
@@ -45,6 +45,15 @@ class ShieldingConfig(Enum):
     def __str__(self) -> str:
         return self.value
 
+def shield_needed(shielding):
+    return shielding in [ShieldingConfig.Training, ShieldingConfig.Evaluation, ShieldingConfig.Full]
+
+def shielded_evaluation(shielding):
+    return shielding in [ShieldingConfig.Evaluation, ShieldingConfig.Full]
+
+def shielded_training(shielding):
+    return shielding in [ShieldingConfig.Training, ShieldingConfig.Full]
+
 class ShieldHandler(ABC):
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         pass