The Ultimate Survival Strategy: Mastering Situational Awareness
Do you live in fear of being the next victim of random violence? If so, you should up your game by developing your powers of perception through Situational Awareness (SA).
Just locking vehicles and house doors, dressing modestly, and checking people's identities may not be enough to protect yourself from harm. You also need the ability to recognize the warning signs of potential threats, respond quickly to whatever may happen, and be capable of effective decision-making in an emergency.
Look at it this way. Even though recent crime statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice indicate a decrease in personal crimes such as rape, sexual assault, robbery, and physical attack, there are still a large number of these crimes taking place every day, and every crime has a victim. To avoid being targeted, you need to remain vigilant and identify risks to your safety.
Many criminals use the element of surprise — preying on people who are not paying attention to their environment. That’s why you need to tune into your instincts, exercise caution, and remain ever-mindful of your environment.
While there can be no guarantees in this life, focusing on crime prevention and situational awareness can reduce the chances of you being the next victim.
This is what situational awareness amounts to – perceiving, understanding, and collecting relevant information, then responding appropriately. Situational awareness can be critical for tactical decision-making in all manner of hazardous settings: emergencies, natural disasters, security incidents, and even potential crime scenarios.
HONING RISKS AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS SKILLS
Situational awareness goes beyond just being aware of imminent danger and then reacting to it. It's a continuous process, a way of life.
Three key components of situational awareness are perception, comprehension, and projection, leading to decision and action.
Developing SA sensibility involves being aware of everything around you, keeping a close eye on the individuals and activities happening nearby, and learning to respond appropriately when encountering risky situations.
We can trace the concept of situational awareness to its origins in the U.S. Air Force. The USAF first mentioned situational awareness when it referred to the knowledge a fighter pilot needs to respond in an aerial dogfight. The pilot first assesses the enemy plane's location and likely next maneuver, and then applies the three primary stages of situational awareness.
Col. John Boyd, a military strategist described this as the "observe-orient-decide-act loop", known as the OODA loop or Boyd cycle. The pilot practices combat situational awareness strategically by seeking to position him/herself within the opponent's loop.
Losing awareness of one's surroundings was therefore referred to as being "out of the loop” – in simple terms, not being aware of what is going on around you.
Situational awareness is widely used in aviation, starting with paying full attention to the cockpit, instrument readings, air traffic control communications, and the view through the windscreen.
The principles of situational awareness are also applied in the military, mining, oil and gas, space travel, defense, and healthcare industries.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS RESPONSE IN ACTION
American mystery writer Max Allan Collins once said, “A crime of violence against one of us is a crime of violence against all of us.” This maxim is recognized by the vast majority of first responders, including paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement officers.
Having a keen sense of situational awareness is crucial for responding to crises that demand tactical judgments, quick decision-making in an emergency, and correct identification of serious injuries, thus saving lives.
Modern fire departments, for example, deal with a growing number of non-fire incidents. These include preparing for and responding to medical emergencies, threats from hazardous materials, and urban search and rescue. As a result, firefighters require SA training, which they apply alongside appropriate technology.
In addition to hostile circumstances and natural disasters, situational awareness training can aid citizens in everyday life. Knowing what to watch for can make all the difference to your response to sudden and unexpected dangers.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS IN TODAY'S WORLD
In his book Spotting Danger Before It Spots You: Build Situational Awareness To Stay Safe, author Gary Quesenberry, a US Army veteran and former Federal Air Marshal, covers the basics of situational awareness, threat assessment, and effective decision-making. He mentions the following examples of everyday potential risk scenarios: parents dropping off teens at the mall, college students leaving home, and families going on their first international holiday.
We might add to these: navigating a busy city, taking a long road trip, or socializing late into the night in crowded venues.
Although rooted in military strategy, the concept of situational awareness can benefit people of all ages and in numerous commonplace situations where there may be potential risks.
10 PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS TO IMPROVE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Want to stay frosty? Here are some important tips to help you stay aware of your surroundings, identify potential risks, and make well-informed decisions to ensure your safety:
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In crowded settings such as a shopping mall, consider the overall atmosphere. Observe the atmosphere and body language of the people around you. A person acts differently when they sense a threat or plan to harm. This information can help you respond faster.
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Schools and other venues remain ‘soft’ targets. Active shooters choose easy marks, monitor schedules, check site access, etc. before attacking. A bulletproof backpack may be the best option for safeguarding and addressing security issues.
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Try to park in populated, well-lit locations, especially at night. Choose a well-lit place with a straightforward route to your destination. Set your key fob's automatic locks to unlock the driver's door. Return inside and ask for assistance if someone is lingering around your vehicle.
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Gain an edge when your field of view is restricted. Try using store windows, automobile windshields, or even other people's sunglasses to notice potential threats.
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Trusting your sixth sense can prevent you from harm. If you feel uncomfortable around someone or notice unusual behavior, report it to a police officer who will be equipped to handle an aggressive person in an emergency.
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When planning your home's layout. Think about which internal spaces could serve as an extra defense against intruders. Having a safe room or shelter may be critical for safeguarding your family against natural disasters (tornadoes, strong storms, etc.).
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In the office, think about locations that offer protection and remember this relevant information. Can you identify potential hiding spots and escape routes? During a hasty evacuation, most employees try to escape by their original route in. When faced with an emergency, such as a fire alarm sounding, exiting through a window could be the best option.
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Make sure to keep your phone out of sight. Being engrossed in your screen, a call, or music can prevent you from being aware of your circumstances.
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Utilize technology to your advantage by using apps that can track your journey and send alerts to friends and family in case of danger.
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Consider carrying a personal alarm. Some better ones reach 140 decibels, useful for drawing attention. A survival flashlight, especially one with 800–1000 lumens is also useful. It may distract someone long enough for you to escape.
COOPER'S COLOR CODE AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Consistently practicing situational awareness can be a lifesaver. It is the first and most important step in self-defense.
Jeff Cooper, a retired US Marine, understood this and created a system outlining various levels of awareness using colors. Cooper's Color Codes of Awareness consist of four categories: white, yellow, orange, and red (sometimes a fifth black level is added). Like much tactical training, it has been taught to the military, police officers, and employees for decades. It's commonly found in schools and other organizations, and may even be found stuck on your neighbor’s fridge!
This system is straightforward, focusing on mental rather than physical processes. It categorizes alertness levels into four colors, each representing a different level of preparedness for the use of deadly force:
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Level white - calm and oblivious to your environment. Caught completely off guard and unprepared.
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Level yellow – relaxed, observant, and mindful of your surroundings, whether you are at home or out in public.
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Level orange – focused and absorbed, ready to take action. Having identified a possible threat you are ready to respond until it’s confirmed there is no danger.
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Level red – determined and combative. Switching to level red shifts your focus from a possible danger to an actual target. It may be time to lock and load.
Many people believe this four-step technique for situational awareness can save lives, based on the experience of those who have followed it for a long period.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS: A GAME-CHANGER ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Mastering situational awareness will make it your go-to survival tool. It’s not reserved for elite military operations.
SA is a mental process that may be improved by learning how it works, studying people, taking stock of your surroundings, and continually learning more about life patterns and how trends develop. It will prepare you for so many things that might happen, and help to banish fear.
Anticipating the future requires forward thinking, exploring various scenarios, adapting your perspective, and envisioning what’s likely to happen. In other words, you’ll become better able to predict what to expect (as well as what not to expect).
When life throws a curveball, ensure you are in charge of your game.
REACH OUT AND SHARE YOUR VIEWS ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
What are your thoughts on incorporating situational awareness into your daily routine? Can you see yourself becoming more proactive regarding your safety?
We'd love to hear your thoughts on heightened awareness, feeling safe, and how ready you feel you are to respond to the unexpected.
Don't forget, life is unpredictable, but Bulletproof Zone has got you covered! Discover our tactical gear, armor, bulletproof apparel, backpacks, and other ballistic gear to take your safety to the next level.