Situational Awareness

While discussing some current events on Twitter we discussed how some simple situational awareness could have spared several people from acts of violence. Situational awareness is being aware of your surroundings and the environment that you are in. Situational awareness is also paying attention to the people around you and what actions they are making.

When practicing good situational awareness it should be just like driving. You should constantly be looking in all directions. You should be looking for trouble and problems ahead. If you see trouble you should be able to process what you have seen, identify any threats, and avoid the situation all together. If you can not avoid the situation you should be prepared to deescalate the situation and move on as quickly as possible while always leaving yourself an out.

While you are scanning the area you should be looking for things that could turn into trouble. A few things to look for are, angry groups, people carrying unusual objects, people with improvised weapons, large groups dressed alike, anyone that is staring at you or someone near you, or anyone following just to name a few. Don’t let yourself get distracted, always pay attention. Take the long way if necessary to avoid a bad area or high crime area. If you see a mob forming evacuate the area immediately. Blend in as much as possible on your way out. Concealed Means Concealed. If you see the mob attacking cretin individuals try your best to not look or act the same as those individuals.

There are also other precautions to take in your attempts to avoid and prevent violence against yourself. Try to stay in a group as much as possible. If a large group approaches your car, drive off. Never leave a safe area when you are majorly outnumbered. Keep your cell phone charged. Carry your firearm, extra magazines, and pepper spray. If you can not carry a firearm get a taser, taser safe pepper spray, a big knife, and a Glock.

My final thought on this subject is in the words of Gabe Suarez – “do not go to stupid places with stupid people to do stupid things at stupid times.”

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