Developing Awareness?

[Ktulu]

I’m interested in finding a few exercises or methods of developing ones level of awareness. I can come up with some ideas myself but I am more interested in proven methods.

I watch the animals when I’m hunting and even the squirrels, rabbits, and birds out my window in the city. It seems to me that a large part of their cognitive capacity is dedicated to remaining alert and aware of their surroundings. They dedicate a tremendous amount of time and effort to the endeavor and yet a careful and patient predator can surprise them a good percentage of the time. I don’t want to spend all my time looking over my shoulder or sniffing the air for wisps of the new cologne called “Gangsta.†I like to check out and be carefree from time to time like everyone else, but I would like raise my relaxed level of awareness to where I more apt to notice something out of the ordinary. And, ideally, I'd like to hone my skills so that when I need, or think I need, to be paying attention I can be very sharp.

 

[TamThompson]

Probably just being aware that you'd like to become more aware will help--your subconscious mind will work on it.

There are lots of other conscious things you can do, like looking at a scene for a few seconds then turning away and trying to recall who was where and what they were doing. I'm sure some of the law enforcement folks on this board have some good ideas on how to do this.

After awhile, it'll get to be second nature. I had to develop this sort of skill when I started running 26 years ago. Back then, in Houston, a young woman running alone attracted all sorts of attention, and there was a lot more overt harassment. I got very good at sizing up situations and people, and even at being able to tell from the sound of a car coming up behind me if it was likely to give me trouble.

If you do see a threat, make brief eye contact just to let them know you see them. That will forestall some of the bad folks. When I run, one guaranteed way to get construction workers to quit staring is to cheerfully and loudly call out a greeting. That defuses things every time--they say 'good morning' or 'hello' back, and go back to what they were doing.

 

[brownie0486]

I suggest praticing the "KIM" [ Keep in mind ] game taught to us as HK counter sniper.

Mentally challenging and the more you practice this, the better you are at observing details and not just general information.

Brownie

 

[Ktulu]

Got any more info on the KIM game?

 

[brownie0486]

The KIM { keep in mind ] game

Take 8 different objects. A coin, a cell phone, an ashtray, a knife, etc. etc.

Lay them about on a table in random order.

You have 20 minutes to study the objects without touching them.

20 minutes more of not seeing them and then write down everything you can remember you saw.

Some will remember the objects, others the color of the them as well, still others will be able to tell you the maker of the phone, knife etc as well, others will be able to tell you they saw dates on the coin, the mint mark, etc,

The object of the game is to remember as much detail about the objects on the table as you can.

Play another game with eight different objects, same time constraints a few times.

Then reduce the times the more you play the games until you can look at a general area [ say the table ] and describe it and it's objects in greater and greater detail.

It doesn't take long and it forces one to see more details quickly and then be able to process it into short term memory that can be recalled.

Now instead of seeing two men at the doorway, you see the way they are dressed, the number of the house, the fenced yard, how tall the yare in relation to the light over the entranceway, etc etc.

Brownie

 

[LawDog]

When you get up in the morning, fix it in your mind that you will keep a running mental tally of the number of times that you notice another person before they notice you, and vice versa, all day long.

At the end of the day, figure up a rough percentage -- I noticed 23 people before they noticed me; however on the other paw 20 people noticed me first -- is good enough.

The days that you score higher on the noticing people part, do a little something nice for yourself that evening. Extra dessert, walk in the park, extra cuddling time with your Significant Other, something nice.

On the days that more people spot you before you notice them, do some kind of physical exercise to the point of discomfort. 20, 30 or fifty push-ups. Sit-ups. Squat-thrusts. That sort of thing.

You'll be surprised how fast your awareness will become sharper this way.

LawDog

 

[capt_happypants]

Once or twice a week, go out with the mindset of a criminal.

Your mission is to find a victim, and in most cities, it is frightening to see how many people scream out "Rob me!"

There was the man at the cleaners this morning, sitting in his brand-new car, completely oblivious to my presence just yards from his door. All I had to do was pull out my Beretta folder, yank on his door, and I would've had a Mitsubishi.

Every time I go to the Monstro-Mart, I'm amazed at how many people are walking to their cars in Condition White. I could walk up to Suzy Soccer Mom, jab a pen into her back, and get her to cough up her Kate Spade handbag and the keys to her Uber-SUV.

Just being 10% more perceptive than the average person lowers your risk of attack.

 

[Ktulu]

Good suggestions. Thank you.

 

[pax]

Good suggestions above.

It helps to know what, exactly, you're being alert for. As you pointed out, sniffing the air for the new cologne called “Gangsta†isn't likely to get you very far. Nor is it realistic to spend your whole life and all your energy looking for "something out of place." In unfamiliar surroundings, everything is out of place -- and who wants to live like a paranoiac?

So here's what you're watching for. If you're ever in a position to use deadly force in self defense, it will be because all three of the following elements are present:

• Ability -- there is a person or persons present with the undeniable capacity to maim or kill you. If it is an individual person, he possesses either the tools (gun, knife, club) or the physique (significantly larger, younger, stronger than you) necessary to overwhelm your unaided defenses.
  
• Opportunity -- the person who has the ability to kill or maim you is also close enough to use that ability. If he has a knife or club, he is within 21 feet of you; if he has a gun, he is within shooting distance and there are no barriers between you and no readily available escape route for you. If it is a group of people, they are close enough to surround you. The circumstances and surroundings are such that you would have no option but to fight, and there are probably no witnesses or other people nearby to help.
  
• Jeopardy (sometimes called Intent) -- the person or people who possess both Ability and Opportunity are acting in such a fashion that a reasonable person would believe they intend to maim or kill you immediately. As a reasonable person, you can't defend yourself until this last element is present -- but as a prudent person, you will try to avoid circumstances where the other two elements are present and this one might develop.

If all three elements are present, your life is in immediate, deadly danger. So, in order to stay safe, you need to keep those three elements from coming together around you.

It is those three elements that you are looking for when you are in Condition Yellow. If one of the elements appears, take a moment to see if either of the others are there. If two out of the three are undeniably present, you'll need to get out of the situation as quickly and decisively as possible.

pax

 

[knowledgegreen]

Very good info here. Also as part of the practice consider escape routes and potential points of cover.

 

[Cal4D4]

If you have the opportunity, walk large assertive/aggresive dogs. The ones that react to anyone near, making eye contact or walking "funny". You will start to notice all kinds of things just so you can head off the dog's reactions. Also notice how dogs pay special attention to people's hands and where they are. We got alot to learn from these more basic predators.