Levels of Alertness...an analogy

[Smoke]

Got this in a recent course outline being worked up for Powderhorn Ranch. I haven't seen this before so I'll credit Greg Williams with the examples. It cracked me up.

Defensive principle - Levels of Alertness

White: Environmental unawareness. You are totally oblivious to what is going on around you. You are assuming that there is no possibility of trouble, and no reason for alarm. (Example – you are sitting on the couch in your front room, having a beer, and watching the football game. Your wife and kids are playing Yahtzee in another room)

Yellow: Relaxed, but alert. Caution, with some tension. You are maintaining a steady 360 degree surveillance of the people, places, and things around you (continuously evaluating your environment). (Example – you look out the front window when you hear a car, and note that it is the same make, model, and color of the car your ‘girlfirend’ drives)

Orange: The Alarm State. You are conscious that there is trouble. Based on your experiences, training, or education – you begin a tactical plan (calling for backup – etc.) You will not be surprised in this state. (Example – you hear a car door slam, and foot falls walking up to your driveway, then a knock on your door – could this be your girlfriend, coming to confront your wife about your torrid affair?)

Red: Something is wrong. Instant reaction is mandatory. You are totally committed to your own defense, or the defense of others. You are making rational decision based upon the threat. (Example – your wife is headed for the door, and as you peer out the window, you see that it is your girlfriiend)

Black: Chaos, and Panic. Absolute reflexive, DNA based action – or inaction. You are totally overwhelmed by the situation. (Example – your wife answers the door, your girlfriend is crying – and they are both looking at YOU)

 

[Denny Hansen]

ROFLMAO

 

[cool45auto]

 

[Rosco Benson]

I've heard the "color code" lecture from the man himself (Jeff Cooper, for the youngsters) and I've also heard it delivered by Tom Givens (of Rangemaster in Memphis). Tom throws in some great anecdotal examples that help drive the concepts home.

The examples cited by Smoke are good ones and amusing too. If I were to quibble I would just point out that "orange" is "specific alert"--in that something has caught our attention and must be explained and/or dealt with before we should ratchet back down to "yellow" (general non-specific awareness). Orange might be triggered by a strange car pulling into one's driveway and, when it becomes apparent that they are simply turning around, one would ratchet back down to yellow. I suppose calling orange an "alarm state" is okay, but many things that will (or ought) put one in orange will not be particularly alarming...they will just need to be analyzed.

"Red" is one's fighting state. In red one will take action (pull the trigger, kick the kneecap, etc.) IF one's "mental trigger" is tripped. The "mental trigger" might be one's opponent producing a weapon, advancing when told to halt, the uniform of opposing forces (in a military context), or whatever. Given that, I don't think much is gained by the inclusion of condition "black". Cooper didn't include black. Some persons use "black" for having decided to use deadly force, but that really happens in "red" in the classic color code as taught by Cooper.

The condition black described here is pretty much the same thing that my associates and I refer to as condition BROWN. That's total bowel-emptying panic and/or an "ultra-white" head-up-one's-posterior state of unawareness, verging on obliviousness. While this serves as an amusing shorthand description of these conditions, we needn't include same in the overall color codes as the codes are intended as a reminder and tool to facilitate being in and/or transitioning to an APPROPRIATE mental condition.

Rosco

 

[El Tejon]

What if we are not married? Both women at the door are my girlfriends? WOW! I REALLY, REALLLLLY LIKE THIS ANALOGY!

 

[Smoke]

El Tejon,

If you Like this analogy, you should go see Greg Williams and his crew at Powderhorn Ranch for one of their Personal Protection seminars

He was one of the funniest guys I've ever met and he puts on one of the best defensive programs there is. His programs are full of analogies like the one above.

He is a perfectionist in hospitality and organization. Puts on a fast paced and very informitive program, and will feed you like a king when you are at his place.

Anyone seeking training owes it to themselves to check him out. He ain't cheap, but he is the best value out there.


Regards,

Smoke

 

[El Tejon]

Smoke, hmmm, I see there is much earf left to walk. [gong sounds]