What exactly is "situational awareness?"

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MrFreeze

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Yes, I know some of what it is, and some of what it isn't. What I really want to find out is how to practice it...how to be more aware of what is going on around me.

Without giving a 10 paragraph explanation of my current habits, I basically keep mental notes about the people who are in my immediate vicinity...in front of me, to the sides, and definitely behind. I keep tabs on my conscience, or whatever you would like to call the "inner voice." I avoid places I shouldn't be, whether in my car or on foot. There are other things I do, and most are somewhat related to the items I've outlined here.

I'd like to hear what other members do as situational awareness. I've done a few basic searches on the boards I frequent, but it hasn't been outlined real well (at least not that I've found).

Please don't tell me to learn the art of being a ninja. I know there are some very "aware" people who frequent THR...let's see what options are out there!

Travis
 
Ok, I’ll take a crack at it.

Situational awareness to me is simply what it says. Being aware of your situation at all times possible. Watching the eyes, hands and body language of the people around me when out in public. Playing a semi-constant “what if…†game in my head. If I’m out shopping with the wife in downtown SF and she has to stop at the ATM. Do I stay a good twenty feet or so away and scope out the whole area? What if someone approaches from the corner of the building? Are my hands free (if I’m carrying a shopping bag… which, if honey is shopping, I am.), especially my right hand?
If were in the parking garage, how do I take corners? Right up to them or step around so I can see what’s behind them?
It can get VERY interesting in San Francisco, and doing a constant 360° scan watching (or at least trying real hard) to watch everyone can be taxing. That’s my short version.
 
Thanks for taking first crack at this QuarterBore!

That is definitely a good start...I want more!:cool:

Travis
 
Know who is around you, what they are doing, and be prepared to act accordingly. The real art is in spotting a potentially messy situation before it actually becomes one rather than having to deal with it.
 
So situational awareness is just as simple as it sounds...being aware? Is there nothing else to it? Maybe I'm out of line on this one...

Travis
 
Awareness

I think the question itself was answered in as well as could be expected. I believe that becoming "aware" takes time and is often built from strong processes ('knowing where to look', 'being familiar with where is more likely to be safe/unsafe', 'checking out your surroundings without looking obvious'). Training increases these strengths and often the best training is in everyday activities, as was stated with shopping, or walking through parking garages, etc.
 
The real trick is recognizing potential threat situations, thus avoiding or minimizing the potential. The "what is out of place" varies from place to place. Fine tuning of your instincts, and then obeying those instincts, is what seperates those who avoid conflict from those who don't.

San Fran would definitly be a difficult environment for those of us from out of town. The commonplace there would be out of place most anywhere else. But you adapt to your surroundings, blanking out the background noise and looking only at the suspicious.
 
Longer Answer: Read "The Gift of Fear." No to Ninja, Yes to critically paying attention to your surroundings... and knowing that your intuition serves a survival function. Hard to say more about it since it is largely a function of mindset. Like most things that are important, it probably isn't worthy of the navel-gazing some people do in relation to it, but it is still important to think about.
 
Uncle Jeff wrote about "Alertness" (the deer) (remember: "ADASCRS") in the 7 Principles. It can be defined as that.

Or, could be defined as "vision" in a fight. E.g., like a quarterback being able to understand the chaos in front of him.

Other than following Hackathorn's First Law, "Don't go where you don't belong", you can train in alertness by playing the Xs" and "Os" that Uncle Jeff wrote about, train yourself to keep your head up and eyes moving (like a semi trucker), and play wise man in Tejas's game of "Right now I am losing."

Live by the 7 Principles and train hard. You'll go great.:)
 
I would say that the mere fact that you are wondering exactly what the definition encompasses, and what it does not shows that you are someone who doesn't need to worry about such distinctions.

You are already more aware than 99% of the folks wandering around out there. Just keep on keepin' on................

hillbily
 
Situational awareness: Conducting oneself in an alert, aware, and observant manner while relating the information observed/gathered in to the context of the activities going on around you and act/react accordingly. See also the OODA Loop
 
There we go...now that's some of the stuff I was looking for! OODA loop, Gift of Fear, and some of the awareness drills...I knew there would be some good suggestions out there!

When my dad was teaching me to drive, he always used to tell me to play the "what if" game...what if that car over there suddenly swerved into your lane? What if that truck came across the median? What if someone stepped out in front of the car at this very moment? What would you do, where would you steer the car, what's the best evasive maneuver? Maybe I'll transfer some of those ideas to SA. The main idea, I believe, was to think defensively but always be prepared to react offensively.

I had guessed that SA would be quite dependent on one's mindset and their ability to "feel" what was going on around them...and to a certain extent, it seems that this is the case. I do have a good base to start from now, though, so I'll head in that direction.

I think one of my main obstacles right now could be termed selective situational awareness. In a place where I feel somewhat more at risk, SA kicks in...but in say, the grocery store, I let my guard down. I believe this to be a big mistake, one I can probably overcome using some of the above suggestions.
 
Good advice from all. A couple of points. When in public keep your head up and eyes moving and make eye contact. Eye contact lets a potential threat know that you know he is there. Another point is vehicles. When in our vehicles, we tend to be less aware of our surroundings, especially when making stops in traffic. Don't let your gaurd down when driving and regarding vehicles, you are more likely to be attacked when entering or leaving your vehicle. You mentioned an interest in OODA loop. For a good article on OODA loop go here. http://www.ops-se.com/articles.htm
 
Thanks for the input Tracy. That article is a great intro to the OODA loop...I'm on the mailing list that Yeager sends out, and I've read most of the articles on the site...I've thoroughly enjoyed them :D

I try to make the vehicle a main place where I put SA to work, especially when I'm in the parking lot late at work, or retreiving something from the car with my back facing out of the door.

I appreciate the help on the topic guys...if you come up with more, keep on writin'!

Travis
 
I've posted this before...best analogy I've seen. Credit goes to Greg Williams @ Powderhorn Ranch:

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)
 
You know how they say "you can't sneak up on an Indian"? That's how I am when strangers are around. That is awareness to me. I do not stare people in the eyes. That can get you accosted in and of itself. I acknowledge them with a glance, nod and a smile. Maybe even greet them verbally or comment on the weather, time of day, or something like that... But then I go on about my business and let my peripheral vision do the rest. My head is not on continuous swivel. That telegraphs fear. Predators sense fear in their victims and it's analogous to chum in the water. Criminals might just be more apprehensive wondering why you are not suspicious of them in a situation where you obviously should be.

If someone has evil intentions I prefer they don't know I am prepared. If they think I am a threat to them it forces them to give me less chance for reaction. I want them to think it is going to be easy. That I am no challenge to them. You'd think that's impossible given my size but I've run up against some incredibly overconfident bad guys. That's my goal, to make them feel comfortable and safe. Time and distance is a luxury. It gives me more options and has always worked to my benefit in the past.

It's like a chess game, the first move is theirs, but if anyone is going to be devious I want it to be me, not them. :evil:
 
The same set of instincts that have saved our race from predators since the dawn of time.

There is a reason that, 100 feet away, you can tell if someone is looking RIGHT AT YOU, or at the address of the building a few feet away from your head.

Situational awareness is defensive thinking, and taping into and harnessing these instincts to your advantage.
 
Can someone please enlighten me on the 7 Principles and the OODA loop? I think I read them before but can't remember them for my life right now.
 
You know, it's funny. I've been messing with guns for about 20 years now and this is the first time I’ve heard of the OODA loop. But it reminds me of something I learned many years back while taking a motorcycle safety class, and it’s remarkably similar to the OODA loop. I’ve used it since then as part of my situational awareness drill. The instructor called it ‘SIPDE’
S- Scan - Self-explanatory
I- Identify - Again, self-explanatory
P- Predict - Predict what is going to happen in any given situation; is THAT person going to turn left or right?
D- Decide - Decide what you need to do in any given situation.
E- Execute - DO IT.

If you want to develop a fine sense of situational awareness; go buy a motorcycle and start riding it in traffic. I guarantee you will suddenly become much more aware of your surroundings.
 
Another good read, though it might be taken for ninja-ish by some, is Book of Five Rings.

As a random side note, notice how it is hard to talk about indefinite things like "perception" without sounding either hopelessly vauge, boringly obvious, or mock-profound.
 
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