What exactly is "situational awareness?"

[Cavtrooper]

SA to me is a simple observation of what is going on around me. No great big production, but then again I've spent a good deal of my "on duty" life being aware of all kinds of things.
If you are on familar ground, go with your "feelings", instinct can be your friend. If it doesn't look good/right, it more than likely isn't.
When on new/strange ground, low and slow if possible. Take your time and observe. Use ALL of your senses (example: Hey, thats dope I'm smelling... from the back of the parking lot.... find someplace else to park, honey.) I always try and relax when I'm in a new enviroment, really helps you blend in. When you blend, you have a better chance of spotting trouble before it spots you.

And always, ALWAYS... (did I mention always) plan a way out of where ever you are to some place you know is "safe" Be prepared to get out of trouble faster than you got into it.

 

[MrFreeze]

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.

That has duly been noted on this thread, Sean! There have been some pretty good suggestions thus far, though...it will make for good practice.

Travis

 

[Sleuth]

Ryder, your post reads as if you almost want to get attacked. Most crooks are cowards, and will turn from an aware target to easy pickings. They generally will not persist in an attack on an aware target unless you are preselected for some other reason (you are known to carry lots of cash, you have the keys to the safe, etc.). I prefer to avoid all attacks. If they are unavoidable, I respond with maximum violence.

 

[Ryder]

Sleuth

I feel the choice is theirs to make and I respond appropriately. My several life threatening situations have been equally balanced between pre-selection and target of opportunity. I've not had to hurt anyone yet nor have I been injured. I do not invite it but neither do I fear it. It is what it is. I don't think it is hard to be aware without making everyone else think I am paranoid. That's desirable to me. I prefer to be perceived as confident about my own business and enjoy interaction with others.

The outcome of my experiences can best be described as a stalemate even though lethal forced was justified. Criminals aren't the only predators out there willing to ruin your life. I don't want to gamble on proving my innocence if that can be avoided.

If "crooks are cowards" why fear them? Because they are devious and desperate? I'm a big guy, how cowardly were the people who threatened me? They will surprise you with an advantage. The more prepared you appear the more advantage you will have to overcome. Not all will be discouraged as I see you are aware through use of the term "generally". How many of these brave or ruthless bad guys does it take to ruin the rest of your life?

Not advocating my methods, just sharing them. I could be just plain lucky! But being here proves I am not wrong

 

[Trisha]

Mr. Freeze;

See if your local PD will let you do a ride along with the local flavor of their 'Urban Street Crimes Unit.' If you have no experience (or limited) spotting professional pickpockets, drug dealers, and kindred cockroaches, it can be an eye-opener.

To everything that's been posted already, I'd add it's complimented with appearing completely relaxed, invisible by body language amidst your surroundings. Don't be a bull in a china shop, or you'll make beat cops twitchy in the extreme. While in 'the loop,' be happy, even joyful about life, the universe and everything.

A trick to sharpen your mental skills is to walk a mall for half an hour, and then stop for a cup of coffee. See how many 'possibles' you can accurately describe, where they were, and specifically what alerted you. Just an idea.

Go to a venue dressed in labor-appropriate attire - sweaty, old, worn clothing, etc. The following day, return to the venue as if you were going on a date with Ms. Jolie and see if some of the same people are in the vicinity, paying attention to their reactions to you. Some may display predatory mannerisms, some may signal associates, some may seem not to care a whit - while remaining a fixture at a reflective window. . .

Nothing brings out the goblins like being in dress heels, a short skirt, tasteful jewelry and makeup. You don't have that opportunity, in all probability, so see who keeps something more than an admiring eye on a pretty girl; or who displays aggression at the sight of a leather dyke - because goblins come in all shapes and sizes and colors.

Best of luck.

Trisha

 

[Tracy Hightower]

Trisha makes a good point about sharpening your mental skills. Another excercise I got from Tom Givens is to drive down the interstate and glance over at a car as you pass it and then try to recall how many details you can. Our eyes have tha ability to take in every detail that we see at a glance but until we train our brain recollect those details, we usually just see a blue car. You will find that with practice you can identify the number of occupants, the make, model and color of the car, the race and clothing of the driver, the license number and any visible damage to the vehicle.

 

[MrFreeze]

Trisha,

Good points on the practice possiblities. I might be making a mall trip in the next couple days, and I'm going to attempt a few of those items. The car trick that Tracy mentioned is an interesting one as well...I'll have time to check that out tonight on the way home from work.

Interesting you bring up the ride-along...I actually contacted a Deputy for the HCSO here in Tampa and got some of the required paperwork to head out on a ride with him. Could make for an interesting evening!

Travis

 

[pax]

MrFreeze,

Situational awareness simply means paying attention to what's going on around you. But what, exactly, are you looking for?

The goal is to avoid being in situations where the use of deadly force is justified. You don't want to have to shoot someone in order to save your own life. If you are ever in such a situation, it will because because the three elements of Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy are all present.

• Ability means there is a person or persons who are able to kill you.
• Opportunity means that you are in a place and time where he (they) would be able to do so if they wanted to.
• Jeopardy (sometimes called intent) means that the person(s) is acting in such a way that the reasonable man would believe that he/they intend to kill or maim you.

When a deadly force attack is underway, all three elements of the triangle are in place. Since you want to avoid a deadly force attack, you need to avoid moments when all three elements come together.

In the normal course of your day, you will come across people who could kill you with their bare hands if they wanted to, or who could be concealing a knife, gun, or other weapon. (Ability)

Also in the normal course of a day, you'll come across places and times where there is no one else around to witness an attack, or places where help would be slow to arrive if it ever did. (Opportunity)

You will usually have no way of judging whether the strangers and acquaintances you come in contact with will intend to do you harm (Jeopardy), unless the other two elements are already in place. So if you want to be safe, you must always assume that this element is present unless proven otherwise. (Obviously you can't simply make that assumption in order to defend yourself with a weapon; jeopardy has to be obviously present in such a case. But situational awareness is about staying out of situations where that could happen.)

Avoiding the element of Jeopardy means, don't trust the good intentions of a stranger or an acquaintance. If you don't know, clear down to your toenails, that they are safe, you will need to avoid being in circumstances where they could attack you if they wanted to.

Of course, if someone has expressed the intent to kill you ("Step outside and I'll kill you! C'mon, you 'n me!"), you'd be a fool or worse to step outside into the place of opportunity.

To sum up: Your job in being situationally aware is to keep all three sides of the deadly triangle from closing around you. If you spot one leg of the triangle, make darn sure the other two aren't present before you proceed.

HTH

pax

A committment to avoidance, deescalation and deterrence is your number one option for personal security. -- Andy Stanford

 

[standingbear]

something that i developed hunting-paying attention to whats going on around you-in detail.the expression in the eyes and slow deliberate movements that might signal theyre about to try something.instinct i guess.