Situational awareness, is something that everyone has to practice, so that it becomes a habit. Start by mentally looking for exits in any building you enter. Sit in restaurants, where you have an unobstructed view of the door. Watch the body language of people around you. Look for people who's clothing, mannerisms, or anything else, doesn't quite fit in with the majority of the people around you.
Always know where you are, in case you have to call 9-1-1. Read street signs, mile markers, and notice landmarks. When driving through an unfamiliar neighborhood, look for tell tale signs of a high crime area, bars on windows, boarded up houses/buildings, abandoned vehicles, etc .Don't let yourself get pinned in while driving. While at red lights, and drive thrus, leave enough room from the car in front, to take evasive action. Check your mirror frequently, if you see the same car behind you after a few turns in a residential area, don't go home. Drive to the nearest PD, or FD. If that's not feasible, get on the phone with 9-1-1 and give them all of the info, as to your location, and they will direct you where to go.
Use you eyes to scan while walking, STAY OFF OF YOUR PHONE!! Use windows and other reflective surfaces, to see whats behind, and beside you.
Trust that nagging voice, or feeling that something is wrong. You will be surprised at the things you start to notice, after making a conscious effort to practice.
Criminals rely on distracted people to be their victims. If you look alert, and confident, you make a much less desirable target. Be safe.
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- Mon May 29, 2017 11:54 am
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: Situational Awareness
- Replies: 28
- Views: 5726
- Thu May 18, 2017 8:58 am
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: Situational Awareness
- Replies: 28
- Views: 5726
Re: Situational Awareness
surferdaddy wrote:I believe that more often than not people who encounter bad situations see what is going on and don't respect the situation for what it is. Call it a fear of overreacting, looking paranoid, etc.; we have been trained that we are gun toting weirdos if we are overtly skeptical of certain situations. I would say that when your hair stands up on the back of your neck, don't attempt to rationalize the situation...pay and leave. Work it out later.
A few years ago I was working late hours in Las Colinas, which is really part of Irving, Texas. I will go ahead and say that it is easy to find yourself in a not so great area when in Irving.
So I got off around midnight and needed to stop at CVS for some OTC medication. The nearest 24hr CVS was at the intersection of 183 and Story rd.
I walked in and immediately heard a couple arguing, no biggie, couples spat. There was some kids loading a cart with beer which was being pushed by an older, legal to buy beer, friend; ok.
I got what I needed and went and got in a short line at the register. As I got to the cashier, three tall men walked into the store dressed in "urban" attire. It was almost as if they flowed into the store and immediately fanned out in three directions.
Everything stopped, no more arguing, shuffling, or shopping. It felt like the air was sucked out of the place. The loudest sound was the snick of my safety coming off on my p938 in my pocket. I looked the clerk in the eye and mumbled "sorry" and left without the meds.
Next day my buddy at work told me about the armed robbery at the CVS. I felt ill, actually nautious.
When your intuitions are screaming at you, listen to them.
Surfer
We called it that "feeling that something's hinky", when I was a LEO.
I preach to my wife and kids all the time to slow down, look around, and analyze wherever you are going. It's just second nature for me to scan the parking lots, of stores, park where I can see as much of the area as possible, look inside before going in, and trusting that feeling. I have pulled into a parking lot, and immediately pulled back out, because I saw what looked like a potentially confrontational group of people. My wife didn't see them, and thought I had lost my mind, until I parked across the street at another store, and showed her what was developing. The police arrived, and people scattered. My wife asked how I knew what was going on, and I told here I didn't know exactly what was happening, but it "felt" bad.
- Sat Oct 22, 2016 12:34 pm
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: Situational Awareness
- Replies: 28
- Views: 5726
Re: Situational Awareness
ScottDLS wrote:Unless you have had elite military or law enforcement training...you will never be able to approach the level of SA of the average small town Texas PD, or Navy SEALS. To make up for lack of SA skills, mere civilians should NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES open carry. Second you should wear at least level 3 body armor when outside your residence.
I always exit my vehicle with a tactical roll and jump to a standing position. Any eating establishment or saloon, I never sit with my back toward the entrance, and I scan each person who enters and give them a steely eyed glare. This will elicit twitching or rapid avoidance of eye contact from outlaws.
When I enter an unfamiliar location, I come in sideways with my weak side facing in, my strong side hand on my (drop-leg) holster palm in touching the pistol grip. I carry a FN 5.7 pistol and at least 5 extra mags in a pouch.
I think civilians should be required to take tactical training before being allowed the privilege of owning and carrying a handgun.
While LEO training an military experience is helpful, SA skills can be mastered by anyone. When inside, make note of exits, scan people, in parking parking lots, trust your instincts, if something looks hinky, extricate yourself. Practice, even in areas, and around people you know. You will be surprised at how many things you notice. Stay off cell phones, they get more people in bad situations than you can imagine.