How many times have you laughed your behind off watching someone that was texting while walking and they walked right into a street sign, post, door, or another person!? Funny, right!? Yea, I’m sure we all laugh when we see it happen to someone else. Not so much funny when it happens to you!
Situational Awareness
Situational awareness isn’t rocket science. It’s simply being aware of what’s going on around you, understanding how it affects you, and using that information to make decisions and take the necessary steps to avoid bad situations.
Texting, talking on the phone, listening to tunes, day dreaming, eating, or just plain not paying attention, etc. can cause HUGE problems if you get hurt or hurt someone else. And not only could you get hurt, but you could fall victim to crime. You are more likely to be mugged or pick-pocketed if you have no clue of your surroundings.
It’s a CHOICE!
Get started being more aware by:
- Looking at people around you. Don’t stare or be a punk but pay attention to what they are doing, where they are at and who else is around.
- Paying attention to the “noise” around you. Do you hear screaming, fire engines, sirens, etc? If where you are at is more quiet or louder than “normal”, that could be an indicator of a problem.
- Listening to your gut! We all have “gut” feelings. That is our internal radar system alerting us to trouble. Don’t ignore it. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not.
- Planning your exit. Pay attention to where you are and how to get out in a jiff if you needed to.
- Not burying your face in your phone. Smart phones aren’t so smart if you being so absorbed in your phones causes you to do dumb things that expose you to risk.
- Realizing you are not invisible. Bad things can happen…even to you.
Awareness Color Coding
Which color are you in? Paying attention to this simple color coding method can help you easily identify where you are at and alert you to change if necessary. The following method was created by Jeff Cooper, a Marine Corps Lieutenant:
- Condition WHITE: Oblivious to your surroundings. Walking with your head down, never looking around, perhaps engrossed in a smart phone. A person in Condition White won’t know there’s a problem until they’re in the middle of it.
- Condition YELLOW: A relaxed state of general alertness. Your head is up and looking around taking note of your surroundings. If there’s trouble, you’ll see it coming.
- Condition ORANGE: You’re aware of and focused on a specific situation that may be a threat such as angry yelling nearby or an unusual smell of smoke in the air. You may feel the effects of adrenaline starting to flow.
- Condition RED: You’re in “fight or flight” mode. There is an immediate threat that you must either confront or escape. Adrenaline is flowing and preparing your body for action.
Being in a YELLOW condition is best.
