Would you like to know how to develop situational awareness? Then you must read on.
How to Develop Situational Awareness?
You too might be interested in situational awareness after seeing this excellent movie.
At the beginning of the film, there's a scene where Jason Bourne is trying to work out his identity.
He is alarmed at the way his own mind has been trained to work and explains that within minutes of walking into a diner, he has assessed the strength of others, memorized the number plates of the cars outside, identified the exits and even noticed a small thing like the fact that the bartender is left-handed.
Now the question is, will you believe me if I tell you that this type of training really does exist among intelligence officers and military personnel?
It's Called Situational Awareness
It is called Situational awareness and it allows them to identify potential threats faster so that they can avoid or neutralize them.
It allows them to move more quickly and efficiently when the situation calls for it and ultimately it lets them keep themselves and others safer.
Our problem is that most of us have our minds on other things like:
- our finances
- our kids
- our debts
- Facebook games
- another guy/girl
So how do you get your mind in the game and start paying attention to the things that matter and to those you care about.
You Use What is Called the OODA Loop
Writer Brett McKay describes this method used by Air Force fighter pilot/military strategist John Boyd in an amazing article "Art of Manliness."
In short, OODA is the following:
- Observe
- Orient
- Decide
- Act
How to Do OODA to develop Situational Awareness?
First, you must OBSERVE.
This means that you must not completely relax and kick your feet up. In neuroscience terms, you must not let your 'default mode network' kick in. Keep your mind focused on what's happening. You should be relaxed, but alert too.
Position yourself in any room in such a way that you can see the maximum number of people and avoid letting people get the jump on you. A great place would be in the corner of the room with your back to the wall. If possible, remain near an exit.
Now your next step is ORIENT. In this context, you're looking for specific things. Establish a baseline by thinking about the normal behavior and conditions for a certain area. Keep a lookout for any examples that deviate from this norm.
Is there anyone who is looking uncomfortable? Maybe there is someone who is inappropriately dressed. Is there a noise that shouldn't be there?
DECIDE whether you're going to act or not and then how to ACT.
Have a plan of action and do not hesitate. Trust your instinct at this stage and if you doubt, rather practice caution.
Someone acting suspicious or violent? Try moving away from them or alert security.
If you step into a place and there is an unusual vibe, get your family and yourself out of there.
This Sounds Like a Movie
I know it all sounds like you're in a movie and you don't feel like doing these things when you're out with your family. You came to relax.
When my kids and I went for self-defense classes, we learned these things too. Like our instructor said, always know what's going on in your surrounding area.
Check your house and yard before you enter and keep a lookout for things that are out of the ordinary while you're walking towards your house.
If you approach a shop, quickly check and know who is standing where and look for anyone who looks out of the ordinary.
By knowing, you're already ahead of the game.
Practicing these tips could one day save your life and at the very least, they will help you to adopt a warrior mentality that will be felt by those around you.
It's actually sad that we have to live like this, but just look at what's happening around us.
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