What is your SA color?

[buckeye .45]

In my experience, it is impossible to never go into white. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it is actually healthy to let it happen. You just need to know when and where is a safe/appropriate place to do it.

Some trainers now also include "Black" after red, which avoiding is a bigger challenge than never going into white.

EDIT: As with almost everything in defensive situations, it is a continuum, with shades in between the colors. And one must be able to go quickly from one to the other. However, it is easier to go from yellow to red, than white to red.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[thephanatik]

Chivvalry,
One does not have to look for to see some in today's world who are completely in "code white". They are not difficult to spot, usually wearing ear plugs to a device and texting or similar activity. Their awareness is closer to one dead than asleep.

They can sometimes be seen falling into fountains ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeVn6_iwtJQ ) and doing other silly things.


I've never been in a dangerous confrontation, so I've never been in red, but theres been a few times I've gotten done working on a group project for school and walked home at 2AM in downtown Milwaukee, I am an Orangish-yellow then, otherwise I'm usually yellow. I figure 2AM, theres plenty of drunk people to rob instead of someone keeping an eye out 360*.

[OldVet]

I live eternally in DefCon One!

Actually, I don't live in any color code or condition. I use common sense more than SA. It's more a case of avoidance than awareness for me, avoiding ATMs, convenience stores, large, dark parking lots, etc. I can't bring myself to be on the edge all the time. No one can avoid everything all the time, so I don't get paranoid about it. Someone's sure to blast me on this, but I kind of enjouy bring able to run to the store without cruising the parking lot three times looking for potential BGs, parking only beneath the lights, falling over the curb because I was looking back over my shoulder for someone sneaking up on me.

My house is not a castle, it's my home where I am comfortable and live without fear. No walls, no moat, no detection systems (other than the alarm system on when away). If I were to have to live in constant fear of invasion, I've already lost the freedom I enjoy.

[retsupt99]

In code white only when sleeping...

[Phillep Harding]

"Code white" once in a while. Otherwise I'm in Yellow or higher. An "advantage" to being raised around violent jerks.

[Kerby]

I live in yellow, thanks to many years of military I think I sleep in yellow as anything will wake me up at once (I am a terrible sleeper) But I am amazed at my wife who is in white all the time... I took me years to get her not to open the door just because someone knocks.... she now checks to see who it is; then opens the door if she knows them or not????

[jwhite75]

Yellow primarily, will purposely switch to orange at work in certain stuations. The thing I have found about yellow, is it also make me more aware to the good things around me as well.

[xXxplosive]

Yellow mostly............but not my favorite color.

[Old School]

My wife tells me I only see things in black and white but I think I'm more balanced than that . Is gray an option ? OK then various shades of yellow.

[Goldy49]

This particular forum is getting a lot of my attention lately................I find it to have extremely intelligent scenarios and thoughts. This is my first time writing here. I have never been in a "red" situation. I have been in an "orange" situation which has made me try to be "yellow" in almost every public situation. In the house I tend to be "white" although I have weapons stashed safely and accessibly in a couple of locations. Does that make me a "pale yellow" or an "off-white?"

[EvilMonk]

I've been in all of them due to the Military, but yes.

I go DefCon White from time to time. I also practice a technique I'll call "Light Yellow". This is where I am actually quite aware of my surroundings, but I act like I'm not. The upper register of your eyes is sensitive to motion from the days when most threats came from above (it's been a while since this was true, but your genetics don't know it yet.). I walk around with down-cast eyes and keep track of my surroundings with developed peripheral vision. I also usually have my mouth somewhat open. This serves two purposes:

1. You look kinda "dull" and stupid (not a threat)
2. Your hearing and sense of smell (breath through both mouth and nose) is vastly improved

Great way to surprise people who think you're not paying any attention.

It's primary purpose however is to blend in and not look like you're "casing the joint". Works very well and adds to the camoflauge of "your average oblivious American".

[shockwave]

Of course the modern urban warrior has to exist in the continuum. You have to train your mind as hard as you train everything else, and part of that involves meditation and concentration.

Some disciplines like chi gong require a very specific focus, yoga does, too. And you can't do such things right if you're constantly all amped up expecting ninjas to come blasting through your windows. Sorry, "always in Condition Orange always" guys, but you lose.

It's more like having a pair of binoculars. You can't use them if you only set them on one focal length.

[TomD]

Plaid.....code plaid.. Actually I agree with OldVet

I live eternally in DefCon One!

Actually, I don't live in any color code or condition. I use common sense more than SA. It's more a case of avoidance than awareness for me, avoiding ATMs, convenience stores, large, dark parking lots, etc. I can't bring myself to be on the edge all the time. No one can avoid everything all the time, so I don't get paranoid about it. Someone's sure to blast me on this, but I kind of enjouy bring able to run to the store without cruising the parking lot three times looking for potential BGs, parking only beneath the lights, falling over the curb because I was looking back over my shoulder for someone sneaking up on me.

My house is not a castle, it's my home where I am comfortable and live without fear. No walls, no moat, no detection systems (other than the alarm system on when away). If I were to have to live in constant fear of invasion, I've already lost the freedom I enjoy.

[dripster]

Just as long as it isn't Code Pink.

[Chaplain Scott]

Used to be pretty white--after a terrifying encounter when we lived in AK (posted here in this thread about a year ago or so) have switched to fairly constant yellow. Its interesting to notice others who are also in yellow and then even more interesting when they notice you being aware of them as well

Yesterday, filling up my truck I noticed a security guard standing outside his armored truck--he was obviously waiting for his partner to come out of the truck stop/resturant--the dude was armed but NOT dangerous--he was in total white, taking a smoke break while "on guard" but oblivious to his surroundings........