Stretching the yellow!

[P95Carry]

Most times out where people-density is high - we have to work quite hard to maintain a con' yellow - that's a given and necessary.

Interesting tho last evening - wife and I went 10 pin bowling with friends - 40 lane good size place, been there before. It was quite a challenge - no, it was darned difficult - to play the games -and - maintain good appraisal all around, not I should say that any real threat level was in the least high - but then that is not something to ever assume anyways. It was busy - probably only four spare lanes unused.

I made it an excercize somewhat, compared with last time - just seeing how efficient my awareness could be. Know what - I think it would have been no more difficult in a street full of people walking along, maybe easier.

The difficulty factor is compounded by the sheer random nature of people movements. No directional order. It required some good practice of peripheral perception, good and rapid ''photo-snap'' scans and then analysis of that input.

Not making a big deal of it - but as a practice excercize it did prove useful and illustrated how more random environments can present more challenge to keep a useful yellow. This was more relevant too perhaps because I am rarely in crowded places much these days.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[havegunjoe]

It's hard to keep track of everyone on the street, especially this time of year. There are so many more out shopping. I try not to be paranoid about it, it is impossible to see everyone at all times. I try to do my best by scanning the crowds as much as possible. One thing I do is take an occasional glance to my rear to see who is coming up behind me. I try to glance over those that look to be everyday type folks, non treat, and look for what appears to be an obvious potential treat. That's about the best you can do in a situation like this.

[Bud White]

very hard to keep track of everyone and everything this time of year for sure and anytime your in a big place..

[spacemanspiff]

psshawwww! you want a training exercise! try working for a sports arena where you can't be armed and have to deal with a few thousand people milling back and forth, the majority of them intoxicated and they all have major attitudes.
the 'no weapons' policy for patrons of the arena is only enforced for certain events, and i know for a fact that some of the patrons ignore the sign on the building 'no guns'. heck, i would ignore it if i wasnt working the events.

[gregarat]

My partner told me to see peoples hands before you look at there face.


Another exercise is, 4-6 kegger's happening in a University of Florida Apt. complex. After the "Gators" win a game .

This is the first time in my life when I'm glad to see the college football season over.
Wherever I go, people tell me that Gainesville has the most obnoxious fans. I cannot disagree. I feel yur pain Spaceman...

[KenpoTex]

This is why I hate crowds so much.
I had to go to the mall ( )for a few minutes on friday to finish up my Christmas shopping. The place was a F***ing madhouse. In that type of evironment it's almost impossible to keep an eye on everyone. This time of year is particularly bad because everyone is walking around buying stuff...it's a purse-snatchers/muggers dream.
Of course it's not really that safe any other time, a few years ago, one of my friends was walking out of the mall at 4 in the afternoon and got mugged by 3 guys (unfortunately for them, they picked the wrong guy to rob, he left 2 of the 3 on the ground and made it out before the police showed up )

[Scott]

I use a zone approach when in busy areas. You have the contact area where people get the highest scrutiny, the near contact area where it is a bit less until you get to the longer ranges where some activity would have to attract my attention for me to notice. I also constantly profile. I notice people who notice me etc.


Dealing with drunken party/concert goers is a whole different story.

-Scott-

[TonyB]

Yeah,sometimes it is hard to balance having a good time with being"alert".I gave up reading while waiting for my wife at the mall,because I had to look down to read and then up to see people.Now I just people watch(it's usually more interesting than anything I can read anyway.
Alot of times it's about positioning.When we go out to eat,for example,my family knows where I need to sit before we even get there.

[P95Carry]

Scott- yes good point - the zonal approach is almost essential. Closer = more scrutiny plus too, folks who seem to notice you.

It's a filtering process isn't it but of course when the crowds are considerable - this is an on-going thing with constant ''refresh'', as things change so rapidly.