Situational Awareness Tips

I could go on for an hour about this. I have tried to hone my situational awareness over time, but it's hard to explain or teach. I'm sure it's different with every person, too. I think you also learn a lot from incidents that happen before you get good SA...and even then, we all slip and fall into condition white when we shouldn't. It's just a normal occurrence. I was sucker punched from behind and beaten up by neighborhood punks at age 14. From that I learned to be aware behind me, as well as in front. To this day, even a kid can't run up behind me without me knowing it or assuming a defensive posture. It just happens. I was mugged at gunpoint in the Bronx when I was in my late 20's. I learned how to remain calm and talk my way into staying alive. I also learned how to watch the street in front of me...well past where I'm immediately walking. I had to suppress my fear and remain reactive to the situation, so as not to escalate it. Had I learned to take in a wider and longer view I could very well have avoided this mugging. I didn't carry then and New York City is like another country as far as permits go, anyway. Sadly, the majority of gunholders there are the criminal element. Most of what I do today, had it's roots back then. I never approach a van in a parking lot from the sliding door side. I walk wide past dumpsters on the street. I will cross the street if something doesn't look right. Many of these things are just automatic, and I'll never know if they prevented anything...I just do them. These are just a few examples of how I remain situationally aware. I've got tons others, but you get the idea.

I had a situation in England back in 1996 where I was walking with a girl who was on the study tour with me and we unwittingly walked into a very bad neighborhood while looking for a fish and chips shop we'd been referred to. The hookers standing around should have alerted me. About the time we realized we were in a bad area we got to the restaurant which was next to a pub and 3 guys stepped right in front of us completely blocking the sidewalk and "asked" for 18 pence for a pint. It was a ridiculously small amount, and a definite attempt to intimidate us into giving more. I grabbed my friend's arm, said "no thanks guys, we're going now", and stepped off the curb and went across the street. I remember one of them said something about not being scared, but it was pretty clear their intent was to scare us into parting with some money. Truth be told, if they had been intent on actually robbing us, they probably would have forced the issue and there wasn't much we could have done. I still kick myself for not seeing it coming. She was mad at me for taking over and manhandling her off the curb, but then she was a liberal.

Oh, I forgot to mention, thanks very much for the advice. I agree about carrying as soon as possible.

As far as tips go of course always visually scan the area you are in.
Learn some good tips like dont walk close to vehicles in parking lots.
When you do get a carry permit or even now get some
good training dvds to watch and then practice the tactics
I like the ones by Lenny Magill. Also its good to practice some
self defense moves I think the best styles are Krav Maga and Jui Jitsu.
As most physical altercations go to the ground practicing Jui Jitsu is best
for this. Krav Maga is geared more towards weapon takedown tactics.
Get a good knife too for close quarters a knife can be far more deadly than
a gun. Also a good bright LED flashlight that fits nicely in your hand when you
make a fist. Someone can punch a lot harder with something in their hand and
you cant shoot what you cant see or at least its not a good idea to start shooting what you cant see clearly.

In New Orleans, my daughter (13 yr old at the time) kept walking a bit ahead of us, and no matter what I said she would not stay right with us. I kept noticing a guy across the street who seemed to be watching her. Next block, same guy across the street watching her. Next block... same thing, next block (after we turned a corner) same thing, and on and on..... for numerous blocks.

So, I alerted my son, who was 18, 6', strong, etc. to be alert for this guy. Sure enough, at one point..... when she was in a more secluded spot with no people around her.... he made a b-line for her. My son and I were instantly between him and her. He went chest to chest with me (leterally) and I had a time getting him off me as he kept trying to get past me... and I began double fist him in the chest knocking him away and he still kept trying to go for her. I finally promised to lay the @#[email protected]#$ flat if he made any moves like that again, and he wouldn't get back up. He didn't advance anymore, but wouldn't leave either. I told him "police were called & are on the way", and he changed the look on his face and ran away really fast. We had no way to contact the Police, so it was BS.

Ask yourself at times, "what if" ... what's my out, my escape, would I be in a good place / position to get out or behind/under protection if needed.

Does someone seem out of place, or be in a position or acting in a way that's not normal.

Is someone "looking around" a bit too much, nervous, etc. Someone with hands in their pockets, wearing a jacket or hoody in summer, and things out of the normal, act differently if you look their way. Scan the crowd, people, etc. noticing .... keep things in the 'corner' of your eye.... who's coming & going, etc.

There's a host of things..... and you will never be 100% with it.