View Full Version : Question: how to improve situational awareness
Recent events in San Antonio have encouraged me to seek out ways and methods to improve my situational awareness; unfortunately, I haven't got a clue how to proceed.
Here's an example of what's motivating the question:
Police say a female bandit has struck again, this time holding up some girls at the Huebner Oaks shopping center just before 4 p.m. Wednesday.
It's the fourth such crime in a string of robberies at San Antonio shopping centers.
In the latest incident, three young girls had just left Starbucks and were approached by a woman they described as "nice" who appeared to be lost and was asking for directions.
The woman threatened the girls with a silver handgun right in front of Starbucks and demanded their purses.
LINK (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/crime/stories/MYSA080107.huebnerrob.KENS.d489494d.html)
This is just a sample of some of the events going on here; but the key issue is that someone approaches a group and asks directions. On the surface, it gives the appearance of being innocent, when in fact it is not.
I noticed on the "Team Sergeant's Baby Back Ribs" thread ( LINK (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11297) ), reply #10, that x SF med noted the flooring in an image on post #9. Clearly, that's impressive situational awareness! I would have been far too busy inspecting the ribs to ever notice the floor.
By the way - I did a naive search on the keywords situational awareness, and did not come up with any specifics. Various items seem to refer to it, but they do not delve into the details of developing or improving it. NDD's thread on mindset is filled with a treasure trove of great information, but my question seems to be outside the details addressed there. I also did a wildcard search (situation* aware*) - the resulting 194 threads did not seem to address the particular issue any better than did the direct search. BMT's thread with the specific title ( LINK (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11470&highlight=situation%2A+aware%2A) )was well worth reading, of course - but also wasn't exactly what I needed... :)
So - any hints or exercises for developing (or improving) SA? All thoughts and guidance appreciated.
The Reaper
08-13-2007, 09:40
You can work on your active SA, but your passive is much harder to learn.
I can tell you that if you go outside on a quiet night, close your eyes, and sit quietly while listening intently, and try to identify the sounds that you can hear, you will notice things that you did not even know you could detect, but again, that is an active SA thing.
Nature does a good job of this through Darwinism, and if society did not protect stupid and non-SA people, they would quickly cease to exist within a few generations. I would think that combat does the same thing for non-SA individuals, though God loves some fools anyway, and looks after them.
People who bop along through life obliviously, with an iPod on full blast and their head down walking or running on the streets are good examples.
Good luck.
TR
Kim's Games automatically come to mind in training the brain to be able to decipher what we see. I use them a lot in training scouts and new armor officers, though they don't know they're being tested at the time. After a while they begin to pickup on the more "mundane" details of the world around them.
They were sitting in a Starbucks chatting away.
Did any of them glance out the window at the parking lot and notice the woman standing out there? Yes or No? Was she standing or walking around? Yes or No? As they stepped out did she just appear from nowhere? Yes or No?
People don't just pop up out of nowhere. They come from someplace and go somewhere.
We've beaten the Mall Parking lot to death in a number of threads here. Far too many people coming out of stores look but do not see the people in the parking lot. Who was leaning on a wall and started on an intercept course to you? Who changed their direction as you walked into the parking lot. Do you change course and then they change thier course? Are they wearing cloths that mask their features - like a hood?
You have to start with the basics.
When I first started police work, my FTO would be driving around, shooting the breeze with me, when he would suddenly stop the car..... "how many thugs were standing on the porch we just passed? What did they have on? Did you see the one dart inside as we drove by?"
He would do the same thing with cars....... "What was the plate on that car we passed? How many people were in it? Did they make eye contact? Did they look out of place?"
He constantly tested me, grilled me, got me in a habit of looking at everyone, pausing at all intersections and looking (really looking) all around before creeping through, driving with my windows down so I could listen to what was happening in the city (as opposed to the new breed of officer who drives around with his iPod plugged into the dash and A/C on).
Eight years later, I'm doing the same thing to rookies. It's a skill that takes development and practice.
For you, I would remember the following three things........ Hands, demeanor, clothes. Let me explain....
First of all, my head is always on the swivel. It drives my wife nuts, because I am always looking around whenever we are out. I try to observe everyone that is around me...... I don't talk on cell phones when I'm out walking around, no iPod, I'm observing. Nothing crazy, but I am looking for things out of the ordinary...... my goal is to see you before you see me --- always. What kind of car did you get out of? Did it have plates, or had they been removed (bad sign) was the wing window punched out of the car, or was the lock punched out of the trunk (stolen auto)? Is anyone waiting in the car? Did you park in an unusual place?
Next thing that look at are the hands of the people in my AO...... I want to see where your hands are, because they (in nearly every case) are what is going to hurt me.... hands are what punch, kick, stab, and pull triggers...... So I look for your hands..... are they out and swinging at your sides? Are they down the front of your pants? Tucked under a hoodie? In the pocket of a baggy coat? If I can't see your hands, then I keep a little closer eye on you, maybe create a little distance until I can assess the situation more...
I then check out the demeanor of the people...... most criminals aren't Cool Hand Luke...... they are scared sh*tless and/or are high on drugs or needing a fix...... so I take a look.... is one dude acting nervous, anxious, or stressed out? Is he sweating in the dead of winter? Does he look fidgety? Are his teeth rotted out ( a sign of meth use), or are his lips burned and chapped white (crack head)? Is he looking down or acting like he's trying to hide his face as he approaches? Do I see track marks anywhere on his arms? Or scabs that would indicate a habit? If so, I keep an eye on him... maybe start making a little mental plan about where I might take cover if he pulls a gun.... look at my surroundings..... just little things.
I also notice clothing...... are you wearing a hoodie in the middle of the summer? Are your clothes soiled or severly out dated (sign of drug addiction)? Are you wearing shorts and a wife beater in the dead of winter? Are you wearing clothes that could conceal a weapon? If so, I make a mental note. If not, then you are down a notch on my threat scale.
Considering that I am usually armed, I also give a quick glance to every building that I am in to decide where my "safe route" is going to be should the bullets start flying.....decide where I am going to put my family....... it only takes a second, and after a while, it is second nature. You do it without thinking.
The best thing that you can do is train yourself to stop, slow down, and just listen and look at what's going on around you. It's really that simple. Before you walk through that parking lot, pause and see if you hear anything moving, or see anyone walking around. Like Reaper said, we are biologically programmed to do this stuff, we just have to "get into the groove" of doing it.
Keep in mind, though, that I get 40-50 hours of practice per week doing this stuff at work...... it is second nature to do it when I am off. I honestly can't drive by a car without counting the people in it or looking for signs of a stolen ride. It's almost ADHD' esque. LOL
Hope this made sense....
You can work on your active SA, but your passive is much harder to learn.
Thank you, Sir. I had not even realized that passive SA might exist. Perhaps it is developed as a subconscious skill through long practice, as mdb23 hints? I'll try the night sounds exercise - the city has a wealth of different sounds, some pleasant, some otherwise.
On the plus side, I'm not guilty of using ipods or cell-phones. I try to maintain some degree of alertness. But if any thoughts occur to you about how I might augment my abilities, I'd be grateful to hear them.
Kim's Games automatically come to mind in training the brain to be able to decipher what we see.
I hadn't heard of Kim's games. That's an outstanding idea! I wonder if I could write a computer program that would accomplish the same end? That way, I wouldn't need a partner. Thank you, Sir!
They were sitting in a Starbucks chatting away.
You make many good points, Sir, and I appreciate your thoughts. I hope to learn the general principles instead of focusing on specifics, such as the shopping malls you mention.
For example - one is sitting at home, reading posts on ProfessionalSoldiers.com. There is a knock at the door. Is it the neighbor bringing a pie from a restaurant in a neighboring town? Or, is it a pair of thugs intent on a home invasion? (I cheat. I use closed circuit video to check).
For example - one is asleep at home. One of the household members screams. A different person in the household grabs a firearm and finds an intruder inside; the intruder runs outside, then turns. The person with the firearm fires three shots, killing the intruder. As it turns out, the intruder was a 19 year old from a small town visiting San Antonio. He was unarmed and had no criminal history. He was visiting his sister who resides next door. Could SA have changed this? (By the way - this really happened. Here's a LINK (http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/crime/stories/MYSA081007.01A.parentspuzzle.34a5cdd.html) )
I'll try to attend to the basics, as you suggest - but SA appears to be, at least partly, a learned skill. So any thoughts you might have about learning the basics would be appreciated.
For you, I would remember the following three things........ Hands, demeanor, clothes. Let me explain....
Sir, there is a wealth of information in your post! Many thanks. Everything makes perfect sense - I'll try to put it into practice as I get the opportunity.
One exercise I've been doing is trying to spot clothing that could conceal a firearm. I've had a concealed carry permit for some years - in fact, I got one right after they were made available in Texas. However, I rarely use it since I often have business on a University campus, and taking a firearm on campus is a serious crime. Anyway, it occurred to me that observing how others dressed might suggest how I should (or shouldn't) dress at those times I had the weapon with me.
So far, the optimum combination appears to be a Tommy Bahama style shirt, open, over a colored T-shirt, in combination with a pancake holster. Of course, I look a bit more closely at those sporting such clothing...
Again, thank you all for your thoughts and comments. I appreciate it very much.
Trip_Wire (RIP)
08-13-2007, 18:09
When I first started police work, my FTO would be driving around, shooting the breeze with me, when he would suddenly stop the car..... "how many thugs were standing on the porch we just passed? What did they have on? Did you see the one dart inside as we drove by?"
He would do the same thing with cars....... "What was the plate on that car we passed? How many people were in it? Did they make eye contact? Did they look out of place?"
He constantly tested me, grilled me, got me in a habit of looking at everyone, pausing at all intersections and looking (really looking) all around before creeping through, driving with my windows down so I could listen to what was happening in the city (as opposed to the new breed of officer who drives around with his iPod plugged into the dash and A/C on).
Eight years later, I'm doing the same thing to rookies. It's a skill that takes development and practice.
For you, I would remember the following three things........ Hands, demeanor, clothes. Let me explain....
First of all, my head is always on the swivel. It drives my wife nuts, because I am always looking around whenever we are out. I try to observe everyone that is around me...... I don't talk on cell phones when I'm out walking around, no iPod, I'm observing. Nothing crazy, but I am looking for things out of the ordinary...... my goal is to see you before you see me --- always. What kind of car did you get out of? Did it have plates, or had they been removed (bad sign) was the wing window punched out of the car, or was the lock punched out of the trunk (stolen auto)? Is anyone waiting in the car? Did you park in an unusual place?
Next thing that look at are the hands of the people in my AO...... I want to see where your hands are, because they (in nearly every case) are what is going to hurt me.... hands are what punch, kick, stab, and pull triggers...... So I look for your hands..... are they out and swinging at your sides? Are they down the front of your pants? Tucked under a hoodie? In the pocket of a baggy coat? If I can't see your hands, then I keep a little closer eye on you, maybe create a little distance until I can assess the situation more...
I then check out the demeanor of the people...... most criminals aren't Cool Hand Luke...... they are scared sh*tless and/or are high on drugs or needing a fix...... so I take a look.... is one dude acting nervous, anxious, or stressed out? Is he sweating in the dead of winter? Does he look fidgety? Are his teeth rotted out ( a sign of meth use), or are his lips burned and chapped white (crack head)? Is he looking down or acting like he's trying to hide his face as he approaches? Do I see track marks anywhere on his arms? Or scabs that would indicate a habit? If so, I keep an eye on him... maybe start making a little mental plan about where I might take cover if he pulls a gun.... look at my surroundings..... just little things.
I also notice clothing...... are you wearing a hoodie in the middle of the summer? Are your clothes soiled or severly out dated (sign of drug addiction)? Are you wearing shorts and a wife beater in the dead of winter? Are you wearing clothes that could conceal a weapon? If so, I make a mental note. If not, then you are down a notch on my threat scale.
Considering that I am usually armed, I also give a quick glance to every building that I am in to decide where my "safe route" is going to be should the bullets start flying.....decide where I am going to put my family....... it only takes a second, and after a while, it is second nature. You do it without thinking.
The best thing that you can do is train yourself to stop, slow down, and just listen and look at what's going on around you. It's really that simple. Before you walk through that parking lot, pause and see if you hear anything moving, or see anyone walking around. Like Reaper said, we are biologically programmed to do this stuff, we just have to "get into the groove" of doing it.
Keep in mind, though, that I get 40-50 hours of practice per week doing this stuff at work...... it is second nature to do it when I am off. I honestly can't drive by a car without counting the people in it or looking for signs of a stolen ride. It's almost ADHD' esque. LOL
Hope this made sense....
I couldn't have said it any better! Heed this advice and you'll have a good chance to survive on the mean streets of any city!
BTW: mdb23, you had a great FTO!! :D :munchin
Ret10Echo
08-13-2007, 18:14
I hadn't heard of Kim's games. That's an outstanding idea! I wonder if I could write a computer program that would accomplish the same end? That way, I wouldn't need a partner. Thank you, Sir!
Start simple. Can you sit in your house and sketch your street, across left and right? Do you know where the potential points of C&C are? Can you do the same for your work route? Regular stops?
Test yourself by comparing what you remember to what is there.
The beginning of knowing what is out of place is knowing what is normal.
My .02
NousDefionsDoc
08-13-2007, 18:48
Great advice by very knowledgeable people.
Although I don't know shit, I will add in my two cents.
Basically what you have to do is eliminate the distractions. If you are walking - just walk. No talking on the cell phone, no reading, nothing but walking. Do one thing at a time and do it well. Pick your head up, open your eyes and see what you are seeing - not what you expect to see. Learn to tune out the crap. Focus on what you are doing.
All it takes is a conscious decision to do it and a little practice.
Most people walk around with their heads up their asses not paying attention. A lot of them have no balance - hell, some of them look like they are about to fall over with every step.
Another fun thing to do is sit somewhere and just watch them (I like bus stops). With a little effort you can pick out the bad guys. Some of the things you will see will astound and amaze you.
Heed this advice and you'll have a good chance to survive on the mean streets of any city!
Thank you, Sir. I will make a point of doing so.
Test yourself by comparing what you remember to what is there.
The beginning of knowing what is out of place is knowing what is normal.
Those are some great ideas! I'm embarrassed to say I couldn't do a very good job of sketching out the street, much less any of the other exercises. All too often I find myself wondering when some building or other was torn down - clearly, I have some work to do. Thank you, Sir.
Do one thing at a time and do it well. Pick your head up, open your eyes and see what you are seeing - not what you expect to see. Learn to tune out the crap. Focus on what you are doing.
I've found a lot of wisdom in your posts - your Mindset thread being one example - so I particularly appreciate your response. One of the challenges I face is internal dialog - thinking about whatever comes to mind instead of paying attention. That must surely be as bad as a cell phone.
So, I'll work on modifying my behavior.
Perhaps I'll even visit a bus stop. Thank you very much, Sir.
Clearly, I have some work to do if I am to develop SA. I think the goal is well worth the effort, and I appreciate the good advice and good counsel. Thank you all for the gift of time and knowledge your posts represent.
I'm interested in the apparent fact that "practice makes perfect" in terms of developing SA. Furthermore, that the more one does it, the more unconcious the activity becomes. It is as though it all boils down to what a Zen Buddhist might say as, "Pay Attention!!" Which leads me to this. . . a bit of a stretch here. . .
There is some indication that Buddhist monks, folks who have thousands of hours of meditation under their belts, are able to develop pronounced changes in their brain waves. Here's an article about the Dalai Lama related to the subject.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.02/dalai.html
I've also read that meditation can be practiced wherever, whenever: doing the dishes, walking around the block, sitting, etc. What is important is the paying attention.
Ergo, is not working on SA a form of meditation, albeit a very practical form? Also, is it possible that the brainwaves of a seasoned cop or team guy change as well when either "switched on" or even walking about?:munchin
I appreciate the comments from everyone; this is good stuff for us FNGs
Books
Also, is it possible that the brainwaves of a seasoned cop or team guy change as well when either "switched on" or even walking about?:munchin
I appreciate the comments from everyone; this is good stuff for us FNGs
Books
Speaking only for the "seasoned cop" contingent, I am going to speculate that my brain wave activity is probably within the "normal" range. We (cops) are merely gifted with a severe case of "I don't trust anyone but my mom, and half the time I wonder WTF she is up to.":D :D
In all seriousness, it just comes with deliberate practice. If you do it enough (for a living) you catch yourself doing it when you are at a bar, restaurant, etc....
There have been 4 cops shot (from my station house and the one south of it) within the past couple months. Bangers and dealers play hard, and we are often outnumbered on calls. You have to learn to assess threats quickly and effectively, or you can get hurt...... bad.
Practice makes perfect.... or at least "better" than you were before.
Best of luck.
NousDefionsDoc
08-13-2007, 21:37
I'm interested in the apparent fact that "practice makes perfect" in terms of developing SA. Furthermore, that the more one does it, the more unconcious the activity becomes. It is as though it all boils down to what a Zen Buddhist might say as, "Pay Attention!!" Which leads me to this. . . a bit of a stretch here. . .
There is some indication that Buddhist monks, folks who have thousands of hours of meditation under their belts, are able to develop pronounced changes in their brain waves. Here's an article about the Dalai Lama related to the subject.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.02/dalai.html
I've also read that meditation can be practiced wherever, whenever: doing the dishes, walking around the block, sitting, etc. What is important is the paying attention.
Ergo, is not working on SA a form of meditation, albeit a very practical form? Also, is it possible that the brainwaves of a seasoned cop or team guy change as well when either "switched on" or even walking about?:munchin
I appreciate the comments from everyone; this is good stuff for us FNGs
Books
A Soto Zen Master would smack the crap out of you for that post and yell at you to "Just sit!" or "FOCUS!"
NousDefionsDoc
08-13-2007, 21:39
Practice makes perfect..
Horse hockey. Perfect practice makes perfect. Crap practice makes crap.
kachingchingpow
08-14-2007, 05:57
Fine points all, and excellent level of detail mdb23. In teaching self defense, I've taught that posture, and an assertive appearance play an important role, and go hand in hand with SA. Head on a swivel, making eye contact, (all mentioned above) and not just looking like a target can often turn a potential attacker off, as their sizing up their target. I also passed some simple advice to everyone in our neighborhood via our homeowners newsletter. As your driving through your neighborhood, on the way out/in make eye contact and wave to everyone you see. Identification is very big deterrant to a potential theif. If you've made eye contact, and an effort to communicate with them via a wave, often they'll just move on.
The Reaper
08-14-2007, 06:26
Fine points all, and excellent level of detail mdb23. In teaching self defense, I've taught that posture, and an assertive appearance play an important role, and go hand in hand with SA. Head on a swivel, making eye contact, (all mentioned above) and not just looking like a target can often turn a potential attacker off, as their sizing up their target. I also passed some simple advice to everyone in our neighborhood via our homeowners newsletter. As your driving through your neighborhood, on the way out/in make eye contact and wave to everyone you see. Identification is very big deterrant to a potential theif. If you've made eye contact, and an effort to communicate with them via a wave, often they'll just move on.
I think you are confusing Situational Awareness with individual protective measures.
While some attackers are deterred by the fact that you are aware of their presence, you are getting outside of SA here and into "how to avoid being a victim".
Street thugs are predators and like surprise, darkness, strength of numbers, etc. The first step that you need to take is to be aware of yourself and your surroundings.
I am not a big fan of meditation as a vehicle for SA. Reading some Jeff Cooper articles about Conditions might be.
TR
nmap - Thanks for starting this thread. I've really enjoyed reading the advice and instruction. I previously thought of myself and fairly in tune with my surroundings but now that I'm focusing on my kids not getting smacked by cars in parking lots all this other stuff has completely gone by the wayside while I should be paying a lot more attention to it.
Everyone else... You all really are the coolest group ever.
Ret10Echo
08-14-2007, 09:08
Horse hockey. Perfect practice makes perfect. Crap practice makes crap.
Amen!
Horse hockey. Perfect practice makes perfect. Crap practice makes crap.
Point taken.
They were sitting in a Starbucks chatting away.
Did any of them glance out the window at the parking lot and notice the woman standing out there? Yes or No? Was she standing or walking around? Yes or No? As they stepped out did she just appear from nowhere? Yes or No?
You have to start with the basics.
I can't help it. Your post reminded me of a movie quote....
"And often I ask myself, 'what kind of panties is she wearing?' Odds are, it's your basic cotton white panty. But what if it's something unusual? What if it's a thong? What if it's something exotic that I've never seen before?"
- Will Farrell, Old School
Team Sergeant
08-14-2007, 10:20
Situational Awareness…. A heightened sense of the world around you.
When you step outside from which direction is the wind blowing? It’s speed? How can you tell? What are the indicators? On a busy street can you discern which woman is wearing the interesting perfume just from the wind direction? Ever watch the ocean waves and recognize which way the wind is blowing by just how the waves are cresting?
When you are driving to work (or anywhere for that matter) do you know where you are? Can you “zoom” in and out in your brain and see yourself (your position) on that map in your head? How far can you zoom that image in and out? On your way to work, do you know all the street names and what general direction the street runs?
Can you name the cardinal directions at any moment? (From inside the mall? The movie theater, your favorite restaurant?)
On a cloudy day do you know where the sun is at any given moment? Which way does the water run in your street during a rainstorm? Have you ever smelled a rain storm approaching? Have you ever watched someone run across the grass and seen the footprints they leave? Have you ever followed someone through a misty morning forest and know you can follow them just by looking for the leaves that are missing that “dew drop”? Do you know the moon cycles and what percentage of illumination you’ll have tonight? Can you find north at night, unaided, from anywhere in the world?
Have you ever heard a forest go silent? Know the difference between a natural sound and a manmade one? Do you know what flora and fauna are indigenous to your area and what would be considered “out of place”?
As was said before, many look but few really see. And although there are those that can see can they understand what they are seeing in a matter of seconds and take action?
I believe we are all born with a particular level of SA. Some can develop this SA into a level of awareness that works well under extreme circumstances. Some will notice their dogs ears ever so slightly pick up at the approach of a visitor at the front door, others are lucky to hear the knock when the visitor arrives. Many today are deliberately shutting out the world and turning off their SA completely by wearing IPODS and constant text messaging on their cell phones. (I set my phone to vibrate, never to ring, to remain in contact with the world around me.)
Kim’s games and observation exercises are great but both are designed to enhance the visual world. You’re missing out if you don’t use the rest of your senses. Remember Gladiator? Do you remember what Maximus did each and every time before a fight?
IMO SA is a heightened sense of awareness and the ability to discern, recognize and understand our world by applying sight, smell, touch, taste and sound. Some use SA in a defensive mode, such as deer, cows sheep. Ever look at a prey animal and wonder why their eyes are on the side of their head? And a predators eyes are in front, like yours?
Individuals that apply a heightened level of SA do so in every waking moment, not just in a defensive or offensive mode but every conscious moment. I believe some have the ability to turn it down and turn it up, and some can only turn it off by sleep.
Before we deploy to a foreign country Special Forces soldiers perform an extensive Area Study of the country. This raises our understanding of the operational area and begins the SA process before we arrive in country. The more we understand about our operational area the faster we can interpret what we see, hear, smell etc.
Back to the original question; how can one improve their situational awareness?
Experience seems to be a good teacher, knowledge is another. Knowledge some say is power, I say not unless you can apply that knowledge.
Team Sergeant
TS: All I can say is Wow.
Believe I'll print off this thread, and read it every day.
Holly
One more thing, A Captain that I worked with used to say, "If it makes you feel creepy, it is." Of course, he was referring to our positioning and routes when clearing structures, but the same applies to day to day life.
How many times have you heard victims say, "The guy in the parking lot looked kinda weird, but I didn't think he would rob me." As said before, we have a natural gut instinct, so listen to it.
If the guy standing in the parking lot gives you the willies, then wait till he leaves, or walk to your car in a group.
For the most part, the things that I talked about in my first post were the "far too in depth to be practical" ramblings of someone who does this for a living....... but if I were to really give someone practical, easy to apply advice for developing SA, it would be this.....
Slow down. Make yourself stop, slow down, and pay attention to where you are, and who is around you. Take a minute to look and listen. Train yourself to do it. Always know where you are ( intersections or address --- look at street signs as you pass them), and look at the people in your AO. If they give you the willies, then respect that. Pay attention to what people are doing with their hands, cause thats what they will hurt you with. Look at how people are behaving, because people can be read like books. And get yourself used to noticing things that are "out of the ordinary."
Anyway, there are others on here more qual'd than me to talk abou this, so I'm out. Best of luck.
A Soto Zen Master would smack the crap out of you for that post and yell at you to "Just sit!" or "FOCUS!"
I'm not much for Zen, but I get the point! :D Domo Sensei!
Ergo, is not working on SA a form of meditation, albeit a very practical form?
No, you've got it backwards. Meditation, in whatever form, leads to mindfulness (or SA, same thing to my understanding). But with meditation, you cannot focus on the desired result and expect to achieve it. As NDD said, just sit, or just walk, or just wash the dishes, or just scrape the carbon from your bolt. Mindfulness will come.
You might google kinhin - not all meditation involves sitting quietly. It might give you some ideas for analogs available in modern life.
In learning SA, would it be prudent to put yourself in the preditors mindset?
Also I have to agree with mdb23. My Gut feeling has kept me out of some situations.
Trust the GUT. It is your mind seeing things that your eyes have over looked. :)
At least that is my little opinion for what it is worth.
I am Not A BTDT, just an average joe.
Peregrino
08-15-2007, 11:27
In learning SA, would it be prudent to put yourself in the preditors mindset?
Let's ask a different question. Are you a predator, are you prey, or are you even in the game? NDD's Mindset thread should already have you asking yourself that and other similar questions. SA is all about mindset and I think some of you are missing the point. Let's pontificate:
SA is about observing your environment so you know the variables you'll use to perform the mental "calculus" (never get the same answer twice because of the variables) to determine appropriate (survivable) responses to percieved stimuli - not just threats but all input. To be blunt - it doesn't matter what mindset you adopt, only that you adopt something. The key is to not be oblivious, passively waiting to be a victim. Look at nature. Predator or prey, they both have to have good SA if they want to survive. To put it in perspective, everything fits in the food chain somewhere, even "rabbit food". There's a lot more "rabbit food" out there than there is either predators or prey. The same is true for people. For the players, survival is a continuum with offense (predation) on one end and defense (posture, fight, flight, submit) on the other. Where you are on that scale is not fixed/immutable.
As an aside - it's interesting to compare the differences in perceptions between people. It'll reinforce the "mental calculus" image I gave earlier. I had the oportunity to work with some very experienced LEOs after I returned from an OCONUS tour. IMNSHO anyone interested in improving their SA (daily use - not necessarilly for combat) that gets a chance should do a ride along with a big city training officer, it's an eye opening experience. He adopted teaching mode and we compared notes. It was the typical bell curve situation - we saw most of the same things and interpreted most of what we saw similarly, despite the fact that we each applied different "filters" to the shared experience. The differences were based on perceptions, LEO vs. soldier and the programming (because that's what it really is) of our individual experiences. In the environment I had just returned from, his responses would have exposed him to unnecessary risk; in the environment we were operating in at the time, my responses (if allowed free reign) would have been "inappropriate" :p . (Personally I'd much rather be a soldier - it's not nearly as ambiguous.)
Food for thought - Peregrino
kachingchingpow
08-15-2007, 13:01
I think you are confusing Situational Awareness with individual protective measures.
While some attackers are deterred by the fact that you are aware of their presence, you are getting outside of SA here and into "how to avoid being a victim".
Street thugs are predators and like surprise, darkness, strength of numbers, etc. The first step that you need to take is to be aware of yourself and your surroundings.
I am not a big fan of meditation as a vehicle for SA. Reading some Jeff Cooper articles about Conditions might be.
TR
Not confused at all. Just read a little between the lines of what nmap was asking, and strayed from the topic. FWIW, I think "individual protective measures" fall along a gradient of personal decisions from being situationally aware to threat deterrance/reduction to being prepared or capable to engage or react. SA is definately a cornerstone.
TS & Peregino have all hit it right on.
Another observation from a LEO's perspective is trying to watch your attacker(s) background while watching yours. We are accountable for every round that comes out of our weapon(s). Using that nice concrete wall 4 foot high for cover in the middle of a gunfight may not be your best bet when behind it is a grade school's playground and recess is in session.
Let's ask a different question. Are you a predator, are you prey, or are you even in the game? NDD's Mindset thread should already have you asking yourself that and other similar questions. SA is all about mindset and I think some of you are missing the point. Let's pontificate:
SA is about observing your environment so you know the variables you'll use to perform the mental "calculus" (never get the same answer twice because of the variables) to determine appropriate (survivable) responses to percieved stimuli - not just threats but all input. To be blunt - it doesn't matter what mindset you adopt, only that you adopt something. The key is to not be oblivious, passively waiting to be a victim. Look at nature. Predator or prey, they both have to have good SA if they want to survive. To put it in perspective, everything fits in the food chain somewhere, even "rabbit food". There's a lot more "rabbit food" out there than there is either predators or prey. The same is true for people. For the players, survival is a continuum with offense (predation) on one end and defense (posture, fight, flight, submit) on the other. Where you are on that scale is not fixed/immutable.
As an aside - it's interesting to compare the differences in perceptions between people. It'll reinforce the "mental calculus" image I gave earlier. I had the oportunity to work with some very experienced LEOs after I returned from an OCONUS tour. IMNSHO anyone interested in improving their SA (daily use - not necessarilly for combat) that gets a chance should do a ride along with a big city training officer, it's an eye opening experience. He adopted teaching mode and we compared notes. It was the typical bell curve situation - we saw most of the same things and interpreted most of what we saw similarly, despite the fact that we each applied different "filters" to the shared experience. The differences were based on perceptions, LEO vs. soldier and the programming (because that's what it really is) of our individual experiences. In the environment I had just returned from, his responses would have exposed him to unnecessary risk; in the environment we were operating in at the time, my responses (if allowed free reign) would have been "inappropriate" :p . (Personally I'd much rather be a soldier - it's not nearly as ambiguous.)
Food for thought - Peregrino
Greetings Sir,
Another amazing perspective for someone in my shoes. After reading in to the SA definitions, am curious if there is/should be, any difference in practicing SA for females, rather than males? i.e. Certain different things feamles should practice that males do not etc...
Before any flame torches start firing, please know I am only asking out of simple curiosity, knowing that this Board is for QP's.
Just a thought is all.:munchin
Holly
Peregrino has underscored the importance of context, as applied to exercising SA in the environment of threat. TS wrote of the ability to scale our SA, within our personal context. We should identify our prime context of threat, in the effort to build exercises to develop SA and counters, specific to probable threats.
Nmap - Being a citizen in a low-risk occupation, your prime threat, is the criminal assault context. Since the assaultive criminal is the enemy, let's take a page from military doctrine, and study our enemy's methods and goals. Our goal is pattern recognition, to aid in early warning, and if needed counteraction.
In general, the criminal employs several principles to accomplish his criminal goals.
1. Target assessment
Criminal wants easy target for high chance of success. Task fixation of victim, low escape capability, seclusion from observation, low chance of resisting violence, are several factors that criminal will consider for target selection.
2. Need to close range to victim prior to launching attack.
Ruses for encroachment, existing victim distraction -- increase criminal's chance of success. Criminal is working to increase mental offset of the target.
3. Need to shock and surprise victim in close proximity, for control
Criminal attempts to overload victim's mental tasking, with well rehearsed ploys. A confused mind is easily paralyzed, and fear escalates the mental freeze, which then triggers physical inaction. Criminal goal here is either submission by fear control or violence.
4. Total submission
The assaultive criminal is not often seeking a fight. The final criminal goal may be robbery or bodily harm -- which requires victim control in close proximity. To achieve that, the criminal prefers no fight. That's not to say the criminal won't use extreme violence as method -- just that control through fear is often preferred.
With those capsules, how can we build SA exercises for this context?
Let's take the criminal's target selection criteria, and habitually employ counters.
Victim task fixation is prime selection factor. So identify those incidents in your public life, where your attention was enclosed to a two foot radius around your body. The longer the dwell time in this state, the higher your target selection value.
Next, identify those times when you are secluded from open viewing or earshot, in a public venue. Could someone approach you without being seen? Could you increase range from an unknown person as they approached? How is the area illumination? Your target selection value increases, as these factors fall out of your favor.
We all have those imperfect situations, where we fall into a victim selection deficit. We still need to go into the late night parking garage, by ourselves. This is where the 'Scaler' aspect of SA, comes into play. We study the criminal method, we know what he favors. As our immediate situation leans towards the criminal advantage, we increase our "awareness" from casual to high alert. We can change pace, slow down, observe from safe vantage, identify next safe vantage and choke points, move along the uncommon path.
This is an overview, and there is so much more to the topic.
PS.com members will see the age old principles, but when seen through the assaultive criminal context, the common citizen may find direct application.
-Seth
Team Sergeant
08-15-2007, 15:28
When employing SA don’t focus on a threat or threat environment or any specific environment for that matter. If you do you will only look for things you have been trained to look for in those situations/environments. (Look but do not see.) If you narrow your focus you might not see the big picture.
Nmap - Being a citizen in a low-risk occupation, your prime threat, is the criminal assault context.
Seth, This is not a victim/perpetrator thread. I’m of the belief the main question was how to improve one’s SA. How do we know Nmap’s greatest threat might actually be heart disease or jogging each morning at 0230 when the bars just closed. Ever think he might be an avid camper who enjoys long hikes and extended outdoor stays? Good situational awareness covers all these areas. If all one is interested in is "defensive" awareness I would suggest a criminal psychology course. Besides, if you look at everything as a threat where do you find time to drink beer? ;)
The sort of SA some of us are discussing is the same sort of SA that one uses to watch their children, drive their car, hunt a deer, find a lost camper, land an aircraft, listen to a thunderstorm, go sightseeing, playing softball, should I go on?
TS
I understand your point, TS, and concur in the full scope and practice of SA.
I keyed on Nmap's thread starting post, that used a criminal act, as illustration. It's was my assumption, that her focus was personal protection concerns. I often get trapped in my own bias surrounding SA.
-Seth
I understand your point, TS, and concur in the full scope and practice of SA.
I keyed on Nmap's thread starting post, that used a criminal act, as illustration. It's was my assumption, that her focus was personal protection concerns. I often get trapped in my own bias surrounding SA.
-Seth
Seth/And All;
We've tried to give the simplified version of SA. Some us us have used typical settings for the civilian to relate to but it all boils down to noticing things. Touch and taste to not come into play much but smell, hearing and sight sure do. They all provide input to that gray matter acting as a super computer running behind your eyeballs.
The problem is most people click off the input and overwrite it with junk input like cell phones, ipods, etc. The trick is to keep the external input coming in and let your brain digest it and form an opinion of the data.
Some people I know can't walk 100 yards from a road without getting turned around and lost. Most I've worked with could glance at a map, notice the major terrain features and then walk around in the woods for a few hours and then come out near, I'll not say at, the point they went in at. The senses are just inputting info into the brain and it digests it and gives you an informed opinion.
Same thing with weather changes, you can feel a change is coming but might not know why. You may have recieved input from the animals and birds around you but not overtly noticed.
When moving with troops into a position at night you get an uneasy feeling that something is not right. Your senses have provided input that your brain notices but is unable to process. It warns you that something is out of place.
People who have good SA have an ability to reach out with the senses at all times and recieve input and then process it.
This is not some Zen like mystic stuff where we have to walk down our inner stairway to our soul but just paying attention to our external environment.
How many times have you heard victims say, "The guy in the parking lot looked kinda weird, but I didn't think he would rob me." As said before, we have a natural gut instinct, so listen to it.
If the guy standing in the parking lot gives you the willies, then wait till he leaves, or walk to your car in a group.
You make a good point; it's one I try to apply.
I don't know if you've thumbed through "Dress for Success" by Malloy, but you might find some of the ideas interesting. People tend to judge others, according to the research by the author, based on minor items of clothing.
For example, they tend to look at those who wear tan raincoats as being upper middle class, and those who wear black raincoats as working class. Another example is the navy blue suit - almost everyone trusts someone in a navy blue suit. Those on the shop floor might react in a negative manner to someone in a grey pinstripe suit. Thus, attire might distort impressions toward (or away from) caution.
Wolves wearing sheep's clothing, if you will.
Thank you, Sir, for all the good input!
Situational Awareness…. A heightened sense of the world around you.
The sort of SA some of us are discussing is the same sort of SA that one uses to watch their children, drive their car, hunt a deer, find a lost camper, land an aircraft, listen to a thunderstorm, go sightseeing, playing softball, should I go on?
I've taken a day to more fully appreciate the depth of what you've written, Sir. Thank you very much for your insights.
As I reflect on what you've said, I can see SA being used in everything from small things, such as finding the cat when she wants to hide, to greater issues. Many years ago, a client (long deceased) decided to buy Southwest Airlines stock, based on his conclusion that any airline that put pretty girls in skimpy shorts and charged low fares had to succeed. His analysis worked; he made some nice profits - and it seems he used some SA to notice a key difference.
I've started trying to improve my awareness, and I'll strive to incorporate the other senses. Again, thank you!
Peregrino
08-15-2007, 18:30
After reading in to the SA definitions, am curious if there is/should be, any difference in practicing SA for females, rather than males? i.e. Certain different things feamles should practice that males do not etc...
Gracias Guys, You gave me a handle for dealing with this one.
Echoes - We've all been trying to get across the point that there is NO DIFFERENCE in the practical application of SA - FOR ANYONE. You're either aware or you're not. (Actually most people are somewhere in between - follow up on TR's reference to Cooper's "Conditions".) Your question shows you're not getting the point (you're not the only one, thanks for being the example). Refer to my prey/predator analogy. The lion and the gazelle both have awareness of the hyenas. That's "input" for the decision making process. See them, assess the threat, take appropriate action and they're just part of the scenery. Don't see them, get surprised, and they're a potential threat to either one.
The differences you're asking about have more to do with the decision making process after SA has been applied than it does to SA. You have to decide how to integrate the environmental data, come to a decision, and act on it. Nobody else knows what resources you have or what level of risk you are willing to accept. 90 lb female (who recognizes a threat and has a plan) with gun that's willing to use it trumps 260 lb slob that underestimated her every time. Take away any of the factors in her favor and read about her in the crime stats. SA is about having the inputs to stay ahead of the decision making curve - giving yourself more options to keep the odds favorable. It's not just criminal threats. Reread TS's last reply. He hits it on the head when he says it's everyday life. No SA equals no ability to anticipate; always being in reaction mode, e.g. "behind the power curve". You're just a potential victim waiting for another straw on the camel's back. Don't know about you, but I prefer not to live that way.
HTH - Peregrino
Is it fair to say that you either got it or you don't?
I'd submit to you there are numerous people in the population who don't have it, don't know they don't have it, and, even if they knew about it, don't care to have it. Some never will have it.
bravo22b
08-15-2007, 19:14
First off, I haven't BTDT, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt. Some of what I will say will repeat what others more qualified than me have said; if I've called fire in on myself in my second post, then I've got no one to blame but myself.
When I first read this thread, I thought about how I would try to explain SA to someone who had no experience with it. As the QP's have pointed out, it's something that applies at all times in all situations, but in different ways. So I tried to lay out a logical outline of some general principles for SA that apply to civilians as well as military. Again, much of this has been covered by the QP's:
1) Being aware of your physical environment - the obvious first step
a. using all your senses, all the time
b. being conscious of your physical position - your physical position is always important. A good example for civilians might be using the center lane in traffic so you maximize your options; in other cases, using cover and concealment (or at least being aware of where it is), or being aware of your fields of fire and backstops. Also, being aware of where you are geographically (as TS pointed out).
c. learning to identify common sights, sounds, and smells - take time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. You have to be able to identify what belongs before you can identify what doesn't.
d. memorize key features - this is where Kim's Game comes in handy. You never know what details might be important, and you may need to be able to identify what has changed next time you are in the same location. You want to be able to "file away" details or things you've noticed for later use... over time and with practice, this lowers the amount of thought that needs to be devoted to SA. You will already know what that particular noise or smell is, so you will be able to immediately filter it out, or focus in on it for further analysis.
e. stay focused - when it's time to have the high SA turned on, don't let your mind wander... you never know when the small detail you miss will be the most important one.
2) Identify what doesn't belong - obviously, this varies for every situation. Always trust your instinct. Don't gloss over what doesn't fit...make an effort to identify what it is and why it might be there. This is undoubtedly why NDD noticed rubber exercise matting in a picture with food...
3) Look for tell-tales - sometimes there are things that belong in given scenario, but experience may tell you can be dangerous (or advantageous). A good example is a shopping bag left alone in a store. It may belong, but experience tells us that it may have a high likelihood of being something dangerous. There are a million things that might be important in different scenarios... only experience (and good teachers) will help you know what they are. Again, memorization will help here.
4) Consider contingencies and COA's - think about what the likely things to go wrong are in a given situation... then figure out how to deal with them, so when the time comes, you already know what to do.
I also think you can be "shocked" into being more aware of something after a traumatic event.
In college I was one of about 15,000 people in an auditorium that was held hostage for about 45 minutes while a crazy man threatened the speaker with what looked like a gun to his head saying he had explosives and was going to blow us all up. (The basic story is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cody_Judy) In any case, it was probably the most frightening experience of my life and even though the guy didn't end up having anything and no harm came to anyone, it scared the crap out of me. From that day on I can't go into any building or even an outdoor public event without plotting an escape plan in my head. It was easy enough when I was single but it's gotten more difficult with the kids. I've learned to adjust with the kids by going into lock-down mode when in public. I don't go anywhere (if I can help it) where I can't keep all of my kids contained in a shopping cart or stroller. Kids running around makes my brain hurt - impossible to make a quick exit unless they are strapped in something! Now that they are getting older I'm having to starting dealing with them wanting to walk around and it's killing me.
I just wish I was more aware about everything!
People who have good SA have an ability to reach out with the senses at all times and recieve input and then process it.
This is not some Zen like mystic stuff where we have to walk down our inner stairway to our soul but just paying attention to our external environment.
+1, Things were starting to get pretty deep for a minute. You adjust and make decisions based on your SA. Putting yourself in positions where the chances of having a bad day. Or just things becoming difficult, is least likely to occur. Solving or avoiding the problem before hand is the end result of good SA .
Its not always related to crime. Just knowing if your Wife finds what shes shopping for. This object will block your rear window when loaded into your truck. So you found a parking spot you don't have to back out of. You also know the price of this object. Before leaving the house you canceled that Upper Receiver that was back ordered.
The Reaper
08-15-2007, 19:40
Look at the recent spate of disappearing young women.
They almost invariably went to a bar or some similar establishment, overindulged, and left without their friends. Not saying in any way that they deserved what happened to them, but like it or not, their actions contributed to their demise. Those actions include an almost total lack of SA and good judgement.
Equality aside, a woman is almost invariably at a physical disadvantage to a man. There are differences, like it or not.
As Peregrino and others have said, if you are not aware of the threat it is very difficult to be prepared or to catch up with the cycle once it starts. You are giving up the element of surprise, as well as speed (since your opponent initiates the engagement), and you start the OODA Loop at a terminal disadvantage. All that you have left is violence of action, if you survive to Round Two.
If you are aware of the threat, you may be able to avoid it, neutralize it, initiate the action yourself, or limit the options of the assailant.
This has turned almost entirely to a discussion of personal proterction. Go back and read the TS's post. Good SA will allow you to anticipate a number of issues, from the weather to avoiding accidents, to finding money on the ground. Some people inherently have a good sense of SA. Some can develop one. Some never will.
Many people die every year from things that could have been prevented by good SA. Many others avoid that fate by being an active part of the world that they operate in.
Focus on seeing, hearing, and smelling what is going on around. Looking is not the same thing as seeing. Listening is not the same as hearing. Try to work on anticipating what is happening. At least the effort will make you more attentive.
TR
I think I understand the broad meaning of SA now. It is not just about personal protection or defense. SA is noticing everything around you at some level of perception. It is not just looking for threats and assesing(sp?) for danger.
Closer to the true defenition or not?
I would like to thank you all for letting guest have a chance to ask questions and learn.
shadowwalker
08-16-2007, 00:49
I have read the complete thread and have just a few things to add.
First be prepared.
Be aware.
Be ready to react.
The best example and explanation of SA I have ever been given was provided to me by a QP (deceased now) some 25 or so year's ago. He said if you get a felling like you aren't suppose to be some where leave. He also to me to look for and be aware of all exit routes.
In reference to the feeling he gave me an example from Vietnam, he was in a bar and got a feeling, very strong, that he should leave. He followed his feeling and the next day was given the news that not 30 minutes after he left the bar it was bombed. His explanation of this was that it is kind of like if someone (not physically) taps you on the shoulder and says hey watch this, or pay attention, or run.
I have never forgotten this advice and it has come in handy a few times. He also said that when that feeling comes always follow it, you may never know what the danger was but it is better to be safe that sorry.
One last point I would like to make, is a deterrent to situations you may not want to find you self in, can be how you carry yourself. If you carry yourself with confidence you will appear to be less of a victim, if you seem to be more aware, others will have second thoughts about approaching you. This is just my .02 cents. From my experiences.
Peregrino: Sir, thank You for that information, and I will continue to work on my SA.
TR: Sir, thank You for taking the time and sharing that information.
Always continuing to learn here, and that is what makes this Board so great for a lot of us.:o
Holly