Situational Awareness ERIC WALKE T.J. HUTTON
What is situational awareness? Situational awareness is a heightened sense. It is being in tune with your surroundings and understanding what is happening, what has happened, and what could happen.
Why is it important? Having situational awareness will allow you to play life chess. It will help you recognize potentially dangerous situations. It could save your life
When is situational awareness relevant? Every minute of every day!
Combat mindset LtCol. John Dean Jeff Cooper (USMC, ret.) The most important means of surviving a lethal confrontation is neither the weapon nor the martial skills.
5 colors denote your mental state at any given time White Yellow Orange Red Black Not a static environment
White Unaware and unprepared. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy or ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be "Oh my God! This can't be happening to me."
Yellow Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself". You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don't know.
Yellow, cont. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to "Watch your six." In Yellow, you are "taking in" surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep.
Orange Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: "If that person does "X", I will need to stop them".
Orange, cont. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to.
Red Condition Red is fight. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. "If 'X' happens I will shoot that person" - 'X' has happened, the fight is on.
Black Catastrophic breakdown of mental and physical performance. Usually over 175 heartbeats per minute, increased heart rate becomes counter productive. May have stopped thinking correctly. This can happen when going from Condition White or Yellow immediately to Condition Red.
O.O.D.A. Loop Col. John Boyd (USAF, ret.) "Time is the dominant parameter. The pilot who goes through the OODA cycle in the shortest time prevails because his opponent is caught responding to situations that have already changed."
Observation The collection of data by means of the senses. Sight Hearing Touch Smell Pay attention to what your senses are telling you!
Orientation Filtering of the information through our culture genetics ability to analyze and synthesize information previous experience. Dirty baby? Wardrobe selections?
Decision Based on what you have gathered from your observations and your orientation, you need to make a decision!
Action The action is setting your decision into motion. It is a physical act.
Looking for things out of place Pay attention to your surroundings! Don t live in complacency. Do you see someone who seems to be watching you out of the corner of their eye? Do you get the feeling someone is following you? Trust what your senses are telling you.
Use the buddy system People who intend to make a poor decision are less likely to target a group. Two pairs of eyes are far better than one. Having someone you know/trust in scary places will help you remain calm
Situational awareness tips for parking garages or open air parking lots Get off the cell phone! Have your keys in you hand Keep your head on a swivel Park in a well lit area if available Once in your vehicle, don t linger
Use of personal defense weapons The cute kitty key chain
Personal defense weapons Pepper spray Wasp spray
Personal defense weapons Batons
Personal defense weapons Tasers
Personal defense weapons Knives
Personal defense weapons Firearms
Personal defense weapons Which should be my first choice? The 6 between your ears should be your first choice. Use something you re comfortable with
Questions?
Basic self defense This class will: Give you a BASIC understanding of BASIC self defense techniques Teach you where to strike someone should they make a poor decision Show you these techniques must be practiced to maintain proficiency
Basic self defense, cont. This class will not: Make you a UFC fighter Turn you into a split-toed ninja As previously stated, these techniques must be practiced!
Strike techniques Elbow strikes Strike zones Head Neck Solar plexus Ribs Groin Joints
Knee strikes Strike zones Head Neck Solar plexus Ribs Groin Joints
Punches Strike zones Head Neck Solar plexus Ribs Groin Joints
Baton strikes Strike zones Head Neck Solar plexus Ribs Groin Joints
Pressure points Behind the ear Mandibular angle Under the nose Infra Orbital
Pressure points Under the jaw Hypoglossal Throat Jugular notch
Techniques for use when attacked from the front Step off line What if I m being choked? Answer the phone Strike Up-Down Strike
What if I m being punched? Step off line Tuck Chin Cover up Strike back!
Techniques for use when attacked from the rear What if I m being choked? Break the hold Lower center of gravity Strike What if I m being punched? Cover up Get away if possible If not, fight back!
Techniques for use if you get knocked down Lying on your back Cover up Strikes Get up! On your stomach Cover up Strikes Get up! Knee lock take down
Questions?