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?