Situational Awareness: Part One

Situational Awareness is something that has developed over the years as our society has become more and more violent. We stress situational awareness at My Ready Plan because it is your first line of defense. Are you off in your head thinking about 17 things or are you paying attention to your environment? The results of either can be stark and potentially life changing.

Times are different. We all know this. It’s pretty obvious if we are paying attention. My grandparents did not lock their doors at night for most their lives. Kids could be out all day playing in the neighborhood and not come home until dark without their parents worrying. We could leave our car windows down while in the store. Did you know there was actually a time when you could pick up a stranger off the side of the road and safely take them somewhere – and both people would part ways feeling good about the event.

Unfortunately, those days are long gone. 

So, everyone says be situationally aware of your surroundings. What does that mean? What are you looking for? The better you are at people watching, the better you can avoiding trouble.

This is one common tactic the bad guys use in a parking lot: You are walking to your car and see two individuals walking together. Don’t make the mistake thinking that they have to look shady. They seem to be just walking and not paying you any attention. You are getting close to your vehicle and you notice that the two of them split up. They change direction and start walking towards you, one on your left and one on your right. You start to arrive at your vehicle and notice that they will be arriving at about the same time you are. 

What should you have done, or what should you do?

Let’s talk about the gas station. You pull your vehicle in to the gas station and you look around a second. You exit your vehicle and just then you notice two guys at the corner of the building talking. You have not started pumping your gas and one of the two turns around and looks at you, as he turns back to the other guy he says something and a couple of seconds later the other guys turns around and looks at you. They have a quick conversation then both turn around split up and start to head your way.

What should you do? First you can click “Start your plan” and take your assessment today and we can help you start and from there momentum and our community will keep you going!

Original author: Noell