Mastering Situational Awareness: Elevate Your Survival Instincts
For over three decades, I've trained for, experienced, and taught skills needed to survive in the most dangerous parts of the world. During my military career and as a Department of Defense contractor, I've trained countless military personnel from every branch and even some foreign forces to handle unthinkable situations. I've also educated civilians on how to identify and evade extreme threats. One core message is always the same: be aware of your surroundings, as it could be a matter of life and death. One crucial principle I've consistently emphasized is situational awareness (SA).
But what exactly is situational awareness? It's the ability to understand and interpret the world around you. The military defines it as the capacity to “identify, process, and comprehend critical elements of information about what is happening around you.” It's about being in tune with your environment and being able to respond to potential dangers as if your life depends on it—because, in many cases, it does.
Enhancing your situational awareness is not just a choice; it's a necessity. I've distilled my years of experience into four essential rules. These rules will not only empower you to elevate your SA but also enable you to take charge of your safety and security.
Rule #1: Avoid Distractions
Distractions are your worst enemy. The most common and dangerous ones are self-imposed—like that little screen in your pocket. Cell phones can hijack your senses, keeping your eyes glued to the screen and your ears tuned out to the world. It's even worse if you are wearing earphones. Others can create distractions to divert your attention, like staging an argument to distract you while a pickpocket operates. But remember, you have the power to stay focused. You can avoid these distractions with practice and stay attuned to your surroundings.
Rule #2: Spot What’s Out of Place
If something looks out of place, it probably is. An abandoned bag next to a park bench or someone wearing a heavy coat in the summer might sound like movie clichés, but there's truth to them. What do you risk by speaking up or steering clear? Nothing. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Don't ignore the details that don’t fit. Your heightened awareness can make all the difference.
Rule #3: Trust Your Instincts
We all have those 'Spidey senses'—that gut feeling that something is off. Too often, we brush it aside, and the results can be disastrous. If you suddenly find yourself near someone who gives off a bad vibe or seems to have ill intentions, leave the area immediately. Or if you find yourself in a situation that makes you feel vulnerable, do everything possible to escape it. Our instincts have been honed over years of experience to protect us from danger, so don’t second guess yourself. Trusting your gut can be a lifesaver.
Rule #4: Have a Plan
Constantly ask yourself, ‘what if’. We often have a vague idea of what we might do in everyday scenarios, but what about the unexpected? What if an intruder breaks into your house in the dead of night? What if someone tries to open your car door at a traffic light? What if there's a shooter at the county fair?
In these moments, you must ask yourself: What if there's a threat right now? Would I run and escape? Hide and wait it out? Fight like my life depended on it?
Regularly practicing these mental exercises is smart. Time and again, it's proven that a decent plan executed with intensity is better than no plan at all. Commit to thinking ahead and be ready to act decisively. When the moment comes, hesitation can cost you everything. Be prepared, be ruthless, and always have a plan.
Awareness or Paranoia?
How is this different from being paranoid? Paranoia involves irrational suspicion or distrust of others and feeling threatened by non-existent dangers. It's generally considered a personality disorder. On the other hand, situational awareness is about being proactive, not paranoid. It's about being prepared and ready to protect yourself and those around you. This level of vigilance can make the difference between being a victim and staying safe.
Embrace situational awareness. Train your mind, sharpen your instincts, and always be ready. Your life—and those around you—may depend on it.
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Author Korey Staley is an instructor for The Center for Personal Protection and Safety (CPPS), where he specializes in violence prevention, threat mitigation, de-escalation techniques, and active shooter response. Korey has over 20 years of military experience and continues to contract with the Department of Defense (DOD) on captivity survival. This encompasses a range of situations, including prisoner of war, foreign government detention, and hostage.
