Your first weapon in your self-defense toolbox is situational awareness. This is an aspect of self-defense that I believe too many self-defense instructors skip over. If you do a search for "self-defense training" on YouTube most of what you'll find are some physical self-defense/martial arts techniques that you could use if attacked. How about we work on never getting to that point if we can avoid it?

I mean look, were not a part of the avengers, batman or superman we just want to live peacefully and get home to our families. Now if someone disrupts our peace, there are another set of skills for that, but today were going to focus on not getting into a fight in the first place and the first part of that is situational awareness, let's get into it.

What is Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is the ability to perceive, understand, and anticipate the elements in your environment that could impact your safety or success. It's not just about observing your surroundings; it's about actively processing information, interpreting its meaning, and projecting how the situation might evolve. Think of it as your mental map, constantly updated with details and allowing you to navigate effectively. It's easy to see how this applies to self-defense right? Let's continue...

Why is Situational Awareness Important?

Think of situational awareness as your personal shield against danger, your first weapon in self-defense. By actively paying attention to your environment, you can:

• Identify potential threats early: This could be anything from someone following you to an aggressive panhandler to a suspicious package left unattended. Early detection gives you time to avoid or de-escalate the situation.

• Make informed decisions: When you're aware of your surroundings, you can make better choices about where to go, who to interact with, and how to behave. You're less likely to put yourself in vulnerable positions.

• React effectively: If a threat does materialize, your heightened awareness will help you react quickly and decisively. You'll be less likely to freeze up or make panicked decisions.

How can You Identify Potential Threats Early?

1. Scan Your Surroundings:

• Become a human radar: Develop a habit of actively scanning your environment, both indoors and outdoors. Take in details like exits, escape routes, potential obstacles, and the general vibe of the place. Look for anything that looks out of place, like it shouldn't be there. Things like a guy standing wearing a thick hoodie in 90 degree weather. It doesn't make sense, don't disregard it.

2. Engage All Senses:

• Don't be a phone zombie: Put away distractions like phones and headphones. This is one of the easiest ways to look like a victim. Every time I see someone walking outside with their eyes glued to their phone I'm always shaking my head and thinking "easy pickings". Stay present and engaged with your surroundings at all times. On the color codes of awareness scale you want to stay in condition yellow.  Pay attention to what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Trust your gut instinct if something feels off it probably is.

3. Read the Body Language Book:

• Nonverbal cues can be your allies: Learn to recognize signs of agitation, nervousness, or aggression in others. Notice unusual body language, like someone fidgeting excessively or making furtive glances around. These people you've got to keep an eye on. If you notice someone acting like this in a crowd of people you might be looking at a mass shooter.

4. Be a Master of Your Surroundings:

• Think like a strategist: Ask yourself questions like, "What's the most likely way someone could harm me here?" or "What are my escape routes if something goes wrong?" This proactive mindset helps you identify potential vulnerabilities. You can play this like a game with your family as well. Ask you kids questions when you're out an about like "hey do you think that guy over there is carrying a weapon?" or "if something happened right now, where would be the first place you run?"

5. Trust Your Gut:

• Don't ignore the red flags: If something feels wrong, it probably is. Don't dismiss that nagging feeling of unease. It's often your intuition trying to warn you, trust it. Worse case scenario, you leave the party early and get some much needed sleep.

Remember: Situational awareness is a continuous practice, not a one-time feat. The more you train your brain to be observant and analytical, the easier it becomes to spot potential threats.

How can You Make Better Informed Decisions

1. Gather comprehensive information:

• Engage all senses: Actively see, hear, smell, and feel your environment. Be engaged. Notice details like people's behavior, potential hazards, and escape routes. Don't go into dark alleys if you can help it, and stay with the crowd instead of going it alone.

• Ask questions: If something is unclear, don't hesitate to ask questions. This could be to clarify directions, understand local customs, or gauge the safety of a specific area. This is key while traveling in unfamiliar places. Doesn't matter whether you're traveling internationally or in the states. Every state has it's "hoods", places you don't want to be out too late at night, gas stations you shouldn't be at past a certain time, certain blocks you don't want to ride on etc. Some cities even have crime trends you need to be aware of! There may be certain cars that they are stealing, purses, shoes, etc. You never know unless you're from there, so ask the locals, and do some research online and social media on whatever place you are traveling too.

• Seek diverse perspectives: Don't rely solely on your own observations. Talk to locals, consult guides or reviews, and gather information from different sources to get a broader picture.

2. Analyze the information you gather:

• Look for patterns and inconsistencies: Notice if someone's behavior seems off, if certain areas feel unsafe, or if there are potential hazards you might have missed initially.

• Consider past experiences and knowledge: Draw on your own experiences and knowledge of similar situations to understand potential risks and benefits. Your experience is often your best teacher.

• Think critically: Don't jump to conclusions. Analyze the information objectively and avoid letting biases or emotions cloud your judgment. Be objective and understand that sometimes it just is what it is, not how you would like it to be.

3. Consider your priorities and goals:

• What are you trying to achieve? Are you looking for the safest route, the most exciting experience, or a balance between both? Clearly defining your priorities will guide your decision-making.

• What are your risk tolerances? Some people are more comfortable taking risks than others. Be honest with yourself about your level of comfort with potential dangers. Take into account whether you have your family with you or are you by yourself. You may be open to taking more risks when your alone versus having your wife (or husband) and children with you.

• Weigh the potential consequences: Consider the possible outcomes of each choice. What are the best-case and worst-case scenarios?

4. Make informed decisions and be adaptable:

• Make a choice based on the analysis of information and your priorities. Don't be afraid to choose a different path or activity if it feels unsafe or doesn't align with your goals. When it comes to analyzing things from a self-defense perspective the question you want to ask yourself is this..."is it worth me going to jail or dying over" if not, walk away, period.

• Be prepared to adapt: Situations can change quickly. Stay alert and be ready to adjust your decisions based on new information or unforeseen circumstances. Violence is unpredictable, remember that.

How to React Effectively if Confronted with A Threat

1. Assess the Situation:

• Stay calm and clear-headed: Panicking will only hinder your ability to make rational decisions. Take a deep breath and focus on understanding the situation. Thing is, you have to do this in a nano-second, this is where consistent training comes in. If you practice the things we've spoke about here you'll develop the senses to assess the situation quickly.

• Identify the threat: Is it a verbal or physical attack? How many attackers are there? What are their weapons or potential weapons? Again, you've got to do this in a nano-second. You don't have time to put a lot of thought into this because how you identify the threat determines what happens next...

• Evaluate your surroundings: Are there any escape routes or potential weapons you can use for defense? Are there any bystanders who could help? Is there anything around can be a hindrance to your escape?

2. De-escalate if Possible:

• Verbal de-escalation: If there is an opportunity to talk the attacker down, do it. The only fight you are sure to win is the one you never get in the first place. Speak calmly and assertively, and put your hands up in front of you to create distance and to defend and or attack if necessary.

• Set boundaries: Make it clear that if the attacker wants smoke, you're going to give him/her all they can handle and that you are not going to be an easy victim. Say things like "Stop!" or "Leave me alone!" with a firm voice and confident body language.

3. Defend Yourself if Necessary:

• Use your voice: Yell for help to draw attention to the situation. This can often scare off an attacker who doesn't want witnesses, or it could escalate the situation. Be prepared for either response.

• Fight back: If you are being physically attacked, or if your inner voice is telling you that you are in danger then fight back with whatever means necessary to protect yourself. Aim for vulnerable areas like the eyes, nose, throat, groin, or knees.

• Use Your Tools: I am a second amendment advocate so I'm going to tell you that you should be armed, trained and ready to use your legally owned firearm if necessary. A knife can get you out of a situation as well but requires more commitment to be up close and personal than a firearm, so if you're carrying a knife for self-defense be prepared for that. Improvise weapons are definitely an option as well. Anything you can find, such as keys, a purse, a belt, or even a can of pepper spray.

4. Escape if Possible:

• Look for the best escape route: Choose the path that offers the quickest and safest way out of the situation.

• Run if you can: Don't hesitate to run away if you have the opportunity. Zigzag to make it harder for the attacker to catch you.

• Seek help: Once you are safe, report the attack to the authorities immediately.

When in doubt, train.

Instructor Yasir