Situational awareness is the conscious perception and analysis of your environment, the people around you, and what those people are doing. It’s crucial in firearm safety and can help gun owners quickly and accurately assess danger and fear, make critical decisions, and build confidence and mitigation techniques.
While most of us develop situational awareness throughout our lives, it can be honed and perfected over time, like any other skill. For gun owners, it’s important to practice situational awareness in everyday life so that when a potentially life-threatening situation presents itself, these skills are second-nature.
Here are a few ways you can practice situational awareness in everyday aspects of life.
Be Present
Rather than letting your mind wander, practice being in the moment. Pay attention to your surroundings, and your position within them, and be fully engaged in what you hear, smell and see around you.
Identify Exits
When entering a new place, take the time to mentally note the entry and exit points. Remember, anything can technically be an exit, even if it’s not an exit in the traditional sense.
Observe Without Staring
Casually scan the people around you. Notice their build, distinguishing physical characteristics, and clothing. Are they wearing a hat, carrying a bag, or is there a noticeable bulge in their clothing?
Notice Nonverbal Cues
A person’s body language can tell you a lot about how they are feeling, particularly if they are lying, nervous or agitated. Make it a point to identify the nonverbal cues and behaviors of those around you.
Limit Distractions
While distractions can’t be eliminated, they can be limited. Simple measures, like putting away your phone, allow you to focus on your surroundings and decrease your vulnerability.
Trust Your Instincts
If you have a bad feeling about a person or place, don’t ignore it. Instead, remove yourself form the situation. Even if there’s no inherent danger, it’s always best to listen to your gut and trust your intuition.
Situational Awareness Training in Williamsburg & Newport News, VA
By practicing situational awareness in everyday life, you’ll develop the skills and confidence needed to react effectively in dangerous or life-threatening situations.
At Piece Be With You, we take firearms safety and training seriously. Our goal is to provide training that builds upon the skills learned in our concealed carry permit classes to help you become a better marksman and a more well-rounded handgun owner. Our Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Training Series includes situational awareness training, and is the next logical step for CCW permit holders.
Learn more about our Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Training in Williamsburg, Richmond, Newport News, Hampton, Toano, Lanexa and Sandford, VA, or contact us for additional information.