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There is no doubt that the world is becoming a more dangerous place every day. Even in our city, crime has risen in recent years. I was recently speaking with a police chief and a journalist about how the security environment has changed and how it is likely to worsen. That's why today, I want to discuss a topic that is not only intriguing but incredibly useful in everyday life. Situational awareness has saved my life more than once, and it can do the same for you. Situational awareness involves understanding what is happening around us. It's a mindset that helps us navigate our environment safely. Observe: Involves paying attention to various elements in your environment. Here are some key aspects to focus on: People: Notice if someone is acting unusually nervous, aggressive, or distracted. Their appearance might indicate a person's role or intention. Environment: Be aware of the general layout of the area, including entrances and exits. Note any changes in the environment, such as new objects or unusual alterations. Sounds: Listen for sounds that are out of place, like alarms, breaking glass, or raised voices. Smells: Notice smells like smoke or chemicals, which can indicate danger. Visibility: Pay attention to areas that are not well-lit, as they could hide potential threats. Orient: Involves understanding your position and how you relate to your surroundings. Here are some tips: Establish a Baseline: Identify what is normal for a given environment to spot anomalies. Be aware of usual routines and behaviors to recognize deviations. Use Reference Points: Utilize permanent landmarks to understand your position and navigate the area. Know all exits and routes for a quick escape if necessary. Spatial Awareness: Position yourself in a way that allows maximum visibility and awareness of potential threats. Stay Present: Stay focused and avoid getting lost in thought or distracted by external elements. These points are crucial for identifying threats and dangerous situations. Even a few seconds of advanced awareness can protect you and your loved ones. While often used by special forces, these principles can enhance your observational skills in all areas of life. In summary, situational awareness is the ability to identify, process, and comprehend information about how to survive in an emergency. There is a color code system used worldwide, known as “Cooper's Color Codes,” to describe levels of situational awareness: White: Most people operate at this level, going through life unaware of their surroundings and distracted by work, relationships, or technology. These individuals are potential victims. Even someone who is mentally and physically prepared cannot respond accurately to danger if they are in this state. Yellow: Relaxed but aware. This is the optimal state for situational awareness. You are not expecting trouble but are aware of your environment, allowing you to recognize a problem if it arises. Orange: Alert and focused on a specific potential threat. You are aware that there seems to be a problem, and your body is reacting accordingly. Red: Ready to act in response to a confirmed threat. If you are already under attack, you are prepared to neutralize the threat, not just by fighting but by avoiding it if possible. When shifting from orange to red, it means the opportunity to take preventative action has passed, and immediate response is required. Black: In a state of blind panic where you are unable to react effectively. Panic, as opposed to fear, is a physical state where your body does not respond to your will, rendering you unable to manage the situation. Make reflective surfaces your ally: Use mirrors or windows to see behind you. Maybe Practice relaxation techniques: Stay alert without stress or panic. Take a safety stance: Stand against a wall to prevent attacks from behind. Improve your memorization: Always be aware of the details in your environment. Trust your gut: Pay attention to your intuition and instincts. For me, this is the most important thing because, in nature, when an animal senses danger, it will leave and take the quickest and safest route to protect itself. I have a question for you: What do people do when an accident happens? They pick up their phones and walk through the scene. Yes, it’s crazy and doesn’t make sense, but that’s our current reaction. Our virtual lives seem to be worth more than our actual lives. Don’t take it the wrong way, if I thought there was a potential threat to other people, I would investigate because I’m trained and I want to help others who might be in danger. However, first I would evaluate several factors: Am I with my family? Could I put others at risk? Do I have the tools to help, or am I in a good position to do so? This bring me to another case, the braves, those who do not turn their backs on a conflict. This is socially accepted and even rewarded. However, I know many people who were brave in the past but are no longer so today.And the last thing I want to talk about is avoiding laziness. If you’re sleeping and hear something in your kitchen, you might think, “It must be the cat” or “Something fell,” and then go back to sleep. However, that laziness could cost lives. If we want to avoid danger and if we want to keep our families safe, we need to change our way of thinking.