This is Part Two in our series directed towards our Ladies.
Whether or not you choose to carry a firearm, there are some basic principles that can ensure your safety. These are simple steps, outlined below, that you can implement today and make a huge difference in your life.
1) MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS!
If you take a moment and do some people watching (which is exactly what potential aggressors do, to identify targets,) you might be shocked at what you observe. How many people out there wander around, completely absorbed in whatever little electronic gadget is in their hands? Too many. How many look up and observe what is going on around them? Hardly any of them. How many could offer information to law enforcement *if* a situation happens in front of them? Not many at all.
Put. The. Gadgets. Down. This is Step One, a critical step. That phone call, text, email or selfie can wait. None of them are worth your life. Wait until you are in a safe setting to communicate. It wasn't all that long ago when people had no cell phones- we survived hours with out a bombardment of communication. I promise you- your survival does not depend on seeing what Susie thought of her Tuna Melt from Tuna Joe's Fish Shack.
ACTION PLAN: Having a means of communication on you in case of an emergency is great. But it does not require constant attention. Check your gadgets later- I promise the messages will still be there.
2) ACTIVELY OBSERVE!
The world around us is filled with moments of stunning beauty, that pass by in the blink of an eye. It runs on a 360* platform, in bold vivid colors, with sounds, scents and feelings of awe and excitement. It is best observed in Real D- not on a 2" x 2" screen.
Now that you have put down the gadget d'jour, look around you. Look your fellow humans directly in the eye. You don't have to smile, grimace, growl, or pull a Momma Bear face to chase people away. But just.. look. Take note if something looks odd or out of place. By looking those around you directly in the eye, you are indicating you are not easy pickings, trying to hide amongst the masses. Be nice about it. Smile a bit if you so choose. But keep looking around.
ACTION PLAN: Challenge yourself the next time you're out. Try to identify several different people and take note of what they are wearing, how they walk, and if they are watching the crowd or being watched. What you see might shock you.
3) IDENTIFY EXITS!
As you look around, take note of where exit points are and the best routes to get there. Are there stairs? Elevators? Escalators? Make it a game with your kids, and involve them in learning basic safety rules. You have to give kids credit- they are much more observant than you might suspect. Ask them for their ideas on how to get out of a building creatively- pretend they are Super Spies and see what they come up with. Prepare to be impressed- kids are insanely creative!
ACTION PLAN: See who can come up with the best alternative exit idea, should the main exit be blocked off. Walk through those plans and see if they work, and adjust accordingly. It's one thing to have an idea, and another to actually walk it through and learn how effective it is.
4) TRUST YOUR GUT!
For thousands of years, people have relied on "gut instinct". How many times have you found yourself hesitating a moment and questioning if something felt right? Probably more than you realize. Ask yourself this one question now, and see if you can provide an answer.
- What does a criminal look like?
**Remember! Everyone said Ted Bundy looked like a "normal guy".
The answer is simple- you have no way of knowing what a criminal looks like. It can be a man or a woman, young or old, well dressed or in rags, living in a mansion, or in their car. You can not tell if someone is willing to commit a crime against you by looking at them- but often times, your gut will know, and it will send you a signal. A shiver down your spine, cramping in your abdomen, a feeling of uneasiness, something that makes you pause a moment.
Listen to your gut. If it feels wrong, get out. There is no shame in avoiding a potential situation- you can always go back another time, another way, another day. You aren't going to offend anyone by changing your direction of travel, and if you do, too bad! Your life is worth more than someone being "offended".
ACTION PLAN: While you are observing the crowd, listen to your inner voice as well. Compare what you are seeing with your eyes, to what your instinct is trying to tell you. Remember- We Hide With Pride. There is no shame in leaving if a situation feels wrong.
5) AVOID ROUTINES!
It's an easy trap to fall into- the daily grind. Get up at a set time, make the coffee, get the kids ready, shuffle off to work/ school/ activities, day in and day out. Travel the same routes all the time. Walk the dog the same time every night, going the same direction. You feel secure in the knowledge that your world is safe, nothing will happen to you- it's always "The Other Guy", or maybe your neighborhood is "safe". If you do set down your gadget, you still don't bother to look much past your own nose and observe your surroundings.
STOP.
This is complacency.
Complacency Kills.
ACTION PLAN: Make simple changes to your daily routine. Go a different way to work, go to a different grocery store, come home from a different direction, do things at different times. Change your path when walking the dog. Challenge the kids to come up with ideas for a min-adventure for your travel routes. Get them involved in observation and planning. They don't have to know it's in case of an emergency- you can keep it light and fun.
These simple tips have the potential to save your life, and the lives of your loved ones. I hope you take the time to test them out, and adapt them to your situation. Should anyone ask, this is not paranoia. This is a small step in preparedness and being proactive for your safety.
Until next time, carry safe, shoot straight, and PUT DOWN THE GADGET D'JOUR!
Shannon
Want to learn more? Give us a call at 912-355-0205 to set up a training appointment, or stop in and see us!
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