How to Keep Safe in a Public Place
Malls, grocery stores, schools, synagogues, churches, and offices have all been the place of mass attacks.
Why? Because it's where the people are.
Much of the mass violence in the US is driven by grievance. It's also about making a statement. One final statement that the attacker is addresses his grievance. He's taking action.
These attackers, much like terrorists ( which they kind of are), win when we step back from our routine in order to keep safe.
Yes, in an ideal world, we'd not have to learn how to keep ourselves safe. But, it's not an ideal world.
So here's how you can increase your level of safety for yourself and your loved ones while you are out doing the things you do:
- Keep yourself focused on your surroundings. It's too easy to be distracted by phones, friends, music, etc. We all think we can multitask, but we can't.
- Don't just focus on your destination. It's what's all around you that matters. Keep your eyes and your head moving to make sure you don't miss a threat to your safety.
- Wherever you are, scan for an exit. Mentally pace off the route in terms of distance and direction. An exit does not have to be outdoors, only away from the threat to your safety.
- Vantage points matter. The greater your field of vision, the better chance you have of spotting a safety risk. If your are out with others, since some of you may not be in the best position to see around you, then whoever gets the seat with the best vantage point becomes your spotter.
- Find a way to make spotting the exits, and where you'd go if something happens, a fun game for your children (see not an ideal world above). Making fun for them takes the stress down, and it helps them learn it faster.
- Listen to what's going on (that means no earbuds). It's not just gunfire that you are listening for, it's screams, it's increased chatter, and it's movement too. You can literally hear chaos as it unfolds.
If you'd like to learn more about how to keep yourself safe while in public, download my FREE guide to implementing situational awareness into your daily life. Situational awareness is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT component of personal safety as it allows you to AVOID a risk to your safety.
