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May 11, 2023
In this article, discover essential tips for enhancing your situational awareness, understanding its levels, and improving your ability to perceive and respond to potential threats. Plus, learn how to stay alert, focused, and safe in various environments by being more situationally aware.
Situational awareness is most accurately defined as the ability to perceive and understand the environment around you, including the people, objects, and occurring events. Some situational awareness examples include being mindful of your surroundings, anticipating potential risks, and taking appropriate actions to stay safe. It is a crucial skill that can benefit anyone, regardless of their profession or daily activities.
"The three second rule works walking out of places as well as in… take a few seconds to observe the room/area. The people, where they are located, potential threats, as well as any other entrances and exits. Restaurants specifically. Their back doors are usually open year around during business hours due to heat, employees taking breaks, etc." - Morris, law enforcement officer
Whether walking alone at night, driving in traffic, or participating in a high-stress job, having situational awareness can help you make quick decisions and avoid danger. By being aware of your surroundings, you can better prepare yourself to respond effectively.
Throughout this blog post, we will discuss how you can develop this important skill. We will also explore situational awareness safety tips to help you stay safe in various scenarios.
Before diving into the tips, it's important to understand why situational awareness is crucial. In short, being situationally aware can help you:
"People will take the most obvious exit during a tragic event, causing a bottle neck effect. When it is safe, it may be wise to choose a different route." - Morris, law enforcement officer
Let’s explore six tips to improve your situational awareness:
Using all your senses is a critical aspect of developing situational awareness. While sight and hearing are the most commonly used senses, smell, touch, and taste can also provide important information about your surroundings. For example, if you smell smoke, you may be able to detect a potential fire before you can see or hear it. Additionally, if you're walking in a busy area and someone bumps into you, you can use your sense of touch to determine if they're intentionally trying to pickpocket you.
Body language can provide valuable insights into a person's intentions and emotions. You can better understand the situation and anticipate potential risks by paying attention to nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, posture, and gestures. For example, suppose someone walks towards you with their head down, shoulders hunched, and fists clenched. In that case, they may exhibit aggressive behavior and a potential threat.
Trusting your instincts is another important aspect of situational awareness. If something feels off or out of place, it's essential to trust your gut and take appropriate action. Our subconscious mind is excellent at picking up on subtle cues that our conscious mind may miss, and trusting your instincts can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations. So, to ensure your gut is leading you in the right direction, you should, at the minimum, pause for a few seconds and observe your environment with full attention.
Using your peripheral vision is a valuable technique for improving situational awareness. Peripheral vision is the ability to see objects and movements outside the direct line of sight. Our eyes have a limited field of view, but by using our peripheral vision, we can expand our awareness of our surroundings.
This technique can be particularly useful in crowded or busy environments with many potential risks or hazards. Practicing peripheral vision exercises can help improve this skill over time, allowing you to better protect yourself and others.
Situations are constantly changing, and it's essential to assess the situation and adjust your actions. For example, if you're walking down the street and notice a group of people acting aggressively, cross the street, or take a different route. If you're in a crowded area and suddenly feel uncomfortable, moving to a less crowded area may be best. By continuously assessing the situation, you can avoid potential risks and keep yourself safe.
Finally, like any other skill, situational awareness can be trained and improved. Taking a self-defense or first aid course can provide valuable situational awareness training and will help you develop the skills necessary to keep yourself and others safe. Additionally, practicing mindfulness and regularly challenging yourself to assess your surroundings can help you develop this skill and make it a natural part of your daily routine.
Situational awareness has been a critical factor in military strategy for centuries. However, it was in the 1960s that the concept was formalized into a model by Colonel Jeff Cooper. Cooper was a renowned firearms instructor and founder of the Gunsite Training Center, where he taught situational awareness as an essential skill for self-defense.
Cooper's model, also known as the "Cooper Color Code," outlines four levels of situational awareness. The model has since been adopted and adapted by law enforcement agencies, private security firms, and individuals seeking to improve their safety.
The four levels of situational awareness, as outlined by Cooper, are white, yellow, orange, and red. These levels represent a continuum of awareness levels that ranges from being completely unaware of one's surroundings to being acutely aware and prepared to take action. The model has been praised for its simplicity and effectiveness in training people to be more situationally aware in various contexts, from everyday life to high-stress situations.
The first level of situational awareness is the white/tuned-out level. At this level, a person is completely unaware of their surroundings and is generally unprepared for any potential threats. Here, they are often distracted and may not even realize they are putting themselves in danger. For example, a person walking down the street while texting on their phone is in a white/tuned-out state.
The second level of situational awareness is the yellow/relaxed awareness level. At this level, a person is aware of their surroundings and is actively scanning for potential threats. They are relaxed but focused and can quickly respond to any changes in their environment. To give you an idea: A person who is pumping gas at a gas station and is frequently looking at the people around them is in a yellow/relaxed awareness state.
The third level of situational awareness is the orange/focused awareness level. Here, a person has identified a potential threat and is focused on monitoring that specific threat, with a high level of observance. They are prepared to take action if necessary and are in a heightened state of alertness. Someone who notices a suspicious person approaching them in a mall, for example, and is monitoring that person's movements is in an orange/focused awareness state.
The fourth and final level of situational awareness is the red/high alert level. At this level, a person is actively responding to a threat and is taking action to protect themselves or others. A rapid response to an imminent threat characterizes this level. For example, a person who is being physically attacked and is fighting back, or in an active shooter situation, is in a red/high alert state.
The black/comatose level is not an official level of situational awareness. It refers to a complete shutdown where a person cannot respond to their environment. This state can occur due to a lack of situational awareness or overwhelming stress or trauma. If at all possible, you should avoid this level of awareness as it can lead to potentially dangerous situations.
Developing situational awareness habits can help you develop this skill as a natural part of your daily routine. For example, when entering a new environment, take a few moments to scan your surroundings and mentally note potential exits, hiding spots, and any other potential risks. When walking down the street, periodically look over your shoulder to assess your surroundings and ensure that you're not being followed.
The most effective way to improve situational awareness is to practice regularly. Make a conscious effort to remain alert and observant in your daily life. Over time, situational awareness will become a natural part of your routine and will eventually become a reflexive response helping you stay safe in any situation.
"A corner trick: walk further away from a corner as approach or turn. This gives you more distance from the blind area, which equals more time to react if there is a threat." - Morris, law enforcement officer
Body armor is an important piece of equipment that can enhance situational awareness in various situations. As mentioned above, the situational awareness definition includes being aware of one's surroundings and potential threats and taking appropriate action to mitigate those threats. Body armor can provide additional protection against physical harm. This allows individuals to focus more on their environment and less on their personal safety.
One way body armor can enhance situational awareness is by providing peace of mind. Knowing that you are wearing armor that can stop or reduce the impact of a bullet or other types of projectiles can help reduce fear and anxiety, allowing you to focus better on your surroundings.
Body armor can also improve situational awareness by allowing individuals to stay in dangerous situations longer. For example, law enforcement officers or military personnel can stay in a firefight longer while wearing body armor. This gives them the ability to gather more information and make better-informed decisions. The added protection also allows them to move more freely and take calculated risks that they may not have taken without armor.
Overall, body armor is an essential piece of equipment that can help enhance situational awareness in various situations. By providing additional protection and reducing fear and anxiety, body armor can help individuals stay focused on their environment and make better-informed decisions.
National Situational Awareness Day is observed annually on September 26th to promote the importance of being aware of potential risks and threats in our surroundings. It is meant to encourage individuals, organizations, and communities to develop and practice situational awareness for personal safety and security.
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I bought the carrier, and it arrived within a few days. I was happily surprised by the low weight, and rugged construction of the Alpha Carrier. I put a level 4 plate in both front and back, both of which fit like a glove. The sizing was easy to adjust, and the one size fits most is true of this product. Huge adjustment range. Very impressed by the Fortis Alpha Carrier, along with everything I have ever ordered from Premier Body Armor. Great job, guys!
After wearing my full body armor for 30-years, it isn’t conducive to under cover plain clothes work that I do now and it is so hot to wear during the summer. I put this armored t-shirt on and it fits like a glove, but is not uncomfortable. The first day I wore it alone, but the second day I wore a form-fitting micro fiber tank top under it and it really felt good. I actually had no wetness because the bottom top absorbed it. It was a warm day, but nothing like sweating intensely with full body armor. I ordered a second carrier shirt to switch out for washings. With my gear on and plain black tactical shirt, I am so much more comfortable on my feet for long hours. I should have bought this years ago.
As someone with extensive experience wearing a wide variety of body armor in the military, law enforcement, and physical security industries, I know firsthand the challenges of balancing protection, comfort, and concealment. The Everyday Armor T-Shirt has exceeded my expectations on all fronts.
This is by far the most comfortable body armor option I’ve ever worn. The lightweight design and breathable material make it ideal for all-day wear, whether you’re on duty or just out running errands. It’s so well-concealed that it doesn’t print, even under a fitted shirt, making it perfect for discreet protection without sacrificing mobility.
What sets this apart is how seamlessly it integrates into daily life. Unlike traditional armor that feels bulky or restrictive, the Everyday Armor T-Shirt feels like part of your everyday wardrobe while still providing reliable peace of mind.
If you’re looking for everyday protection that doesn’t compromise comfort or discretion, this is an outstanding choice. Highly recommend!
PBA is awesome. I own 3 backpack panels from them. I own panels for Vertx ReadyPack, Eberlestock Fade Sling, and now the Fade Adapt.
The Fade Adapt panel is huge. Fits snug into the backpack and covers a lot. Mainly gonna be used for traveling and camping. I feel comfortable carrying it knowing I'll have a huge panel to hide behind.
Thanks again PBA for the great products.
When it comes to armor, if you want something light so you can be quick and/or carry more ammo, med supplies, etc., and still want the best protection… get these. Sure they’re not level 4… but they cover the most likely rounds to be used in an urban environment. Quit thinking Level 4 is the best and get these, you’ll be thoroughly impressed. Hell even my 10 year old loves them! Would be great for their backpack too.
Love this new little sling with the panel in it beautiful exactly how it describe on the website
Have always worn soft armor, generally in outside carrier working law enforcement and military. Needed to up protection from rifle fire. Did not want heavy steel plates. Polyethylene the ticket for weight and protection. The Fortis III+ very nice. Light, 3.4 lbs each, multi curve, comfortable, have protective coating, fabric, nice. I put them in a Agilite K19 carrier. Overall more comfortable, easier to move than the outer carriers and soft armor I have worn before. Weight is crucial in extended wearing of vest, especially when adding pouches, ammo, radio, etc. These plates really help in reducing weight and no compromise on protection. The price was a factor along with quality and protection level. These plates nailed it, don't know how you could get anything better for this price. Company is legit, background In manufacture sold me also. You will not be disappointed in the Fortis III+ multi-curve plates.
I’ve put it to use on the job as an AEMT and it does it’s job well. It keeps me at more of a peace of mind knowing I have a bit of protection going to calls and it doesn’t get in the way of my patient care.
First, I want to thank the customer support team that helped me with my return. The first sling pack was way too small. Y’all suggested another one that was larger. It was a perfect size and I love the way it hugs my body. Second, love the way your body armor fits in the sling pack. It’s a perfect pairing. Now let’s talk about the combo. This has to be one of the nicest packs I have ever bought. Honestly I didn’t know much about the Viktos brand. WOW!! Very nicely constructed. I love the fact I can put in my side x side while out on the ranch. It holds everything that might be needed.
Again thank you to everyone. Pease keep up with quality products like this. You have a customer for life! Thank you!
James Moffat
Caballo, NM
Fantastic Product - Armor Fits like a Glove. Also, it was very convenient to get the bag with the armor.
While it inherently seems a little bit silly to armor a fanny pack, premier and VertX are a perfect match as always. And silly or not, now I've got an extra layer of 3A soft armor to throw over one of my children, sling across my chest, etc if ever needed. It's big enough to protect vitals, and my gun rides in the socp pack as well. This is a great setup for short walks and hikes, or summertime on the boat
By far the most concealable body armor I own. I am 5’11 and 155 lbs. I got a small and was so worried that the armor wouldn’t be concealable since I’m on the thinner side, but I was dead wrong. I had a hoodie ready to throw on in order to show it concealed further, but there would be no point. You can’t see anything with this size SMALL under-armor polo on…that’s actually impressive premier. Great job.
I have wore the product multiple times now and have received many compliments on the fact that you can’t hardly tell I’m wearing it. Also it is very comfortable in comparison to other similar products on the market. I’m very happy with the product.
Fit as described quality products from a American family company.
Great shirt. Very discrete to wear. Proud to support and American company