sousana
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Learn to trust your gut.
EDC Lesson
- Thread starter Old cop
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Learn to trust your gut.
oldiegoldie
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Andy Grove, former CEO at Intel, wrote a book titled "Only The Paranoid Survive". I think he's onto something....nothing wrong with being a little paranoid.
Squarebutt
Member
One habit I've picked up over the years is to use any nearby glass or shiny surface as a mirror to watch my 6, and sometime my 5 and 7. You can keep an eye on your surroundings and decide on your next move without obviously turning and looking over your shoulder constantly.
catadjuster
Member
I don't think that it is about paranoia at all. Our brains pick up messages and cues about our surroundings and set our nerve endings to tingling. So; at that point, you begin to pay conscious attention to your surroundings and the predator sees you paying attention. Then, when nothing happens (because you were aware and the predator decides to find an easier target) then the natural inclination is for you to just discard your awareness as paranoia since nothing "actually" happened.
The truth is that something DID happen - you were targeted, evaluated and eliminated as a victim. Trust your gut instinct.
The truth is that something DID happen - you were targeted, evaluated and eliminated as a victim. Trust your gut instinct.
wingriderz
Member
Well done gas stations are a dangerous place. For car jackers and robberies
forrestinmathews
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Most people don't think of the gas pump as a weapon. It goes into the car and back into the pump. I'd be more likely to draw and shoot someone before spraying them with gasoline. Nice thought though. Simple and highly effective.
BigDog48
US Veteran
Situational awareness is the most important part of everyday carry, right after the "everyday" part. You did good!
ChattanoogaPhil
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I'm not so sure of my 'situational awareness' abilities at all times. When I got a lot of things on my mind sometimes I'm not aware of what I'm doing, let alone anyone else. When I was building houses I went to Ace Hardware to pickup several things then walked right past the cash registers out to my truck and got about half way back to the job before I realized I had not paid for anything. The Ace girls chuckled upon my return and said "We knew you'd be back". 
Not sure how old you are ChattanoogaPhil but I walk into a different part of the house and forgot why I wanted to go there, and this happens all the time. As long as I maintain my LEO cops eyes (situtional awareness) I'll be happy.
This thread made me think of an excellent phrase I once read here:
"A young guy may kick your ***, but an old guy will kill you".
CCW or not, your advantage was your excellent situational awareness and effective response. Congrats to you, sir.
Been a long time since I went through academy training but even then we were not taught to fight "fair" but we were taught to fight to win.
A few thoughts...
1) Situational awareness is important and good habits can help improve your SA.
For example:
- I like to sit so I can see the door, or entrance in restaurants;
- I avoid middle lanes at stop lights and leave enough space in front of us so that I can drive us out of a situation by going left or right (a 5,000 pound pickup truck beats a 9 mm as a defensive or even offensive weapon pretty much every time at a stop light);
- I make eye contact with any shady looking people well before they are close enough to pose a threat; and
- I select my gas pumps for the field of view I'll have when fueling my vehicle. It usually is not the closest one to the stab and grab's entrance.
2) A practicing psychologist in one of my psychometric classes told me that the best diagnostic tool you have for an individual with a borderline personality disorder is the feeling in your gut you get after just a few minutes with them. I've found that carries over to many personality disorders. That tendency to disturb or irritate other people around them in a very short period of time is what makes it a disorder. If you encounter people that, follow that guy instinct, and remember them next time you see them.
3) Despite a back ground in counseling, psychology and criminology - or perhaps because of it, I'm a big believer in what folks sometimes call "instinct". I believe it's just a higher level of awareness, as some people pick up on non verbal communication far better than others. If you've got that skill set, by all means use it and pay attention to what it tells you.
4) Successful criminals tend to have well developed abilities to read people well. At a simple level, if you've observed someone sizing you up and you've established eye contact and thus communicated your awareness of them - more often than not, they will move on and find another target.
At a higher level, if you're not showing signs of fear or anxiety in a situation where your would be assailant expects to see it, they may not be able to determine exactly why you are not afraid or anxious, but they'll recognize that's the case. Unless they are psychotic, personality disordered, or under the influence of drugs, they'll usually honor the perceived threat and move on to an easier target rather than pushing a bad position and finding out why you are not afraid.
1) Situational awareness is important and good habits can help improve your SA.
For example:
- I like to sit so I can see the door, or entrance in restaurants;
- I avoid middle lanes at stop lights and leave enough space in front of us so that I can drive us out of a situation by going left or right (a 5,000 pound pickup truck beats a 9 mm as a defensive or even offensive weapon pretty much every time at a stop light);
- I make eye contact with any shady looking people well before they are close enough to pose a threat; and
- I select my gas pumps for the field of view I'll have when fueling my vehicle. It usually is not the closest one to the stab and grab's entrance.
2) A practicing psychologist in one of my psychometric classes told me that the best diagnostic tool you have for an individual with a borderline personality disorder is the feeling in your gut you get after just a few minutes with them. I've found that carries over to many personality disorders. That tendency to disturb or irritate other people around them in a very short period of time is what makes it a disorder. If you encounter people that, follow that guy instinct, and remember them next time you see them.
3) Despite a back ground in counseling, psychology and criminology - or perhaps because of it, I'm a big believer in what folks sometimes call "instinct". I believe it's just a higher level of awareness, as some people pick up on non verbal communication far better than others. If you've got that skill set, by all means use it and pay attention to what it tells you.
4) Successful criminals tend to have well developed abilities to read people well. At a simple level, if you've observed someone sizing you up and you've established eye contact and thus communicated your awareness of them - more often than not, they will move on and find another target.
At a higher level, if you're not showing signs of fear or anxiety in a situation where your would be assailant expects to see it, they may not be able to determine exactly why you are not afraid or anxious, but they'll recognize that's the case. Unless they are psychotic, personality disordered, or under the influence of drugs, they'll usually honor the perceived threat and move on to an easier target rather than pushing a bad position and finding out why you are not afraid.
Smoke
US Veteran
About two years after we moved I was asleep in our bedroom. I woke up and the only explanation I can come up with is I forgot we moved because I got up walked out into the hallway and was like "Where in THEEEEE HELLLLLL am I?"
Only ever happened one time in my life, very disorientating.
It's difficult to maintain situational awareness when I get out of the car and have to lean in to get my cane. That's when I'm most vunerable and I try to scan my environment, then listen to the inner voices that kept me alive during my 30 years on the street all other times. So far so good.
Jessie
US Veteran
Old cop, those voices will probably never let you down. Your physical age may slow you down somewhat, but don't question those voices that you've spent your lifetime developing.
They can cover for slow muscle reactions.
They can cover for slow muscle reactions.
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Retired Chief
US Veteran
Remember, just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT out to get you!
Young punks just don't get it. Old men only get old because they are tough. They know how to deal wit punks with a gun, knife, experienced hand to hand or even their cain.When I'm out and about I watch EVERYONE. I even turn around and look at them if I have to. If they don't like it, oh well.
Some youngsters see gray hair as a sign of weakness. BIG MISTAKE!
Can't say enough about situational awareness.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
InsideWaist
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sousana
Member
As a Navy Corpsman serving with the Marines, I remember my gunny once telling me:
That dead man there fought his enemy fairly
That man lounging over there, he fought him as a soldier, and lives another day.
In Combat, and facing a bad guy IS combat, there is no such thing as a fair fight.
hoosierone
Member
Growing up in bad areas I learned situational awareness at an early age and it served me well. Two words from the mouth of a low life and I can tell what i"m up against.
My problem is my wife won't make an effort to develop these skills and she has no interest in carrying. Over the years I have tried to get her to see what's going on around her but it just doesn't sink in.
One night I was gone and she came home late. She thought someone was following her so fortunately she didn't go straight home, instead she made a couple turns and lost him. When she got home and went to bed she locked the bedroom door. I told her that would stop an intruder for about two seconds. I have a 9mm in the night stand and a .380 in the hall closet both of which she won't let me train her on. I expect to be gone before her. Anyone have an idea how to get her with the program?
My problem is my wife won't make an effort to develop these skills and she has no interest in carrying. Over the years I have tried to get her to see what's going on around her but it just doesn't sink in.
One night I was gone and she came home late. She thought someone was following her so fortunately she didn't go straight home, instead she made a couple turns and lost him. When she got home and went to bed she locked the bedroom door. I told her that would stop an intruder for about two seconds. I have a 9mm in the night stand and a .380 in the hall closet both of which she won't let me train her on. I expect to be gone before her. Anyone have an idea how to get her with the program?
Triggernosis
Member
Nope - there usually isn't a way, until they are attacked and injured and even then some folks just don't get it. It's just a different mindset - some folks have it, some don't.
sousana
Member
Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.
- Abigail Adams
Until something motivates her to learn, you can't force it.
Big Cholla
Member
Col. Rex Applegate was a well known OSS operative and Defensive Tactics trainer. He worked with the Hong Kong Police for several years and did wonders for the HK Policeman's ability to survive potential life threatening situations. Like all of us, Rex grew old. He was a large man and duty injuries caused him to have a limp. He self designed a walking stick that looked nothing more than that, but was in effect an enlarged version of the PR-24 Police Baton that was used by most LEO's for years. Well, Rex was invited to San Francisco when he was about 82 to 84 years of age to give a seminar on aspects of his Defensive Tactics experiences. Because his hotel was only a couple of blocks from the site of the seminar he elected to walk the city streets. Along his way he was singled out by two street thugs in their mid twenties. They demanded his wallet and his watch or he would be severely beaten. Rex merely warned them to leave him alone or they were going to get themselves hurt. They laughed at this old man and made their move. Rex worked them over with his walking stick to the point both were taken to the hospital. From their beds they tried to convince the Police to charge him with assault because "He attacked them for no reason." The Police only laughed at them and charged them with "Assault on an Elder Person" among several other charges. After he told me this story, I asked if he was injured in any way. He said, "No, but I did get a little winded." ....... 
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Jack Flash
Member
I am amazed at how many people ramble on and on about how they must consider the legal ramifications of employing deadly force, even in their own homes.
That may be ok for contemplation in a safe secure environment. In other words,
"Get all your worrying done before you draw your gun."
But if someone busts into your home, armed with a gun, knife, pickaxe, whatever, and charges right at you, that is not the time to think "I must reflect upon my options, with a view to the legal consequences, especially if my use of force may appear excessive in a court of law."
The old saying makes a lot of sense:
"Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6."
IAhunter
Member
Old Cop,
You were probably dead on with his intentions. Once your retired LEO "spidey-sense" kicked in, he saw the sheep dog in your eyes and decided that you were not an easy target. The coyote will watch the sheep dog as he departs the area.
You done well. Hope I can do as well in a year or so when I'm retired.
You were probably dead on with his intentions. Once your retired LEO "spidey-sense" kicked in, he saw the sheep dog in your eyes and decided that you were not an easy target. The coyote will watch the sheep dog as he departs the area.
You done well. Hope I can do as well in a year or so when I'm retired.
Wanderling
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And often, it's the paranoid humans being dangerous...
Wanderling
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Our brains are interpreting the same clues in very different ways. To some people, anyone they don't know is a potential bad guy. I was walking in a grocery store parking lot one night and saw a middle age woman fast going to her car looking very scared, turning her head in all directions, and with one hand inside her bag. She may have had car keys in it, or she may have had a gun. Now, imagine someone who doesn't even know she's there suddenly emerging out of his parked car as she walks by. She could very easily get startled and kill a completely innocent person - your son, perhaps.
A healthy dose of situation awareness is one thing, but a paranoid person has a mental condition and should not be armed.
Muss Muggins
Member
And you diagnosed that mental condition in 15 seconds?
ExcitableBoy
US Veteran
One must know the difference between "paranoia" and the realities of recognizing every-day dangers. Completely different conditions of the mind.
In today's world, if the meek shall inherit the earth, then it is often six feet of dirt topped with sod, accompanied by the singing of "Amazing Grace".
In today's world, if the meek shall inherit the earth, then it is often six feet of dirt topped with sod, accompanied by the singing of "Amazing Grace".
And this rambling that you are amazed by . . . it happened here, in this thread? Because I'm looking for the "he busted into my home [with a deadly weapon] and charged at me" -- followed by "I must reflect on my options with a view to legal consequences" -- and I'm just not seeing it.
Maybe if someone busts into your home with a deadly weapon and charges you, you should focus on eliminating the threat through whatever means necessary.
On the other hand, if you're filling up at a gas station and get an uneasy feeling about someone, maybe hold off on putting that someone in the ground and take some precaution.
Sounds like OP sensed something off and prepared himself for a nasty situation -- great job OP / Old cop!
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