Situational Awareness

The events in the Boston bomb attack have once again, in my mind, brought up a concern that I have frequently attempted to influence others, in the sphere of my influence to be concerned.  It is that we, as a people, need to step-up our awareness of what is going on around us and not rely on others to be our eyes and ears and minds and voice and hands when we see or sense that something is awry—something that could be harmful to us or to them.  

Surveillance electronics such as video cameras or body-screen devices, or security or law-enforcement officers are good but are not a substitute for alert individuals. We cannot always leave our safety or well-being to others.  

There is a whole science to this notion, the term Situational Awareness (SA) apparently beginning coined with the U.S. Air Force combat observations in the Korean and Viet Nam wars.  Yet military and police work has been constantly concerned with it.  

M. R. Endsley's definition , as quoted in Wikipedia under Situation Awareness, is said to capture the concept: "the perception of elements in the environment within a volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status in the near future."  

In simpler terms, it is where something is out-of-the-normal in an environment in which we are familiar that could be dangerous to our survival.  It is then perceiving the threat and taking immediate steps to appropriately respond to it.  It is to get inside the so-called observe-orient-decide-act loop (OODA Loop).   After-the-fact investigation—black box recorders on aircraft, analysis of debris following a crash, reconstructing the conditions occurring before the event—may help in a future disaster, but will not help when the threat is immediate.  

I would like to suggest a few practical behaviors that we might try to integrate into our own life-practices and experience.  If we are prepared, we shall not fear.  

On a physical level it is to be aware of such things as weather threats such as tornado or hurricane warnings  or threats of flooding or a temperature drop that could leave ‘black ice’ on a roadway on which one plans to travel.  And then, and this is critical, to proactively leave the area, or proceed to a safe pre-determined location or stay off the road, etc. 

It could be to take note of where fire extinguishers and exits are located when entering movie theaters or auditoriums or stadiums or aircraft or watercraft; and to make prior arrangements to get seating that would place you in a quick-exit location.  It would be to always carry a mini light with you after dark.  It is to make it a practice to always look around.  It is to look both ways before crossing.

It would be avoid going places where crowds of people who are drinking or who are otherwise unlikely to make rational decisions gather who could impair your chances of survival if panic were to occur (e.g., getting trampled at a congested exit location at a hotly-contested soccer game or rock concert).  It would be to stay out of dark alleys or similar places at night.  Travel, especially at night or in cities, together in groups of at least two or three.  Park in lighted places. 

It would be to be aware of people dressed or acting (e.g., placing backpacks or shopping bags or cases; or overhearing conversations) in a suspicious manner or incongruous with the nature of what is normal in a given environment.  And then to immediately report your observations to a security officer or call 9-1-1 and distance yourself from the potential threat, or if very imminent and potentially serious, raise a warning voice to those in the vicinity. 

It would be to visually take note of the condition of the taxi/bus/boat/aircraft/friend’s car, etc., or habits of the drivers of these conveyances (e.g., their use of handheld devices when driving, or being in any way distracted when controlling the vehicle).  It would be to get off if you don’t like what you see.  

   

To the extent that you can exert any control you can improve your chances.  Additionally, if you believe that one of your unique skills is a duty to protect or help others around you, you will be more vigilant.

These are just a few examples of what we can do to become more physically situationally aware, but the same approaches can be applied to moral, cultural, or political dangers that are more and more affecting our way-of-life.  Be a trend watcher and don’t be afraid to speak up.  

Ben Sherwood, in his book The Survivors Club, says that “planning and preparation are the twin pillars of survival” (p. 304).  Let’s be proactive and be part of the solution to problems we will all sometime face.  I hope you will, with me, stay alert and raise the warning voice.

Florence Chadwick—An Inspirational Story

People of my generation may have heard of Florence Chadwick—people of ‘the Greatest Generation’ certainly have—but people of the Millennial Generation could do well to learn from this 34 year old long distance swimmer’s experience and how it could help them.  

Florence came to the world’s attention when, in 1950, she swam the English Channel from France to England in 13 hours and 20 minutes breaking the world’s record.  The next year she swam in the opposite direction setting another world record for time and yet another record for being the first woman to swim the channel in both directions.  

Those facts may be awe-inspiring enough.  But the lesson she learned in a very difficult  California swim was the one I found to be the metaphor for all who face seemingly unending challenges.  

In 1952 she attempted to be the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast.  After fifteen hours, 55 minutes, she was pulled out of the 48 degree water just a mile from her goal. She told a reporter, “Yes, I was cold.  No, I wasn’t too tired to go on.  I was beat by the fog.”  

Later, writing of her effort she said,  “The California Coast had been shrouded in fog that 4^th of July morning.  Even the boats in our own party were almost impossible to see.  When my mother and my trainer told me we were in sight of shore, that only fog obscured our landing place, I thought they were only coaxing, only encouraging me.  I didn’t believe them.  I couldn’t see it.  And I was so cold.”  

Because her effort was being televised as a pioneer sporting event in a then brand-new media, thousands and thousands of people had ‘seen,’ as best they could, the swim. Within days she received over 3,000 letters  which “indicated they had seen much more in my long effort than I had.  Something in the picture of a cold, lonely girl, swimming on and on through the night, touched them. and when they learned I would try it again gave them strength to hold on in their own battles.” 

“Their responses to my effort made me feel almost unworthy.  None of my successes had ever won me so many friends.  But the failure to swim a channel of water enabled me to learn something that will last a lifetime.  For reflection helped me see clearly that I had been licked by the fog.  Like doubt, confusion or discouragement, the fog alone had no power to stop me.  But because I let it blind my heart and reason, as well as my eyes, then it really defeated me.”  

Slightly over two months later Florence Chadwick tried it again. She said, “fog or no fog, I wouldn’t let these people down again. I remembered that Jesus had said to one of His disciples: ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed.  Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.’” At that moment I knew the real meaning of faith described in the Bible as, ‘the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.’  When fog obscures our own vision, even when we’ve gone all out, and still seem to be failing and are too tired or cold to go on, then we must be willing to accept the word of someone who sees a little clearer, knows a little better than we do.”  

When she set out to swim it again on September 20^th, 1952, the distance was the same, she wasn’t in any better condition, they encountered many of the same obstacles as before: sharks came nearby and were shot by members of her crew in the accompanying boats, the water was still numbingly cold, and in the middle of the course dense fog set in again.  But she swam through it.  Keeping a mental image of the shoreline in her mind, having a perspective of where her strength really came from, and a reference point, and trusting those who could see, made the difference this time.  

When she reached the California shore, the first woman to do so and breaking the men’s record by two hours, she knew her victory was being shared by thousands who were praying for her, and her knowing that He to whom they prayed could assure any victory. 

Defining Moments

As yet another tragic incident (the Boston Marathon bombing) rocks our nation and takes the lives of our innocents we find ourselves regrouping by focusing on the actions of the heroic among us.  For us as a nation and each of us as individuals we hold down the pain by holding up examples of the brave and noble individuals who take potentially great risks in the aftermath of heinous crime or senseless insanity to help their fellow man who, moments before, suffered the greater injury.  

At times such as these, the immediate helping actions by these ‘first responders' almost seem to be reflexive responses.’  I do not think they are reflexive.  

Neither do I think that running away, as an immediate response, is cowardly; I just think that it is the more reflexive, the more natural, untrained, self-preservation tendency of man.  

But I think that those who run toward the trouble, instead of away from it, have wittingly or unwittingly conditioned themselves to be of help in times of need. An educated, trained and anticipatory mindset is cultivated step-by-step.  The Boy Scouts of America motto, ‘Be Prepared,’ is especially germane in times of tragedy. 

Being prepared means being proactive.  As part of the proper education of man, should we all not get trained to be helpers of one kind or another?  First-aid training, psychological—emotional counseling, spiritual support, having supplies on hand; could we not all become more proficient in becoming potentially useful in times of great stress or emergency?  

A lesson I tried to teach my children was to always endeavor to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  That usually takes some thought—and training. 

Our defining moment may just be defined by our preparing hours.

That's Life

Well, it’s finally happened.  It probably also happened some time ago but they finally let me know about it.  Somebody didn’t know who I was and so described me to another other person.  The somebody said, “That older guy, the one with the gray hair and glasses.” When I heard of myself being described that way I had to go into a restroom, where there was a mirror, and take a look for myself.  Yes, it was true, yet I couldn’t believe it. Is this who I am to others? Can’t they see who I really am?

Yet I have described another man, or other men—probably numerous times—as  “That older guy, the one with the gray hair and glasses,” and the picture in my mind’s eye certainly was someone about 30 years older than I happened to be at the time and focused on some superficial aspect of the person.  

Everybody has been described as ‘that nerdy guy,’ or ‘that fat woman,’ or ‘that boor,’ or ‘that ignorant…,’ or 'that old gray-haired guy.'  But who are they, really? I suppose it has happened or will happen to everybody. 

The important point is to have viewed ourselves as something better than the unflattering depiction that we will all someday have to face.   It is then, if not before, that I hope we will have such a firm picture of ourselves as we really, deeply are, that quick, surface or cosmetic evaluations or descriptions are dismissed with a smile and not a resentment.  

The old Frank Sinatra song, That’s Life,  captures the attitude we should all have when the time comes, as it surely will:

That's life, funny as it seems.
Some people get their kicks,
Steppin' on dreams
But I just can't let it get me down,
Cause this big old world keeps spinnin' around.

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I've been up and down and over and out
But I know one thing:
Each time I find myself flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race.

That's life . . . .

Breakfast of Champions

My wife and I recently went to a large antique store appropriately housed in an old barn.  Among the many interesting things that brought back memories of my past was an old Wheaties cereal box with the picture of Olympic champion pole vaulter Bob Richards. 

In my freshman year of college I was chosen as Christian athlete of the year for the school and was selected to attend a Fellowship of Christian Athletes conference in Ashland, Oregon.  Along with many other young men I had the privilege of meeting and listening to Bob Richards and other great Christian athletes speak of their faith and the qualities that lead to becoming a champion in athletics and in life. 

Bob Richards, who as a young boy was headed toward delinquency, was influenced by the casual remark of a Christian girl who said she would only date a good Christian boy. Bobby decided to give church a try.  He learned of Christ and he learned of repentance and of prayer and of self discipline.  

  

The man, Pastor Bob Richards,  spoke to us of the power of prayer and of relying on a power greater than ourselves in releasing the power within ourselves to achieve great things.  He told of a pole vaulter before his time, Dutch Warmerdam, who recognized the path of discipline, faith, and the power of prayer to become the first man to ever clear 15 feet, a feat many said would never be accomplished.  He did it 43 times in the years between 1940 and 1944—with a bamboo pole and the three principles mentioned.   Dutch Warmerdam was my track and field coach at the second college I attended, Fresno State, in Fresno, California.  Bob Richards later broke Coach Warmerdam’s records using the same three principles and an aluminum pole. 

Another sports hero both men spoke of in my presence was Glenn Cunningham.  As a boy Glenn was badly burned saving his brother from a schoolhouse fire.  His legs, especially, were so badly burned that they developed thick scar tissue and it was feared that he might not even be able to walk.  With time, patience, and faith in God he taught himself to walk again by walking behind a plow on the farm.  Utilizing the principles of discipline, faith, and the power of prayer he struggled to walk, then walked, then jogged slowly and then, over time could run until he became a world record holder and for some time one of the greatest milers who ever lived. 

 

I don’t know if these three men all ate Wheaties, but I do know that they were champions and that their example helped me with the direction I took in life at a young age.  They exemplified the motto of the Olympic Games—Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) to me.  Athletics, good examples, Christian faith and discipline have given me a good life that I continue to enjoy to this day. 

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)