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.