Situational awareness is a critical skill that can mean the difference between life and death in a dangerous situation. Matt Kelly, the founder of the Order of the Iron Rings, talks about the importance of living fearlessly with situational awareness. Situational awareness involves being aware of your surroundings, understanding potential threats, and making informed decisions based on that information.
Kelly shares some of his personal experiences, including one where he was a rookie police officer in a high-crime area of Dallas. He pulled over a car with an out-of-date registration and a lone male driver. As he approached the vehicle, he noticed the man was intently watching him, timing his approach. When he saw the man’s body weight shift slightly, he knew something wasn’t right. He let the man see him cover his pistol with his dominant hand and called for backup. Backup arrived, and they performed a felony stop, discovering that the man had violated his parole, had a warrant out for his arrest, and had a.357 revolvers.
Another example Kelly shares is a female HR professional alone in an elevator with a man she had not seen before. As the doors started to close, the man jabbed his hand into the closing door and entered the elevator with her. She immediately felt that the man was up to no good and quickly left the elevator to be with a group of people at the front desk in the lobby. Kelly commended her situational awareness and intuition and told her he believed she had saved herself from an unwanted situation.
Kelly emphasizes that everyone has situational awareness, but some have more than others due to occupation, trade, or personal experience. Everyone can improve their situational awareness; regular practice is crucial to staying sharp and safe. Kelly believes that lack of time is merely an excuse and that people can make time to practice.
Kelly has written a book that is structured so readers can read one chapter each week and practice the exercises and scenarios daily throughout the week. At the end of each chapter is a card that readers can photograph on their smartphones or pick up the associated deck to use as a quick reference of the material. The book provides a year’s worth of practice by following this weekly format.
It’s essential to note that situational awareness is not about living in fear or paranoia. Instead, it’s about being aware of potential threats and making informed decisions based on that information. It’s about being prepared for the unexpected and having a plan if something goes wrong. Situational awareness is not just about being aware of potential physical threats but also about your emotional and mental state.
In conclusion, situational awareness is a crucial skill that can save lives in dangerous situations. Matt Kelly, the founder of the Order of the Iron Rings, stresses the importance of living fearlessly with situational awareness. It’s not just about being aware of potential physical threats but also being aware of your emotional and mental state. Regular practice is crucial to staying sharp and safe. Kelly’s book is an excellent resource for those looking to improve their situational awareness skills. It’s structured so readers can read one chapter each week and practice the exercises and scenarios daily. The book provides a year’s worth of practice by following this weekly format. Remember, situational awareness is not about living in fear; it’s about being prepared for the unexpected and making informed decisions based on available information.
