1
CAREGIVERS SAFETY SEMINAR
Presented By: TRUST POINT LEGAL GROUP
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE ...................................................................................................................................2
FAST FORWARD A COUPLE OF CENTURIES ..................................................................3
THE WHO ..................................................................................................................................4
VICTIMIZATION .........................................................................................................................5
THE WHAT ...............................................................................................................................5
CAREGIVERS ............................................................................................................................9
SA starts before the potential threat occurs. .......................................................................10
THIS IS WHERE THE OODA LOOP STARTS. ......................................................................11
Definition..................................................................................................................................12
Observe .....................................................................................................................................14
Orient ........................................................................................................................................14
Orientation ...............................................................................................................................15
Cultural Traditions: ........................................................................................................16
Decide .......................................................................................................................................17
Act .............................................................................................................................................18
Baseline Questions: .............................................................................................................26
Anomaly Question: .............................................................................................................27
TACTICAL FLASHLIGHT ........................................................................................................32
How to Use a Strobing Flashlight .........................................................................................33
THE BUCHA EFFECT ........................................................................................................33
Benefits of Strobing Lights .................................................................................................33
Practice, Practice, Practice ..................................................................................................37
Situational awareness is a mindset that you have to cultivate purposefully. ............37
Pepper Spray- How to Choose it and How to Use it .............................................................37
STEP 1- CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORMULA .......................................................................38
STEP 2- CHOOSE THE DELIVERY MODEL THAT BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS ........41
STEP 3- CHOOSE THE BEST SPRAY PATTERN ..............................................................42
The STREAM. .....................................................................................................................42
1
2
AEROSOL SPRAY OR MIST .............................................................................................43
FOAM. .................................................................................................................................44
STEP 4- USE GOOD TACTICS..............................................................................................44
STEP 5- THE LAW .................................................................................................................44
STEP 6- THE ONE, TWO, THREE'S .....................................................................................45
EPILOGUE ...................................................................................................................................45
PROLOGUE
IN THE BEGINNING
As we begin our journey, you must note that this story starts before history, but the
same wisdom still prevails. The Greek god Zeus was not overjoyed by his sons, who
overstepped some of Dad's instructions. Not prepared to punish them directly, he
wanted to teach them a lesson about following directions. So Zeus sent Prometheus‘
brother Epimetheus, Pandora, a beautiful woman for Epimetheus to marry. Naturally,
there was a catch: Pandora came with a decorative jar that contained many things. Zeus
admonished him that you must use your resources to keep Pandora from uncorking the
bottle.
As beautiful as Pandora was, she was equally curious. Epimetheus tried
everything to persuade Pandora not to open the bottle. Just like Zeus tried with
Prometheus and Epimetheus. Like Prometheus and Epimetheus, the temptation became
too great, and Pandora ignored the warning not to open the bottle.
Being very curious, Pandora could not overcome the box's curiosity and her
desire to know what was in the bottle [known as Pandora’s box]. Unfortunately, the
bottle held within it all many evils, diseases, and other pains suffered by the world.
Immediately, Pandora went to Prometheus and Epimetheus, pleading for help.
Prometheus and Epimetheus both realized that Pandora opened the bottle [Today we
2
3
call Pandora’s Box] out of curiosity and not of malice; nonetheless, having opened the
lid of the jar, she released all the evils into the world.
Shocked by what had happened, they quickly tried to put the lid back without
much success. Sadly, they only managed to trap Hope inside the bottle. Regardless of
her pure intentions, the damage was done. Thus, Zeus, by this harsh lesson, made his
sons know that sometimes you just cannot put Pandora back in the box.
FAST FORWARD A COUPLE OF CENTURIES
Why this preface? The Chinese discovered gunpowder in the 12th century. By the
13th century, the Chinese developed a crude hand cannon or handheld flame thrower.
By the end of the 13th Century in the Middle East, the Mamluks were using ballistic
cannons against the Mongols. In the 14th Century arrived at the Spanish developed the
first flintlock. So it goes. Without dispute, the knowledge of the fire stick has been used
for both good and evil. But one thing is for sure: the knowledge of the things we created
(for good or bad) will not go back into Pandora’s Box.
In the millennium since the story of Pandora, we as a human race have tried to
identify evil and keep it under control. Sometimes, we have found solutions to control
the evil for a while. But Pandora is not going back in the Box, so what is the answer?
Edmond Burke realized that crime would invariably continue to present itself, and we,
as individuals, must be prepared to act. We as individuals must be vigilant and on
guard against evil. The Greeks believed it in 8 B.C.
Two thousand years later, Saint Paul wrote in a letter to the Ephesians 6:12 For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We as individuals must be vigilant and on guard against evil. The Christians believed it.
3
4
Between 970 and 931 B.C., King Solomon wrote that this type of evil is spoken of
by prophets such as Malachi (1:9 – "this has been of your doing"). King Solomon also
wrote of it in Proverbs. For example, 6:32 says, "one who does this destroys his own
soul," while 19:3 tells us, "the foolishness of man perverts his way." Solomon also
discussed this topic in Koheles (Ecclesiastes). In 7:29, he tells us, "God has made man
upright, but they have come up with many thoughts." These thoughts bring evil upon
man.,
I can go on with more examples, but the point has been made. So what is the answer?
In the late 18th Century, Sir Edmund Burke put it best when, on January 12, 1729,
he wrote...
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Sir Edmund Burke
THIS TEXT ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS THE WHO AND THE
WHAT.
THE WHO
The Supreme Court answered that question for us.
This leads us to the famous and very sad Castle Rock v. Gonzales, 545 U.S. 748 (2005)
decision.
Jessica Gonzales, because of repeated physical abuse, requested a restraining order
against her estranged husband. Her husband became annoyed, so he kidnapped the
children and then murdered them.
Gonzales brought a complaint in federal District Court, alleging that the Castle Rock
police had violated her rights under the Due Process Clause of the Constitution by
willfully or negligently refusing to enforce her restraining order.
4
5
On June 27th, 2005, the United States Supreme Court ruled “...that the police did not
have a constitutional duty to protect a person from harm…”
In the following pages and chapters, you will learn some of what you need to protect
yourself so evil will not be triumphant.
VICTIMIZATION
Definition
Unwarranted singling out of an individual or group for subjection to crime, exploitation,
tort, unfair treatment, or other wrongs.
THE WHAT
In a Power Point© presentation, the Winston Salem Police Department presented a
perfect triangle of events to become the victim of a crime. But the triangle can be broken
at any point. Crime or assault may never happen. The three components are:
a) the Criminal's desire to commit the crime,
b) the skill to carry off the evil deed and
c) the opportunity to do so.
5
6
For the most part, we cannot do much about other people's desire to do evil things.
However, you can take steps to mitigate our inability to demonstrate that they lack the
skill, and most importantly, you must deny them the opportunity to commit the evil
deed or assault. If you interrupt any of the above, you have decreased your likelihood
of becoming a victim. So, how do you deny someone the opportunity to make you a
victim? The answer is practice.
RECOGNIZE AND AVOID
How to Develop Situational Awareness
Recognize observable pre-event indicators of violence
Develop awareness by learning to read human behavior
6
7
Learn how to establish baselines for any area or situation
Identify predators attempting to hide within the crowd
Confidently take action informed by more than "hunches."
One of the most iconic examples of situational awareness is the opening scenes of
the Bourne Identity. Jason Bourne, having suffered a loss of memory, becomes aware
that he notices things to which other people typically don't even pay attention. Early in
the movie, he is confused by his abilities but demonstrates this ability to his disbelieving
companion when he says, "I know the license plate number of all six cars in the parking
lot, so why would I know that?” https://YouTube/watch?v=IjrWOZby8s8
It is extreme and unrealistic, but it makes the point.
But the truth is, in 2024, we should all be doing some level of this type of observation.
Unfortunately, this is the world in which we have come to live. Situational Awareness
(SA) is merely knowing what's happening around you.
A less fantastic example happens every day. If you have ever been on a commercial
flight to anywhere you have been introduced to situational awareness, it goes
something like this:
“This aircraft has several emergency exits (??? forward, ??? aft, and ???
over each wing.) Please take a few moments now to locate your nearest
exit. In some cases, your nearest exit may be behind you. If we need to
evacuate the aircraft, floor-level lighting will guide you towards the exit.
Doors can be opened by moving the handle in the direction of the arrow.
Each door is equipped with an inflatable slide which may also be detached
and used as a life raft.”
The flight attendant has just increased your awareness of the safety
items around you, thus increasing your likelihood of survival in the event
7
8
of some unexpected situation. It sounds easy, but most of us never
practice or even use this skill set. A security camera captured a case in
point: the amusing yet poignant images below. On the left, she was
walking down the street, minding her business and catching up on some
texts or emails. She was not paying attention to what was before her
because she DID NOT EXPECT it.
Generally, we are more likely caught up in our own world and not
paying attention to the cues around us. This aspect of situational
awareness means the difference between avoiding a problem or spending
time in the local emergency room or worse, as you can see in the above
picture. The picture above is so valuable because it shows that the person
involved is not only a threat to herself but also, more importantly, a
walking advertisement for victimhood. As she walks down the street,
even before she has her fall, she is broadcasting that she is the perfect
target.
SA is so important that it is taught to our soldiers and law
enforcement officers. They must learn and, more importantly, act on what
they perceive to save their lives. Yet we do not teach it to our children nor
even bother to learn it ourselves.
It is not that difficult, but it requires much practice.
8
9
In the 1970s, an Air Force flight training officer realized that if pilots in
planes moving at upwards of 500 mph had to think about the next move
they were going to make, it was already too late. So... this flight trainer
came up with the OODA Loop teaching program. More about that, it is
enough to say that it has saved thousands of lives since it was first taught.
In a dangerous situation, being aware of a threat and your escape plan, even
seconds before everyone else, can keep you and your loved ones safe.
It is a skill that can and should be developed for reasons outside of personal defense
and safety. Situational awareness (SA) is just learning to see what is around you and
judge what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Simply put, it is just another word for
mindfulness and developing awareness. Be conscious of what's going on around you in
your daily activities, which will, in turn, help you stay safe. It all starts with getting rid
of the "it only happens to other people mentality."
Together, Lon Kieffer, Jodi Macki, and I have spent over a decade taking courses,
experimenting with practical solutions, and studying the law, as well as the individual
psyche of the Healthcare Giver.
CAREGIVERS
Definition
First, we must see who we are. We have found that caregivers are unique because, as a
whole, they see themselves as Patient, Compassionate, Attentive, Dependable, and
Trustworthy. So, who would want to hurt them?
In today's world, Knoxville, Tennessee, stated the new reality best.
9
10
Police Chief David Rausch when said, “We’re seeing that because of this disease,
because of this addiction issue, opioids are causing irrational behavior and violence,”
Rausch went on to say. “A person who has become dependent on these drugs … to
function is looking for any way they can get them.” Those who “get in the way” are
endangered.” Sadly, in 2018 Care Givers are seen not as they see themselves but as the
source or conduit to the source of drugs and or drug paraphernalia. Police Chief
Rausch then explains why last year there were 400,000 assaults on Home Health Care
Givers.
The Police chief sees it happening in his community, the Department of Labor
reports the number of incidents, but we Care Giver Defenders that are doing something
about it.
This monograph is a basic primer on how to gain these critical skills. While our
primary goal is to develop your Situational Awareness to prevent and survive a violent
attack, we also provide additional tools to increase further the likelihood of avoiding a
potential assault altogether.
When I was a student pilot, my flight instructor would continuously "before you
engage ANYTHING, engage your brain." In short, by acting before you have a full
grasp of the situation will only make whatever your the situation is worse. In these few
pages, we will give you the basics of this philosophy.
You will now see a reenactment of sorts the right way and the wrong way of
handling a parking lot situation. As an example: It is November about 2:00 p.m. you
arrive at your destination, and you park your car in a sheltered parking lot. You return
at about 8:00 p.m. as you approach your car you notice the overhead light is out. For a
split second, you ask yourself was that light on when I got here? You can still see your
car but, that light is out. Oh! I am only thirty feet from the vehicle what the heck. In a
few seconds, I will be in my car on my way home to my family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HYePxHTAWI
10
11
In a real-life situation, the woman was attacked and assaulted, and her handbag
with her credit cards, identity, and money was all stolen. What did she do wrong? The
answer is simple: everything. http://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk1010/news/watch-video-shows-violent-assault-attempted-robbery-in-downtownparking-garage-1.3458365
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N--vHNQ7hnM
SA starts before the potential threat occurs.
11
12
THIS IS WHERE THE OODA LOOP
STARTS.
The brief history of the OODA Loop was created when a retired Marine and elite
fighter pilot broke down the concept of the OODA Loop.
12
13
Definition
• It consists of four stages that repeatedly feed into each other: Observe, Orient,
Decide, and Act.
Without question, the American fighter pilots dominated their enemies in the Korean
War. We used the F-86 Sabres, an early jet, but the Soviet MiG-15s could outmaneuver
it. The Soviet MiG-15 was arguably better in most respects. But what was it that made
the US the superior fighting force? It was the training of our pilots that made the
difference.
One of those American pilots, John Boyd, developed a decision-making theory
that captured the Americans' advantage in this conflict that he would later formalize
as "the OODA Loop." The acronym refers to the elements of the loop — Observe,
Orient, Decide, Act — and has become a defining element of Boyd's writings on
military strategy in the 1960s and '70s, which is still used today.
Since John Boyd documented this brain cycle, psychological
experts worldwide have found that every single thing you do in your
life, every decision you make, is an OODA Loop.
Being aware of the natural brain can give you an advantage in whatever field
you may find yourself in, whether you're in a jet, your office, or, in our case, a patient's
home.
We will take you through the brain mechanism of performing an OODA Loop. Then,
apply it to the world of the caregiver.
The human brain is a remarkable device. It does things to help us without us
even knowing it. One of the most amazing is called selective perception.
13
14
For example, put yourself in a Sunday service, and naturally, the kids start acting up. For only
a few seconds, you need to regain control of the situation. You do. However, you also notice that
you missed everything the minister said. The minister did not change anything: the same voice,
the same microphone, and the same volume, but you did not hear any of it. Why? Because your
brain knew you needed to focus on the kids, the minister was filtered out, allowing you to
concentrate fully on the job at hand.
A hearing aid works in the opposite direction. Have you ever noticed how
people with hearing aids sometimes get frustrated with them and choose not to use
them? Why? Because the hearing aid does not have a brain and is indeed not connected
to the wearer's brain, it amplifies not just what the wearer wants to hear but everything.
That becomes distracting and downright uncomfortable.
So, let's start with the first element of the OODA Loop.
Observe
For the Boyd pilot example, the pilot is trained to take in everything around them. In a
plane, this is not just the enemy pilot you're facing off against. You're also aware of each
of the gauges in your cockpit, and you're aware of your place in the sky. You may be
tracing your opponent's every move, but you're done if you lose sight of your
relationship with the ground.
Orient
You must then add meaning to all of your observations. Boyd considered this the most
crucial aspect of the loop because it entails an awareness of yourself and your opponent.
When mastered, it allows you to predict outcomes.
14
15
To the left is what the pilot
would see. Top middle says
pilot is climbing, (good) top
right says pilot at 3000 feet,
(good) bottom left says wing
are level, (good)Bottom
middle says Plane is heading
105°, (good) bottom right the
plane is climbing at a rate of
2000 feet per minute. (good)
Ahh! but there is the Top left
gauge that says if the pilot
does not do something fast
the plane is about to fall out
of the sky.
Two things happened: the pilot took step one and observed the available input.
In step two, the pilot recognized (orientation) that something did not look right and that
there was a problem. So, what to do now?
Call mom, yell at the plane, bail out, cry. No, none of that will help. The pilot has
been trained to recognize the visual cues and has practiced the solutions. There are
multiple solutions, but now is not the time to start figuring that out. That should have
been done in training. The most effective solution is to push the nose over or reduce the
climb rate and build up the airspeed. One, maybe two seconds, and disaster is averted.
So why did I choose this simple example? If the legend to the right of the illustration
were not there, most readers would have no idea what they were looking at, let alone
recognize that there is imminent danger.
15
16
Orientation
Orientation is the most important of the elements. Because it requires you not
only to see what you are looking at but also to understand what you see.
The things worth considering
Cultural Traditions:
How were you trained, raised, and educated all come into play at this point?
Genetic Heritage:
In Italy, it is common to see women walking arm in arm or holding hands. It
doesn't say a thing about their sexual identity; it is just the custom. As the son of an
Italian immigrant raised in that environment, I better not leave the house, no matter
what age, without kissing my father goodbye.
Previous Experience:
How have similar scenarios played out before?
16
17
Analysis and Synthesis:
What have you studied, and what did it teach you? How do these ideas work
together to create your worldview?
New Information:
What about this scenario is something you haven't seen before?
Decide
These third and fourth steps are the most critical points: "Decide" and "Act." This
is the ability to take steps one and two, an "art" as opposed to the "science" of the first
two steps. Without practice ______
As an Attorney, I have tried hundreds of cases and questioned thousands of
witnesses, and I have learned a lot. However, what always strikes me the most is that
people are not cameras, nor are they recorders. For instance, if you were to take 100
people in the room and give them all the same information, you won't get the same data
back. It is always tainted by what they expected to hear or see, or in some cases, what
they wanted to see or hear. I am sure you all remember the children's game "Whisper
Down The Lane."
Nonetheless, regardless of what you saw or think you saw, you MUST decide
what course of action to take. If you have trained and practiced, this is now second
nature. However, if you haven't, then you are reinventing the wheel.
Psychologists would say your choices are fight or flight. But that depends on whether
you are strong enough, fast enough, if there is an escape path, what resources are
available to you, and which of these has the best chance of success. Sadly, all this takes
time. Too much time. That is why the observe and orient portions of the Loop are so
valuable. When you walked into the situation, you should have already assessed those
possibilities.
17
18
It is as simple as Yogi Berra said: "When you come to the fork in the road, take
it." The only difference is that the choice you make should be built on your
Observations and Orientations because the decision you make based on the quality of
the first two portions of the OODA Loop very well may mean the difference between
survival, escape, or even total avoidance.
Act
Here we are at step four, and by all accounts, this is most difficult for people
because they get caught up in wanting to analyze (what if) as many observations as
possible so that they can come to the ideal decision before enacting it.
But the universal ability to act quickly is what separates those who succeed from
those who fail. You will never have 100% of the information you want, but regardless,
you need to make an informed decision with whatever information is available and
acceptable before moving forward. Don't expect to be a perfectionist; it is not possible,
but the more thought you put into it, the more likely you are to beat your opponent.
The Loop
You have probably noticed that each aspect of the Loop is seamlessly integrated
into the next. Each of the four steps is connected to the others in some way. Because the
loop isn't as simple as step one, two, three, four, repeat, adjustment, and reassessment
18
19
are essential to the Loop. This is by necessity. In some form or fashion, we perform the
OODA Loop in our way. You only have $100.00, but I want a new watch and a pair of
shoes. Indeed, you can have one (if you can find either at that price), so you make your
own OODA Loop.
What most people do not realize is that whatever choice you make, it affects the
OODA Loop of the people on the other side of the equation. That then changes the
observation, orientation, and decision aspects of the equation. That can be beneficial
when you're trying to protect yourself.
In a real-life example, some thugs blocked the road in front of the victim's car.
They then got out of their vehicle with guns drawn and approached the victim's car.
Fortunately, she was stopped about 20 feet behind the stopped vehicle. That distance
gave her some precious seconds to go through the OODA Loop. Immediately, she put
the car in reverse and stepped on the gas. In this case, she slammed into the car in front
of her. That collision caused all kinds of confusion and attention, just what the bad guys
didn't need. She changed their OODA Loop. The thugs returned to their car and sped
off. The victim lived to tell about it.
Why was that such a right decision? First, if a car were behind her, it would
create a significant distraction and bring attention to the scene. Second, by hitting the
car with the back of her vehicle, she avoided the airbags from deploying. Had she
struck the car in front, the airbag would have deployed and disabled her vehicle? Her
car would have no further value to her and may have trapped her. Third, if there were
no car behind her, she would have been able to effect a turn while in reverse and get out
of the situation.
She had undergone advanced training in victim avoidance, which is the focus of
this monograph.
19
20
It can seem mind-boggling in theory, but the key is to grasp each step so that it
becomes second nature. Then you can take advantage of it.
"I have been successful because I have a bias towards the right side of the loop," Berke
said. "I have aggressively made decisions and taken actions, and then I've coupled that
with being deliberate about getting as many reps as I can — about being committed to
preparing, training, and practicing as often as possible — so that when I find myself in
difficult, demanding environments, my goal is not to be surprised by them."
Upon arrival, the driver should have asked some of these questions. How far am I
from the exit? Are there any obstructions between me and the exit? Are the lights on?
Are there people hanging around? Where is the fire alarm? Does my cell phone work in
this garage? Can people see me and see all around me? In summary, be aware of your
surroundings.
This definition isn't wrong. That's precisely what situational awareness is:
Knowing what's going on by scanning your environment. But that is not the whole
story.
What exactly am I looking for?
How do I know if I’m paying attention to the right things?
Are there specific behaviors or warning signs that indicate an imminent threat that I
should be aware of?
Today, we’re going to start by discussing the general principles of increasing
your observational abilities, and then dive deeper into situational awareness
Itself to answer these critical questions.
20
21
Observe + Orient = Situational Awareness
You can better grasp situational awareness if you place it within the framework of
an OODA Loop. (No pun intended.)
The OODA Loop is a learning system and decision-making process that was
first thought of by Air Force fighter pilot (naturally) John Boyd. The
four steps of the OODA Loop are Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act.
In a head-to-head confrontation where two or more planes are moving at speeds
exceeding 500 mph, taking a moment to think can cost you your life. But just like air-toair combat, a violent confrontation on the street, or even political contests, the person
who can cycle through the OODA loop
The person who gets through the OODA Loop the fastest wins.
The Observe step in the loop is what most people associate with situational
awareness, but that is just the beginning, and it is the place where the untrained usually
freeze.
The second step in the OODA Loop – Orient — answers your
questions about the developing situational awareness and what it involves.
Orientation tells you what to look for when observing. Then you must put those
observations into context, so you know what to do with the
information. i.e., 1. Observe that you hear a loud siren. 2. Orient, it is coming from
behind me.
So Observe + Orient = Situational Awareness.
But how can we become better observers so that we can improve our
21
22
Situational awareness? And how should you orient yourself so that you
Observe the right things and understand the context for what you are seeing or
hearing?
Observe: Stay in Condition Yellow
In his seminal book, Principles of Personal Defense, an expert, Jeff
Cooper laid out a color code system to help warriors gauge their mindset for
combat scenarios. Each color represents a person's potential state of
awareness and focus: [I promise I will bring the ship back to the dock]
For optimal situational awareness, Cooper recommends that when you are in an
unfamiliar situation, always stay in Condition Yellow.
White =
Yellow =
Orange =
Red
=
your brain is switched off
RELAXED but aware.
you have identified something of interest that may or may not be
a threat.
You recognize a potential threat and are preparing for the event.
My additional point.
What ever you chose to do PLEASE keep it simple.
Condition Yellow is best described as “relaxed alert.” There’s no specific
threat situation, but you have your head up, and you're taking in your surroundings
with all your senses. Most people associate situational awareness with just visual
stimulation, but you can also learn a lot about sounds [the siren above] (or lack thereof)
and even smells in the environment.
Even though your senses are slightly heightened in Condition Yellow, it's also
22
23
important to stay relaxed. By adopting a calm, you won't bring any unnecessary
attention to yourself. If you look antsy and your head is swiveling frantically while you
scan your surroundings, people are going to notice you. Additionally, staying relaxed
ensures that you maintain an open focus, which allows you to take in more information
about what’s going on around you. Research shows that when we get nervous or
stressed, our attention narrows, causing us to concentrate on just a few things at a time.
This is called Fixation. [In the example above, six aircraft gauges are staring at any one
for too long can get you killed, so the instructor always says keep up your scanning.] A
narrow focus can, therefore, cause us to miss important details in our environment
Situational awareness isn’t just for times when your enemy is of the human variety…
Look up from your smartphone, don’t zone out, open your eyes, ears, and
nose, and calmly scan your environment to take in what’s going on.
Besides staying in Condition Yellow, here are a few more tips from others that will
improve your observational abilities:
Put yourself in a position for optimal observation.
To achieve effective situational awareness, you need to be able to observe as much
of your surroundings as possible. Positioning yourself in obstructed spots will
inhibit the flow of information coming in. For example, something might be
in the way that prevents you from seeing a bad guy enter a theater or restaurant. You
also don't have eyeballs in the back of your head, so you don't know what's going on
behind you.
So whenever you enter an environment, put yourself in a position that will
allow you to see as much as you can. Mike Seeklander, teacher at Shooting
23
24
Performance recommends finding a place where you can view all or most of the exit
points, allowing you to put your back to the wall. This position readies you to make a
quick getaway and eliminates the possibility of failing to see a threat materialize behind
you.
Granted, this is not always possible in all situations, unless you slip the maître d’ a
hundred-dollar bill. You don’t have much control over which table a restaurant hostess
seats you at on a busy night. So do your best within the given circumstances.
In a busy restaurant, you might not have control of your table location, but you can
choose which seat you take. Select the chair that offers the best view from your table.
When you’re standing in line at a fast food restaurant, nonchalantly look around and
take in the scene.
Hone your observation skills by playing the A-Game.
24
25
Seeklander plays a game with his kids called the “A-Game,” or Awareness Game, to
help them (and himself) strengthen their observational skills. To play, when you go into
a business, make a note of a few things about your environment:
• the number of workers behind the counter,
• the clothing and gender [or is that not PC] of the person sitting next to you,
• how many entry/exits there are, etc.
When you leave and get into the car to head home, ask your kids or your friends
questions like “How many workers were behind the counter?” “Was the person sitting
next to us a man or a woman?” “What color was his/her shirt?” “How many exits were
there?”
It's fun to play, but more importantly, it's training your kids (and you) to be
more mindful of their surroundings.
Master memorization.
Another fun activity that will help improve your situational awareness is to
practice memorizing things. In the movie “The Bourne Identity,” Jason Bourne knew all
the license plate numbers of the cars outside the diner. You can develop this skill by
practicing while driving, and when a truck, car, or other vehicle draws your attention,
try to memorize the details. When you arrive at your destination, how many of the
details can you remember? With practice, your recall will improve, but only with
practice.
Orient: Baselines, Goals, and Action Plans
Being more observant isn’t enough to master situational awareness. You have
to know what you're looking for and then put that information into context, so it has
meaning and becomes actionable. That's where the Orient phase
25
26
comes into play.
The Orient step provides three things to help us achieve situational
awareness:
1) baselines and anomalies for our particular environment,
2) mental models of human behavior we should look for, and
3) plans of action depending on our observations.
Establish a Baseline Wherever You Go
Every environment and person has a baseline. A baseline is what's "normal." In a
given situation, it will differ from person to person and environment to environment.
For example, the baseline at a small coffee shop typically involves people reading
books, working on their computers, talking on their cell phones, or interacting with
friends. Conversely, the baseline at a rock concert would be loud music and people
looking at the stage while either jumping up and down to the music or swaying their
bodies to the beat. If you establish baselines, you can identify anomalies more easily.
Remember the Sesame Street game: one of these things does not go with the other.
According to Patrick Van Horne, situational awareness expert, instructor of the
Marine Combat Profiling system, and author of Left of Bang, “Anomalies are things that.
Either do not happen and should, or that do happen and shouldn’t.”
Anomalies are what direct our attention as we take in our surroundings, and
What we need to focus on to achieve situational awareness.
So the first step in orienting ourselves is to establish baselines so that we can
direct our attention to anomalies. How do we do that on the fly? Van Horne suggests
that you mentally ask yourself these questions every time you enter a new environment:
Baseline Questions:
26
27
•
What’s going on here?
•
What’s the general mood
•
of the place?
•
What’s the “normal” activity that I should expect here?
•
How do most people behave here most of the time?
Anomaly Question:
•
What would cause someone or something to stand out?
Our inability to pay attention to everything simultaneously makes it impossible to
achieve complete situational awareness. The human mind can only process a limited
amount of information at any given time. Thus, in the domain of personal safety, where
things unfold quickly and seconds are often the difference between life and death, how
we direct our attention is paramount.
So we need to focus on a few things at a time that provide the most bang for our
attentional buck. And we do that, Van Horne argues, by relying on heuristics.
Heuristics1 We use quick and dirty problem-solving and decision-making, or making
mental shortcuts, our minds use to figure things out when minimal
information is available and time is limited. Decisions made from heuristics
aren't always perfect, but in the context of your safety, they're
usually good enough.
In Left of Bang, Van Horne lays out six domains of human behavior that
Marine Combat Profilers use on the battlefield to quickly determine
whether someone is a friend or foe. To get an idea of what civilians should
1Heuristics are usually mental shortcuts that help with the thinking processes in problem solving. They
include using: A rule of thumb, an educated guess, an intuitive judgment, stereotyping, profiling, and
common sense.
27
28
look for in everyday situations, I interviewed Van Horne for this article. He
told me the most critical category of clues is what he calls kinesics, an area
of behavior that involves people's conscious and subconscious body language.
Within the domain of kinesics, three clusters of body language are particularly
noteworthy for situational awareness.
They are dominance/submissive behavior, comfortable/uncomfortable behavior, and
interested/uninterested behavior.
Dominance/submissive behavior.
Generally, most people try to get along with others, so, for the most part, people
act in accommodating and submissive ways. Van Horne writes that dominant behavior
"is an expression of the limbic system's fight response". He often manifests himself in
"gestures and postures that make a person look larger to intimidate ‘smaller'
individuals into submission." Smaller vs. bigger here doesn't just apply to physical size,
however, but also relates to relative positions of power.
Because most people get along to get along, dominant behavior often constitutes
an anomaly. The person who is displaying the dominant behavior deserves more of
your attention. If someone acts in a pushy, authoritative, or overbearing way, it doesn’t
necessarily mean they're a threat; context matters. You'd expect a boss to act dominantly
towards their employees, and for the employees to act submissive towards their boss.
However, seeing extreme dominant behavior exhibited by a customer towards an
employee isn't as common. That's something to keep an eye on.
Comfortable/uncomfortable behavior.
28
29
Most people will appear relatively comfortable in most situations. Think about a
bus or subway ride—passengers generally appear pretty relaxed while they stare out
the window or read a book. If someone seems uncomfortable, that's an anomaly that
warrants extra attention, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're a threat.
They could be distressed because they’re late for work, or perhaps they've just received
some bad news about a relative. Again, it's just something to keep your eye on.
Van Horne says that a conventional display of uncomfortable behavior you'll see
from individuals up to no good is that they’re “checking their six.” This is when a
person looks over their shoulder to see what’s behind them or generally scans their
surroundings. Comfortable people usually don't do this because they don't feel any
threat. So, if you know a guy who looks over his shoulder a lot when he should be
standing there aloof, that's an anomaly that should get your attention.
Now obviously, “checking your six” is something that situationally aware good
guys do too. If you’re doing it right, it shouldn’t be noticeable to others, but it takes
practice, and some guy with his head on a swivel might still be green. However, until
you verify this through further observation, be cautious.
On the flipside, someone acting comfortable when everyone else is uncomfortable
would be an anomaly. One of the ways law enforcement was able to identify the Boston
Marathon bombers was that they noticed in surveillance footage that the men looked
relatively calm while everyone else was running around in a panic. The reason they
looked calm was that they knew the explosion was going to happen and thus weren't
surprised by it, while everyone else was caught off guard.
Interested/uninterested behavior.
29
30
Most people aren't paying attention to their environment. They're too caught up in
their thoughts or whatever it is they're doing. Individuals who show interest in a
particular person or object that most people wouldn't be interested in are the anomalies
that warrant further observation.
These three body language clusters establish baselines for every situation in which
we find ourselves, allowing us to direct our limited attention towards things that are
potentially more important and/or dangerous. If a person's behavior across these
clusters fits the baseline for that particular circumstance, you can pretty much ignore
them. If their behavior doesn't provide the baseline, they're an anomaly, and you should
observe them more closely.
Other Behavioral Threat Indicators
Besides the above three kinesic clusters, Marine Combat Profilers are taught
to look out for a couple of other behaviors that could apply to civilian situations
as well:
Shifty hands.
Military and law enforcement officers typically check their hands first on any
person with whom they're engaging. This is for two reasons. First, "checking the hands
of a person ensures that the person is not holding a weapon and is not preparing to
strike," writes Van Horne. Second, hands often telegraph hidden nefarious intentions.
People who are concealing something they don't want to be discovered, like a gun,
knife, or stolen object, "will often touch or pat that area on the body where that object is
concealed as if to ensure the object has not been lost or is still hidden from view."
“Acting Natural.”
30
31
It’s difficult to “act natural” when you’re not entirely focused on whatever it is
you’re supposed to be doing. People “acting natural” will appear distracted and overor under-exaggerate their movements. In the book Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell,
much to his regret, believed that the Insurgents in Afghanistan were acting like farmers
were collecting information on U.S. military patrols. Marine Combat Profilers are
trained to look for these “farmers” who sometimes appear to be trying too hard.
Have a Plan of Action Based on What You Observe
You visit your favorite coffee shop, and a bad guy with a gun decides to drop in as
well. But because you've followed the principles above, you're the first to see him as a
threat. Great. But what are you going to do about it? Seconds matter here. You don’t
have time to formulate a well-thought-out plan. What's more, the stress of the event will
muddle your thinking and decision- making. In addition to asking yourself the baseline
and anomaly questions every time you enter an environment, Van Horne suggests you
ask yourself a third question: "What would I do if I saw an anomaly?" In other words,
come up with an action plan.
So let's go back to the coffee shop example. Let's say the anomaly for which
you want to create an action plan is "guy comes in with a gun." The best course of
action in this scenario depends on a few things. And knowing what those few things
require you to be situationally aware. If the robber came in from the front door and
you're near the rear exit, your best action would be to book it out the back door right
away. On the other hand, if he entered through the back exit near you, according to the
Department of Homeland Security, your best action would be to immediately close
the gap between him and you and incapacitate him. Hmmm!
Establish baselines. Look for anomalies.
Have a plan. That’s what situational awareness comes down to.
31
32
Situational Awareness as a Preventive Tactic
Animals are creatures of opportunity. They’ll typically only attack another
creature if they look vulnerable. Lions will go after younger, sicker, or older gazelles
because they're easier to catch. The same goes for humans, don’t look like a victim.
Criminals are typically going to go after a person who looks vulnerable, whether the
victim is physically weaker or will be easy to catch off guard.
Practicing situational awareness goes a long way in keeping you from
appearing like an easy target. When you're out and about, look alert. Get your
nose out of your smartphone. When you're walking back to your car at night,
have your keys at the ready and regularly scan your surroundings. The less
vulnerable you look, the less likely someone is going to mess with you.
TACTICAL FLASHLIGHT
Here’s another tip on not looking like a victim, from the guys at Sage
Dynamics: Always keep a tactical flashlight on you and bust it out at
nighttime. Having a light allows you to better observe in the darkness, but it
It can also serve as a deterrent to potential bad actors. Because law enforcement
officers are usually the only ones shining flashlights down alleys and under
cars, if you're shining your light as you walk to your destination or back to
Your vehicle, the bad guys are probably going to think you're a cop and will likely
Just leave you alone. If worst comes to worst and you do end up getting
Jumped, you can use the tactical flashlight as a defensive tool by blinding your
would-be attacker with the bright beam, or even hitting him with the beveled
edge that's often built into the handle.
32
33
How to Use a Strobing Flashlight
The disorientating effect of a strobe light exposure for personal protection is a
relatively new innovation.
THE BUCHA EFFECT
The 65 studies on the history of disorientation caused by strobe light exposure
are summarized as the phenomenon that occurs when a person experiences dizziness
and confusion as a result of even brief exposure to strobe lighting.
The Bucha Effect was first identified by Dr. Bucha in the 1950s when he was
asked to investigate a series of unexplained helicopter crashes. The searchlights and
landing lights reflected off the helicopter rotors, creating the disorientating effect that
resulted in several accidents.
Benefits of Strobing Lights
The advent of inexpensive LEDs has led to the recent surge in popularity of the
tactical strobe light seen today.
The human response to strobe light exposure is not new, but the creation of the
inexpensive strobing flashlight is. The method and instrument of delivery continue to
evolve into smaller, less costly, and even brighter lights. They are now so reasonable
that there is little or no excuse not to have one in your arsenal of self-defense.
33
34
Here are some of the positive effects studied regarding the effects of strobe light
exposure.
➔ Disorients the suspect
➔ Diminishes an assailant's night adaptation
➔ Disrupts the subject's vision, which affects their ability
➔ Provides a visual and psychological hurdle to aggression
➔ Decreases the suspect's direct and peripheral vision
➔ Induces fear
How the Bucha Effect works.
34
to use force
35
The Flash or strobe disorientation is the result of an "after image" or a temporary
visual imprint caused by brief exposure to high-intensity light levels. This image varies
with light level and time duration or frequency of the exposure. Disorientation occurs
when specific light frequencies affect the brain, and the light cycles through those
frequencies too quickly for the brain to adjust.
Strobing tactical lights prevent the assailant's photoreceptors from resetting,
which disrupts an individual's vision.
Strobing bright light forces the brain's visual perception to arrive in segments,
thus creating afterimages as the brain labors to fill in or complete the partial image
produced by the momentary exposure of the strobe.
These after-images compound with each strobe exposure, which increases the
perceptual disparity. [like the cardboard strobe we made in science class]
Police tacticians have long recognized the blinding caused by placing the hotspot
of high-intensity light in a subject's eyes. Add the disorientation caused by the strobing
of a quality bright light, and the benefits are apparent.
No system is perfect; there are some downsides.
Negatives
When used without an accompanying constant light, a strobe light may cause the
user to experience an inability to see or recognize subtle, deliberate, slow movements
made by the assailant.
Any such movement must be very slow and deliberate to avoid detection. That is
unlikely in an opportunistic situation.
Similarly, any bright light in a person's eyes from a flash or bright light source
will cause some discomfort and a momentary disoriented state, at least for a few
seconds, but that is all you might need.
35
36
Air Force testing revealed a measurable loss of target identification or
engagement during strobe exposure. (You can not focus on your target.) BUT That effect
quickly diminishes once the strobe light has ceased.
So, don’t turn the light off. It has been repeatedly proven that an assailant's
exposure to a strobe disrupts their vision, affecting the assailant's ability to use
meaningful force.
Psychologists have demonstrated that humans' perception is 70 percent to 80
percent visual. Disrupt the visual perception, and you may very well save your life and
or avoid the confrontation entirely. Why? It is challenging to formulate a plan,
coordinate physical movement, or manifest effective aggression without an intelligent
assessment to build upon. That is pretty much impossible to do while a strobe light is
flashing in your face.
Using a strobe light has effectively changed the OODA Loop. For the assailant,
this change in events during a confrontation may be all you need. In much the same
manner, as stated above, a strobe exposure will provide a visual and psychological
hurdle to aggressive movement or behavior. In many cases, it is the fear of the
unknown. During a strobe exposure, a suspect is unable to identify the victim's size, the
number of potential victims, their specific physical location, environmental conditions
such as stairs, light switches, fire alarms, and other factors.
Without many of these points of reference, the assailant just may be incapable of
developing an alternate plan with any expectation of success.
It is also widely believed that strobe light exposure decreases the assailant's
direct and peripheral vision.
Tests have shown that using the strobe may give you the ability to move as much
as 25 feet without detection quickly, and perhaps that is all you need to escape.
Although the strobing is not a fear inducer, it is disorientating and confusing.
That all works to your benefit.
36
37
Practice, Practice, Practice
Situational awareness is a mindset that must be cultivated purposefully.
You want to get to the point that it's just something you do without having to
think about it. To get to that point, you have to practice it regularly. Starting
today, consciously remind yourself to look for entry/exit points whenever you
enter a new building. Start observing people and establishing baselines and
generating possible anomalies while you’re at work, at the gym, or on a date.
And then start coming up with action plans on what you would do in that specific
situation if you see a possible threat. Don’t be paranoid, just mindful. Do that day in
and day out, and situational awareness won’t be something you have to think about
intentionally, just something you do naturally.
Further Reading and Resources on Situational
Awareness
“Toward a Theory of Situation Awareness” by Dr. Mica Endsley. Dr. Mica
Endsley is the Chief Scientist at the U.S. Air Force. While Dr. Endsley’s
Streetlights and Shadows: Searching for the Keys to Adaptive Decision Making by Gary Klein
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
Pepper Spray- How to Choose it and How to Use it
Posted on April 1, 2014, by Greg Ellifritz in Articles Written by Greg Ellifritz
37
38
STEP 1- CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORMULA
There are essentially three types of commercial chemicals marketed to the public
for self-defense purposes. Each has a long chemical name, but it is abbreviated within
the industry using initials such as CN, CS, and OC.
CN (the original formula in Mace) and CS (military tear gas) are irritants. They
were developed for military use. They work by irritating the mucous membranes,
causing tearing, coughing, and pain. In civilian applications, these choices merely
annoy the assailant, especially if the assailant is chemically impaired.
OC (pepper spray); my favorite is a hot pepper extract that acts as an
inflammatory agent. Rather than just irritating the mucous membranes (eyes, nose,
mouth), it causes them to become inflamed. This inflammation makes it difficult to
open the eyes or to breathe normally. This is now the choice of the United States Air
Force.
Most experts agree that OC is the most effective for self-defense use among the
three. “Because the irritant formulas (CS and CN) depend on the attacker’s reaction to
the pain they cause, sometimes they prove to be ineffective.” If you have served in the
military, you know it is possible to shake off the effects. If the assailant had some
chemical reinforcements, drugs, or alcohol, the first two can be mere annoyances,
making the situation even worse.
OC causes inflammation, which is not dependent on the body's pain response.
OC also takes effect much faster than the other chemicals. The active ingredient in
pepper spray is capsaicin, not capsicum. The more of it, the better2. The products you
2 pepper spray (Also known as mace or capsicum spray) is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound
that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and temporary blindness) used in policing, riot control, crowd
control and self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears. Its inflammatory effects cause the
eyes to close, taking away vision. This temporary blindness allows officers to restrain subjects more
easily and permits people using pepper spray for self-defense an opportunity to escape.
38
39
may buy at the local drug store, department store, hardware store, or even sporting
goods store are probably in the 0.2% to 0.7% capsicum range. (300,000 raw pepper SHU
in spray format, 30,000) You are wasting your money.
39
40
Both its strength and its concentration classify OC. The strength (heat) of the
peppers used to make OC is graded using Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). The hottest
peppers cause the most dramatic effects on the people being sprayed. SHUs range in
numbers from 500,000 to 5.3 million. Generally, a rating of at least one million SHUs is
recommended for optimal effects.
To be effective, you need a pepper spray rated at least 1% to 1.33% capsicum.
(2,000,000 raw pepper SHU in spray format, 200,000) This grade is known as Level III
sprays, also sometimes referred to as Bear Attack Spray.
OC concentration is also listed on many products. The strength of the product
determines how long the effects will last, with higher levels yielding impacts over a
more extended period. Commercial concentrations, better yet, frequently vary from 1%
to 20%. Suppose you can purchase a spray that has at least a 5% concentration. That
will ensure the chemical affects your attacker for at least 30 minutes.
Some Pepper Sprays come with a built-in dye that cannot be easily removed.
This is a benefit in identifying the assailant.
40
41
STEP 2- CHOOSE THE DELIVERY MODEL THAT BEST SUITS YOUR
NEEDS
OC deterrent sprays range in size from the ubiquitous 1/2 oz. Keychain units to
fire extinguisher-sized models for riot control. I think the latter is overkill. Designed to
help police quell riots. There are upsides and downsides to each company's delivery
method and the amount of capsicum chemical contained in each container. We have
sampled hundreds of different products and have the following recommendations: a 30second spray time is ideal, and, depending on the spray type, it can reach
approximately 15 feet.
41
42
They are a little harder to carry, but can easily be concealed in a purse, pocket, or
belt holster. They are the best balance between ease of carrying and effectiveness.
These mid-sized canisters also work well for home and vehicle defense.
Canisters in the 1.5-3 ounce range or larger generally offer the best compromise
between portability and range.
STEP 3- CHOOSE THE BEST SPRAY PATTERN
Yes, I said spray pattern. Does it fire like a wasp spray or a mist? There are, in
fact, only three functional patterns.
The STREAM.
PROS: The chemical emerges from the canister in a continuous stream. The stream
pattern has the most extended range. It also allows you to target a specific person
within a group. In a crisis, I don't think that is a huge concern.
CONS: The stream does not lend itself to being inhaled unless you get a perfect facial
hit. Without inhaling the capsicum chemical, there will be a limited or at least delayed
respiratory effect. The delay time could be crucial.
42
43
AEROSOL SPRAY OR MIST
Some believe it is a better choice.
PRO: For the average person, it might be a better choice if used in a confined area with
minimal wind. The Aerosol pattern is reminiscent of the typical hairspray or insect
repellent. The theory is that if the capsicum is more finely dispersed in the air, the
assailant is more apt to inhale the capsicum chemical. If the assailant gets the capsicum
in his lungs, it will become painfully difficult to breathe, not to mention an extreme
burning sensation in their nose and throat. Generally, that will be followed by
uncontrollable coughing spasms.
CONS: Severe lack of range, as we mentioned above, great for a confined area.
Blowback is another potential problem with aerosol patterns in a windy environment; it
is likely to contaminate everyone in the area, including yourself.
43
44
FOAM.
This formulation comes out in a pattern similar to shaving cream.
PROS: The foam pattern is the least likely to expose an innocent person.
CONS: Like the stream pattern, unless you get a spot-on target, there will be too
minimal respiratory effects. It is the slowest to take effect on the skin or in the eyes.
STEP 4- USE GOOD TACTICS
Like all the other tools discussed, the one best suited for you is the one you can
access and start using quickly! As discussed in the other method, it is generally not a
good idea to announce your intentions; just do it.
STEP 5- THE LAW
Unlike a gun or Taser, there is no legal requirement to warn a person before
spraying them. Besides, by warning the assailant, you might be giving the assailant the
precious time needed to come up with an alternative OODA Loop and thus formulate a
plan to avoid your spray or take it away from you
2010 Maryland Code
CRIMINAL LAW
TITLE 4 - WEAPON CRIMES
44
45
Subtitle 1 - General Provisions
Section 4-101 - Dangerous weapons. (2) A person may not
wear or carry a dangerous weapon, chemical mace, pepper
mace, or a tear gas device openly with the intent or purpose
of injuring an individual unlawfully.
However, an exception applies to people who carry pepper spray "as a
reasonable precaution" when they face anticipated threats to their safety.
STEP 6- THE ONE, TWO, THREES
Use your thumb to depress the button on your canister. It gives you the
strongest grip on your canister.
Target your assailant's face with short bursts of spray lasting one to two seconds.
Once your attacker’s face is covered, stop spraying and evacuate the area to a place of
safety. With capsicum, more is not always better.
What's next? Have a next step planned. Call the police if you haven't already, seek
shelter, and get in and lock the car. In short, take the next step in your part of the OODA
Loop.
Before using the capsicum chemical, read the directions. For usage directions,
storage information, and shake before firing instructions, as well as life expectancy. If
it's 3 years old, you might just be spraying the equivalent of water.
EPILOGUE
1)
Avoid unfamiliar areas
2)
Consider carrying a cell phone
3)
Travel in groups
4)
Do not dawdle
5)
Do not appear rushed in a crowd
6)
Park in a secure place
45
46
7)
Keep car doors locked
8)
Avoid gawking
9)
Do not maintain eye contact
10)
Let someone you trust know of your travel plans
11)
Do not carry large amounts of cash
12)
Dress appropriately for the area or situation
13)
Stay in well-lit areas
14)
Do not wander off well-traveled pedestrian walkways
THANK YOU
PIETRO A. BARBIERI, ESQ
TRUST POINT LEGAL GROUP
657 Exton Commons
Exton PA 19341
610 280 7078
pab@trustpointlegalgroup.com
46