A lack of situational awareness affects your personal safety in two broad . Vq&e-t\U>?tql/;EhYt+h\geB7YZ U[>8%F](]d[mwil2 !b~J3u8.Y1C_O This can cause injury to personnel and damage to the equipment and materials. If you work at a school, on any type of campus, or if your workplace needs an active shooter plan, Guard911 apps are a one-of-a-kind active shooter mobile safety alert technology that facilitates adoption of these safety tips. However, after enough practice it becomes second nature. STOP - Engage your mind befor eyour hands. Allow enough space between you and the vehicle ahead to give yourself an out. Mistakes cause collisions. Go to a different store. Ensure all . Senses: Practice engaging all your senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) to their fullest extent to increase your personal safety. We will discuss the habit by looking at Duhigg's habit loop. Cars, motorcycles, bicyclists, and people that may be in the road by the time you reach them. Always be alert and aware of the people around you. Keep doing this until you start doing it without meaning to. It is important that each individual is looking out for his or her own safety as well as looking out for their workmates. Takeaway: Get into the habit of identifying the emergency exits at the stores you visit, hotels you are staying at and public buildings you enter. Relaxed awareness is not tiring, and it allows you to enjoy life while rewarding you with an effective level of personal safety. For our purposes well focus on situational awareness for self-defense purposes as it is a very important self-defense skill. They were just trained on Friday, and I was there running the drill with them on Monday.. Situational awareness, in layman's terms, is your ability to process your surroundings and notice any changes in those surroundings. Allow room in front of your vehicle so the driver will have space to move in front of you. What Pocket Knife does MacGyver Use to be Prepared For Everything? Remind them to be aware everywhere they are. Don't stop to aid motorists by the side of the road. Sitting with your back to the wall is a good quick tip. Careers Required fields are marked *. While wearing headphones, can you hear foot steps behind you? Reflective Surfaces: One of your biggest advantages in a dangerous situation is being able to see the danger coming with enough time to react appropriately. Always look to each side of your vehicle at intersections, crosswalks, and railroad crossings. [emailprotected] (618) 973-9174, The number of workplace shootings is increasing at an alarming[], Missouri School District Heightens School Emergency Response & Communication Are[], In regard to stopping killers in these uncertain times, before[]. Stopping work to make adjustments- Sometimes things do not go as you planned and thought they would. Are there other factors that can impact the situation? This calms the body and declutters the brain so you can react appropriately. Are you still searching for toolbox talks on google and then taking that information and re-packaging it for your safety meeting? 5. Be alert for pickpocketers on crowded elevators. Every time we do a task, our mind creates a script. Constantly staring at the road just in front of your vehicle is dangerous. I asked the clerk for someone to escort me out. If you are biased on your views it can lead to risks for you and your coworkers. Be aware of locations and situations which would make you appear vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots. Training Peripheral Vision: Attempt to focus on something while also observing whats happening at the edges of your vision. In a world where talent is expensive and scarce,. 441 Likes, 46 Comments. When walking, stay in well-lit areas and walk in numbers, if possible. Where could I escape? Premeditating such responses can help them to become second-nature in the event of an actual emergency, making your response more effective. 3. Welders should always be aware of their surroundings before starting a weld. Stay safe this spring break by following safety tips from the Institutional Access and Compliance Office. The more space you allow between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead, the more time you will have to see a hazard, and stop or avoid that hazard. There are hazards and risks every day on the job site and to keep yourself and your coworkers safe you have to be aware of them. Learn how your comment data is processed. So tell the police as much as you can; no fact is too trivial. Be alert of your surroundings. What if that truck doesnt stop at its red light, do you have time to stop, someplace to go? If you live anywhere in the world, then its probably just about everyone you see. Finally, if a crime does occurREPORT IT! If you are a new driver or a teen, then enrolling in a drivers education class can be beneficial. Backing up is always dangerous because it is hard to see behind your vehicle. Ask yourself if you have the proper tools, training and PPE to perform the task safely. new year! Cooper CS4 Touring Review Is It Worth Buying? Wonder what if? Instead of looking over your shoulder, place your back against a surface if possible to remove the possibility of someone getting behind you or in your blind spot. Not looking down at your phone the entire time youre in public fits with point number one, but it warrants its own recognition. Precautions generally fall into defensive precautions and offensive precautions. Look at the task in front of you. Have an exit plan. Lacking or not having adequate situation awareness has been identified as one of the primary factors in accidents related to errors or mistakes. Always remember that inmates listen to every conversation that corrections officers and staff have. Second, if anything does happen, you'll know where you can run for help. As a safety measure, also look over your right and left shoulders again while backing. endstream endobj startxref Studies have shown that a company's safety performance directly impacts productivity and financial results. 8. The best defense against the active shooter crisis in our country is to reduce the notification time and response time of our law enforcement. Being safe is a prerequisite for many to return to, or remain in, their job, and they regard this as their employer's non-negotiable obligation. Consider the building occupants when scheduling your work: you may need to schedule work when there are fewer people in the building/area; Put up barriers and signage to alert building occupants to avoid hazards and stay clear of the immediate work area; Report hazards to Facilities and/or Environmental Health and Safety Safety is a way of life and should be thought about so often that it becomes second nature. Our knowledge, experience and education enables us to understand what is going on around us and helps us to determine if it is safe. Carefree yet cautious. (In other words, be just a little paranoid.) If team members see each other doing it then they will all follow suit eventually. Everyone that drives a car knows that feeling of forgetting what youre doing after continuously driving a few hours. Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your vehicle. Next, breathe deep through your nose. As an example, imagine walking down the street and you observe a shifty man with his hands in his pockets hiding in a dark alleyway as he watches you walk toward him. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Exits:Always be aware of your exits, and have an exit strategy. The proper safety gear in your workplace could be reflective gear, fire-retardant clothing, industrial workwear or something as simple as nonslip shoes. Following large vehicles that block your view ahead. You also want to avoid looking like you work from the inside of a cave because of bad lighting. At 55 mph, it takes about 400 feet to react and bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Be alert of your surroundings at all time - Teens can be especially guilty of being oblivious to their surroundings. Situational awareness: Preparing your team for the unexpected. Avoid using an electronic device while walking or performing other tasks. The second level of awareness, relaxed awareness, is like defensive driving. Guard911 is here to help. {4t6V6mf@Vf%qWEGIMRJ)Px#+m. Street Precautions Be alert to your surroundings and the people around youespecially if you are alone or it is dark. Emergencies and mass shootings happen all the time. %PDF-1.5 % In an elevator, be mindful that there is a distress alarm on the control panel. Taking fifteen minutes to disconnect can help you to be more connected during the rest of the day with life offline. This principle can also be applied to travel routes, and being conscious of obstacles, choke points, alternate routes, and so on. Situational awareness: Understanding the current environment and being able to accurately anticipate future problems to enable effective actions.1 Why is this important? Suspicious People: This is an obvious one. Because of the size and power of the forklift, operators should stop and wait for pedestrians to clear the area before proceeding along their route with caution. To avoid last minute moves, scan the road 1015 seconds ahead of your vehicle so you can see hazards early. Visualize: Play out scenarios in your head beforehand. One of the best ways to become more aware of your surroundings is to practice identifying the objects around you. Situational awareness is the opposite of being distracted. Be alert to pickpocketers on crowded buses; check your purse or wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you. Keep in mind, carrying a weapon still isnt a magic pill. Your brain goes into auto-pilot and you slowly stop consciously processing your surroundings. Inform the driver of the situation. Even keeping your sense of smell fully available can help in a dangerous, but not necessarily defensive, situation. How to increase awareness of your surroundings. The fourth level of awareness is high alert. You should allow a four-second or more cushion when: If you follow too closely and another driver cuts in front of you, just take your foot off the gas. Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible. Anonymous Reporting Line: (310) 794-5824, 2023 Regents of the University of California, Domestic Violence: Obtaining a Restraining Order, Reporting a Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence, Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications. Understanding Your Surroundings While Driving, refer to the Basic Speed Law in the Speed Limits section. Assess the emergency and where you are. 49 0 obj <> endobj But, the points that I took away from the training session were that you can protect yourself. A few quick tips that might signal potential danger include shiftiness, hands in pockets, and avoiding eye contact. You dont need specialized training like a CIA agent or to be a born natural to have good awareness. An even better offensive precaution is to keep a perpetual mental image of every potential weapon and attack vector as you about your daily life. In these active shooter situations, theres no room for complacency. The owner of this website, ZCS Ventures, LLC, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking defensiveplanet.com reviews to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. If possible and when safe, make room for vehicles entering freeways even though you have the right-of-way. This widens your monitoring range for detecting anything out of the ordinary. You should always be looking around and aware of your surroundings. If youre already thinking about it, then you are more likely to do it in a defensive scenario. For example, when you reach across a table to grab a pencil, you use proprioception to know how much. Always stay within a group when possible. This does not mean to be provocative and ask for a confrontation. Increase the distance between yourself and this person the amount of distance depends on the situation, but five or six feet can allow you some reaction time if they become an active threat. Consider, whether you need to tell someone or react. 2007. Maybe he isnt so innocent. The third level of awareness, focused awareness, is like driving in hazardous road conditions. A second important element of the proper mindset is understanding the need to take responsibility for ones own safety. 9,905,117. Questioning without judgment is a key factor in successful situational awareness. These are all useful questions to start the conversation around training drills. Take in the whole scene If you only look at the middle of the road, you will miss what is happening on the side of the road and behind you. Dont presume changes in your surroundings are innocent or fine. Most active shooters are finished massacring people in five minutes or less. Lt. Murphy. Facebook can wait. You are relaxed and enjoying your drive, but are still watching for road hazards, maintaining a safe following distance and keeping an eye on the behavior of the drivers around you. Another driver might crowd your lane or change lanes without looking and crash into you. This is the level that induces an adrenaline rush, a prayer and a gasp for air all at the same time. First, they should try to find a person in uniform, like a police officer, security guard, or store employee. In the same vein as minimizing distractions, you want to identify threats before they become threats. When you go shopping, to work, to school, or simply take a walk in nature, you cannot be too careful when it comes to your personal safety. -Be aware of your surroundings -Keep your cell-phone charged and with you at all times -Use good judgment on social media before publicly sharing information or a location. I was part of the response team during the active shooting at Sikh Temple in 2012, said Lt. Murphy. Do not be afraid to yell for help if they don't stop. What if this was happening to the person in the car next to you? Situational awareness is important to everyone - it is important that everyone is aware of their surroundings and the potential hazards they face. By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risk to yourself and also discourage those who commit crimes. The last level of awareness, comatose, is what happens when you literally freeze at the wheel and cannot respond to stimuli, either because you have fallen asleep or, at the other end of the spectrum, because you are petrified. A driver may decide to exit suddenly or swerve back onto the freeway. Technology draws us in and makes it harder to observe the vital things around us. Do not be afraid to let your wishes be . Not sure? How many Martial Arts schools are there in the US. Take a quick glance in your mirrors. Often people are overwhelmed when you start talking about situational awareness and everything that goes along with it. Reduce your speed. Play the what if game. If youre using headphones, consider using only one, or keeping the volume as low as possible in order to still be able to hear what is going on around you. Stay Aware-Whenever you are walking in a parking lot (or anywhere else that cars typically drive), you should remain hyper-aware of your surroundings. "As for parents of young children, it is impossible to be with your . When working with new or different workmates. Don't allow loud distractions to stop you from keeping your eyes on your surroundings, rather than one direction. Do not develop a fixed stare. Keep scanning. So even if you are distracted while driving, your mind knows which roads to take and can get you there. Ultimate Guide to Construction Management, perception of the elements in the environment. When I was checking out, I noticed he was now standing in front of the store I had entered. Leave a little earlier. Neo-Symbiosis: The Next Stage in the Evolution of Human Information Interaction. International Journal of Cognitive Informatics and Natural Intelligence 1(1):39-52. Public officials have records of where you live for tax and property ownership purposes. What about someone screaming for help? Report hazards immediately to your customer or manager/spervisor. 10,433,143. Exits: Always be aware of your exits, and have an exit strategy. Here are some ways you can increase your awareness and have a higher level of security while shopping or dining out. This means you shouldn't be looking down at your phone, and you should also avoid wearing headphones. Continental ExtremeContact DWS Review Does It Meet Expectations? Exuding an aura of confidence, awareness, and capability, regardless of how you actually feel, can help broadcast to any threats that you are an undesirable target, and increase your personal safety. First, notice your surroundings. The following topics are some simple ways to increase your situational awareness. Tell your customer, supervisor, and workmates. Be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of your blind spots. Adjust your work setup so that you face a window or are exposed to plenty of light. Do they talk with you and then everyone can see? Discuss what actions are needed with your customer or supervisor to make the situation safe. In other terms, this could mean simply instructing workers on the safest way to do things or telling your supervisor about health and safety hazards you see on a job site. Protect your Back: Utilize walls and other barriers to protect your back and sides and maximize your field of vision, taking care not to back yourself into a corner. About hWmo9+YHF]th%@ PV{0`pp8b(/HZQ`4p%&h^ `N'dHT^9-|Qug>>I)%A86pF~ yJME!7Rin>AxY1 However, when was the last time there was a drill to ensure every person in the establishment knows what to do? This ability is relevant in a wide variety of circumstances. The best way to be safe is to know your surroundings and pay attention to everything and everyone around you. Turn on your lights during the day, if it is hard to see or you cannot see at least 1,000 feet ahead of you. Following these quick tips can improve your awareness. Login. Drive either ahead of or behind the other vehicle. Whenever possible, travel with a friend. News & Media Choose a product which is designed specifically for use on toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers in both . View each new setting as an opportunity to practice when these tips become second-nature, you greatly increase your ability to keep yourself safe. Teach your children danger signs. Body language plays an extremely important role in how you are perceived by others. By remaining close to the people you trust and know well, you'll reduce the risk of being targeted by people who are up to no good and could be out to take advantage.
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