Our perception of danger is directly influenced by our beliefs at the time. A man carrying a baseball bat in a park may not be perceived as a threat, whereas a man with a baseball bat walking through a mall parking lot may be. Either man could be a threat based on their movements, body language, manner of dress, facial expressions, but we will have a tendency to excuse very obvious signs simply because of context or the surroundings we are in.
We see this in churches often. The presumption is often made that if someone is decently dressed and in church, they are not a threat. In my experience as a church security team leader, how someone looks or is dressed does not necessarily predict their intentions.
As a professional protector, I observe the environment, as well as everything and everyone in that environment. I constantly gather and evaluate that data to identify anomalies, or things that stand out as unusual. While constantly scanning and looking for anomalies, I am alert, focused, and aware. I am very careful not to pre-judge anything or anyone and just pay attention to their actions and the environment.
We all have biases, whether we care to admit it or not. We must acknowledge our bias so we can be sure not to let that enter into our evaluation of the data we are collecting. An old woman with a gun can kill you just as dead as a young man with a gun, so we can’t disregard people as a threat because of bias.
The most common and deadly bias is a normalcy bias. I trust everyone until proven untrustworthy is the most irresponsible approach to take if you want to stay safe. Trust is something that is earned based on probability, and if you decide to trust everyone until they prove themselves untrustworthy, that means you are not going to protect yourself until after you have been attacked and that attacker has been proven as untrustworthy. It’s not moral superiority; it’s being irrational and irresponsible.
If you disagree, then I challenge you to hand everyone you see a copy of your bank card and pin code, and trust they won’t steal all your money. Until someone does, of course, then only distrust that person. When it comes to trusting people with our money, we often feel differently about trust. We become more logical and pragmatic. If you want to avoid being a victim, trust no one, and you will be far more cautious and much harder to victimize.
Here are ten simple tips that will help you stay safer in public:
- Stay Aware – Be alert, focused, and aware of your environment. Be aware of everything and everyone in it. Avoid talking on your phone or looking at your phone while in public. Don’t wear earbuds or headphones so you can hear and be more aware of things happening around you. Predators look for distracted and unaware victims as they are easy prey.
- Plan Escape Routes – When you choose a parking space, look at the environment around that space. Is it well-lit? Is it close to the place you are going? Are there people standing nearby? If you have to drive away quickly, do you have clear escape routes? When you are walking from A to B, break the journey down to segments. For instance, from your vehicle to the building door. Evaluate that route for potential risks, and if you are approached, what are your escape routes? Even moving about a large store, you should pay attention to anyone possibly following you, so walk around every now and then and watch those around you. Predators often follow their victims around as they shop, then follow them out of the store and attack in the parking lot or as they get into their car.
- Trust Your Instincts – If something doesn’t feel right, it isn’t right. Run away, create distance, and prepare to use a weapon if you have one. Leave your shopping cart and either head back into the store or building you were visiting, or run to your car, get in, and lock the doors. You can call 911 and have them attend and get your shopping cart contents or bags afterwards.
- Carry Self-Defense Weapons – If you are so inclined, I highly recommend you carry concealed weapons. That can include a gun, pepper spray, a defensive baton, or an electronic shock device. Remember that all other than the gun are less-lethal options, and they only provide pain to the attacker. They do not incapacitate. At best, it provides you with a few seconds’ head start so you have a better chance at escape. MOST IMPORTANT is that if you carry any sort of weapon, you must train with it often to ensure you are safe and effective. Having a gun and being able to draw it and shoot accurately without killing unintended victims is only accomplished through lots of training and proficiency. Also, make sure that it is legal for you to carry whatever weapon you wish to carry in the state or area where you are when you are carrying.
- Maintain Distance – Distance is key as it gives you more time to react to a threat. Keep your distance from strangers, avoid eye contact, move swiftly when walking, and don’t stop, no matter what, if someone calls out to you or tries to get your attention. Stay ten or more feet away from others at a minimum, but guage that distance by your comfort levels and trust your instincts.
- Use Strong Verbal Commands – If approached by someone, use loud and strong verbal commands. With hands in front of you, yell “STOP”, “LEAVE ME ALONE”. “GO AWAY”. If that does not work, start screaming for help and don’t stop until help arrives.
- Attack, Don’t Wait To Be Attacked – If a physical encounter is imminent and you fear for your safety or life, your chances of defeating your attacker are much better if you attack first. When you do, attack with a rabid fury and don’t stop until they run away or stop moving. Neutralize the threat. And as soon as you can getaway safely, run as fast as you can and get help.
- Target Vulnerable Areas – If you are being attacked by a predator, don’t play fair or go easy. Attack the eyes with your fingers and thumbs. Attack the throat with your punches, elbows, or kicks. Attacking the groin with kicks or other strikes can be effective, but no matter what you do, don’t hit just once and stop; keep fighting and hurting that attacker as much as possible until they stop.
- Run To Safety And Call 911 – Call 911 the instant you sense trouble. Let the operator know where you are first of all, then that you are being attacked. They will want to ask you a lot of questions, but if they have your address and know you are being attacked, you can set the phone down and defend yourself, and they will send someone to you. Don’t feel like you have to stand there while being attacked and talk to the 911 operator. Defending yourself and attacking your attacker is your primary concern once 911 has your address. You don’t need to hang up your phone, leave the line open, drop your phone, and get into the fight to save your life.
- Train To Win – The best and easiest training is mental visualization. If you are always aware, and you can visualize what you will do if approached or attacked, you will be far better prepared when it happens. Also, training in the gym to increase your fitness level, your strength, and if you choose to train in fight sports like Boxing, Muay Thai, or Jiu Jitsu, you will be better equipped to survive and dominate in a physical altercation with a predator.
