Good situational awareness can save your life in a number of ways. It could mean being aware of where you place your feet as you walk through the woods, avoiding stepping on or near a venomous snake. It could also mean recognizing the signs that someone intends to do you harm and reacting before they get the chance. Take a little bit of time every day to improve your situational awareness, and your chances of survival in any situation will increase dramatically.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Instead of getting caught up in a fireworks show or wandering aimlessly through the grocery store, make a point of being aware of your surroundings at all times. If you find your mind wandering, you can become more aware by practicing a few different habits, like:
• Looking for all available exits and entries.
• Identifying potential physical threats in the area.
• Paying attention to your peripheral vision.
Watch Other People’s Movements
In any given situation, you can expect people to act a certain way. Be aware of normal movements and behavior, and keep your eye out for anything that seems out of the ordinary. For example, when walking through a public park with your family, do you keep seeing the same guy following you and looking at you?
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Practice Improving Your Observational Skills
Finally, practice observing and remembering things and people around you. Don’t just be aware – be actively observant and focused. Note what people around you are wearing, how they’re acting, the color of their hair, and any distinguishing features. Then, even if someone does catch you by surprise, you’ll still be able to recall more detail about them than the average person could, which could help a lot when talking with police.
Practice these tips every day, and you’ll improve your situational awareness dramatically. Doing this could save your life in a number of survival situations.