As the holidays come about in full swing, self-defense and personal protection become more of a priority with the increase in shopping and higher volume of pedestrian traffic. The crowds can impart their own difficulty to staying vigilant to threats and of your general surroundings. Your five senses are the most obvious method of evaluating and observing your surroundings, however the final sense, that “sixth” sense will also be of use. Your gut, your natural intuition is crucial to your observation skills. Your subconscious is putting together details you may not pay close attention to, and may warn you. Some experience this warning as the hair on their neck standing up, or a general sense of wrongness.
In the 1950s, Colonel John Boyd of the United States Air Force created a concept known as the O.O.D.A loop. The acronym is simple, and stands for the decision making process.
During this holiday season, we will take you through this process, with the first step in the loop,
In the 1950s, Colonel John Boyd of the United States Air Force created a concept known as the O.O.D.A loop. The acronym is simple, and stands for the decision making process.
- Observe
- Orient
- Decide
- Act
During this holiday season, we will take you through this process, with the first step in the loop,
Observe: At this stage, you are using your senses to notice what is around you. You do this every single day simply by looking around. In the context of personal defense, you’re looking more for obvious threats, like the person lurking around the corner with their hand in their pocket, or someone who you notice has been in the same stores you’ve been in but never leaving with anything.
The most critical time this comes into effect, in my opinion, is when a person enters what is known as your personal space. In proxemics (the study of space and how population density in that space effects behavior) personal space is 1.5 to 4 feet. At this stage, a person’s action will always be faster than your reaction, and the distance can make reaction nearly impossible. A stranger in this space will immediately catch your attention and make you feel uncomfortable.
Situations can vary and speaking directly to a stranger can be tricky, so if you are concerned about how to maintain your personal space during crowded holiday activities, Here’s a link to Connect with SDTG and we’ll give you some personalized tips.
The most critical time this comes into effect, in my opinion, is when a person enters what is known as your personal space. In proxemics (the study of space and how population density in that space effects behavior) personal space is 1.5 to 4 feet. At this stage, a person’s action will always be faster than your reaction, and the distance can make reaction nearly impossible. A stranger in this space will immediately catch your attention and make you feel uncomfortable.
Situations can vary and speaking directly to a stranger can be tricky, so if you are concerned about how to maintain your personal space during crowded holiday activities, Here’s a link to Connect with SDTG and we’ll give you some personalized tips.
Credits: Officer Douglas Preston - SDTG
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