Last night panic spread through New York’s John F. Kennedy airport as reports of shots fired spread. Two terminals were closed, passengers were fleeing blindly and ducking for cover, and police escorted innocent civilians out of the building with weapons drawn.
In reports, travelers told the media they ran because everyone else was running. Without detail, and without any information, people panicked. The key to improving your chances in a herd-stampede situation like this is situational awareness. You can improve yours by being on guard, aware of your surroundings and by critically analyzing the actions of those around you.
If you want to improve your situational awareness thinking, there are many training courses available. Instructor Steve Tarani, who has given guest lectures at my favored Sig Sauer Academy, teaches a course focused on “preventative defense.” Tarani covers:
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The 90% Advantage – Learn how to control a “threat progression” and how you can take the VERY “unfair” advantage of successfully managing a potential threat BEFORE it progress into a physical altercation
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Threat Management – Using “threat identification” skills, situational awareness, and professional observation skills, learn how to avoid, mitigate and if necessary defend against a real-world threat.
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Empowerment – Gain the protective knowledge plus the field-tested skills of protection professionals and exactly how to apply them in your day at home, school, work, while driving, shopping, on vacation, etc.,
Be proactive. Assess the measures you use to monitor your surroundings, and consider what you can do to upgrade your own safety and that of your family.
