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- Jul 28, 2016
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I want to begin by saying that I don't think I would have called the cops. I probably just would have said "I don't have time now, but if you call the club main number, they can help you," and walked away.
But with that said, I have a lot of sympathy for the club members who thought the situation was weird, and felt they needed to tell someone.
Let me give a little context. I am a basic pistol instructor. I do not teach combat or defensive tactics, and I openly tell people I am not a specialist in those areas. But I do sometimes give "defensive" advice, which is really just common sense. And one important piece of that guidance is telling people that if a person or situation seems sketchy, then act immediately. Do something to improve your situation, right away, and usually that means just leave.
The important point is that reacting to things that make you nervous is the most basic aspect of situational awareness. Situational awareness is not just keeping your head on a swivel, it is also learning to respond to your subconscious awareness that is trying to protect you.
I tell people that the most important thing is, do not just stand there on the X and think about whether your instincts are correct. Take some action, and then consider later whether your instincts were good. And if the instincts were not good, we can review later how to improve them.
When I tell people about really having this type of situational awareness, and using it, they often feel constricted by social pressure. They say "I'll look stupid, or cowardly, or socially awkward." Well, from now on I'll add, "maybe there will be an NES thead where dozens of people post to say you are an idiot, but you should still trust your judgement, and you should do it quickly."
But with that said, I have a lot of sympathy for the club members who thought the situation was weird, and felt they needed to tell someone.
Let me give a little context. I am a basic pistol instructor. I do not teach combat or defensive tactics, and I openly tell people I am not a specialist in those areas. But I do sometimes give "defensive" advice, which is really just common sense. And one important piece of that guidance is telling people that if a person or situation seems sketchy, then act immediately. Do something to improve your situation, right away, and usually that means just leave.
The important point is that reacting to things that make you nervous is the most basic aspect of situational awareness. Situational awareness is not just keeping your head on a swivel, it is also learning to respond to your subconscious awareness that is trying to protect you.
I tell people that the most important thing is, do not just stand there on the X and think about whether your instincts are correct. Take some action, and then consider later whether your instincts were good. And if the instincts were not good, we can review later how to improve them.
When I tell people about really having this type of situational awareness, and using it, they often feel constricted by social pressure. They say "I'll look stupid, or cowardly, or socially awkward." Well, from now on I'll add, "maybe there will be an NES thead where dozens of people post to say you are an idiot, but you should still trust your judgement, and you should do it quickly."