Situation awareness and self awareness

Self and situational awareness are topics of much discussion and instruction throughout the preparedness and personal safety community. We live in an ever-changing world, with the rise in violent crimes ie; active shootings, racially motivated attacks, and attacks motivated by religion, sexual preference, and politics. We all must be mindful of our surroundings and how we would react if found in an uncomfortable situation.

Self Awareness

This means knowing who you are and what you are doing, it’s knowing how you will react to certain stimuli when it's presented to you. Knowing what words to say and the tone of those words may change the outcome of the situation, be it positive or negative. What actions will I take, fight or flight?

Basically, it's analyzing before you act or, in simpler terms, “thinking.” It is about focusing on what you are doing and paying attention to the details.

Self-awareness concerns how you operate in the environment which you are in and knowing your role and the role of others as it pertains to that environment. As you proceed with your day to activities remember Self-awareness is all about self-control.

Situational Awareness

This is the concept of being fully aware of whatever situation you may find yourself in regardless of whether it is potentially dangerous or not. Good situational awareness doesn't mean that you should keep everything around you under a microscope, it means that you are aware of key elements in your immediate environment. Whether you're presented with a dangerous situation or not, it's more about paying attention to key details that will allow you to perform optimally in any situation.

It is about exercising a certain level of control over your environment and those in it through alertness, observation, analysis, and good decision making.