Be Prepared, not Paranoid.

The world is quite the powder keg right now. The US is feeling the effects with a split between supporting Israel and Palestine.? Large protests in cities across America and the fear of terrorist attacks loom, especially the lone wolf type which is probably more likely.

New York City has called in all police officers to be on duty after Hamas has called for a worldwide protest.

But there is no reason to be completely paranoid, walking around and engaging in activities in a code red sense.? But it is appropriate, as always, to live in a slightly heightened sense of awareness even in times of calm.

There are four basic steps to keep yourself and your family safe when outside of your home.

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Detect

Avoid

Defend

Escape

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Detecting starts out with situational awareness. Be aware of your surroundings and use all of your senses, at least three at most times.? Your sense of sight gives you the ability to detect threats and anomalies around you.? The suspicious person walking around the parking lot.? The person making the bee line right toward you in public.?? Your sense of hearing can detect just a slight difference in your environment that raises your awareness. Your sense of smell is an early warning.? Don’t see any anomalies or threats, but smell cigarette smoke?? Pay attention to these things.? May be harmless or may be dangerous.? But you are aware and ready to make a decision to avoid.

Avoid.? Avoiding may have to be made in a split second.? Because your situational awareness is working, you are aware of the back exit of the building or realize that it is safe to cross the street.

Escape.? Do I run or stop to call 9-1-1?? Sometimes you have to run and keep running until you find a place that seems safe.? It is not always smart or appropriate to run to your car.

Situational awareness is your first line of defense but you may have to physically defend yourself from an attacker.? You don’t have to be a jiu jitsu expert, but getting training certainly helps.? If you are unable to, or can’t afford joining a school, learning some basic techniques can make a difference in surviving an attack.? Learn how to punch, kick and some simple escapes from bearhugs or choke holds.

My Urban Navigator course teaches all of these things and more.? I also incorporate techniques and skills to detect, avoid, and escape active shooter situations, road rage, and de-escalate potentially dangerous people.

Seek training and practice. Practice, practice, practice.

Urban Navigator

Training

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