AWARENESS AND PREVENTION

Avoidance is always the best self-defense strategy. The first line of defense against a violent situation is to avoid it. Trust your instinct and do not hesitate. The more aware you are, the more you will prevent an attack.

Color Code System of Awareness

Colonel Jeff Cooper developed the Color Code system, used by most military and police organizations, to differentiate different levels of awareness:

• White: unaware, not paying attention.
• Yellow: attentive, but relaxed.
• Orange: focus is directed, there is an immediate potential threat.
• Red: there is a definite threat.

Never be in white. Spend most your time in yellow. Shift from yellow and orange often. Practice this daily.

What to Be Aware Of

To avoid situations that can turn violent, you must be aware of:

• Your environment
• Your mental and physical state
• Your intuition
• Attacker rituals
• Current crime in your area

Environment

As you go about your activities, whether it is walking, driving, shopping, or dining, constantly scan the environment. Notice:

• People around you
• Places where criminals can hide
• Location your are traveling through or to
• Light, weather

Mental and Physical State

Awareness drops when you are preoccupied, worried, tired, or sleepy. These states are exactly what the criminal is looking for, because you will be easily surprised.

Be vigilant in maintaining your mental and physical alertness. If you cannot, consider not proceeding with your task or trip, and do it when you can be alert.

Intuition

Heed your intuition. Many victims who survive their attacks state that they had a feeling that someone or something didn’t seem right. Yet they proceeded to put themselves in the situation because they didn’t want to seem rude or be embarrassed.

Attacker Interviews/Rituals

Criminals use ruses to "interview" and set up easy targets. Except for the rapist, most attackers work with one or more accomplices.

They will distract you, misdirecting your attention. Suddenly, they will attack since your focus is elsewhere.

Better to be rude than a victim. If someone is asks an innocuous question, approaches you, or offers help, decline and keep on moving.

Current Crime

What is in the news in the areas you frequent? If there has been a rash of burglaries, muggings, or rapes, keep extra vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Books Self-defense books covering the foundation of personal protection and security. Includes recommended books.
• Videos Self-defense DVDs and videos serve as excellent supplemental learning tools as you see self-defense techniques performed.
• Training Live self-defense training from qualified instructors allows more personalized training, technique correction, and practice with partners.
• Information Additional websites that provide self-defense and personal protection information.
• More Articles Read more general self-defense articles from our library.