LADIES Look, Listen, Be aware!
Let me share with you a story from one of my lady students, I’ll change her name to Susan. Susan contacted me back in February wanting to begin her journey into the world of safe gun ownership and to conceal carry for personal protection. She and her husband attended a training course called NRA First Steps Pistol.
After our first training, Susan came to me with the realization that just owning a firearm wasn’t enough. There’s a saying in training “You don’t know, what you don’t know” which means someone doesn’t have the knowledge or skills to spot their own mistakes or knowledge gaps. Susan thirsted for more knowledge and skill development. In a training session I always try to thoroughly cover the subject matter at hand, but I also give students breadcrumbs to help lead them to the next level of their training. Now jump ahead a couple of months to the next step in Susan’s training NRA Basic Pistol Shooting.
Each course builds knowledge upon knowledge, skill upon skill, I left her with this breadcrumb, a rudimentary understanding of “Situational Awareness”. We all know that there isn’t any region that is crime free. Susan indicated she wanted to be in control of her own personal protection. Even in some of our safest areas, we’ve seen upticks in personal assaults, robbery, carjackings or drug related crimes.
I think I’ll let Susan tell her short story in her own words;
“So, I’ve been practicing situational awareness since we talked – car in the garage (to form habit), Home Depot (where everyone has big trucks and parks very close) and when I leave the restaurant at night.
Last night, I paused in the doorway and scanned the parking lot. Didn’t see anyone and started to walk towards my car. I sensed or caught movement in my peripheral vision and there was someone off to my right walking in the empty lot.
I was alone and it’s unusual for someone to be there. I just went back inside and waited a few beats, watching until the person cleared and then headed back out.
Anyhoo…no big deal and no real threat, but the focus certainly is increasing my vigilance! Thanks for the coaching.”
Crisis avoided? What if she had continued to walk toward her car unaware of a person walking toward her – assault, rape, robbery, carjacking – who knows? I know something wonderful; she got home safe and sound. All because of her newfound awareness!
Be safe and train hard