Many years ago, a significant earthquake hit where I was, and without even thinking about it I was under an extremely sturdy table as fast as I could get there. I didn't even have to think about it, because I had thought about it many times before.
Thinking ahead and paying attention can help protect you.
"What if...?" can help you.
How many people get into accidents while driving because they weren't paying attention? How many accidents have been narrowly avoided because someone was paying attention? We count on other drivers driving safely and following the rules of the road, but sometimes they won't or can't: They have have a medical problem, they're drunk, they're fighting with a passenger, they're distracted, their vehicle has a mechanical failure, they're angry or set on committing a crime, a pedestrian/animal/other object gets in their way, etc.
Driving or anywhere else...
Thinking ahead and paying attention can help protect you.
"What if...?" can help you.
How many people get into accidents while driving because they weren't paying attention? How many accidents have been narrowly avoided because someone was paying attention? We count on other drivers driving safely and following the rules of the road, but sometimes they won't or can't: They have have a medical problem, they're drunk, they're fighting with a passenger, they're distracted, their vehicle has a mechanical failure, they're angry or set on committing a crime, a pedestrian/animal/other object gets in their way, etc.
Driving or anywhere else...
- Disasters happen
- Emergencies happen
- Crimes or acts of terrorism are committed
- People get sick or injured or in distress
- Mentally ill, disordered, or hindered people exist
- Reckless, confused, or absent-minded people exist
- Systems fail
- Things break
- Large animals seek food or get into distress
Danger can't be eliminated entirely. But risks can be reduced, prepared for, managed. Consider the places you spend most of your time, such as home, and get in the habit of evaluating places you visit.
Places You Visit - Think, for example, of stores, restaurants, or any venue you visit. What would you do if a fire broke out there? Or someone started shooting? Or a fight broke out? Or someone drove a vehicle into there? Or there was some disaster likely for the location (earthquake, tornado, etc.)? Where are the exits? Where are the strong parts of the building? Where are the heavy/strong/thick/flammable objects? What are the risks? What can be done? Without making them paranoid, discuss these things with your kids or anyone else you're there with. Where will you meet up if something happens and you get separated?
If you're going somewhere you've never been before, maybe you should, ahead of time, check out Google Earth or other mapping services, pictures of the place, local news, local crime statistics, to get an idea of the layout and the risks.
Your Main Places - What are the places you spend the most time? Home? A workplace? Your car? A hangout? Consider what could happen in those places, such as fire, disasters, robberies, etc. and do what you can to prevent or prepare for those things. What if you were going to be stuck there for seven days with no help, no running water, no WiFi/data/calling/texting, no electricity, no food delivery? There are stores (online and in-person) that specialize in survival supplies and personal protection. Camping supplies can often be used as emergency supplies. You are unlikely to regret having a metal water bottle with you, and keeping it filled as often as possible. The same goes for having things like first aid kits and fire extinguishers in your car or other places.
Be Aware/Pay Attention - "Everyone is distracted by their smart phones." We hear that a lot, don't we? There are videos of people walking into walls, falls, fountains, and more because they were staring at their phone. I'm all for the benefits of using "down" time to get things done via smart phone. But it is important we are aware and attentive to our surroundings, especially in a public place. Anything out of place? Anything wrong? Anyone behaving strangely? Is someone trying to create a distraction? Don't expect everyone to act rationally or benevolently. Keeping aware of what is going on around you can tip you off to bad actors, someone following you, someone doing things that they shouldn't.
Self Defense Training - Consider self-defense training. Avoid martial arts businesses focused on winning awards in competitions, unless you want that to be your exercise/sport. Any decent self-defense instructor will tell you that it's best to avoid violence in the first place: rather than fight, flee. It's not cowardly to flee a senseless fight; it's smart. But there will be times you need to defend yourself or your loved ones, or otherwise stand between evil and the innocent, and there will be a fight. Learn and practice what to do to defend life. That's more important than getting a belt.
Arm Yourself - Laws vary, but in so far as you are able and not suicidal, arm yourself. Depending, that could mean firearms, knives, walking sticks, canes, pepper spray, thick belts with heavy buckles, or other items that can used as weapons in an emergency. You should know how to use whatever it is you have.
Stay In Shape - The stronger you are, the faster you are, the more your body can handle excitement, the more endurance you have, the better. Can you walk long distances? Can you hike? Can you run? Can you climb stairs? Can you swim?
What You Wear - Dressing up or dressing comfortably can each be nice. But depending on where you are going and what's happening there, you might be better off dressing for preparedness. Can you run in what you're wearing? Will your footwear protect your feet? Are a thick pair of jeans better than having more exposed skin? Is it a good idea to wear a hat/cap and sunglasses?
When Something Happens - OODA is the acronym used for this. It's a repeating cycle of: observe, orient, decide, act. If you thought through things ahead of time, you'll already be better off when you need to employ OODA. Err on the side of something being a threat than not. Let's say, for example, you hear a loud BANG. Is it a gunshot or a popping balloon? Far better you duck and look silly in the event of a popping balloon than not duck and get shot if it is a gun.
It is foolish to depend on government (and that includes police and fire personnel) to take care of you, either in the event of a crime/accident, or a disaster, or anything between. It's GREAT if and when they do, but crimes can be difficult to solve and prosecute, the damage done can almost never be fairly and fully repaired, and in disasters A LOT of people will need help.
Also note that it is far easier for men to be prepared and to handle these things if they don't have a wife/girlfriend or children to take care of. If you're going to take on being "the" boyfriend or a husband or a father, this is one of countless considerations: Will you be able to provide adequate protection?
Places You Visit - Think, for example, of stores, restaurants, or any venue you visit. What would you do if a fire broke out there? Or someone started shooting? Or a fight broke out? Or someone drove a vehicle into there? Or there was some disaster likely for the location (earthquake, tornado, etc.)? Where are the exits? Where are the strong parts of the building? Where are the heavy/strong/thick/flammable objects? What are the risks? What can be done? Without making them paranoid, discuss these things with your kids or anyone else you're there with. Where will you meet up if something happens and you get separated?
If you're going somewhere you've never been before, maybe you should, ahead of time, check out Google Earth or other mapping services, pictures of the place, local news, local crime statistics, to get an idea of the layout and the risks.
Your Main Places - What are the places you spend the most time? Home? A workplace? Your car? A hangout? Consider what could happen in those places, such as fire, disasters, robberies, etc. and do what you can to prevent or prepare for those things. What if you were going to be stuck there for seven days with no help, no running water, no WiFi/data/calling/texting, no electricity, no food delivery? There are stores (online and in-person) that specialize in survival supplies and personal protection. Camping supplies can often be used as emergency supplies. You are unlikely to regret having a metal water bottle with you, and keeping it filled as often as possible. The same goes for having things like first aid kits and fire extinguishers in your car or other places.
Be Aware/Pay Attention - "Everyone is distracted by their smart phones." We hear that a lot, don't we? There are videos of people walking into walls, falls, fountains, and more because they were staring at their phone. I'm all for the benefits of using "down" time to get things done via smart phone. But it is important we are aware and attentive to our surroundings, especially in a public place. Anything out of place? Anything wrong? Anyone behaving strangely? Is someone trying to create a distraction? Don't expect everyone to act rationally or benevolently. Keeping aware of what is going on around you can tip you off to bad actors, someone following you, someone doing things that they shouldn't.
Self Defense Training - Consider self-defense training. Avoid martial arts businesses focused on winning awards in competitions, unless you want that to be your exercise/sport. Any decent self-defense instructor will tell you that it's best to avoid violence in the first place: rather than fight, flee. It's not cowardly to flee a senseless fight; it's smart. But there will be times you need to defend yourself or your loved ones, or otherwise stand between evil and the innocent, and there will be a fight. Learn and practice what to do to defend life. That's more important than getting a belt.
Arm Yourself - Laws vary, but in so far as you are able and not suicidal, arm yourself. Depending, that could mean firearms, knives, walking sticks, canes, pepper spray, thick belts with heavy buckles, or other items that can used as weapons in an emergency. You should know how to use whatever it is you have.
Stay In Shape - The stronger you are, the faster you are, the more your body can handle excitement, the more endurance you have, the better. Can you walk long distances? Can you hike? Can you run? Can you climb stairs? Can you swim?
What You Wear - Dressing up or dressing comfortably can each be nice. But depending on where you are going and what's happening there, you might be better off dressing for preparedness. Can you run in what you're wearing? Will your footwear protect your feet? Are a thick pair of jeans better than having more exposed skin? Is it a good idea to wear a hat/cap and sunglasses?
When Something Happens - OODA is the acronym used for this. It's a repeating cycle of: observe, orient, decide, act. If you thought through things ahead of time, you'll already be better off when you need to employ OODA. Err on the side of something being a threat than not. Let's say, for example, you hear a loud BANG. Is it a gunshot or a popping balloon? Far better you duck and look silly in the event of a popping balloon than not duck and get shot if it is a gun.
It is foolish to depend on government (and that includes police and fire personnel) to take care of you, either in the event of a crime/accident, or a disaster, or anything between. It's GREAT if and when they do, but crimes can be difficult to solve and prosecute, the damage done can almost never be fairly and fully repaired, and in disasters A LOT of people will need help.
Also note that it is far easier for men to be prepared and to handle these things if they don't have a wife/girlfriend or children to take care of. If you're going to take on being "the" boyfriend or a husband or a father, this is one of countless considerations: Will you be able to provide adequate protection?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please no "cussing" or profanities or your comment won't be published. I have to approve your comment before it appears. I won't reject your comment for disagreement - I actually welcome disagreement. But I will not allow libelous comments (which is my main reason for requiring approval) and please try to avoid profanities. Thanks!