Unicorns and...

[Talyn]

the Situation Awareness Rainbow

But the situational awareness rainbow can sometimes lead us to a false sense of security, striving for an unattainable goal, or perhaps even a fail.

The Situation Awareness Rainbow

 

[KASHIRA-3]

I make no judgement in regards to the content of the posted link or video . My comments are simply offered toward the general subject matter which I do find interesting.

In regards to the unattainable goal

lets be honest.. situational awareness is generally unattainable, isnt it? You can endeavor to pay attention and work toward some level of situational awareness but for the lone person without the aid of a team or tech and relying substantially on 180 degree primary observations and 360 intermittent observation at ground level? Come on.. how much are you really going to know about your situation. A persons situation (IMO) encompasses a much larger area than the interior of a coffee shop. At best, in a busy public environment which you do not control, you often have perhaps 75 feet ( or less) of awareness bubble to work with. I am a huge proponent of paying attention and being observant. I am also a huge proponent of people getting some training so that they will have a good idea of what to look for, understand what they are seeing, realize how it may impact their personal safety and know how to exploit conditions in their favor so as to mitigate potential danger. That said, I also feel that the term "situational awareness" is often overused. I think we should all just get our heads out of our phones and pay attention.

 

[Talyn]

A single person can get a good read on what's happening around them if they know what they're doing.

 

[KillerFord1977]

I make no judgement in regards to the content of the posted link or video . My comments are simply offered toward the general subject matter which I do find interesting.

In regards to the unattainable goal

lets be honest.. situational awareness is generally unattainable, isnt it? You can endeavor to pay attention and work toward some level of situational awareness but for the lone person without the aid of a team or tech and relying substantially on 180 degree primary observations and 360 intermittent observation at ground level? Come on.. how much are you really going to know about your situation. A persons situation (IMO) encompasses a much larger area than the interior of a coffee shop. At best, in a busy public environment which you do not control, you often have perhaps 75 feet ( or less) of awareness bubble to work with. I am a huge proponent of paying attention and being observant. I am also a huge proponent of people getting some training so that they will have a good idea of what to look for, understand what they are seeing, realize how it may impact their personal safety and know how to exploit conditions in their favor so as to mitigate potential danger. That said, I also feel that the term "situational awareness" is often overused. I think we should all just get our heads out of our phones and pay attention.

You’re trained in situational awareness and to react in an instant every day.

its called:

driving

 

[Talyn]

You’re trained in situational awareness and to react in an instant every day.

its called:

driving

I've seen enough really bad drivers to disagree that they're trained in situation awareness and can react in an instant to sudden circumstances.

 

[KillerFord1977]

I've seen enough really bad drivers to disagree that they're trained in situation awareness and can react in an instant to sudden circumstances.

i agree and disagree

Even a Navy SEAL will not be 100% aware at all times .....

you understand my statement

 

[KASHIRA-3]

A single person can get a good read on what's happening around them if they know what they're doing.

I certainly agree with the spirit of that comment but in my estimation, what is happening around you is not necessarily the same thing as a persons "situation". I will offer an example

If you are sitting in a coffee shop and 4 badguys, robbers or whatever- roll up ( out of sight) around the back and are sitting in the alley behind the shop with the intent of entering the coffee shop to carry out bad deeds in the next 90 seconds, they are very much a part of your situation. If you are unaware of such a threat manifesting 90 seconds away from your current position, you are not situationally aware. At least in my view you are not.

If you are in the coffee shop and have the aid of others who are expressly watching the area for the purpose of detecting danger and are observing from various points( inside, outside, front, back, and down the street) .. I think you can likely have situational awareness via concerted effort.

To the guy going to the store or running errands, I think paying attention and working towards being cognizant or "aware" of what is happening in your immediate area is sometime attainable. I would simply leave and idea of true situational awareness to soldiers, police and those conducting missions and operations.