Self-defense, like martial arts, is not simply about fighting. Self-defense is about knowing how to avoid trouble before trouble begins.
To paraphrase the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu in his classic work The Art of War
In short, situational awareness is a cornerstone of self-defense training.
One way to master the habit of situational awareness is to assess your environment in terms of a color code. Each color code is an assessment of the degree of security your environment presents and how to respond to it appropriately.
The color-code concept was originally introduced by Jeff Cooper, but has gone many modifications since then. What follows is my version of it tailored for the purposes of civilian self-defense:
Code White: Safe and Secure (More or Less)
You are in a safe and secure environment such as your home. (Presumably, you’ve taken the requisite physical security precautions such as installing security locks on your doors and windows; smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors; and even perhaps a security alarm system.) Just about the only time you are in a code white state of awareness is when you are home. As soon as someone knocks on the door or you step outside to get the morning paper, Code Yellow goes into effect.
Code Yellow: Be cautious.
You should spend much of your time in this mode of awareness, especially if you are outdoors. Code yellow is a state of relaxed alertness. You are aware of your physical surroundings and the persons populating them. Train yourself to be aware of potential danger spots such as alleyways, parking lots, garages, stairwells, doorways, large cars or vehicles that offer cover and concealment for criminals.
Before you enter an elevator or a room, take a look to make sure it is in fact empty or at least occupied by people who appear non-threatening. Make a habit of avoiding dark or secluded areas, especially if you are alone.
If someone knocks at your door, ask who it is before you open it. Look through the peephole, if your door has one, and insist that they clearly identify themselves.
Don’t think that just because you live in an upscale community or a low-crime neighborhood that you can’t be attacked. Criminal offenders do not respect economic or social status. (Or anything else for that matter.)
Code Orange: Potential or Imminent Danger
You have identified someone as a potential threat. He (or she) may be shouting obscenities, making threats or otherwise behaving belligerently. Keep a close eye on your attacker.
Trust your instincts. If you think you may be in danger, then take evasive action.
Your immediate goal is to find an avenue of escape and take it. As you quickly make your way to a secure location, you want to survey the people around you to see if there are any other potential attackers. See if there are any available weapons in the extreme case that you need to defend yourself: sticks, rocks, garbage cans, bottles, whatever you can find in a moment’s notice. But don’t dally. The most important thing is to find a safe haven and stay there until the threat disappears.
Code Red: Danger
Physical violence now seems inevitable. There is no time or opportunity to flee to a safe haven or call the police. You have to defend yourself. Once you commit, fight with total determination. Defeat may prove deadly.
Remember to use only as much force as your need to defend yourself. The law requires that the force you use be proportional to the threat. The moment you have a chance to remove yourself safely from the conflict, do so. Find that avenue of escape you charted and get to that safe haven. Fast.
You might think of them as the colors of self-defense. Think of situational awareness as one of most important self-defense techniques in your arsenal and you’ll be much safer, securer—and happier.
Never forget: Stay alert, stay alive.
Here are a few articles that focus on situational awareness:
The Nuts & Bolts of Awareness: Learning to Detect Trouble
Why Situational Awareness Means Distance Awareness for Self Protection
A Self-Defense Primer for Adult Martial Artists
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