Switched On or Switched Off?

by Dave Spaulding

The phrase situational awareness is thrown about frequently these days. So much so that I am concerned it may be losing its importance.

Situational awareness is a heightened state of mind directly related to a particular circumstance one may face or be facing. It’s not general alertness, which we should all possess; it’s caused by something that is happening in your presence or general area, some type of unfolding situation or circumstance that has caught your attention. You may have heard it referred to as “the hair on the back or your neck standing up” or a “gut feeling” or maybe even “women’s intuition.” It doesn’t matter what it is called, it’s that internal sense that something is not right and a greater level of attention should be directed toward it. If we do not pay such circumstances due notice, we run the risk of being caught off-guard, to be surprised.

In 1732 Thomas Fuller observed, “A man surprised is half beaten.” In 1943, German ace Erich Hartmann (read Paladin’s The Deadliest Men by Paul Kirchner for more information) said, “The pilot who sees the other first has half the battle,” which coming from a man who flew 1,000 combat missions downing 352 pilots should be heeded.

How do we remain alert as we go through our daily routine? Such awareness models as Jeff Cooper’s Color Codes andr John Boyd’s OODA Loop are excellent for explaining what awareness is and how it should be achieved but are a bit lengthy to act as a daily reminder. What I have used to remind me of the state of mind I want to be in is the simple light switch. I just ask myself, “Are you switched on or switched off?”

When the lights are switched off, light levels are reduced to mere shadows if not complete darkness. In such an environment it is difficult to make informed decisions, as our primary sense, sight, is greatly restricted. You can still hear and smell, but without the ability to see these other senses can be disconcerting. However, when the lights are switched on, it is light and bright with the ability to see in all directions making it much easier

From this moment on whenever you venture out from the security of your own home ask yourself, “Am I switched off or switched on”? Stay alert . . . stay alive.

Dave Spaulding is a retired lieutenant from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Dayton, Ohio, where he worked in all facets of law enforcement, including SWAT, training, crime-scene investigation, undercover operations, and violent crime investigations. He is a graduate of most of the better-known shooting schools and the author of more than 1,000 articles in firearm and law enforcement publications. He is the author of the two best-selling books Defensive Living and Handgun Combatives, and has been featured in Ruger’s Tactical Tips at www.ruger.com.