6 Habits of People Who Are Situationally Aware

Some people go about their day very attentive to their surroundings, and others are completely oblivious. Most civilians fall somewhere in the middle. We will probably notice the person in front of us in the customer service line yelling at the clerk because they can’t get a cash refund, but we may not see the individual to our right wearing a baggy hooded sweatshirt on a 90-degree day.

Being situationally aware doesn’t mean you’re stereotyping people or assuming the worst about them. It means you continuously observe your environment and notice things that are abnormal, such as people wearing hooded sweatshirts in the heat of summer.

In order to improve your situational awareness on a daily basis, let’s discuss 6 basic practices that people with a healthy level of awareness regularly do.

Make eye contact

Making eye contact with the people around you is one way to practice basic situational awareness. Your effort to look others in the eye will alert you to oddities such as someone with shifty eyes avoiding eye contact, or a bystander who may be watching you or someone else a little too closely. Both scenarios signal potential threats and should heighten your sense of awareness and caution in the following moments. For example, if you notice someone staring at you while you’re riding the subway or bus, consider not getting off at your planned stop if it meant you’d be alone and therefore an easy target.

Two things to note about eye contact: First, we’re not suggesting that you can — or even should — evaluate a person’s intentions based on the look in their eye. We simply recommend using eye contact as a means to actively observe your environment. Second, be casual as you look around and make eye contact. In some situations or even cities, eye contact itself could be viewed as a threat. Use your best judgement.

Notice body language

People’s body language is an indication of their comfort level. Typically, people planning to commit an act of violence are nervous, and it shows in their mannerisms. They may be gripping something tightly such as the armrest of the chair they’re sitting in or a book bag they’re holding. They may be trembling, sweating, shifting their weight unnecessarily, or perhaps adjusting baggy clothing (a sign that they may be concealing a weapon). These nervous gestures are not just things you see criminals doing on TV; they’re things people actually do when in a state of distress or hysteria before committing an act of violence.

Noticing body language is important for identifying threats of violence. It’s also useful for identifying medical emergencies. For example, when someone is seriously choking, they’re not going to make any noise because they cannot breathe. Unless a choking victim is banging on a table or reaching for someone nearby, a person could easily pass out before anyone noticed that they were choking. However, by looking at a choking victim, there would be no doubt based on their color, mannerisms, and panicked expression that something was indeed wrong.

Put your phone away

A lot can happen in a split second, so just think of how much can happen when you’re on your phone for several minutes at a time, talking, texting, or scrolling through your Instagram feed. Staring at your phone makes you oblivious to potential threats. Additionally, if an attacker is looking for a victim, they’re going to target the person who’s distracted, and phones do a good job of that.

Open your ears and nose

When we think of situational awareness, we often think of Jason Bourne or Chuck Norris throwing punches and kicking the bad guys across the room before they even see it coming. However, situational awareness isn’t about the fight; it’s about what happens before the fight. It’s about soaking up your surroundings, listening, seeing, and perhaps even smelling abnormalities.

Once a crisis happens, you no longer have the luxury of observing. Listening and noticing events leading up to a crisis will help you to not just respond, but also to respond more quickly and effectively because you will have “seen it coming.”

Position yourself to observe

We all know someone who doesn’t like to sit with their back to the door or the room. These people are likely the most situationally aware people you know. Instead of calling them paranoid, consider learning from them. Next time you’re in public, choose to stand or sit in a place that provides the best perspective of your surroundings. Once you’re there, practice your situational awareness skills by consciously taking note of details in your environment and trying to remember as many of them as you can. As much as situational awareness is a test of observation, it’s also a test of memory.

Orient yourself

Observation is necessary, but it’s not enough on its own. Maybe you’ve heard of the OODA Loop, a concept developed by military strategist and United States Air Force Colonel John Boyd.

OODA stands for:

  • Observe
  • Orient
  • Decide
  • Act

Many would define situational awareness as the first two points of the OODA Loop — observe and orient. Once your observe and recognize a threat, you must orient yourself to respond. Will you walk away? Run away? Run toward?

Orientation must happen quickly if you’re going to respond effectively in an emergency crisis situation. This is where training proves its value. Without training, your natural orientation may be fight, flight, or freezing up. While the first two can sometimes be the right response, freezing never is. Only with proper training will you be able to teach your brain to quickly orient itself and respond to unexpected emergencies effectively.

Interested in attending a Situational Awareness Seminar or getting Active Shooter Training for yourself or your organization? Click on the banner below to learn more about training opportunities with ProActive Response Group.

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Jim Tapscott

Instructor

Jim served as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Illinois for 30 years. During his time as a Deputy, Jim served on the SWAT team as an operator, team leader and Commander. Jim was involved in several barricaded gunman/hostage incidents as well as service of high risk arrest and search warrants.

Jim was a member of the US Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force where he performed surveillance and fugitive apprehension. His team was responsible for thousands of high risk felony fugitive arrests. Jim also served in the patrol division where he earned the rank of Sergeant and was responsible for patrol operations. Jim received numerous awards throughout his career to include Deputy of the Year, medal of valor and unit citation for SWAT operations.

Jim was a state certified CQB (Close Quarter Battle) SWAT instructor as well as an Active Shooter Response instructor, providing training for multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Illinois.

Jimmy Pregel

Medical Instructor

I’m a proven leader with a diverse background in defense, law enforcement, and emergency response. My career began as a Scout Sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps, where I earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. I then served as a security contractor in Afghanistan and Iraq, further developing my tactical and crisis management skills.

Domestically, I served as a Deputy for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, earning a Medal of Valor, and as a firefighter, where I was awarded a Life Saving Ribbon. These roles reflect my commitment to safety and service, demonstrating leadership under pressure and a passion for protecting others.

As part of the Proactive Response Group Team, I design and deliver comprehensive medical training, developing lesson plans and conducting hands-on sessions. I ensure that participants are equipped with essential medical skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and readiness. My role is vital in preparing our team to handle medical emergencies confidently and competently.

Chris Taylor

Instructor

Chris is a retired Major from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina. Chris was third in command over operations, overseeing more than 300 sworn Deputies as well as all special teams within the Sheriff’s Office. In 2012, Chris helped to organize a Dignitary Protection Team within the Sheriff’s Office that assisted the Secret Service with Presidential and Vice Presidential visits throughout the state. In addition to his normal duties, Chris performs private security for dignitaries, celebrities, as well as 12 years with the Miss America Organization. Chris has been instructing Active shooter Response with ProActive Response Group since 2021.

In his down time, Chris enjoys time with his wife and daughter, as well as watching sports and fishing.

Tyrie Fowler

Instructor

Tyrie Fowler is an Active Shooter Response instructor at Proactive Response Group and an Emergency Medicine Trauma Nurse at Prisma Health in Greenville. A Greenville native, Tyrie earned his Exercise Science degree from the University of South Carolina and his nursing degree from Mary Black School of Nursing. He joined Greenville Health System in 2015, transitioning from Orthopedic Trauma to Emergency Medicine. At Prisma Health, a Level One Trauma Center, he is part of the Trauma Nurse Leader team, with training in Advanced Trauma Care (ATCN) and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). Tyrie is pursuing certifications in Emergency Nursing (CEN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).

Tyrie enjoys Fall for its long runs, college football (Go Gamecocks!), and hunting, including deer and quail. He also loves smoking recipes with a creative twist. As a medical instructor, Tyrie empowers bystanders to provide critical assistance in emergencies, teaching them to control bleeding and manage injuries, ensuring they leave his class confident in making a difference.

Steven Anderson

Instructor

Steven J. Anderson is currently an Active Shooter Response Instructor for ProActive Response Group; he enjoys empowering people to survive in life threatening situations. Steve grew up in central Minnesota and spent three years with the United States Army. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Steve worked as a federal agent for the United States Border Patrol where he was a member of the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC): completing multiple assignments in Central & South America, an assignment with the United Nations and the Deputy Director (A) of the National Air Security Operation Center. In 2020 he retired from working in Federal Law Enforcement.

In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors especially bow hunting. Steve is a proud husband and father to 3 wonderful daughters.

Rob Christian

Instructor, Sales

Rob is originally from Louisville, CO. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003 and served as a Combat Engineer Officer until 2012. Rob deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2010 where he planned and implemented force protection strategy, counter improvised explosive device operations, and mobility operations for Third Battalion Sixth Marine Regiment and Third Battalion Seventh Marine Regiment . Upon his departure from the military, Rob began to teach firearms and tactics with Arizona based Alpine Arms while simultaneously running his own small residential security consulting firm. Rob relocated the South Carolina in 2021 and joined ProActive Response Group in early 2023.

When not working Rob spends time with his wife Lindsey and son Theo. He enjoys stand up paddle boarding, visiting the rifle range, four wheeling, and camping.

6 Habits of People Who Are Situationally Aware

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Founder

Chad Ayers

Chad Ayers served as Sheriff’s Deputy for Greenville County in South Carolina for 12 years. He has worked undercover in multiple state and federal investigations and in high-pressure environments, including active shooter events and hostage negotiations. Chad was a member of the SWAT team, where he served as assistant team leader and also assisted in the creation and implementation of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office active shooter response program. Chad starred in season one of A&E TV’s Emmy-winning documentary LIVEPD and is a frequent guest commentator for FOX News, Law & Crime Network, and On Patrol Live.

Founder

Andy Sexton

Andy Sexton spent 12 years with the Greenville County Sheriff’s office in South Carolina, where he held the rank of Uniform Patrol Sergeant. His experience includes serving as an assistant SWAT team leader, involvement in high-risk incidents, including hostage rescues and the protection of dignitaries, working in criminal investigations (including armed robbery and homicide), and serving on the training committee for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

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