The concept of situational awareness is likely to pique the interest of anyone who has seen *The Bourne Identity*. Jason Bourne, at one point early in the film, is trying to figure out who he is. He is troubled by the way his own mind has been conditioned to work. He explains that within minutes of entering a bar, he has assessed the weight and strength of the other customers, memorised the number plates of the cars parked outside, identified the exits and even noticed that the bartender is left-handed.

Intelligence officers and military personnel receive this type of training. It’s called „situational awareness,“ and it means the ability to quickly and effortlessly recognise critical details about your surroundings.

However, situational awareness is important for everyone, especially for those who want to develop a combative mindset. Situational awareness allows us to recognise potential risks more quickly and to avoid or neutralise them. It enables us to act quickly and efficiently when circumstances demand it, and ultimately allows us to protect ourselves and others.

The problem is that most of us are preoccupied with other things, such as our work, Angry Birds, debts, relationships, and the girl at work wearing a short skirt.

How can we re-engage our minds and start paying attention to the things that matter to us and the people we care about?

The OODA loop

Brett McKay explains a tactic that Air Force fighter pilot and military strategist John Boyd uses in his great article on the art of manliness. The OODA loop is a four-step process that guides us:

Observe
Orientate
Decide
Trade

To begin, you must first observe. This means you cannot completely switch off and put your feet up. You must not allow yourself to engage your „default mode network“ (basically, you need to pay attention to what is going on). Yes, you should feel comfortable, but you should also be attentive.

Position yourself in a room so you can see as many people as possible without being surprised by others. A good example is sitting in a corner of the room with your back to the wall. If possible, stay close to an exit.

The second stage is orientation, which in this case means looking for specific items. Pay attention to the typical behaviour and conditions in a specific area to establish a „baseline“. Look for deviations from the norm. Is someone appearing uneasy? Is someone dressed inappropriately? Is there a sound that you feel shouldn't be there?

In the next step, you need to decide whether and how you want to act. Devise a strategy and don't hesitate to implement it. Trust your instincts and be cautious if in doubt. Is someone behaving suspiciously or violently? Try to distance yourself from the person or make them aware that they are being observed. Are you looking for a place with a particular atmosphere? Then get your family away from there as quickly as possible.

These recommendations could one day save your life, and they will at least help you adopt a combative stance that will be perceived by those around you.

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