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| From the MCU movie Black Widow. |
This scene in the MCU movie Black
Widow is a great example of the principle: Always Go Toward Safety, Not
Away From Danger.
What’s the difference?
Your mindset determines what you are
likely to see. When your mindset is “seek safety” you’re more likely to find safety
than if your focus is “get away from that danger.” You could pass up safe harbor because you're not looking for safety, you're looking to get away from the danger Also, if you’re focused on
getting away from that specific dangerous thing then you could accidentally find yourself in
different kind of danger, you might go from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.
Let me give you an example of
seeking safety from a real-life friend of mine who used to work for an
intelligence agency.
She had finished her shopping and
was walking to her car. She noticed a man sitting in a car was staring her
which made her feel uncomfortable. She got into her car, and he started driving
toward her. She quickly pulled out of her parking space, and he followed. She did
a couple of fast evasive driving maneuvers and then pulled out onto the street only to get stopped at the stoplight. She didn’t see him behind her or anywhere
else, but she wasn’t sure she had succeeded in losing him.
So, she looked for a safe place to
go.
She found a bank. It wasn’t her
bank, but it was still safe harbor because banks have lots of security cameras plus they
have employees who are very well trained in hitting the panic button.
The light turned green, and she
headed straight to the bank. She sat in her car in front of the bank for a few
minutes until she felt she had indeed lost the guy and she felt comfortable continuing with her day.
Another place that has a high probability
of being safe is a restaurant or a bar, especially the types of places where people
tend to go on first dates. Most restaurants and bars have procedures in place
for when a date goes dangerously bad, and most staff look out for the well-being
of their guests. If you go in seeking help, you’re highly likely to receive it.
I have a friend who used to be a
flight instructor who would ask his students, “If the engine quit right now,
where would you land?” I think this is fairly for flight instructors to do.
Once in the middle of a flying
lesson his engine did actually quit and he had to make an emergency landing on
a freeway, taking over for his student. He did an amazing
job of landing safely because he had practiced it for years, since he himself was a student.
Here’s a Situational Awareness
exercise: While you’re out and about, every now and then ask yourself
if there was an emergency where would you go for help?
Don’t necessarily imagine
something bad happening to you, imagine that you witness a medical emergency
and you wish to help. Obviously, you would call 911, but where would you go to
get a First Aid kit to lend assistance before the first responders arrive? What
sorts of businesses are likely to have first aid kits easily accessible?
Hint: Restaurants,
again. Kitchen staff frequently get cut and burned, and guests can have medical
emergencies. There’s a good chance someone on duty has their CPR and First Aid
certifications up to date.
What other sorts of business?
Also, it's a good idea to get your own CPR and First Aid training up to date and keep a First Aid kit in your car.
Life Protection: Get into
the habit of looking for safety.
Life Enhancement:
Tacti-cool games are fun.
Happy training!
~Amy.
