Always Go Toward Safety, Not Away From Danger.

 

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.