A Little Paranoia Is A Good Thing

The best defense skill is one that allows you to evade being captured and attacked without you being aware of it. Situational awareness is a weird skill as it works best when it is allowed to work in the subconscious, below your conscious mind. Your mind is always evaluating the situation but it's either ignored in favor of an emotional response or because there are political considerations; that is, it's over-ridden due to other priorities. However, if it's allowed to do its job, it helps keep the situation simple.

What It Is

The human brain is always receiving input and evaluating that input based on current priorities. These priorities are based on what the person sees as the greatest need at the time, be it avoiding trouble, getting past a level in a game, or enjoying a passionate moment. This means that the sensory input you're focusing on is determined by what you feel will give you the best chance in a given situation, such as knowing the people in the area, the game screen, or the feel and smell of the other person.

Sensory awareness is sort of the opposite of that. Instead of focusing on something specific, you do a quick focus, note particular things, and then let your subconscious monitor things. This allows you to do whatever you want to do but not let your defenses down completely; it also allows you to react quickly to developing situations. It also allows you to develop a plan for self-defense whenever you enter into a new environment as well as be aware of new threats as they come into your area. This makes it a good skill to develop.

What You Should Be Looking For

The simplest things you need to look for are ambush spots, cameras, and exits. Ambush spots are areas where it would be easy for someone to either sneak up on you or surprise you, such as sharp corners that turn into halls, high walls, or crowded aisles. You want to know where cameras are so that you know where to be when the fight starts or something is going down; this provides security with evidence that it was you who was attacked and, ideally, who attacked you. This means that a disagreement goes from "he said/she said" to "there was definitive proof." Knowing where the exits are lets you watch people come in so there are no surprises.

Make a mental note to go wide when you need to pass near or through the ambush spots to give yourself at least some reaction time. You can try to avoid the cameras if you want, but if you find yourself in a potential situation, make sure you put yourself in view of a camera; odds are it will give the other person pause, and if not you'll have the situation on camera, assuming it's working, of course. "Cameras" includes all security measures, up to and including security guards; you never appreciate a good security guard until he saves your bacon.

You should only glance to the exits when someone enters or leaves; it's not necessarily because you are expecting trouble, but this will help you avoid it just the same. If someone does start heading directly to you, learn to cock your head to one side; this tells the incoming person you don't want them coming to you. If they persist, just hold up your camera, lens side toward them, put your fingers on your buttons, and smile; most people will back off, and if they won't, well, you are ready to film.

Oh, and look for the bathroom and somewhere to charge your phone, if possible. Knowing where your conveniences are is always nice.

Zebras & Ostriches

On the savannas, zebras and ostriches have a symbiotic relationship: Ostriches have a better sense of smell while zebras have the better vision; this makes them able to better defend the group. People can develop the same sort of relationship, even if it's just vision. This is why guys go everywhere in groups: Greater numbers mean you watch everyone's backs more easily. This is why you should never go anywhere alone if you can avoid it. For example, there are limits to your peripheral vision; by keeping up a conversation, someone can keep turning to respond to someone else during the conversation, giving them a chance to scan the surrounding area without looking like they're scanning the area.

When you stop, don't line up but circle around instead; this allows everyone to see beyond their friend on the opposite and into the surrounding area. This is why guys like to get booths on the outside wall: It gives them the best view of the area without putting them at a disadvantage. One person alone will usually sit so he can see the exit; if there are two, then they don't sit on the same side. This applies to cars just as well: The person sitting in the passenger seat will stay next to the driver until the car is unlocked and then go to his seat. These placement issues may sound trivial, but their defensive value is incredible.

Remember the "Rule of Stupid"

In essence, the Rule of Stupid is "Don't go to stupid places at stupid times with stupid people." If you want to get drunk and laid, get some beer and make some Tinder dates; going to a frat party is probably a bad idea. The point here is that you want to avoid trouble and going straight into Trouble Central is probably a bad idea; going in with people who actually want to get into trouble is an even worse one.

This applies just as much to someone itching for a fight as it does to someone looking to get laid; someone looking to let off steam should a) not be in charge of the night's activities, and b) need to find something less dangerous to do.

The best two ways to keep out of trouble is to know the area and have a designated partier. The designated partier is the one who stays sober and tries to keep everyone out of trouble; their word should be considered law no matter what or the whole thing is negated. This person should be given free drinks and food during their tenure. Ideally, the post should be rotated, but if it's the same person that person should get special favors from the others. If someone refuses the post they should pay for most of the designated partier's drinks and snacks. Basically, play fair with the person you expect to save your butt.

You also need to know the area. This doesn't mean you should merely look up the map, but that you should know how to get in and out of the area with as few problems as possible, know its reputation and how it earned it, and know where to get gas and park. In other words, you should know the area well enough to navigate within it, and if it's one of the seedier areas in town how to get in and out as quickly as possible. Knowledge is sometimes more than mere power; sometimes it can save lives.

Be Nice to Everyone 

Part of situational awareness is eliminating threats before they become threats. By showing people the proper respect those people will have no grudge against you and so will be less likely to come down on you or steal from you. The smallest act of kindness can have some pretty significant return, so kindness is a trait you should foster if for no other reason than it does have some practical effect; karma is real. Having a reputation for being fair is worth developing as it helps give you your own authority beyond what you may gain from other situations.

But this also means that any act of disrespect or even cruelty will have its dividends; karma is not just for positive actions. You also need to avoid coming off as obsequious; people hate those who come off as "slick" or "self-serving." You also need to avoid depending on others for your respect, such as calling on your rich father, your cop uncles, or powerful boyfriends; those people won't always back you, especially if you use them too often, and if they are removed from the equation then you will be left in a vulnerable position and those you thought were your friends may be your worst enemies.

The Golden Rule (treat people as you want to be treated) is both good advice and dire warning.

In short, it can only help you to develop situational awareness by:

• Knowing where ambush spots, exits, and cameras are.
•  Have Your Camera Ready to Film at All Times
•  Developing Zebra & Ostrich Tactics
•  Learning to Sit in an Outside Booth
•  Remember the Rule of Stupid
•  Have a Designated Partier
•  Know The Area 
•  Be Nice to Everyone

By developing these skills, you are practicing the simplest self-defense. Hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy things a little more, or at least give yourself some additional peace of mind.