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Post by tjwilhelm on Jan 22, 2014 9:31:46 GMT -7
A good friend had a nasty experience. On his way home from work, he had picked up a few pizzas to take home to the family for dinner. Wanting a good beer to have with his pizza, he next stopped at a beverage store. As he came out of the store and approached his car, out of habit (often drives with the wife and kids) he hit the remote's unlock button twice, unlocking all the car doors. He got in the car; but, before he could start the car, a stranger got into the passenger door and stuck a knife up to his rib cage. The guy told him to start the car and follow his driving directions.
Of course, the guy had him drive to a remote area where he robbed him and then slashed him. Didn't kill him, but...
Thinking about this, I've adopted a new habit. Before I get into my car, I always hit the lock button on the inside of the driver side door, locking all the doors. Then I get into the car and close the door. I've been doing it for so long now that it's just an unconscious habit.
Am I being paranoid, or sensible?
What other kinds of habits might be developed to offset a temporary lapse in awareness, in any of a number of scenarios or situations?
Do you have any similar habits you've developed (and I'm not just talking about tings that relate to your automobile)?
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Post by offtrail on Jan 22, 2014 9:55:52 GMT -7
That's a good tip thanks!
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Post by kutkota on Jan 22, 2014 10:08:58 GMT -7
I hold my childs hand with my left as I am a righty and that is the side my gun is on. If I have both of them I hold my sons hand who is the youngest and my daughter holds his hand. If I have groceries I always take a cart out with me unless I am by myself and my kids ride in the cart till I get to the car. I open one door and they both get in on that side.
I always walk on the traffic side, although even that has almost bit me as some people don't care to look behind them as they back out.
Not sure if it is good thing or not but more often than not my right hand is in my pocket and my pistol is quickly accesible to draw and fire while removing my hand from the pocket.
My wife's van has sliding power doors that are controlled on the remote and she opens my sons side of the van and my daughter climbs in to her seat because she can buckle herself now and my son can't.
I always back into parking spots, although that might have more to do with behind chewing and the "corrective action" that I was able to partake in when I did not back in one of the trucks with the Army a few years back. Walmart makes it difficult to do this with the angled parking spots.
My wallet is always in my front right pocket so if someone does demand the wallet it is conviently close to the weapon.
Good question. I guess I should pay more attention to the things I do, either intentionally or not.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Jan 22, 2014 10:54:37 GMT -7
TJ I'm glad your friend is going to be okay. Here's a tip for everyone I hear mentioned on safety programs all the time. When the stranger jumped in your friends vehicle and threatened him with the knife he should've stayed right where he was. The odds are more in your favor he won't carry through with his threats for fear of being seen committing the crime. Most of the time when a threatened person arrives with the perp at a secondary location they will kill you so your friend was lucky. If he had been stabbed in the car at the store he could've gotten help quicker. And that is the biggest tip I can tell you.
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Post by thywar on Jan 22, 2014 10:56:51 GMT -7
Excellent post TJ..Sorry about your friend though and hope he isn't seriously slashed.
I think there are many things that we all get into the habit of doing even though we all try to be aware. It's that comfort zone thing.. who thinks about being robbed or cut after being in the neighborhood grocery store visiting with friendly staff and others you know? One never knows where the danger will come from.
I became a cop in 1973 and to this day I carry my money in my left hand pocket because I'm right handed and was taught not to stand with my gun hand in my pocket even to get my money out. Awareness.. you have to have your head on a swivel 24/7. I can easily take issue with my lack of awareness on many accounts. I try to look at everyone I pass in a store in a parking lot and evaluate them. (like I'm not cynical (paranoid?) enough already.. now I'm looking at people wondering if they're going to attack me.. lol)
Darkness is always more difficult. I don't back into a spot at Walmart.. I park away from the main parking area and try to leave my vehicle in a spot nobody else will park next to. The walk does me good and I get a better view. I take a cart with me if it requires me to use both hands to carry packages.
Good thread.
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Post by kutkota on Jan 22, 2014 11:09:05 GMT -7
Excellent post TJ..Sorry about your friend though and hope he isn't seriously slashed. I think there are many things that we all get into the habit of doing even though we all try to be aware. It's that comfort zone thing.. who thinks about being robbed or cut after being in the neighborhood grocery store visiting with friendly staff and others you know? One never knows where the danger will come from. I became a cop in 1973 and to this day I carry my money in my left hand pocket because I'm right handed and was taught not to stand with my gun hand in my pocket even to get my money out. Awareness.. you have to have your head on a swivel 24/7. I can easily take issue with my lack of awareness on many accounts. I try to look at everyone I pass in a store in a parking lot and evaluate them. (like I'm not cynical (paranoid?) enough already.. now I'm looking at people wondering if they're going to attack me.. lol) Darkness is always more difficult. I don't back into a spot at Walmart.. I park away from the main parking area and try to leave my vehicle in a spot nobody else will park next to. The walk does me good and I get a better view. I take a cart with me if it requires me to use both hands to carry packages. Good thread. well hell, I am doing it all wrong then! I guess it makes sense to not have your gun hand in your pocket. Is it any different civilian versus cop? The bad guy knows a cop has a gun and doesn't know that I do. Parking in the back away from everyone is a good one as well. |
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Post by marc on Jan 22, 2014 11:21:47 GMT -7
TJ I'm glad your friend is going to be okay. Here's a tip for everyone I hear mentioned on safety programs all the time. When the stranger jumped in your friends vehicle and threatened him with the knife he should've stayed right where he was. The odds are more in your favor he won't carry through with his threats for fear of being seen committing the crime. Most of the time when a threatened person arrives with the perp at a secondary location they will kill you so your friend was lucky. If he had been stabbed in the car at the store he could've gotten help quicker. And that is the biggest tip I can tell you. Buckle up and put the car in gear as though you are complying. Then make a decision based on the specific circumstances: Option one: Nail the gas, crank the wheel all the way and start spinning some rubber burning donuts. Stay on it HARD - clipping a few parked cars in the process to generate lot's of attention. Some seriously pissed off people will come running. Option two: Nail the gas and run the car into a pole, or an empty store, or other target of opportunity - any highly visible public area. These may be stupid responses, but I will not drive to another, more private location. He's gonna have to kill me right there with lots of witnesses. Marc |
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Post by thywar on Jan 22, 2014 11:23:02 GMT -7
I don't think there is any difference.. I'm assuming yours is concealed so you have to pull your hand from your pocket, get under that layer of clothing to pull and then you're there. Actually if you're comfortable with it and can do what you need to do in the time you need to do it then I'd say it's preference.
The parking lot thing just allows me to usually create space all around my vehicle.. (except when Willard Walmart parks his beater next to mine and I mean too close to mine.. lol.. I'm sure they do it just to see if I gripe. Actually he just makes me more aware.. why park so close when there are five other spaces available within 20 feet.)
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Post by cajunlady87 on Jan 22, 2014 11:27:26 GMT -7
Lots of purse snatches going on here. I keep high denomination bills in one pocket with my I.D. in the same pocket. In the other pocket I keep lots of ones with a twenty on the outside of the ones fold in half in my other pocket. This way if I get knocked down and they steal my purse, they get no money and have no idea who I am or where I live. If they threaten me with a weapon demanding money, I reach in my right pocket and pull out the wad with the twenty showing and all the ones folded inside it. This way they think they stole the big kahuna but it's safe deep down in my other pocket.
Lately once the owners have returned to their parked cars, perps knock on the window telling women their car is leaking gas. When they get out the car to check the nonexistent leak, the perps grab their purse and take off.
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Post by Cwi555 on Jan 22, 2014 11:45:46 GMT -7
Excellent post TJ..Sorry about your friend though and hope he isn't seriously slashed. I think there are many things that we all get into the habit of doing even though we all try to be aware. It's that comfort zone thing.. who thinks about being robbed or cut after being in the neighborhood grocery store visiting with friendly staff and others you know? One never knows where the danger will come from. I became a cop in 1973 and to this day I carry my money in my left hand pocket because I'm right handed and was taught not to stand with my gun hand in my pocket even to get my money out. Awareness.. you have to have your head on a swivel 24/7. I can easily take issue with my lack of awareness on many accounts. I try to look at everyone I pass in a store in a parking lot and evaluate them. (like I'm not cynical (paranoid?) enough already.. now I'm looking at people wondering if they're going to attack me.. lol) Darkness is always more difficult. I don't back into a spot at Walmart.. I park away from the main parking area and try to leave my vehicle in a spot nobody else will park next to. The walk does me good and I get a better view. I take a cart with me if it requires me to use both hands to carry packages. Good thread. well hell, I am doing it all wrong then! I guess it makes sense to not have your gun hand in your pocket. Is it any different civilian versus cop? The bad guy knows a cop has a gun and doesn't know that I do. Parking in the back away from everyone is a good one as well. The advice of keeping your hand free is very much sound. A simple exercise at the range if you will. Get a buddy with a laser pointer to stand behind you randomly painting three targets with the laser. Do this at 3 yards, 5 yards, 7 yards, and 10 yards. Record with a camcorder and tripod at each range for each target, with and without your gun hand in your pocket. Draw and fire with each painting of a target. Targets should ideally be spaced 3 to 5 yards apart laterally. After viewing the tape, it will become graphically clear why it is a good idea, as well as why you should be training with your off hand. For the latter, put your gun hand in your pocket and leave it there. Rinse and repeat (dry fire a few times first) using off hand only as if your gun hand is incapacitated. |
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Post by Cwi555 on Jan 22, 2014 11:47:14 GMT -7
A good friend had a nasty experience. On his way home from work, he had picked up a few pizzas to take home to the family for dinner. Wanting a good beer to have with his pizza, he next stopped at a beverage store. As he came out of the store and approached his car, out of habit (often drives with the wife and kids) he hit the remote's unlock button twice, unlocking all the car doors. He got in the car; but, before he could start the car, a stranger got into the passenger door and stuck a knife up to his rib cage. The guy told him to start the car and follow his driving directions. Of course, the guy had him drive to a remote area where he robbed him and then slashed him. Didn't kill him, but... Thinking about this, I've adopted a new habit. Before I get into my car, I always hit the lock button on the inside of the driver side door, locking all the doors. Then I get into the car and close the door. I've been doing it for so long now that it's just an unconscious habit. Am I being paranoid, or sensible? What other kinds of habits might be developed to offset a temporary lapse in awareness, in any of a number of scenarios or situations? Do you have any similar habits you've developed (and I'm not just talking about tings that relate to your automobile)? Excellent thread and no your not being paranoid. |
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Post by marc on Jan 22, 2014 11:53:30 GMT -7
I don't think there is any difference.. I'm assuming yours is concealed so you have to pull your hand from your pocket, get under that layer of clothing to pull and then you're there. Actually if you're comfortable with it and can do what you need to do in the time you need to do it then I'd say it's preference. The parking lot thing just allows me to usually create space all around my vehicle.. (except when Willard Walmart parks his beater next to mine and I mean too close to mine.. lol.. I'm sure they do it just to see if I gripe. Actually he just makes me more aware.. why park so close when there are five other spaces available within 20 feet.) I'm the same way with parking because of door dings and I ALWAYS alert to someone parked right next to me - in the middle of an open area. A revolver will fire continuously from within a pocket, shoulder bag or purse. Watch out for women who walk with one hand inside of her purse. |
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Post by cajunlady87 on Jan 22, 2014 11:58:32 GMT -7
Be extra cautious if you notice a van parked next to your driver's door. Kidnappers use that tactic for a fast grab and go.
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Post by tjwilhelm on Jan 22, 2014 12:31:21 GMT -7
And how about good habits to adopt and develop for other scenarios, other than vehicle related?
How about in a large, public crowd, like at a pro football stadium?
How about in a small, public crowd, like at a rural, County fair?
How about when you're shopping in the big city?
How about when you're hiking in a State Park?
What are the best clothes/boots/etc. to wear in different scenarios?
What should be common EDC items for specific scenarios?
What's the best seat to take on a bus, train, or airplane?
Where's the best place to sit in a restaurant?
AWARENESS is a real key to survival and success; but, we cannot always see and detect everything. Thus, I'm just wondering if we can compensate for lapses in awareness by developing certain, specific, unconscious habits that would automatically kick in under certain circumstances, in certain situations and venues.
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Post by pathwinder14 on Jan 22, 2014 12:34:15 GMT -7
Good thread. Glad your friend made it. You are beig sensible.
I keep my wallet in my front left pocket, never in my back pocket. I keep my right hand in my right pocket (next to my knife) when I am walking. I walk with my head upright, looking around with my eyes regularly. I like to stack pennies in my car on the floor mat to see if someone tried anything. I check my tires and look under my car regularly for abnormal stuff. I try to walk with friends, never go to dark places alone, and have my cell phone handy.
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