Color Codes

 Color Codes

Condition White - Unaware and unprepared. 

In Condition White one is unaware, not alert, oblivious. This state can be characterized as "daydreaming" or "preoccupied". This person believes his or her personal safety is not in jeopardy and has chosen not to actively assess the surroundings for potential threats. Should a threat arise because of a lack of awareness, that person would be completely unprepared, forcing them to be reactive. Should generally be reserved for when in your home, with the doors locked, the alarm system on, and your dog at your feet.

Condition Yellow - Relaxed alert. 

This is a relaxed state of general alertness, with no specific focal point. You are not looking for anything or anyone in particular; you simply have your head up and your eyes open. You are alert and aware of your surroundings. You are difficult to surprise, therefore, you are difficult to harm. You do not expect to be attacked today. You simply recognize the possibility. Condition yellow is the mindset of those who are aware that the world is full of hazards, and some of which may be prevented by our own defensive action. Once a person has recognized a threat, they have escalated to Condition Orange.

Condition Orange - Specific alert. 

The mindset in which a person is focused on a specific potential threat and is prepared to take action. This person is actually in a lower state of psychological awareness than in Condition Yellow but in a higher state of physiological arousal. Whereas a persons mindset in Yellow is "I may have to fihgt today." In Orange it is "I may have to fight him today." This person has begun creating a plan for how to deal with the threat. The degree of awareness a person has here is less than that of Condition Yellow because the person's attention is now focused on a specific threat.

Condition Red - Fight

Is labeled the “lethal mode”—it is the psychological willingness to ruthlessly fight. Condition Red includes being “in the fight” and executing the plans created in Condition Orange. This person is in a much lower state of awareness due to being focused on one specific threat and has a very high degree of physiological arousal. Because of the inherent risk of engagement in a fight, the person’s awareness of the surroundings is further reduced as his or her mental capacity is focused on personal challenges to survival.

The normal psychological state of anyone concerned about personal safety must be Condition Yellow. It's important to realize that condition orange is a benefit for those that decide to live in condition yellow. 

Note: 

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper developed a system of awareness he called his Color Codes that described the psychological conditions a person could have during any given situation. Cooper’s Color Code possesses four levels of awareness: White, Yellow, Orange, and Red. 

USCCA: Cooper's Color Codes and Living in Condition Yellow

Col. Jeff Cooper: Mental condition, Color codes

http://www.shielddefensetraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/States-of-Awareness.pdf

https://www.opsgear.com/blogs/opsgear%C2%AE-blog/color-code-of-mental-awareness-combat-mindset

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2014/11/jeff-coopers-4-levels-situational-awareness/

https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/tag/principles-of-personal-defense/

http://dvc.org.uk/jeff/jeff13_1.html

See: 

Left of Bang

De-escalation

 

behavior that is intended to prevent escalation of conflicts

https://www.usacarry.com/de-escalation-essential-skill-self-defense/#:~:text=Avoidance%20is%20most%20often%20the,be%20part%20of%20your%20arsenal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-escalation

Situational Awareness

 

Situational awareness refers to the state of being mentally aware of ones surroundings and the ability to recognize potential threats.

Situational awareness is the ability to identify and process environmental cues to accurately predict the actions of others. (Spotting Danger Before It Spots You)

Must Know For Self Defense -Paul Sharp MDOC

Awareness - Where am I? What am I doing? Who's around me? (credited Tom Givens)

To increase awareness:

1) Stop entering spaces you don't look into first. 

Honing Your Situational Awareness To A Razor’s Edge - Tom Givens

Situational awareness are not innate behavior traits. This is a learned behavior pattern best learned through repetition. 

When you walk into a room, scan around and see who is in it besides you. Don’t be surprised by someone you did not see. 

Real Life Situational Awareness

Most carjackings happen at intersections. Be in condition yellow. If you see someone staring at you, move to condition orange. Have a plan to drive off if they approach you. 

Another common crime is the practice of following people to their homes in the suburbs and robbing them in their driveways as they exit their vehicles. I don’t care where you have been: bank, grocery store, ATM, theater; when you turn off the main drag into your neighborhood, look in the rearview mirror. If you make a turn into your neighborhood, again, look in the mirror. If you turn onto your street, again, look in the mirror. If you have made three turns inside your neighborhood and the same ragged, old car you’ve never seen before is right behind you, you might have a problem. 

Honing Situational Awareness 

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example of forced teaming in non self-defense context 

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Left of Greg: Situational Awareness

A Practical Guide to Situational Awareness

CONTACT AVOIDANCE VS CONTACT MANAGEMENT

The Biggest Security Threat - Target Focus Training - Tim Larkin - Self Defense

Massad Ayoob Finding Danger Signs

http://modelmugging.org/self-defense-principles/awareness-in-self-defense-training/

http://www.functionalselfdefense.org/awareness-prevention

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situation_awareness

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2018/02/situational-awareness-guide/