How to Improve Your Situational Awareness

Learn to Recognize and Respond to Danger Early

Situational awareness means understanding what is happening around you so you can detect threats and make decisions quickly. It is a skill that helps you stay safe in public spaces, workplaces, or anywhere security may be a concern. People often miss signs of danger because they are distracted, overwhelmed, or unsure what to look for. Strengthening your situational awareness gives you a clear advantage—it allows you to prevent harm before it occurs.

What Is Situational Awareness?

Situational awareness involves four basic steps:

• Observe: Notice your environment and pay attention to anything that stands out.
• Orient: Make sense of what you’re observing using your knowledge and past experiences.
• Decide: Choose the best course of action.
• Act: Take immediate and appropriate action.

This process is known as the OODA loop, developed by U.S. Air Force Colonel John Boyd. The OODA loop is widely used in military, law enforcement, and emergency response settings. But it is also useful for civilians in daily life—whether you’re walking to your car at night, traveling, or supervising children in a busy place.

Understanding this loop gives you a framework to analyze your environment and respond effectively to any threat.

The DusitD2 Attack: Missed Warning Signs

On January 15, 2019, armed terrorists attacked the DusitD2 hotel and office complex in Nairobi, Kenya. Five attackers used a car bomb, firearms, and suicide vests to launch a coordinated assault. The attack lasted for nearly 20 hours, killed 21 people, and injured many more.

What is often overlooked is the clear warning signs that appeared moments before the attack:

• A vehicle approached the gate and circled the entrance several times.
• The passengers inside the vehicle looked nervous and uncomfortable.
• Their clothing did not match the warm weather—they wore heavy jackets and long sleeves.
• One passenger kept scanning the area, looking around anxiously rather than focusing ahead.

A security guard on duty noticed these details. His instincts told him something was wrong. But instead of escalating the matter or halting the vehicle, he hesitated. The attackers advanced, detonated an explosive device, and began shooting.

This real-life example demonstrates how failure to act on early warning signs can lead to devastating consequences. Recognizing the threat is not enough. You must also respond.

Why People Miss Threats

Even when warning signs are present, people often fail to notice or respond. There are several reasons for this:

1. Cognitive Overload

Modern environments are full of distractions—phones, conversations, traffic, noise. These distractions limit your brain’s ability to process information effectively. When your mind is preoccupied, you miss important cues.

2. The Law of Least Effort

Psychologist Daniel Kahneman explains that the human brain favors the easiest solution. It resists tasks that require concentration or critical thinking. This means people often rely on mental shortcuts and avoid confronting uncomfortable situations.

3. Confirmation Bias

People tend to seek information that confirms their existing beliefs. If you believe a place is safe, you’re more likely to ignore signs that suggest otherwise.

4. Fear of Being Wrong

Many people hesitate to act on suspicion because they fear embarrassment or offending someone. They second-guess their instincts and downplay what they observe.

Being aware of these tendencies can help you override them when necessary. With training and practice, you can learn to respond more effectively.

How Experience Shapes Awareness

The brain creates mental models called schemas based on past experience. These schemas help you recognize patterns and make quick decisions.

Experienced security professionals often detect subtle signs others miss because they’ve encountered similar situations before. Their responses are faster and more accurate—not because they are smarter, but because their brain has more reference points to draw from.

For civilians, building situational awareness means practicing observation regularly and reflecting on what you notice. Over time, this develops your own library of patterns and responses.

The Color Code of Awareness

Jeff Cooper, a U.S. Marine and firearms expert, developed a color code to help people understand their level of alertness:

• White: Unaware and unprepared. Common during passive activities like scrolling a phone in public.
• Yellow: Relaxed alertness. You are aware of your surroundings but not focused on a specific threat. This is the recommended state for daily life.
• Orange: Focused attention. You detect something unusual and monitor it closely.
• Red: Action mode. You are responding to an immediate threat.
• Black: Panic or overload. You are unable to respond effectively due to stress or fear.

Avoid staying in White. Strive to maintain Yellow and shift to Orange or Red when the situation demands.

How to Observe People: The 20/10 Rule

Security professionals often use the 20/10 rule to scan for behavioral cues:

• At 20 feet, observe body posture, pace, direction of movement, and how someone interacts with their environment.
• At 10 feet, examine facial expressions, eye movement, and hand behavior. This is also the distance where you can engage politely to gauge reactions.

Key things to watch for:

• Avoidant glances or overly alert scanning
• Hands hidden in pockets or under clothing
• Sweating in cool weather or visible nervousness
• Unusual gait or stiff movement

These signs don’t automatically indicate danger—but they do warrant further attention.

Trust Your Instincts

Your subconscious mind often detects threats faster than your conscious brain can explain them. If you feel that something is wrong, don’t ignore it.

Instincts are your brain’s early warning system. Pay attention to feelings of discomfort or concern. They may be based on subtle signals that your conscious mind hasn’t processed yet.

If you feel unsafe:

• Create distance between yourself and the person or location.
• Notify someone in authority.
• Leave the area if necessary.

Better to act early than regret inaction later.

Key Lessons from the DusitD2 Attack

The DusitD2 incident highlights why awareness and action must go hand in hand. The attackers displayed multiple signs of suspicious behavior. These signs were observed but not acted upon.

From this case, we learn:

• Observations mean little without a decision and response.
• Training and experience can help individuals respond faster.
• Security staff must be empowered to act on instincts.
• Every second counts in preventing or minimizing harm.

This example should serve as a call to action—not only for professionals but for everyone who wants to take responsibility for their own safety.

How to Practice Situational Awareness

Improving your situational awareness is a skill anyone can build with effort and repetition.

1. Practice Observation

Wherever you go, challenge yourself to notice things: exits, crowd behavior, security personnel, and objects left unattended. Practice daily.

2. Use Mental Rehearsals

Mentally prepare for scenarios like a fire alarm, suspicious behavior, or a sudden disturbance. Think through how you would react. This prepares your brain for real-life action.

3. Limit Distractions

Avoid using your phone when walking or waiting in unfamiliar places. Listen to your environment and scan periodically.

4. Learn From Incidents

Study real-world events like the DusitD2 attack. Break down what happened and how early responses could have changed the outcome.

5. Teach Others

Share awareness strategies with family and coworkers. Encourage group readiness.

Summary Points

Situational awareness is a practical tool for staying safe in unpredictable environments. It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared, alert, and confident in your ability to act.

Learn to observe your surroundings. Recognize when something is off. Trust your instincts. And take action when needed.

The difference between safety and danger often comes down to a few seconds—and the decisions you make in them.

Recommended reading: Public Safety 101