Teaching yourself how not to go around in condition white?

[Daeglan]

How do you train yourself to be more aware. I am catching up on you episodes so I don't know if this was covered. I caught the episode covering what to look for. I am looking for training help in not being in condition white.

[ExpatBen]

To get out of condition white, look around at people, and where people might be.  It's a habit that takes time to learn.  Next start playing mental games of, what if?  What if I get mugged here, what would I do?  Start talking to others about what they would do in situations.  Then start taking classes in your area.  Some will be good, some not so good, but you can take things from all of them.

[rolsby]

I got my start Live Action Roleplaying.  LARPing is a sort of interactive theatre where you are your character.  Everything you do is what your character is doing.  In my case, it was a medieval fantasy (Tolkien-like) where other "actors" are trying to "kill" you with foam weapons.

Between games, at our college campus, my friends and I would always try to sneak up on each other and use the verbal component of an attack ("Waylay" = character is knocked unconscious).  Not unlike counting coup of the American Indian.

I can't attest to its accuracy, but Shade's LARP list is a resource to help you find one (if this interests you): www.larplist.com

For others, it's open carry.  Like the controversial James Yeager said "You'll never see the front sight of that target as clearly as when a living person is standing next to the target." (See: "Safety Issues" thread under Gun Related Videos forum, Note: I do not endorse this training method.)  Considering that mindset is one of the most important components of awareness, the simple act of researching and considering open carry galvinizes your thinking; even if you're thinking about a personal defense system that does not include a firearm!

I read the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association forum which has both a concealed and open carry subforums.  They post stories about encounters, laws and court rulings, provide suggestions, advice, and encouragement for anyone who wants to do it.  Opencarry.org may have state specific resources.

Alot of what I've done is martial in some way (see my introduction), so I'm sure we can find something that suits you.

[rolsby]

Also, I should have mentioned Airsoft as a training tool. 

If a handgun isn't attainable, look into pepper spray or baton (research your local laws and train).

I'm also assuming you've caught up on the self defense podcast.  Gunfighter cast has a discussion about Col. Grossman's system -- sorry I don't remember the episode.  The Urban Shooter also had shoot/don't shoot scenarios.  Mick McArt reads the self-defense stories from the NRA publications -- good if you don't have a NRA membership.  Finally, the Gun Dudes read self-defense stories and add their humorous spin.

[12_gauge]

Getting out of condition white isn't something that will happen immediately and, in my experience, to get out of it you need to learn about what threats may or may not exist and then practice being aware of them.  That sounds way too easy, but I think it works.  There are really four stages to getting used to condition yellow: 1) being aware of potential dangers; 2) being afraid; 3) feeling prepared; 4) maintaining awareness.  My wife and I had a very long discussion about this because she has finally realized stage 2 and doesn't like it.  I'm ecstatic because she's now willing to make the plans and increase her preparedness levels to be able to move on to stage 4. 

When you've reached the stage of recognizing potential dangers on a continual basis and you feel like you're prepared, that's when you're in condition yellow.  My wife asks if being 'paranoid' or 'always stressed out' is taxing on my emotional/mental state but she doesn't realize that's not really the case at all.  When you practice it enough, it just becomes second nature and there's nothing stressful about it until something starts to happen.

[rolsby]

I don't know why this is sticking with me...

I offer this laconic safety phrase used where I work: Be Here Now

[Scott Currie]

Reading as much as you can get your hands on helps a lot. There a lot of good books out there.  The Ayoob Files, Lessons from Armed America, Jeff Coper's Principles of Personal Defense, etc.  The USCCA's Concealed Carry magazine is a great source.  Like ExpatBen said, run "what if" scenarios in your head. We are all naturally in Condition Yellow whether we realize it or not to certain extent.  Looking around for dangers while driving on the street and highway, hear a noise and look in that direction, etc.  Fighter pilots call it "SA" or situational awareness.  It takes a concentrated effort but you'll get there.

Here's a link to one of the books I mentioned and many others

http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Armed-America-Mark-Walters/dp/0982248768

[rolsby]

Did you ever see Southland (was on NBC, now on TNT)?

There is a promo of Cooper (senior, training officer) and Sherman (new officer) in the car.  Sherman is watching the screen of the in-car terminal.  When Cooper says "I've just been shot, what street are we on?"  Sherman stammers.  Cooper says "When I turn, you look at the street name!"

I was reminded of this during my commute to work when there was a water main break.  I thought I would notify the fire department but I was at a sudden loss to remember the street name.  Now I make sure to note the name of the street (both if it is a route and a number) as well as the numbers (mile markers on some highways or rural roads).

Flat tire got you down, GPS on the fritz, just saw a suspicious vehicle in a driveway -- no worries!  You already know the streetname and possibly the block number!

[hobartfloyt]

Tip - avoid distractions!
Yes, that means your cell phone, or PDA, or Ipod. Things that take your attention away from your surroundings.
For example, I stopped at a local convenience store to put gas in my truck. Normally I try to keep a wary eye out, even in daytime. Yes, I know there is video surveillance of the pumps, but I still watch. Then a TV screen over the pump starts blaring a news clip, local weather and a commercial for the store. After a few seconds, I caught myself watching the stupid thing instead of the parking lot. Advertisers want to do just that - focus your attention on their commercial. I gave myself a mental kick and ignored it from then on. So beware of the flashy distractions, and keep your guard up!
Art - Florida

[Alex Haddox]

Tip - avoid distractions!
Yes, that means your cell phone, or PDA, or Ipod. Things that take your attention away from your surroundings.
For example, I stopped at a local convenience store to put gas in my truck. Normally I try to keep a wary eye out, even in daytime. Yes, I know there is video surveillance of the pumps, but I still watch. Then a TV screen over the pump starts blaring a news clip, local weather and a commercial for the store. After a few seconds, I caught myself watching the stupid thing instead of the parking lot. Advertisers want to do just that - focus your attention on their commercial. I gave myself a mental kick and ignored it from then on. So beware of the flashy distractions, and keep your guard up!
Art - Florida

Heh, I covered this exact topic in Episode 82 - Pumping gas.

[hobartfloyt]

Heh, I covered this exact topic in Episode 82 - Pumping gas.

Gotta start downloading those back episodes, that's from just before I subscribed to PDP. But I have heck just keeping up with the current flood. Thanks Alex.
Art- Florida

[rolsby]

Imagine following a toddler.  You look at people to see who doesn't fit or gives you a bad vibe.  You pay attention to your feet, the path your following, and your destination.

[rolsby]

"Be mindful of the future, but not at the expense of the moment." Qui-Gon Jinn (Sorry, couldn't help it)

[Alex Haddox]

"Be mindful of the future, but not at the expense of the moment." Qui-Gon Jinn (Sorry, couldn't help it)

I've always said that Jedi were Zen Buddhists.

[Uninformed Opinion]

It seems to me it's mostly just a matter of habit. I will at random points take stock of the people around me. A quick scan to check what the people around me are wearing, how they are acting, etc. Every now and then just do a quick scan and survey of your surroundings. I also play a mental game with myself of trying to guess what kind of gun a given person would have if they were carrying. Spend enough time making yourself look at the people around you, and sooner it later you will find yourself doing it without even thinking about it.

[openeyes]

While I was growing up, from the time I was 7 or so and learning martial arts from my dad, he would would regularly have me look around, see what could be used as a weapon, how I might defend myself against whoever is there, how to escape, etc. Occasionally he'd throw a pillow at me to make sure I was aware of my surroundings. Having a friend to practice this with could help, provided you find a way where no one gets hurt (my dad warned me against surprising him).

[Chemsoldier]

The Inspector Clueso method.  Hire an asian man to sneak up and randomly attack you.

"Kato?  Where are you Kato?"