Department of Emergency Management shares information on situational awareness to assist with personal safety

Every time you turn on the news, it seems like there is another emergency, catastrophe or disaster. Developing a preparedness outlook and planning ahead can make a huge difference in your resilience to these types of events. The Department of Emergency Management has shared some situational awareness and survival mindset information so you can be prepared for potential risks at home, at work and in your community.

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Survival mindset

A survival mindset is a psychological focus that promotes self-empowerment and a person’s ability to overcome a traumatic event. Being mindful, concentrating on the ability to survive in the moment of crisis and doing everything possible to take control of the outcome of a situation creates momentum to overcome adversity. Maintaining situational awareness requires actively and intentionally practicing it, and you can build a sort of “muscle memory” by mentally and physically walking through the actions you might take in a crisis. This focus is the opposite of feeling helpless and hopeless in a difficult situation. This mentality recognizes and celebrates resiliency and strength. Start by thinking:

• I’m a survivor.
• I’m resilient.
• This doesn’t define me, and I can adapt.

For more on The Survival Mindset, check out this article by Dr. Kathy McMahon.

Situational awareness

Situational awareness is developing and maintaining a dynamic awareness of a situation and the risks present in an activity based on gathering information from multiple sources in the environment, understanding what the information means and using it to think ahead about what may happen next. 

The SLAM Technique

(adapted from the U.S. Department of Labor, Mining Safety and Health Administration)

One way to develop and maintain situational awareness is the SLAM technique which includes:

• STOP and think before you act. Examine the task you are about to undertake. Stop whenever you are unsure and ask questions.
• LOOK at your situation, activity and environment. Find potential hazards to you, your team members or loved ones. Are you protected? Immediately report anything you feel is unsafe.
• ANALYZE the effects hazards present to you and your team/loved ones. Do you have the knowledge, training and tools to perform the activity safely?
• MANAGE your environment. If you feel unsafe or feel something is not right, stop the activity until you can find a solution to the problem.

Prevention of injuries and beyond

The National Safety Council reports “in 2021, an estimated 175,500 preventable injury-related deaths occurred in homes and communities, or about 78% of all preventable injury-related deaths that year.”  Safety is most efficient when practiced in layers, so if one technique fails, you have others to fall back on. We can’t control what happens around us, but we can prepare to keep ourselves safe in an emergency or dangerous situation.

Wherever you are and whatever you do, take time to think about your safety and ways you can protect yourself. For example, while at work, think about where and how you would evacuate in a fire and physically walk the route to a safe location.

SURVIVING ACTIVE VIOLENCE

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security developed a situational awareness and response tool for active shooter situations. This is referred to as Run, Hide, Fight. Follow these basic steps to do all you can to survive an active violence situation: 

Run

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape, if possible
• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
• Keep your hands visible
• Follow the instructions of any police officers
• Do not attempt to move wounded people
• Call 911 when you are safe

Hide

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the active shooter’s view
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)
• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement to prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place

If the active shooter is nearby:

• Lock the door
• Blockade the door with heavy furniture
• Silence your cell phone and/or pager
• Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
• Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
• Remain quiet

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:

• Remain calm
• Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location
• If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen

Fight

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

• Acting as aggressively as possible against them
• Throwing items and improvising weapons
• Yelling
• Committing to your actions because your life depends on it

Ready Houston developed a training video and pocket reference card that describe Run, Hide, Fight.

PREPARING FOR OTHER EMERGENCIES

In an effort to utilize situational awareness and a survival mindset, here are few opportunities that will help prepare you for emergencies:

• Create and practice a disaster plan. Think through different types of situations that are probable in your area/environment.
• Develop and maintain an emergency kit.
• Engage reliable sources of crisis communication, such as governmental alert systems.
• Learn more. Take opportunities to proactively learn more about risks, hazards and preparedness strategies.

For a great source to get started, see the Penn State Health Personal Preparedness Challenge.

Be proactive with your safety.

Contributed by William Dunne, director for Emergency Management and Business Continuity at Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine.

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