Awareness is the state of preparedness for a life threatening situation, you must be prepared to recognize the danger signs and have the ability to deal with them. You can have all the gear and no idea -Preparedness with all the most expensive gear will never save your life, awareness the danger, then to reaction.
The colour codes of awareness was put together by an USA Col Jeff Cooper and then later on was modified by a Firearm training officer/ Author, Massad Ayoob, he added on the Colour code BLACK to the original codes of awareness.
They are as follows with a brief description, use them, they will save you one day.
Colour Code White
Colour code white refers to a state of total relaxed awareness; there is no awareness at all. This is a dangerous mindset to be in, as you are in a dream state and not paying attention at all. This could include driving. You are either thinking in the past or future, your reaction time will be much slower as you are not in the present mindset and your surroundings.
Tip: WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE
Colour Code Yellow
Yellow is the next level of awareness, it’s the relaxed state of awareness, you should know where are the kids, where is my wife, is the house locked up and where are the keys etc. Is my firearm loaded and ready to go if anything could happen. It’s the state where you cannot be surprised.
Tip: SEE THEM BEFORE THEY SEE YOU
Colour Code Orange
Orange is the state of alert; you have heard noise or seen people panicking, people running, dogs barking, tires screeching, women shouting or any other visual or audible sign that will alert you to a problem in your direct area of safety. You now have found safe areas, or an escape route to use if the problem gets worse.
Tip: WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE
Colour Code Red
Red is the decision making stage, now you need to decide on your actions, this is the stage when you will know what to do, even its flight or fight. Must I use my firearm to protect myself and family, must I run, must I hide, and must I take cover.
Tip: MAKE THE DECISION AND LIVE WITH IT
Colour Code Black
This is the action phase of the codes; you now need to act upon your decision, if you going to use your firearm to protect yourself and use lethal force, then it must be done with much commitment. If you are going to run, then do so with much passion. You must know that you cannot give up and do nothing, as you know doing nothing will not help you in survival.
Reaction and action are two different things. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. If you are in a dream state mindset, you have to react to his action, you will be slower. That’s why you need to pay attention to your surroundings and use every human sense that was given to you to survive and protect your family.
Tip: NEVER GIVE UP, FIGHT UNTIL THE LIGHTS GO OUT
