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Pay Attention: The Role of Situational Awareness in Self-Defense

February 8, 2024 by RHINO Tactical Defense Alberta Leave a Comment

In today’s unpredictable world, the ability to protect oneself is an invaluable skill. Whether it’s walking alone at night, navigating through a crowded city, or simply going about your daily routine, being aware of your surroundings is the first line of defense against potential threats. Situational awareness, the conscious perception of one’s environment and the ability to comprehend what is happening around you, is the cornerstone of effective self-defense.

Imagine walking down a dimly lit alley at night, lost in thought or glued to your phone. You may not notice the suspicious figure lurking in the shadows until it’s too late. This lack of awareness can make you an easy target for criminals looking for an opportunity to strike. However, by remaining alert and attentive to your surroundings, you can identify potential dangers and take proactive measures to avoid or mitigate them.

Situational awareness poster to generate interest

Situational awareness involves observing, orienting, deciding, and acting accordingly in any given situation. It’s about tuning into your instincts, trusting your intuition, and recognizing potential threats before they escalate. By staying vigilant you can spot unusual behavior, suspicious individuals, or hazardous situations, allowing you to react swiftly and effectively.

One of the key aspects of situational awareness is understanding the concept of the “fight or flight” response. When faced with danger, the body’s natural instinct is to either confront the threat or flee to safety. However, it’s crucial to accurately assess the situation and determine the most appropriate course of action. This requires clear-headedness, quick thinking, and the ability to remain calm – qualities that can be honed through regular practice and training.

In addition to being aware of potential threats, situational awareness also involves being mindful of your own actions and behaviors. Avoid distractions such as excessive phone use, wearing headphones in public, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These distractions can significantly reduce your ability to react to danger effectively. By staying focused, present, and observant, you can better assess your surroundings and make informed decisions about your safety.

Situational awareness is not just about being vigilant in risky situations but also about adopting a proactive mindset everyday. This means taking preemptive measures to minimize risk, such as avoiding poorly lit areas, varying your routes when walking or jogging, and maintaining a safe distance from strangers in crowded places. By practicing situational awareness as a habit, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a target for opportunistic criminals.

Situational awareness is also becoming extremely important with regards to the cyber world and and online safety. Cybercrime has become a growing concern, with hackers, scammers, and identity thieves lurking in the virtual realm. By exercising caution when sharing personal information online, being wary of suspicious emails or links, and regularly updating your privacy settings, you can protect yourself from falling victim to cyber threats.

In conclusion, situational awareness is an essential skill for self-defense in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world. By staying alert, and observant, you can better protect yourself from potential dangers and navigate through life with more confidence. Remember, the best self-defense is not always a physical one. It starts with being aware of your surroundings and taking steps to ensure your own safety.

RHINO Tactical Defense Alberta is a leading provider of self-defense programs that incorporate both the physical elements along with situational awareness. This combination empowers our students and prepares them for risky and dangerous situations. There has never been a better time to take advantage of the training that we offer. Visit our Events Page or Contact Us to begin your journey of empowerment today!

The Truth About 911

April 24, 2023 by RHINO Tactical Defense Alberta Leave a Comment

It is time to take a look at the truth about 911. We are taught to call 911 in a dangerous situation in North America. This has always been, and continues to be, good advice! However, did anyone explain to you what the procedure of calling 911 actually looks like. It is so much more than dialing three numbers. Parents and educators need to start explaining the process to children to ensure the effectiveness of the system!

911 is an amazing example of a multi-agency response network that saves lives on a daily basis. However, many times the caller mistakenly hangs up because they do not understand the truth about 911. The truth is a 911 call can be a difficult process for someone experiencing a crises, especially if they do not know what to expect.

Calling 911 obviously starts with dialing the numbers. Unfortunately, this is the only portion of the call that is taught! Parents need to explain to their children that the following list is some of the things the 911 operator will be asking.

Common Questions Asked by 911 Operators:

“911, what is your emergency?”

This will always be the first question asked when you call 911. It is used to determine if you require Police, Fire, or Paramedics. Children should be taught to explain what is happening to them in a clear and concise manner.

“Are you somewhere safe?”

The operator uses this question to determine the priority level of the response. Children need to understand that somewhere safe means somewhere away from the person or situation with a responsible and safe adult. This could be a store clerk, a bank teller, a teacher, or any other adult not directly involved in the incident.

“Can you describe the person or situation?”

The most important information gathered during a 911 call is often the physical description. It is critical we take the time to teach our children how to describe another person. An accurate description includes looking at clothing but it should also include things such as tattoos, gender, hair color, eye color, and skin color. Yes, I said it, skin color. This has nothing to do with race or being racist. If you would describe the color of a persons shirt, why can’t you describe the color of their skin? This descriptor can significantly improve the chances of police catching a suspect before they can hurt someone else, as it focuses the search. Skin color is one aspect of a description that will never change.

“Where are you?”

In times of stress this is not always so easy to answer. We often don’t know the actual address of our location. This question becomes more difficult to answer if we had to run from a threatening situation. Teach yourself and your children to look for large landmarks if an address is not readily apparent. First responders can only respond if they know where you are!

“Please stay on the line while I transfer you.”

Not a question, but still deserving of its own consideration. Police, Fire or EMS may need to speak directly to you. This may require a transfer of the call. Children are never told to expect this. In fact, many adults are unaware they may be transferred. If transferred you need to stay on the line, no matter what, to ensure first responders are coming directly to you. Hanging up can result in police blindly searching the GPS location of your phone, which can be up to a 2 kilometer radius!

Never Hang Up!

Calling 911 is one of the most important things we will ever teach our children, but we need to do a better job. The truth about 911 is it can be an excellent tool but children, and adults, need to understand there is more to it than just dialing the numbers. Additionally, never hang up after calling 911. Even if the call was made in error, do not hang up. Remaining on the line will enhance your safety and the operation of the system as a whole. Take the time to think about the points in this article when teaching your children to help improve their safety and the response time of Emergency Services.

For more information on how to keep your family safe, please consider our list of Upcoming Events at RHINO Tactical Defense Alberta!

RHINO Parking Lot Safety

April 18, 2023 by RHINO Tactical Defense Alberta Leave a Comment

Vacant parking lot at night
Dangerous parking lot

10 Tips for Parking Lot Safety

The parking lot can be one of the most dangerous places that we frequent. There are numerous ways for an attacker to approach unseen and just as many ways for them to get away without being noticed. It is also the place where most people have the lowest situational awareness and spend the most time checking their phone. The following ten tips from RHINO Tactical Defense Alberta can help to improve your parking lot safety and ensure your wellbeing.

Park close to your destination, in a well lit stall if possible.
- This one should be common sense but people often park further away when the parking lot is busy. The biggest consideration when selecting a stall should be when you are planning to leave the destination. If you know you will be here for an extended period and may be exiting when the parking lot is more deserted, then take the time to find an appropriate stall.
Avoid parking around blind corners on the sides of businesses.
- Remember, if you can’t see the front door and windows of a business, they can’t see you when you are moving to your vehicle. You should always strive to park in stalls with high visibility from surrounding shops and houses.
Watch big vehicles that are blocking yours or parked near yours.
- These types of obstacles can provide an excellent spot for attackers to conceal themselves and approach unseen. If you notice a larger vehicle parked near yours, approach with caution and look to enter your vehicle swiftly. Pay attention!
Move fast, keep your head up and carry yourself with confidence.
- Most criminals are looking for an easy target, don’t be an easy target! Criminals are less likely to attack a person that is confident, paying attention, and moving with purpose. It is easier for them to move on to the next person who has their head buried in the their phone and no idea what is happening around them.
You are most vulnerable when you are entering or exiting your vehicle.
- This is usually the time when you are engaged in other activities such as: checking your phone, adjusting the mirrors, checking or fixing makeup, fiddling around with the seat belt or other objects. Be aware of your parking lot habits and work to change this. If you absolutely need to take care of one of these things then it is best to enter the vehicle, lock the door, and relocate to another area before completing your task.
Be extra aware when loading a child or groceries.
- These tasks often require you to have your back turned for a significant period of time. This can allow an attacker to approach without being noticed. This is also one of the most common times for a criminal to steal items that have been left in the cart or front seat of a vehicle.
Avoid pulling notes off windshields before driving away.
- There is always a chance that these notes have been placed there to distract you as you approach your vehicle. If you encounter this the best course of action is to enter your vehicle, lock the door, and then relocate to another area before removing the note.
Use vehicles and carts as obstacles in the event that you are approached.
- Although most people approaching you in a parking lot will have no ill intent, you lose absolutely nothing by moving to keep a vehicle or a cart between you and another individual. This is a simple action that can increase the time you have to escape should the need arise.
When in doubt, walk out with someone.
- This is another seemingly common sense tip. However, people often feel that they are imposing if they ask someone else to walk them to their car. Or they talk themselves into walking alone because they are being silly or paranoid. If you are working with others, plan to park in the same area so you can walk together. If you are there alone then ask a security guard or mall employee to escort you.
Know and understand the anti-abduction techniques taught in the RHINO Tactical Defense System.
- We offer many courses containing important life saving measures you can easily learn. These anti-abduction tools could ultimately save your life. Check out our Upcoming Courses.

Parking Lot Safety should never be overlooked!

You are the most important person in the world and should take time to ensure that you are safe. Although parking lots can be a dangerous location that criminals often frequent, you can reduce the risk. Following the 10 tips that we have provided will make you less likely to be victimized.