Avoid And Escape

Written By Tiger McKee

2020

Working as a “team” under normal circumstances is sometimes difficult —
think about your last family vacation. Teamwork under dangerous and stressful
conditions is exponentially harder and requires planning and practice.

Trouble comes in all forms; danger flares from both man and nature. Whatever the source, avoidance is generally the best response. Sometimes danger is unexpected, but at the first hint of instability think escape. As I write this, there are violent urban “protests” taking place. It’s DefCon 4 out there, making avoidance and escape even more important.

Team Pay Attention

The first step to avoiding trouble is staying aware. This involves more than just your immediate surroundings, what you can actually see, hear and touch right now. Pay attention to where you are now, and where you plan to be in the future. If you’re considering a trip, to the corner grocery, a visit to the kids, travelling to another state or, heaven forbid an international journey, it’s mandatory you gather intel prior to leaving home. If there’s any hint of potential trouble, reschedule. Put it off until it’s safe.

I recommend reading Left of Bang by Van Horne and Riley. This incredible book, based on the Marine Corps Combat Hunter Program, is all about identifying a potential problem before the “bang.” Paying attention to your environment and the people it contains provides cues to danger, allowing you to escape before trouble erupts. Avoidance and escape are sure paths to victory.

Avoidance and escape involve teamwork. Your team — friends and family — are having a great time. One of you notices the strange looking guy in the trench coat, especially considering the warm temps. No sign of trouble yet, but this person’s behavior is definitely unusual. Just in case, because it’s not worth the risk, your team makes a calm exit to a safer location.

Maybe there was never any danger. Or perhaps that evening you see the shaky phone video of the violence that erupted after you left. Teamwork is great, as long as you have a plan and commit to practice. Moving, communicating and the skills to use cover are all important. Performing these as a team is difficult and acquiring new skills during the time of danger is impossible. Prepare in advance.

Left: Life in the country is safer, especially if you have a good dog on duty. Yes, there’s
more responsibility and planning involved, but it’s much easier to protect those you’re
responsible for, and when necessary, defend against an attack.

Get Out Of Dodge

Escape is a more dynamic action. There’s trouble, coming fast. If you were paying attention to your environment, and already knew where the closest exit was, escape is easy. If total escape isn’t an option, find a location that could be easily defended. Positioning yourself in a sound, tactical spot allows you to defend against multiple attackers.

Avoidance and escape may also apply to where you live. Large urban environments have their advantages; dining, museums, brick-and-mortar book stores and other recreational destinations are all available in urban areas. However, the recent violent protests popping up in multiple locations are showing us the utopian life urban environments promised in the 1950s is likely a thing of the past. Densely populated areas are powder kegs waiting for a spark; there’s less safety than ever, even if you live in the “nice” part of town. This is the start of “social justice,” and it’s not going to get any better.

Uprooting the family to move to a new location is never a straightforward decision. One thing the “Virus” has shown us is you can work, shop and get an education without having to be in proximity of these establishments. If “city life” is going to get worse, moving to a safer location helps ensure the safety of those you’re responsible for. In many cases, the job of protection becomes easier. A “safer” location doesn’t mean you relax completely — always be vigilant. But I’m pretty sure there’s not going to be any civil unrest or violent protests taking place within 30 miles of our home, so the strain of security is relieved somewhat.

When Rome began to fail, leaders instituted “bread and circuses” or “bread and games” to placate and distract the people. Today we have stimulus checks and riot coverage. The “bad” part of town is growing, like a cancer. “Social justice” is an “us against them” mentality. If you’re not with them, whoever they are, then you’re going to be a target.

Avoid — don’t be there. Escape at the first sign of trouble. Not paying attention is no longer an option.

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