We all do our best to protect ourselves and our families in every situation every day, but do you know or realize when you are the most vulnerable?
I follow Active Self Protection (https://www.youtube.com/activeselfprotection) and watch nearly every video they produce. John Correia has an enormous wealth of knowledge regarding self-defense encounters and I enjoy learning a lot from him. In many of his lessons, John talks about transitional spaces and reminds us regularly that these are very dangerous locations.
Transitional spaces are areas where you are moving from one area to another. This could be getting in your vehicle at a store, or in your driveway at home. They area generally areas where you feel like you are safe yet you are still very open to those around you.
How often do you get in your car at the store and spend a minute or two getting situated, checking the kids seat belts, getting your phone plugged in or checking your texts? Or when you get home, how often are you focused on what you need to do next (getting the groceries out of the car, checking the mail, opening the garage door) rather than actually paying attention to those around you who don't belong or are out of place. These places are the perfect time for someone who may have been watching you or just looking for someone who is not paying attention to come upon you very quickly and threaten or rob you.
Here in Albuquerque, just two miles from my house a few days ago a woman was getting in her car at Costco and was approached by a man with a gun. She screamed and the bad guy ran away as several people came to her aid. Thankfully no one was hurt in this encounter, but I have to wonder if it could have been avoided all together if the lady was paying more attention to her surroundings. Had she seen the bad guy coming sooner maybe she could have gotten in her car and locked her doors or driven away or even just made eye contact with him to tell him that she saw him would have most likely been enough to make him move on.
Here is a link to a great video discussing transitional spaces and how to better be aware of your surroundings to protect yourself and your property. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpoymzzobP8
If you would like to take it a step further than just situational awareness and would like to take a firearm safety course or a New Mexico concealed carry course or just have questions, please reach out or visit our site for more information. (https://www.bosquetactical.com/)
