Sixth Sense and Reactionary Gaps

Sixth-Sense and Reactionary Gaps:

Sixth-Sense, sometimes called the “etheric-sense” is a natural self-protection warning system that is hard wired into each and every one of us.  It is that feeling you get when your sub-conscious mind (limbic system) picks up a potential threat. Some people describe it as a “gut-feeling” or when the hairs on the back of your neck stand up… Either way it is there to protect us and you should always listen to it.

(Note: if someone’s body-language contradicts his/her verbal, ALWAYS believe the non-verbal. NV is a sub-conscious behavior and much, much harder to fake. Verbal is conscious and easier to fake/mislead.)

Reactionary-Gap refers to the minimum distance you should have between you and another person whom you believe may be a threat to you. This “Gap” should span between 6 – 31 feet depending on various indicators (visual of a weapon, multiple threats, and force disparity).  It takes the average person 1.5 – 3.0 seconds to re-act to a sudden threat stimulus under the best of conditions.  The above “gap” or distance between you and the threat allows time for you to re-act.

When your sixth-sense alarm is sounding, you need to transition into a heightened sense of awareness and increase your reactionary gap. That can mean telling someone to “stop” or “don’t come any closer” in a firm and loud voice, or putting obstacles between you and the person. This is not the time to worry about hurting someone’s feelings or being socially gruff. If someone is causing your sixth-sense to alarm to go off, it means your sub-conscious has identified some level of threat. Social niceties are when that alarm is dormant.

Situational awareness is you best tool here. Being aware can minimize the “perceived-opportunity” that criminals look for. Statistically, over 80% of crimes are crimes of opportunity. Take away the opportunity, and significantly reduce the odds of a crime happening.