Situational Awareness: An Edge, Not a Guarantee
Why Awareness Matters, and Why No Self-Defense Is Foolproof
Introduction
Situational awareness is often talked about as if it were a shield, something that, once mastered, will protect a person from any and all danger. That belief is not only unrealistic, it can be dangerous. The truth is far simpler and far more honest: situational awareness will not stop every attack, but it will prevent a majority of them. It gives you an edge, an advantage others may not have, and in personal safety, even a small edge matters.
At Goldbar Defense, we are clear and realistic about personal protection. There is no foolproof self-defense system. There is no posture, mindset, or technique that will protect you every hour of every day. We are all vulnerable at times. Situational awareness does not eliminate risk, but it reduces your likelihood of being targeted and increases your ability to respond if something does happen.
What Situational Awareness Really Is
Situational awareness is not paranoia. It is not fear. It is not constantly scanning for threats or assuming everyone around you is dangerous. At its core, situational awareness is simply:
Awareness of yourself
Awareness of your surroundings
Awareness of the people around you
Combined with one critical element: intentional movement.
Walking with a purpose, making deliberate choices, and having a plan separates you from those who appear distracted, unaware, or disengaged. Criminals, especially opportunistic ones, tend to seek easy targets. Situational awareness doesn’t make you invincible; it makes you less attractive as a target.
Awareness Is Not a Force Field
One of the most important truths to understand is this: being situationally aware does not mean you cannot be attacked. People are assaulted in broad daylight, in familiar places, doing routine activities. Awareness does not override intent, violence, or surprise.
However, awareness does three critical things:
It helps you avoid many dangerous situations altogether
It gives you more time to react when something feels wrong
It allows you to make better decisions under stress
Most crimes are crimes of opportunity. Situational awareness closes many of those opportunities.
Public Transportation: Awareness in Practice
Public transportation, trains, buses, subways, provides a clear example of how simple awareness can reduce risk.
Before you even step on board, you should already have a plan:
Where are you going to sit?
What gives you the best visibility?
Where are exits located?
Who is already on board?
When possible, sitting with your back to a wall or against the window reduces your exposure from behind. It limits blind spots and allows you to observe movement in front of you. This alone can prevent surprise approaches from the rear, one of the most common methods of attack.
Equally important:
Keep your music off
Keep your earbuds out
Keep your head up
Hearing is part of awareness. Blocking it off removes an entire layer of information, footsteps, voices, sudden movement, changes in tone.
Situational awareness also means having secondary and tertiary plans. If your preferred seat is taken:
Where will you sit next?
What is your backup option?
If neither is available, where can you position yourself to maintain visibility and space?
These decisions should be made before you need them.
Planning Is Part of Awareness
Awareness without a plan is incomplete. A plan does not need to be complex or rigid. It simply answers basic questions in advance:
Where am I going?
How am I getting there?
Where am I positioning myself?
What will I do if my first choice isn’t available?
This applies everywhere, not just public transportation. Parking lots, stores, sidewalks, and even your daily routine benefit from small, intentional planning. Knowing where you will park, which door you will use, and how you will move through a space reduces hesitation and distraction.
Real-World Case Examples: Awareness as a Crime Deterrent
Case Example 1: The Distracted Commuter vs. the Alert Commuter
Law enforcement interviews with repeat offenders consistently show a pattern: criminals select victims based on ease, distraction, and predictability. In multiple metropolitan transit systems, offenders have admitted avoiding individuals who made eye contact, scanned their surroundings, or appeared purposeful, opting instead for those wearing headphones, looking at their phones, or appearing disengaged.
In one documented subway robbery case, two riders entered the same train car within moments of each other. One immediately put in earbuds and sat slouched, focused on a phone. The other scanned the car, chose a seat with a wall behind them, and kept their head up. The distracted rider was targeted. The aware rider was ignored.
Situational awareness did not guarantee safety, but it clearly influenced the offender’s choice.
Case Example 2: Familiarity and Complacency in Church Parking Lots
Several church security after-action reports highlight incidents occurring not during services, but before or after, when members were relaxed and focused on conversation rather than surroundings. In multiple cases, offenders admitted watching parking lots and waiting for individuals who appeared distracted, overloaded with children or belongings, or moving without urgency.
Conversely, churches that implemented simple awareness training, head up, purposeful movement, designated parking volunteers, saw a measurable reduction in incidents. The presence of alert, observant individuals changed the environment itself.
Awareness didn’t stop every threat, but it removed opportunity.
Case Example 3: Situational Awareness Failing, And Why That Matters
It is equally important to acknowledge cases where situational awareness did not prevent violence. There are documented assaults where victims did everything “right” and were still attacked due to surprise, numbers, or overwhelming force.
These cases remind us of an essential truth: situational awareness is not a moral failing when it does not prevent harm. Awareness is a tool not a guarantee, and victims are never to blame for the actions of others.
This honesty is critical, especially in church settings, where shame or misplaced guilt can creep into discussions of safety.
A Biblical Framework for Situational Awareness
Scripture consistently affirms wisdom, preparedness, and vigilance, without promoting fear or paranoia.
Awareness as Wisdom, Not Fear
“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
— Proverbs 22:3
Biblical prudence is not cowardice; it is discernment. Awareness is an expression of wisdom, recognizing reality and responding thoughtfully. Avoiding danger when possible is not a lack of faith; it is responsible stewardship.
Watchfulness Is a Repeated Biblical Command
Jesus Himself repeatedly instructed His followers to be watchful:
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
— Matthew 26:41
“Be alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
— 1 Peter 5:8
These passages emphasize vigilance, not constant fear, but readiness. Physical awareness mirrors spiritual awareness: staying engaged, attentive, and prepared.
Planning and Preparation Are God-Honoring
“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?”
— Luke 14:28
Planning ahead is not distrust in God, it is responsible action. Having a plan before boarding public transportation, entering a building, or moving through public spaces reflects this same biblical principle.
Nehemiah provides a powerful example:
“We prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.”
— Nehemiah 4:9
Prayer and preparation worked together. Awareness did not replace faith; it accompanied it.
The Body as a Stewardship Responsibility
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?”
— 1 Corinthians 6:19
Caring for one’s physical safety, and the safety of others is part of stewardship. Awareness honors the value of life without elevating self-preservation above trust in God.
Ethical Balance: Vigilance Without Paranoia
The Bible does not call believers to live in fear of the world, nor does it call them to ignore reality.
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
Situational awareness fits squarely within self-control. It is calm, measured, and intentional, not anxious or reactionary.
At Goldbar Defense, we emphasize:
Awareness without obsession
Preparedness without paranoia
Confidence without aggression
This balance is especially important in church environments, where safety must coexist with hospitality, compassion, and openness.
Imperfection, Grace, and Reality
Scripture acknowledges human limitation:
“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
— Matthew 26:41
There will be moments of distraction. There will be times when we drift into complacency, into what Colonel Jeff Cooper described as Condition White. This is not sin; it is human nature.
The goal is not constant hyper-vigilance. The goal is intentional awareness when possible, and grace when we fall short.
Complacency Is Human
No one is “on” all the time. We all get complacent. We all fall into patterns same routes, same parking spots, same habits. Colonel Jeff Cooper’s color codes of awareness remind us that Condition White being mentally disengaged happens easily, especially in familiar environments.
Getting into your car every morning is a perfect example. Familiarity breeds comfort, and comfort breeds inattention. That does not make someone careless; it makes them human.
Situational awareness is not about perfection. It is about intentional improvement. Recognizing when you drift into Condition White and pulling yourself back to a baseline level of awareness, often referred to as Condition Yellow is enough to regain your edge.
The Goldbar Defense Approach
At Goldbar Defense, we keep things simple and realistic.
We do not promise invincibility.
We do not sell fear.
We teach awareness, purpose, and planning.
Our philosophy is straightforward:
Be aware of yourself and others
Walk with a purpose
Have a plan
That mindset alone separates you from the majority of potential victims. It does not guarantee safety, but it dramatically lowers your risk and increases your ability to respond effectively if something goes wrong.
Conclusion
Situational awareness is not a cure-all. It will not stop every attacker. It will not protect you at all hours of the day or night. There is no such thing as foolproof self-defense.
What situational awareness does provide is an edge one that prevents many crimes before they happen, gives you time to react when danger appears, and helps you move through the world with confidence instead of fear.
Being aware, walking with purpose, and having a plan will not make you invincible but it will make you less likely to be targeted and better prepared if you are.
And sometimes, that edge is everything.
Situational awareness is not a promise of safety. It is an expression of wisdom, stewardship, and responsibility. It does not replace faith it reflects it.
Awareness:
Reduces opportunity for crime
Increases reaction time
Honors the value of life
Aligns with biblical principles of wisdom and watchfulness
At Goldbar Defense, we teach a simple truth that resonates both practically and biblically:
Be aware.
Walk with purpose.
Have a plan.
These actions will not make you invincible—but they will make you less likely to be targeted, better prepared to respond, and more faithful stewards of the lives God has entrusted to us.
Remember when seconds count and help is minutes away you are your own first responder.
Stay safe my friends.
Pastor Bart Goldbar
Goldbar Defense LLC
