A lot of paranoid people view situational awareness as a security solution. That’s like saying radar is an excellent way to prevent bombing. Early threat detection is great, but it’s only the first step in a successful self-defense, whether that’s running or fighting or fighting and running. Mr. Stratfor above offers but a single response to a potentially lethal threat: a flashlight. For sure a Surefire is better than nothing. And yes, they make damn fine blunt instruments. But an edged weapon, tactical pen or hmmm firearm might be more helpful. Assuming we’re not talking about foreign countries. If so, the more bribe cash back at the hotel the better. [/rant] Fred Burton’s very very right about at least one thing . . .
Don’t text and walk. That’s just dumb. And my step-daughter does it ALL THE TIME. If you have to text while you’re walking, find a defensive position. No seriously. Put your back against to the wall (m f’er). Do it somewhere relatively out of the way but not completely hidden. Scan for threats and text. Look up between texts. If you see someone watching you, shut down the device and move in a purposeful manner towards other people.
I know this sounds silly, but in the same way you should practice drawing your weapon and not firing, practice not answering texts, Tweets, Facebook alerts, emails, phone calls, etc. If you put your head down for every single electronic communication right away, you train yourself to be a Pavlovian eDog. Stimulus – phone. Response – ditch situational awareness.
The cell phone is a miracle. It allows you to call in the good guys or make sure you’re recognized as the good guy after a defensive gun use or some other self-defense situation. But it’s a double-edged sword. My ring tone is Dave Edmunds’ I Won’t Bail You Out. You got yourself in, you get yourself out.