Situational awareness means knowing what's happening around you, who's around you, what could potentially happen, and what you're going to do if it does. It's not about being paranoid. It's about not being reactive. Don't wait for something to happen and then start figuring out how to deal with it. Because sometimes later is too late. Sometimes nobody steps in. Sometimes the cops don't get there in time. Sometimes the security guard doesn't do his job. Sometimes the person standing next to you is more interested in filming than helping. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself is simply to stop walking through the world in a state of distraction. Look around. Pay attention. Notice exits. Notice people. Notice changes in the environment. Think about what you would do if something went wrong. And when you identify a potential threat, create distance, change your position, leave, or take whatever reasonable action is available to neutralize the risk before it ...