Reading the Signs

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains how everyday environments become training grounds for awareness. Learn how to observe exits and behaviors, mentally rehearse responses, and turn family outings into practice sessions that build confidence instead of fear. Plus, take today’s challenge to test your awareness in the next public place you enter.

Episode Transcript

(03:13):
It's just a regular Saturday afternoon, and the Johnson family makes a quick run to the store.
Emily parks the car, and as they walk inside, she quietly points out the exits to the kids.
Daniel notices a man pacing near the registers, not shopping, just watching.
The kids pick up on how crowded the store feels and how the aisles are arranged.

(03:35):
None of this is a crisis. It's a classroom. room.
Every trip out of the house is a chance to practice awareness before it's ever tested in an emergency.
At Amcon, we say situational awareness is a skill, not a switch.
It's not something you certainly suddenly turn on when the lights go out or when danger shows up.

(03:57):
It's something you build moment by moment until it becomes second nature.
So what does that look like in practice? Well, it starts with observation.
When you walk into a store, pause for just a second. Where are the exits?
Which aisles are wide open and which are choke points? Is there anyone who stands
out because of their behavior?

(04:18):
Not their appearance, but their actions.
Then comes orientation. Place yourself in the environment mentally.
If you had to leave in a hurry, which way would you go? If you had to shelter
in place, where would you hide?
Awareness isn't just noticing facts. It's rehearsing responses in your head

(04:39):
so you don't freeze later.
Finally, it's about communication. When parents involve their kids in this process,
it teaches them awareness is normal, not scary.
It might be as simple as asking, how many exits do you see?
Or what looks unusual in this room. Kids can often spot things that adults overlook,

(05:01):
and that turns a shopping trip into practice and fun for the whole family.
The point isn't to live in fear. It's to live in readiness.
Just like learning to drive requires scanning mirrors and anticipating the actions
of other drivers, learning awareness means constantly scanning your environment
and imagining what could happen next.

(05:23):
With repetition, it stops feeling like work and starts feeling like confidence.
This is why we call situational awareness a foundational skill.
It underpins every other category of preparedness.
You can have food and water and gear, but if you walk blindly into a bad situation,
those resources won't help you.

(05:45):
Awareness buys you options and time before the crisis even begins.
So here's your challenge today. The next time you walk into a public place,
whether it's a store or restaurant or even your workplace, pause for 30 seconds.
Identify at least two exits, two potential hazards as quickly as you can,

(06:06):
and then ask yourself, if I had to leave in a hurry, which way would I go?
Do this enough times and it becomes instinct. And instincts are what you'll
lean on when stress is high and seconds matter.
Tomorrow we'll wrap up the week with five quick wins
simple awareness habits your whole family can

(06:27):
start using right away to build confidence and
capability thanks as
always for listening to the amcon daily brief if you're already a member make
sure to check out today's resources and other members only perks on the member
platform if you're not a member yet head over to AmericanContingency.com to

(06:47):
join the network and start building real resilience today.
I'm Tom Rigsby. Stay alert, stay ready, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.