Do you ever get scared?

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Dimis

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Ive had a CCDW for some time now and have carried since i got it

a few months ago times got hard for me and i lost my job so i took up anything i could find to get by
i ended up becoming a pizza delivery guy
i have to say i truely enjoy my job even if its not the most glorified career in the world i have a blast at this little mom n pop shop

anyway my delivery radius takes me into some very shady neighborhoods and sometimes i honestly get a fearful chill up my spine as if im not in control
the kind of fear thats almost paralyzing
now im 29 years old have a CCDW and carry a .38 and i have had some training and am very confident with my shooting but i still get that deer in the headlights fear when i go certain places

has anyone else felt like this?

its like getting a fealing as tho your walking into a trap and you cant avoid it

i know its not manly to admit but i still get chills going into certain areas kind of like my spidey sence saying avoid this and youll avoid conflict and stay safe but my job makes me go there because untill there is truely an incodent (confrontation robbery no payment etc...) i still gotta take the pie to the guy

anyone have a technique to help subside fear?
 
My own mantra is to always be keenly aware of your surroundings. At the end of the day, if it "don't feel right", you're much better off not doing it. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable about your situation, the best defense is to avoid it in the first place...
 
dude fear tells you something you need to know. its called danger. don't be the idiot that doesn't know something is dangerous by ignoring your fear.
 
its not that im ignoring the fear its the fact that even tho fear is present i have to go in anyway

im always very aware of my surroundings in these environments but i still have to go in
 
Is it actually fear or just the fact that your out of place? I actually think those types of feelings help u pay a little closer attention to your surrounds.
 
Nothing unmanly about admitting to being scared in the face of perceived or real physical danger. But lately, I've been finding myself terrified more at the thought of actually having to use my weapon than being a victim. Not sure if that's a good thing or not.
 
You are experiencing "courage" when you are able to function appropriately in spite of fear. We cannot always avoid every danger in life for many reasons. I would guess that many have experienced what you describe for the reasons posted above.
 
The only time I can recall being scared in my adult life is when I'm passing someone on a two-lane road, and I see headlights come over the hill or around the turn. Now, I only pass in legal passing zones, and always have plenty of time to get out of the suicide lane, but I still get that cold chill and slight adrenaline rush every time.

Although I do pay a lot more attention to my surroundings in the rougher spots of town.
 
Im in the same boat as Metallic;

I find myself fearing using my gun more than the situation involving drawing it...

I sincerely hope i never have to. Taking another human life is NOT something i want to wrestle with, even when justified in doing so.

I work in a part of town that is a stones throw from the ghetto. I get off work at 12am. I feel the exact same fear going to my car. I feel the same fear when i stop at a red light. i find myself checking all 3 mirrors a billion times, waiting for someone to try walking up to my car...

Im right there with you brother. The only thing you can do is accept the possibility of a violent encounter and be thankful for the fact that you are prepared to handle it.
 
I've thought a lot about fear because I like (semi)extreme sports. Fear is a natural reaction to danger. You can't let the fear take over or it will affect your decision making and you won't be able to react properly if something does happen. You should look as this as an opportunity to learn to overcome fear. Just don't become a danger junkie or it will get you in trouble. When you are no longer scared you need to use judgement to keep you out of danger cause the fear isn't doing it anymore.
 
Fear is useful. No person on this planet has never felt fear, but certain individuals know how to embrace it and use it to their advantage. I'm going to give you my advise though some simply are not capable of controlling emotions as stong as fear without professional training. You want advise? Here it is, everytime from now on when your blood starts moving and your breathing gets speratic, SLOW DOWN EVERYTHING IN YOUR HEAD! Concentrate on your breathing most of all. Deep slow controlled breaths, deep slow controlled breaths. Find a place that rapdily slows your heart rate. For me, in the back of my head, I imagine my body completely still and submerged in freezing water. I find I can physically feel my heart rapidly slow down and this mentally secures me. If you can mentally control yourself the physical part becomes easy. So there it is, control your breathing, control your mind, and control your body. In that specific order. Good luck!
 
Fear tells you that you get yourself into trouble.
You have to know if it's worth a pizza and maybe a tip (both together most times no more then $20) your life and/or health.
If it does not look good, I would stay in the car and call the guy on the phone out to the car.
 
Im 27 and carry a 38 everywhere, even to drop a friend at the super bowl:)

It is very good to be alert and observant however it is not great if you are constantly paranoid. Ive taken the time to prctice often and reasure myself that i can handle a SD situation should it arrise.

On my practice situations, I do simulated hostage situations, multiple attackers etc. My friends laugh at me but we will see who laughs when i shoot a hostage taker between the eyes, inches from their head.

A bit of fear is a good thing, but dont let it control your actions in terms of protecting yourself or others.

PS. I most certainly get scared when i need to investigate strange noises outside.
 
I try to explain to all the Newbies here at Camp Cupcake Iraq, the mortar or rocket that kills you will not hear. If you hear the boom you butt better be hitting the dirt!! The camp is so big we get slammed all the time and do not shoot back. Lastly, you can get killed shopping, coming from the gym, killed in the gym, leaving church services or attending Sep 11 2007 services. And this happens just within the many camps. Courage to me is knowing the threat and still going to work and helping soldiers fix the computer. The number of dead and injured in Iraq and Afganistan is a lot higher but DOD/DA civilians and contractors do not count. And we are not allowed to carry firearms!!!
 
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The Kimber Ultra Carry prayer:

Yea, though I deliver in the 'hood of the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy guide rod and thy customer service staff they comfort me.
 
If you have NEVER been afraid there is something seriously wrong with the contents of your brain bucket or you are in a coma.

Fear can be a very good thing. Very good.

AFS
 
"deer in the headlight" means paralyzed with fear (actually it is just a startle response) and you don't sound like you're quite there.

Fear is normal, it is a reasonable response to anticipated or imminent threats. Paralyzing fear shouldn't be, but it can occur as well. Use the knowledge that you will experience fear in these situations to learn to harness it and it should become more manageable. Just hope it doesn't go away completely and you become complacent about your safety.
 
Like others have hinted, the problem isn't that you're feeling fear (unless it's completely irrational, in which case an internet gun board can't help you). So long as it's not a paranoid or irrational response, fear is a good thing. Next step isn't reducing fear, but preserving your ability to act while feeling it. For me, that involves running scenarios and responses through my head, then doing what I can to be prepared through training and gear. IE, if I don't want to break down on a lonely highway in the middle of the desert, time to make sure I have the tools necessary to make minor repairs, a can of Fix a Flat, some water, some coolant, charged phone, know-how to change a belt if necessary, etc. For the ghetto, check your tactics. Car doors always locked, phone always charged and on you, money never on display except when taking it in or giving change. Also, look like a hard target. Look like a guy who isn't a threat to anyone, but isn't scared either. Do your business and move on.

And more training never hurt anyone.
 
Anyone who says they've never been scared is a fool, a liar, or has been coddled all their life.
Click to expand...

I firmly belive that these are wise words.

I dont get (luckily) to face lunatics with guns and knives but i do (get paid to) have to face angry lions and elephants on a daily basis and although i carry a 375, you do loose your fear after a while of it happening every day. It took a friend who died in my arms (elephant, sounds dramatic, but true)to make me realise the danger. I get scared every time now, because now might be my last now.
 
You will sink to your lowest level of training. When one half of your brain locks up, the other must be properly prepared to take over. This is why we train until it becomes instinct.

When the adrenaline kicks in, you have to make yourself trust the training. There have been time when I was in a dangerous situation that I don't remember being scared at the time, but afterward when I realized what I had just done I felt like I had dodged a bullet. Me and my friends are living proof that God watches out for fools, drunks, and small children.
 
Hell yea I've been scared anyone saying different either hasn't been in a life or death situation or are fooling themselves. HSO said it best you can condition your startle response in at least the right direction like running like hell.

My father who fought two wars told me two things. "No balls no glory" and there is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. At the age of 54 that old man seems smarter to me every day.

The most leathal weapon you have is atatched to your neck. Read more about real gunfighter they talked themself out of more fights than in them. Path of least resistance bud that is what people do. Let them know it won't be worth the effort and stay confident. Run scenereo's through your mind and rehearse them. Pizza DElivery boy huh. In a bad part of town sounds kinda fun to me.:D

Jim
 
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