Calm and collected, or blind panic?

[deadhawg]

I like to think I would be calm, but never having been in a situation that required deadly force, I can't say for sure. My job entails some highly stressful situations occasionally, and I am known as the guy who never gets rattled there, so I believe I would do ok.

Also, there is a lot of ground between calm and collected and blind panic, I don't think it has to be one or the other.

I aso train and practice for such situations and I'm sure that would help.

Ron

 

[308win]

My biggest concern is that I will still be assessing the situation when I should be acting. I have no desire to draw on or shoot/kill anyone. Therefore, my immediate response to almost any situation is to be someplace else whether or not I am carrying; I hope I will recognize the situation where be someplace else isn't a good choice quickly enough to form an appropriate reaction.

 

[Wes Janson]

My biggest concern is that I will still be assessing the situation when I should be acting.

I have to agree that this is a concern that I share.

I've not been directly in any life-or-death situations, but have several times found myself caught up in events of unknown serious nature. Each time my reaction was basically to freeze, analyze, and then the situation dissolved. I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with my reactions in the past, but I'm also not sure whether there realistically was anything I could have done differently.

The stereotypical 'banger walking up and demanding money isn't something I worry much about, because I try to maintain distance and awareness. It's the completely-unexpected-otherness that bothers me, when your brain is still trying to sort through the signals and figure out what's actually going on around you. That can get you killed, but the consequences of not waiting could easily get someone innocent killed (or at the very least precipitate a costly legal fight).

 

[JoeSlomo]

There is a difference between fear and panic, and those that understand and accept fear generally will not panic.

Fear is natural, and may or may not exist in a given situation. Fear is natures way of preparing our body to fight, or get out of dodge. Fear is good.

Panic is not good.

The key item was to have a plan. To have a plan means you have to have given the situation some thought beforehand.

Generic plans of action, rehearsed movements, the acceptance of fear, and a practiced mindset are the keys to eliminating panic.

Good SA will allow you to develop a simple course of action based on any given situation and generally involves fight, flight, or fight in order to flee. Rehearsed movements involve simply practicing the movements (ie, training) you will use to execute your plan, be it with or without a weapon. The acceptance of fear will allow you to recognize and adjust to your bodies physiological "boost", and, combined with a practiced mindset, will allow you to function until you get "settled in" to your excited state.

To better handle stress, ie fear, it is important to practice under stress, be it in competition, force on force, sparring, etc... The type of stress isn't as important as you would think simply because you are practicing working THROUGH the stress, and once you develop the mindset, you can pretty much maintain your focus through ANY stress despite fear. You will learn that the worse part of fear and stress takes place prior to your actions, and that once you begin your course of action, you get used to the stress and fear and focus on what you are physically doing, be it shooting, or whatever.

Bottom line: Don't be afraid of fear, maintain good SA and always have a generic plan, PRACTICE to develop some muscle memory, PRACTICE to develop a focused mindset, and lastly, train using some type of stressor, and up the ante from time to time.

 

[1911 guy]

Fear and panic

I agree, fear is your friend. It keeps you alive and from doing too many stupid things. There is nothing irrational about being afraid of something that could hurt or kill you. Accepting fear as a normal mental reaction can and will keep it from imparing your physical functioning.

Panic is allowing that fear to immobilize or render you useless. That's a "Bad Thing" and is irrational. Panic comes from having no response to your current situation. This is why kids panic easily, they have no life experience to teach them acceptable responses. An adult given the same situation wouldn't bat an eye because they have experiences to draw on for decision making. Training shortens the loop of that decision making.

Having said all that, I don't know for sure. There was a time in my life where I had been in several close scrapes and kept my wits about me due to training and mindset. That was a long time ago and frankly I've gotten quite soft in the last decade. Married, family, even got a dog. I'm not the same person I was then and don't know if that part of me, the calm and rational under physical stress part, is still there or has been buried too deep to help if needed.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Many in todays hustle and bustle seem to forget the real warriors...This is from a site that is dedicated to the warrior mind...These folks are truly dedicated

The mind of a true warrior (a WarriorSaint) is different from that of most other humans. In fact, it even differs from the mind of any usual soldier or fighter.

A true warrior is free from all worldly attachments. Any possessions are known to be temporary. Attachment leads to weakness within the warrior. The true warrior understands that the life he/she lives is temporary and attachment to even being a warrior is a weakness that will fail him/her ultimately. The only attachment the warrior has is to God, who is ever-present alongside the true warrior, both in life and after death.

A true warrior would not seek to harm innocent and defenceless humans or animals, even for his/her own survival, since the true warrior values the creation of God and does not seek to suppress or scare other beings. Hence, a true warrior is compassionate and mindful at all times.

A true warrior does not slander others or lay down challenges to satisfy his/her ego. A true warrior thinks of him/herself as a servant of God, a protector of His creation and a willing sacrifice to God's law of righteousness when called upon to serve Him.

A true warrior practices good deeds at all times, helping those that need help and serving God's true devotees. The warrior seeks to become a true devotee of God, above all else.

The true warrior harbours no malice or hatred for any being. The true warrior does not see people as friends or enemies, but as souls, which are a part of God. The true warrior harbours only love and respect for all beings, whether they be friendly towards him/her or not.

The true warrior is often soft-spoken and meditative. A true warrior has no desires. He/she is motivated by the love of God only. The warrior is careful not to consume things that will render his/her mind unreliably weak, unfocussed or addicted.

The true warrior is not concerned with outwardly appearances - he/she often may not seem to be a warrior at all. The true warrior spends most of his/her time in training the mind and uplifting the soul, as opposed to physical techniques. The true warrior understands that outwardly appearances are of no use on the battlefield, but the state of one's mind and spirit is everything.

The true warrior fights only when the right to life or dignity for any being is challenged. Even in battle, the warrior is merciful upon his/her opponent - not seeking to humiliate or defeat the opposing forces, but only to defend against their ill-conceived and dishonest attacks.

In battle, the true warrior does not worry about the past or the future, but concentrates on the present moment. The true warrior fights relentlessly, without the heavy weights of fear, pride and arrogance. The warrior seeks only to be a tool of God in battle. Victory always belongs with God, not the warrior, who is simply a servant of God.

Fear and Panic are not in their vocabulary.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I have been involved in two situations where guns were used againt me. The first was when I was 17 years old in Pensacola, Florida. A ski-masked man came up to my sister and I when were going in the side door of a hotel on our way to Tampa, Florida from Houston, TX. He had a 1911 style pistol (turned out to be a BB Gun but that didn't register until after the situation was over).

I didn't panic in that one. My pulse rate went up pretty good, but I managed to tell my sister to hand over her purse and gave the guy my wallet.

I decided that day never to allow myself to become a victim like that again. I especially felt bad because it wasn't a real gun and I didn't put up any resistance, though like I said it didn't completely register at the time.

Fast forward to 6 years later. I was running in my neighborhood early in the morning. As always, I was carrying. I came upon 2 to 4 guys (still not sure how many) breaking into cars. When I realized what they were doing (by the broke window on a car I passed), I turned around and ran the other way. They start shooting at me, and I drew my gun. Luckily, I was about around a corner when the firing started so I just kept on going. My biggest concern was them coming after me in the car they were working out of.

I wouldn't describe my condition as a "panic", though I was definately very scared. My knees felt week. My hearing was very heightened. I could hear the shots and then the impacts of the slugs hitting the ground near me. It all blurred though so that I couldn't tell you if it was two shots or fifteen.

I felt like I was running through jello, but I was making better time than usual while running back to my house (which was only about 600 feet away). My running route was circuit so that I was never more than 1/4 mile away from house.

I can honestly tell you that blind panic was not an option. I was hauling butt the other way and the pistol was in my hand without any realization that I had drawn it.

Afterwards, I had a severe headache and a lot of nausea. I have had people tell me I should have returned fire. I personally am glad that I didn't. I wasn't sure of my target and could not exactly see where they were. I've had people tell me it would have been a "freebie". True it may have been justified, but I would rather avoid it if I can. What was important to me is that I was prepared and I had the means to defend myself if I needed to, unlike the previous encounter.

 

[springmom]

I'm in the "calm and collected" camp. Maybe it has something to do with raising four children, but by the time #4 grows up and gets his own place, you as a mom have flat down just about seen it ALL.

Beyond that, though, there have been some very hairy moments here and there, and I go into completely cold and rational functioning....until about, oh, an hour later. THEN I get the adrenaline dump and all the other stuff.

But it's a fairly helpful thing to wait to panic until after it's all over, actually.

Springmom

 

[Wetawd]

We never know how we're going to react even if u are very experienced. There are men in the military that have been in a score of firefights and then just lose their nerve and freeze. Same thing with men in the old west.

I have been in quite a few brawls and fistfights, partially because I'm very argumentative and like making people angry and I like to rebel. Fist fighting is enjoyable for me cause I'm good at it and I've fought 2 guys at the same time (I lost but I gave them one hell of a run for their money).

But in all honesty I have never been in a situation were someone is pointing a gun at me with the possibility shooting me. I would do fine if they have a baseball bat or knife I'm good.... but with a gun the stakes are much higher and I might freeze, but I try to prepare mentally and physically (I've taken classes and was in karate and judo for a while) but in the end all we can do is pray and hope the cards fall in our favor.

 

[Thernlund]

Maybe it has something to do with raising four children...

Are they all boys?


-T.

 

[Thernlund]

I have been in quite a few brawls and fistfights, partially because I'm very argumentative and like making people angry... <cut> But in all honesty I have never been in a situation were someone is pointing a gun at me with the possibility shooting me.

Just a matter of time Wetawd.


-T.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Practice & Familiarity

I drive every day.

I've been driving since I was fifteen.

Let's see . . . carry the four . . . that's about forty-three years.

I drive stick when I can, auto when I must. I've driven on dry, wet, icy, snowy, pavement, gravel, dirt, mud, flat, hills, cliffside, with and without obstacles, been chased, done some chasing, lots of freeway driving, and a whole bunch of country road driving.

I've had a handful of accidents in that forty-plus years.

I've had some very tight, near-miss, close calls on the open road.

In nearly all of them, my experience, constant practice, constant watchfulness, good reflexes, and a solid understanding of the vehicle's capabilities (as well as my own), have kept me from harm. A number of times, I've had to pull off the road afterwards and just let myself shake and, on one occasion, to cry.

There have been a couple of incidents where I simply wasn't mentally prepared. Some situation I'd never practiced and didn't conceive in advance. In one of those, I got lucky, and some default bit of training took over. I really didn't grasp what was happening until it was over.

In another situation, I blew it. Unprepared, unpredicted, and no appropriate default training. That one turned into a wreck. That's the closest I've been to real-time panic. I remember -- in that kind of ultra-slow-mo fashion -- reviewing my options, and failing to come up with anything viable, as I realized, "crap, this is gonna be messy."

So, from this I can derive that, given an armed encounter situation, I will very likely respond as well as my experience and training have conditioned me.

I don't shoot every day. Heck, I don't shoot every week. Not even every month. And I sure as heck haven't been shooting for forty years.

Never had any specific training, beyond a couple of laughable days at the range while in the service.

This leads me to believe I probably won't do as well in a shooting situation as I would in a driving scenario. I handle cars every day. I practice driving and defensive road tactics every day. I'm pretty damned good behind the wheel. And why wouldn't I be? I do it EVERY STINKING DAY.

So, it seems to me that I need to shoot more often and train for various scenarios. Which I haven't done.

Judging by my performance on the road confronted by actual life-threatening situations, it's very possible that I won't panic until it's all over.

However, judging by my failed outcome under circumstances where I was not adequately prepared (not trained and not anticipating it), the absence of panic might not keep me alive.

Conclusion: Even emotional stability, rational behavior, and coolness in the face of danger may not be enough to carry the day. Training for situations and familiarity with the equipment will greatly magnify the likelihood of surviving an armed confrontation.

 

[Thernlund]

Conclusion: Even emotional stability, rational behavior, and coolness in the face of danger may not be enough to carry the day. Training for situations and familiarity with the equipment will greatly magnify the likelihood of surviving an armed confrontation.

True. True. But we don't all start from the same spot sometimes, do we?

Some folks are natually better drivers right from the get-go. They just pick it right up and never have a single issue their entire lives. Some folks never learn to drive worth a damn even when they do it every day.

Some folks just aren't wired for panic. Some people need less training to get to a certain awareness level than others. Some, dare I say, may need hardly any at all. Some people, well... they'll just never get their mind around it.

My point is not to disagree with you Arfin. Rather, I agree completely. But there are a ton of variables, and a person should know where he/she stands in the world and then adjust accordingly. A day at Gunsite doesn't necessarily make a gunfighter. In fact, it doesn't necessarily do anything at all, eh?


-T.

 

[Wetawd]

Haha exellent point Thernlund. I'll post back and tell u how I did... if I live through it.

 

[qwert65]

well, I've been in a bunch of fistfights though none for awhile back when I fought a lot I just reacted and had no fear or panic. In other situations I've been in I believe I've frozen for a second or two analyzing(but its hard to tell, as everything slows down) I've gotten the shakes a couple times after but thats due to adrenaline. and a couple times after it was over i got scared realizing what the other result would've been.

I'd sum it up to controlled reactive, panic in my case