Hi mates. The above might or might not be a totally accurate observation, but one of the same character flaws that can get hikers into trouble can get you into a muddle, also – naivety. Inexperienced day hikers abound. They go on a whim into the woods for some “fresh air” and “exercise” carrying not much more than the cotton/denim clothes on their backs… Thoughts of getting lost are distant concern for “other people”. You know the one’s. Those folks that push too far confident in the fact that a Ranger station was just down the hill and if something were to happen, rescue would only be moments away. The fact that budget cuts have resulted in a station only manned every other day, and today isn’t the “on” day, is beyond their concern. Someone would come and save them. Right?
Most people would roll their eyes and toss snide remarks at their television set when the news reporter stated how a search and rescue team spent two days looking for some lost hikers caught in inclement weather and trapped in the unforgiving ”wilderness”… Warm and safe in their living rooms, their confidence high, that they would never be so ill equipped, prepared or ignorant of the risks.
And yet, as those same people venture out into the “civilized” world, their attitude is just the same. The Police Station is only a few blocks over, no distance at all in a suped-up police cruiser. Oblivious to the seriousness of these budget cuts they keep hearing about, they know their tax dollars will buy them the protection they feel so entitled too; and up to a point of course, it will.
But will that police action be pre or post crime? It’s not the Officer’s fault: no more than it’s the Ranger’s fault that he is only asked to report every other day. Most of those individuals that perform these sorts of professions love them – if there was a way for them to be at every incident that occurs they would wholeheartedly embrace the chance.
Just as teachers are suffering huge lay offs, budget cuts and restrictions at a time when classroom over crowding is reaching an all time high, our governmental rulers are being forced to cut spending across the board. The population grows and our public service industry shrinks – it makes complete sense… to the criminals.
If you don’t know what the average 911 response time is for Law Enforcement in your area, don’t worry, the criminals do.
If you don’t know where the security cameras are located within your most frequently visited stores, don’t worry, the criminals do.
If you haven’t grasped that most security cameras that you see are not there for your protection but to help prosecute shoplifters after the fact, don’t worry, the criminals do.
If you don’t know where the blind spots are to your left (9 o’clock) and right (3 o’clock) as you exit a store, don’t worry, the criminals do.
….and on and on I could go, but the end result will be the same; you will always have the potential to be a victim of crime if you act like a victim in the first place.
Turn off the naivete by accepting responsibility for your own safety wherever you can. You may only have to realistically fend for yourself for 8 or 9 minutes (national average for 911 police response times)… Have you tried to do something mentally and physically exhausting to 100% of your ability under the highest stress imaginable for more than a few seconds? Yes. Good. Then you have an idea about how long 8 or 9 minutes can be.
And if you haven’t taken a first aid course in the past 10 years (if ever) then you’ll be interested to know that the average response time for Paramedics is between 10 – 15 minutes. Phew!! And you thought it was going to be a close call before the cavalry arrived and got your heart beating again….
The fire-service is another story, official response time for them to arrive might be in line with the paramedics, but from the time they arrive to the time they actually begin hosing you down with water can be much longer because of the equipment needed. Once again, this is not the operator’s fault – I have a number of friends who work in the fire service and I wouldn’t care which one of them showed up to save my sorry backside! They would all do a fantastic job and I’d count my blessings that they came. But if their station house is in a galaxy far, far away, their arrival is severely hampered. Firehouses and trucks, plus personnel cost money…aah, the old budget issues at work again, eh? Well at least some things remain consistent…. You can make plans around consistent.
And I’m not talking about first aid for someone else, or defending someone else against some lunatic armed with automatic weapons. I’m referring to you just looking out for you!
Now imagine you are with your family. Wouldn’t it be nice to know what you should be looking for?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and all that jazz..
Just food for thought, teammates.
Visit www.tvempowers.com to find out about a Situational Awareness Rally in your city.
Cheers, T