‘Search and Assess’
One of the most forgotten skills I see on the range is shooters forgetting what to do immediately after the engagement.
We call it Search & Assess, and it’s a habit that should be built into every training session, upon finishing every engagement.
A simple way to think about it is by comparing it to crossing a road.
Every day, without really thinking about it, you stop, look both ways, assess the traffic, and then decide whether it’s safe to cross. You don’t sprint into the road and hope everything works out. You gather information first, then you act.
The same mindset applies after a defensive shooting or critical incident.
Just because the immediate threat appears to have stopped doesn’t mean the danger has disappeared. Tunnel vision, adrenaline, and task fixation can all cause you to focus solely on the threat you’ve just dealt with, while missing everything else happening around you.
Taking a deliberate moment to search and assess allows you to regain awareness of your environment and make better decisions.
During your assessment, consider questions such as:
* Are there additional threats?
* Are there innocent bystanders nearby?
* Where are your teammates or family members?
* Is there a safer or more advantageous position to move to?
* Is your firearm functioning correctly and, if applicable, have you closed your dust cover?
* Do you need to communicate, move, or render first aid?
Search and assess isn’t about standing still or wasting time. It’s about taking control of the situation instead of allowing stress and adrenaline to dictate your next action.
Don’t be in a rush to get shot in the face.
Search, assess, think, then act.