This week’s Training Tip Tuesday was inspired by a recent episode of Laser Ammo’s Making Shooters Better podcast, “The Bad Guy Decides When. You Decide How Soon You Notice.” Terry Vaughan dives into how our brains process information, why we often miss obvious warning signs, and how improving situational awareness isn’t about living in fear—it’s about recognizing potential threats sooner. One point, in particular, stuck with me: the last 30 feet before getting into our vehicles. That idea led me to expand on that point with respect to transitions… something we all experience every day.
There is a reason the last 30 feet before getting into your car matters so much. It is not because every parking lot is dangerous. It is because transition points put you in a new environment, give you more things to process, and often leave you physically limited for a few seconds.
That is where awareness matters. Not paranoia. Not walking around terrified. Just giving yourself an extra moment to look around, understand what is normal, and notice what is not.
New Environments Are Not Always New Places
Think about walking into a business you have never visited before. You naturally start looking around. Where is the exit? Where is the restroom? Where do you check in? Where is the hostess stand?
That is your brain trying to map an unfamiliar environment.
But a place can be familiar and still be new in that moment. You may have been in the building before. You may know the layout. You may have already mentally checked it out. Still, every time you enter or leave, conditions can change.
Something may look different. Somebody may be standing where they were not before. A car may be parked in an unusual place. An entrance may be more crowded, less crowded, darker, or simply feel off.
The goal is to keep scanning for:
- Things that are different from what you expect
- People or objects that seem out of place (and why)
- Changes in traffic, lighting, noise, or activity
- Exits and paths away from the area
- Anything that makes you stop and think, “That is weird” or doesn’t belong
You cannot recognize what is unusual if you have not taken a second to understand what is normal around you.
Why Transitions Create Vulnerability
Going from one space to another creates a fresh set of things to scan. Leaving the gym and walking outside is a transition. Getting out of your car and entering a store is a transition. Walking through a parking lot is a transition. Getting ready to get back into your vehicle is a transition.
Every one of those moments puts you in a new environment, even if it is only for a few steps.
You have more to think about than you realize. You are looking for your car. You may be holding your keys, gym bag, phone, coffee, purse, children’s hand or whatever else you have accumulated. You may be thinking about your next stop, your workout, dinner, work, or a million other things.
Meanwhile, the environment has changed. That is why these short transition periods deserve more deliberate awareness.
The Last 30 Feet to Your Car
The last 30 feet before you reach your vehicle is a perfect example. You are moving from an open environment into a tiny enclosed space, and you are often focused on the mechanics of getting in.
You have to find the car, unlock it, open the door, get yourself and your belongings inside, and close the door. That is a lot happening in a small amount of time.
During that process, your hands and arms are occupied. Your attention can get pulled toward your keys, your door handle, or getting your stuff situated. You may be standing close to the vehicle with limited room to move.
Somebody can approach from behind the car. Somebody may be near the vehicle without you noticing. Somebody could potentially get into the car with you while you are trying to get settled.
Once you are partially inside, your options are more limited. You are not standing in an open area where you can easily move in any direction. You are dealing with seats, doors, a center console, bags, and a very small physical space.
And honestly, not everybody is hopping effortlessly from one seat to another and out the other side. That is not a realistic escape plan for a lot of people. The point is to recognize that getting into a vehicle can put you in a vulnerable spot, so do not treat it like an automatic routine.
Give Yourself an Extra Second
The practical answer is simple: when you enter a new environment, pause for an extra second and survey the lay of the land.
Before walking toward your car, look around the parking lot. Before getting in, take in the space around the vehicle. Notice who is nearby, what is behind you, and whether anything feels different from when you arrived.
This does not need to be dramatic. It can be quick, calm, and habitual.
Try thinking through transitions like this:
- Recognize the transition. You are leaving a building, entering a lot, approaching your vehicle, or stepping into another unfamiliar space.
- Look up and scan. Do not let your phone, keys, or bags become your entire focus.
- Establish what is normal. Notice the people, vehicles, exits, lighting, and general activity around you.
- Identify what feels off. Pay attention to changes, unusual behavior, or anything that does not belong.
- Stay aware until you are secure. Do not mentally check out just because your hand touched the car door and thinking you are safe… not yet!
Awareness Is a Habit, Not a One-Time Check
Situational awareness is not something you do only in places you have never been. It is a habit you carry into every changing environment.
A familiar grocery store can become a new environment when you walk out into the parking lot. Your usual gym can become a new environment when you leave after dark. Your own vehicle creates a new environment when you open the door and begin getting inside. Not to mention that bad characters enter our “normal” environments all.. the… time!!
The important thing is to avoid moving through those moments on autopilot. When you put yourself into a new space, give yourself a little extra time. Look around. Notice the details. Trust yourself enough to recognize when something seems wrong or out of place. The last 30 feet may be short, but those few seconds are worth your attention.
Situational awareness is one of the most valuable self-defense skills you can develop, and it’s something anyone can learn. If you’d like to build confidence, sharpen your awareness, or learn practical personal safety and firearms skills in a supportive environment, I’d love to help. Whether you’re interested in creating a class with you and your girlfriends or learning more about responsible firearm ownership and safety, reach out and let’s find the right training for you. A little knowledge today can make a big difference tomorrow.
WTH… why does YT grab the weirdest possible shots to freeze on? sigh
