EDITORS COMMENT
EDITORS COMMENT
DISTANCED BUT AWARE
As that old proverb goes, we are certainly “living in interesting
times” right now, and the world as we knew it seems somehow
a distant, cherished memory. I’ve realised as I’ve got older that I
have indeed lived in a “golden age” where doors were generally
open to me around the globe; as a younger man I’d think nothing
of jumping on a plane to go and shoot or work in the USA, go
adventuring and climbing throughout Europe and Africa, and even
head to the Caribbean and South America to dive.
Okay, some doors were closed to me, especially the ones
that led through the “Iron Curtain”, but with my wits about me
(situational awareness as I’d call it today) I could head off on my
own to see where life led me, but sadly no longer.
I’ve watched with profound sadness as parts of the world have
slowly but inexorably closed their doors, not only to me, but to
everyone. That may be because of some type of conflict, armed
or otherwise, that has put certain places off limits, or it may be a
slightly more world-weary and “sensible” head that has led me
to keep informed of what’s happening around the world, why,
and where.
And of course right now we find ourselves even further
constrained, but this time by a silent and implacable enemy. All
of our training is largely useless against this insidious foe… or is it?
As a practitioner of a more “tactical lifestyle” to me the
fundamental cornerstone of this is “situational awareness”, the
ability to read signs around me at all times and not put myself
into a problem situation where I might need to use my training
in the first place!
And as much as folk are shouting right now about the efficacy or
not of “social distancing” is this not simply an extension of being
“aware” in a specific “situation”? Do we not, as members of a
tactical community, distance ourselves anyway, both mentally
and in some cases physically? Do we not create, where possible,
a “workspace” around ourselves to react to a given threat?
I’ve read, again with some sadness, about folk that don’t get
this; the current situation is a dangerous one, and whether we
like it or not, as trained as we can be, it is one that we are largely
powerless to do battle with unless we wrap ourselves up in MOPP/
CRBN/NBC gear and stay in our personal bunkers!
But that’s not life is it? Life is about living it to the max, but
at the same time measuring and calculating the risk factor, and
undertaking our adventures in line with our analysis. It’s about
gathering information, continuously learning the true facts, and
mitigating accordingly. It’s not only about keeping ourselves safe,
but also our loved ones too, and that is beyond price.
Whilst we continue to hone our skillset we must be mindful and
“aware” of the situation so that, as Trampas would say, the sheep
may begin to understand the lion, and in our own sure-footed way
go about re-opening some of those doors that have slammed hard
shut, not only in our neighbourhoods, but also around the world.
For now, check the true facts, act accordingly, and keep safe out
there.
EDITORS COMMENT