It often takes a frightening event or encounter to realize we were not paying attention when it was most critical. Just because you live in a nice neighborhood or only go to upscale locations doesn’t mean it’s safe. Things can happen in a moment and when you least expect it. Not paying attention, or lacking situational awareness, in a public environment can have devastating consequences. An experience like this may have changed your path, or maybe you saw it happen to someone else. One only needs to watch the news, and suddenly, you have made an important decision. As a woman, you have decided to be responsible for your safety and your loved ones by being an everyday carrier.
What does EDC mean?
Choosing to EDC (every day carry) is a lifestyle choice that will change how you prepare to meet the world each morning. It doesn’t mean you have to be GI Jane, but it might mean you can’t carry in those super slim-fit jeans that look so good. This choice requires you dedicate yourself to training and working on your daily carry kit.
How do you carry?
There is no one right way to carry. The applicable laws change depending on your location. The first step is educating yourself and learning your state’s statutes and concealed carry license requirements. After you have educated yourself on the legalities, choose a weapon that fits your body, style, and capability. This doesn’t mean this choice is your last or only carry option. What you are comfortable with now as a new EDC (every day carry) carrier will change as you work and gain experience. You may choose other gun and holster options in the future.
Methods of Carry
As women, we all enjoy having options in our wardrobe; the same applies to your EDC choices. What works in jeans and a casual t-shirt may not work for a formal dress event. Options are your friend. Sometimes, that may mean on-the-body carry. Other times, it may be off-the-body carry (i.e. garter or purse carry).
The option to carry as a female is a big deal for many women. This does not mean you are not feminine; it only means you choose to be responsible for your safety and commit to training accordingly. Start by learning and applying the universal safety rules and being proficient with your carry choice. If you look at EDC the way I do, it’s another opportunity to accessorize.
Why not just dial 911?
In most places within the US, we are lucky to have great first responders. But what if you can’t call for help? Or the response time is too long?
Carrying concealed is not just about having a weapon; it also means committing yourself to training and knowing how to use it during a high-stress situation. You must do all this while still being aware of the legalities and safety issues involved. There are no right or wrong choices in choosing your pistol and holster, be it a revolver, a small semi-auto, or a larger, more capable firearm. It is essential for you to know how it works. This includes how to load, re-load, clear malfunctions, and put rounds on target when you are under attack. You must do it all instinctively while focusing on other issues around you. That is why your weapon choices must fit your hands and body type and integrate with your way of dressing.
Experience is a great teacher — but only if you survive
My journey started in my early twenties. After three violent encounters, I knew it was up to me to protect myself. The first and most important thing I would tell a new EDC female is to master situational awareness. This is the first step in your learning curve on personal protection.
What is situational awareness?
The concept is simple: be aware of who and what is happening around you. Because we are constantly bombarded with outside distractions in our everyday lives, we tend to ignore other things. But distractions are normal, right? Yes, those distractions often include your phone, children, pets, job, school, and significant other. All these things draw your attention away from the here and now. Furthermore, all the things we manage daily for our families and work expend our mental energy and focus. This multitasking can leave us open to unwanted aggression in public places.
How do I develop situational awareness?
A key point of situational awareness is to remind yourself to queue up and be present in the moment. What does that mean, you might ask? That means letting go of everything we constantly think about. When out on your own in public, all those things need to be put in the background of your mind.
This means paying attention to those around you. Is someone following you in the store? Are you receiving unusual attention from strangers? Avoid distractions and be aware of all that is happening around you. Put the phone away, send worries and thoughts to the background, and be present in the now. Always remember an attack can happen anywhere or anytime. If you come home and things are out of place, or the door is partially open, these are all signs to pay attention to. Danger may be right around the corner.
Identifying Threats Through Situational Awareness
There are different types of criminals, each of which you may encounter at some point in your life. Sometimes, knowing what to look for gives you an advantage.
The Hast Bandit
The first is the hasty bandit. This criminal looks for weakness and easy prey. Targets of opportunity are their hallmark. Don’t be a victim. If you appear aware and capable of meeting a threat, this predator probably will not engage you. They look for those not paying attention — on the phone while loading groceries, parked in an occluded spot, someone they can hit and steal from quickly with no repercussions.
The Sophisticated Criminal
The second criminal is slightly more sophisticated; they hang back and watch for their target. Often, they use a rouse to entrap their prey. One ploy is targeting a good Samaritan; deception is their hallmark. This predator often approached with a physical need due to a disability. They may work in pairs or more while using theatrics to gain your trust.
In one incident, I saw a man and a woman working together. The woman rushes up to you and begs for help claiming her husband is having a heart attack in their car. You rush in to help — only to be caught between two pistols that now have the drop on you. This exampled doesn’t mean you don’t help others. Instead of trying to solve the problem yourself, ask, “Where are you parked? I’ll go for help.” Then, immediately seek out a security guard or police officer to call for EMS and further assistance. This way, you have rendered aid but kept yourself out of the direct line of fire. Always be aware of your personal space and security zone. Keeping a safe distance can make a difference.
Another popular technique with many now-famous serial killers is presenting a physical disability or looking for a lost puppy. This sophisticated criminal works on your good nature by displaying a damaged limb. They ask for assistance only to put you in position for a complete physical takeover. They are often charming and seem non-threatening. Be aware that even the most genuine request may be a false flag to separate you from your safety zone.
The Sociopath
The final type of criminal is the pure sociopath. This predator is patient and intelligent. They watch their prey for some time to learn weaknesses and habits, waiting for the best time to envelope their target. This can be a home invasion, catching their victim out for a run, walking the dog, or any other option where you may be vulnerable or isolated. So, just because you walk the dog doesn’t mean you should leave your EDC at home. To paraphrase one of our shooting legends, “The first rule of gunfighting is to have a gun.” Remember, bad things can happen at any time. Train to be ready.
Don’t be a Victim to Poor Situational Awareness
When that moment comes and you decide to stop by the store, all distractions must stop. Clear your mind and prepare for battle. When pulling into the parking lot, it’s time to get your game face on. Situational awareness starts anytime you enter an unsecured area.
Look at the available parking, choose a lighted spot, and avoid being between two larger vehicles. Leave a space where you can see around your car when you return. sound situational awareness dictates you find a spot that is well-lit, clear, and visible. Should you be in an encounter, you want to be visible to other patrons. If your vehicle is enclosed on both sides by larger vehicles, others will not see you when things go south. You want witnesses to say they saw you being attacked or are able to come to your aid. Lighting and visibility matter when returning to your car, especially when in the dark. This way you can see if the security of your vehicle is compromised.
Shout Out
Even when you’ve done your best to stay out of harm’s way, you may still find yourself under assault. If it’s not time to pull the trigger; what do you do?
You have other tools at your disposal. Your voice can make a big difference. If you have to defend yourself, it may be critical to your legal defense that witnesses hear you shout a warning. Screaming “STOP WHERE YOU ARE” or “STOP OR I’LL SHOOT” shows you were in physical jeopardy and trying to stop an aggressor before you had to apply lethal force. Your voice can be a deterrent on its own, possibly preventing an escalation.
By projecting as forcefully and loud as possible to the aggressor, “STOP RIGHT THERE. DON’T COME ANY CLOSER”, you may stun them for a precious second. This moment gives you time to gear up and prepare for a serious altercation. Don’t be afraid to use your voice. It might save you from having to use lethal force.
Tools Beyond the Firearm
Another tool you have is the power to shine a light on the encroaching darkness. A weapon-mounted light and a separate hand-held light should be part of your EDC kit. I can’t stress enough the importance of owning high-lumen lights and training to employ them properly. A strong handheld light can blind an opponent, disorient them, and give you a chance to flee or draw your weapon. The ability to stun or disorient your attacker may be critical to your ability to defend yourself. If an attack is going to happen, it will likely occur in the dark. Evil cannot live in the light, so use everything you have in your defense. There are a lot of great techniques out there to learn. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.
A knife is another must for your EDC kit. This is your last line of defense. A knife used as a close-quarters weapon is difficult. It can be taken from you if you don’t have the training to inflict the right damage on your attacker. A little bit of training can go a long way. Just a few defensive techniques worked into muscle memory makes a difference.
Training Trumps All
No matter your firearm choice, you must be comfortable shooting it and confident in your ability to hit the target. Remember, training trumps everything. You will be under stress and there is no time to think about how to shoot should an encounter happen. It must come from muscle memory, which only comes with practice and training.
Choose your carry method to work with your lifestyle and keep your pistol accessible for any situation. Ask yourself, “Can I still retrieve my handgun if I’m shoved to the ground?” If the attacker grabs you from behind, can you access your pistol and defend yourself against the attack? Yes, it’s possible, but it takes training and practice.
Learn and Develop Your Skills
I often impress upon my students that EDC is a journey rather than a destination. The best way to improve your survivability is to get out and practice. Situational-based competitions like USPSA or IDPA are great places to hone shooting skills. The staged scenarios force you to think and shoot at the same time. Competition shooting is a great way to learn how to put rounds on target through muscle memory under stress.
We are lucky to live in a time when many great personal combative shooting schools are available. These are places where you can get out and do hands-on training with sim guns and other devices. Live practice defending yourself against assault allows you to build the techniques necessary to win a lethal engagement. Find a good school and go have some fun.
Should a real-life attack occur, there are more things to consider than just putting rounds on your attacker. Remembering the fundamentals of accuracy will not happen under stress. You have to make that engrained into your muscle memory. By applying firearms skills to muscle memory, you will have the mental bandwidth to consider whether or not you are in genuine physical danger and justified in using lethal force.
Weapon skills are only part of the equation
Questions you may need to consider in an assault are: Can you flee or retreat? If you have an avenue of escape, are you legally required to do so? Do you know your levels of escalation and threat distances? What is beside and beyond your target (i.e. are there bystanders that might get hit should you shoot)?
All these things and more are parts of situational awareness that you must consider should you be in a life-or-death scenario. Knowing how to shoot is just one small part of this equation. Get out and train hard, learn your weapon, and be confident in how to really use it. Great instructors are everywhere and willing to assist. Don’t hesitate to get out of your comfort zone and try new techniques. They may save your life or the lives of your loved ones one day.
Be aware. Train hard. And be confident in your skills.
