TexasCHLforum.com

ELB wrote:A guy I train a lot with (member of this board, as a matter of fact, but I don't know how active) came up with a...I don't know what you call it, a mnemonic I guess...to help with "being alert." As he says, everyone tells you to "be alert," but how do you be alert?

His answer is" Hands/Eyes, Shirt/Shoes, Hats/Tats" When you say it quickly, it flows, makes it easier to remember.

Hands - check the hands, can you see them, is one behind a leg, in pockets, under shirt, are they holding a weapon, gloves etc
Eyes - What are they looking at? Are you being watched, are you being deliberately ignored (IOW, watched surreptitiously)? is the face visible, mask, glasses, facial hair, color, etc
Shirt - Correct for the situation, or out of place (coat in summer)? Color, long/short sleeve, etc
Shoes - Notice the pants on while moving eyes to shoes, what kind of shoes, are they appropriate for the rest of attire? E.g. a police-type uniform with anything other than black shoes or boots would be a bit odd.
Hats - Not just is he wearing a hat, but hair, no hair, hair color, etc
Tats - Not only tattoos (and what do they indicate), but skin -- color, how much can you see (shorts, short sleeves), jewelry, bracelets, watches...

Does it all hang together? does it make sense? A muscled up teen/twenty-something guy with violent images and words tattooed on him, gangbanger clothes, and a hand hidden in behind his leg or inside his shirt, watching you as you walk, might warrant additional attention over a guy in an power company shirt and a hard hat looking up at the poles.

Seems like a bit of work at first, but with some practice it begins to be like crossing the street --- you more or less automatically or subconsciously look both ways and determine whether it's safe to cross (I hope!); with enough practice it should become fairly automatic and not seem so involved.

And if nothing else, it will make you a better witness.