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Personal Protection Matrix -- Mindset, Tool set and Skillset

Mindset -- Recognize that evil exists in the world and may pose an existential threat at any time, most likely in the form of another human being who wants to do serious harm to you. Value your life as much as anyone else's and prepare to defend your life as you would a loved one's life. Be aware of your surroundings and constantly assess everything (and everyone) around you for potential threats. Be at home in your environment -- essentially non-descript, benign or even helpful to others around you when possible. As one of my instructors once said, "ALWAYS be professional and courteous with everyone you meet -- and have a plan to kill them." The plan should be ever-evolving and executed ONLY if the subject proves to be a very serious threat, of course. To try and have a truly effective plan, we have to consider the other two components of the matrix.

Tool Set -- What tools can you bring to bear in any given situation? Do you have ready transportation to remove yourself from the immediate surroundings? What do you carry on your person? How far are you from something you could use to enhance your ability to do damage to something or someone (edged and/or penetrating tools, firearm + extra ammo, belt, something you could use as an impact tool)? What is in your environment that could possibly be used to limit you being targeted or to limit damage to yourself (think concealment and cover)? Do you have cell phone for ready communications? Do you have a trauma kit handy in case you desperately need something it contains?

Skillset -- What skills do you have that may prove useful? Can you actually be professional and courteous with practically everyone you might meet? Are there inter-personal skills you can work on to improve this ability? Can you walk, run, drive, ride a motorcycle/bike, etc... to get away if the need arises? What skills do you have that might help you be at home in your surroundings? Do you practice active awareness of your situation/surroundings? What skills do you possess that might allow you to stop a threat -- perhaps terminally? Do you have training in hand-to-hand combat? using edged and impact weapons? using firearms under stress? What is the level of this training and how often do you train (some of these skills are somewhat perishable). Are you trained in treating traumatic injury in case you need to treat yourself or a loved one, and how recent is that training?