THE HUMAN FACTOR IN CONCEALED CARRY – NO. 4
By: Dan Battreall

THE ULTIMATE DECISION

Part 3 - Communicating Under Stress

Communications is the foundation of all human factors involved in making the ultimate decision. Communications can build trust or result in the primal reaction of fight or flight. A lethal conflict cannot be considered a normal communication situation. All communications require a sender and a receiver. During a potential lethal conflict you must be the sender and the adversary the receiver. Sending a decisive message is taking personal control of the situation. You must show the threat that you are not pray but a confident fighter. Communication is not all verbal. Studies have shown that 60 to 80% of all communications is non verbal. Your verbal and non verbal messages must match. If you are giving hard loud commands but your posture does not match those commands you will not be taken as a fighter.

Direct Communications

During high risk conflicts there are certain communication skills that will help you clear that Fog of Conflict yet add uncertainty, friction and the feeling of danger to your adversary. The most effective skill you can acquire is direct communications.

• Take an aggressive defensive posture, a fighting posture.
• Look directly at the threat, try and make eye contact but continue to scan for additional threats.
• Use a direct statement, take control.

1. Use an "I" command for an opening statement, this shows ownership of the situation.
2. Describe the threat or the person who is threatening you.
3. Use the appropriate emotion.
4. State the situation.
5. State the outcome if the threat continues.
6. Restate and summarize if you have time.

1. "Stop!"
2. "Scumbag!" You do not have to be politically correct; you are not a police officer.
3. Use a firm and loud voice, demonstrate command of the situation so that others may hear and help or call for help.
4. "I don’t want you near me, go away!" Using I takes ownership of the situation.
5. "If you continue I will protect myself!" This states the outcome.
6. "Stop or I will shoot!" This restates the command and states the outcome.

1. Stop, arm extended palm out.
2. 3, 4 Hand to firearm, draw, rotate.

5. State the outcome, ready position.
6. Restatement, ready position to extending to fire.

The impact of direct communication in a potential lethal conflict is the ability to instill fear. Fear will create a perception of Danger, Uncertainty and Friction. This will influence behavior and may defuse the situation. The objective is to create a situation that is not worth the risk for anyone to continue down this path.

A direct statement is a tool to use when you are forced into a conflict. After you have done everything to avoid a confrontation do not hesitate to take command of the situation. Any potentially lethal conflict will benefit from a simple and clear plan. Direct communication should be part of that plan along with firearm safety fundamentals, tactical training and knowing how you will perform under stress. Keep it simple and straight forward and practice all aspects of your plan until it is instilled into your memory.

Carrying a lethal weapon is an awesome responsibility and may require you to make that Ultimate Decision. Do not take this lightly, understand the dangers and prepare yourself. It is your responsibility as an armed citizen to act when necessary. If you are not totally prepared to accept the responsibility, then don’t carry a lethal weapon.

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