The Five States of Awareness are based on Jeff Cooper’s Color Codes and Self-Defense. By being conscious of the various states of awareness, our mind will always be in an active mode of self-defense.

White – relaxed and unaware/not paying attention.  Places where you are in a White state typically include home and places you feel safe. It’s important to remember that criminals attack when you are most vulnerable.

Yellow – relaxed but aware of who and what is around you. You are head up, eyes open. You are typically in a Yellow state as soon as you leave the comfort of home, meaning, most public and social environments. Being in the Yellow state allows you to focus on possible threats in an effort to avoid them or be prepared to face them.

Orange – possible threat identified.  You may be in an Orange states in places such as parking lots, shopping centers, etc. In this state, you tend to remain on radar until you feel a threat no longer exists. While in an Orange state you must remain focused on one threat while remaining aware of other possible threats. Mental preparedness of recognizing a threat and acknowledging it immediately puts you in less danger.

Red – direct threat. In a Red state, you are no longer a potential threat but now a potential target. You must be fully prepared to respond/react! You must be mentally ready to fight and have a plan of defense if actual physical activity occurs. When not mentally prepared, you can be easily overtaken.

Black – Actively fighting. In a Black state you have been physically attacked and are actively responding. At this point you must defend yourself or fall victim. At this point you must be empowered with the knowledge and tools necessary to defend yourself, whether non-lethal options such as pepper spray, a taser, or kubaton pen, or a lethal concealed carry firearm.

By being alert and having a conscious knowledge of the five states of readiness. you are empowered with choices that may help you avoid a deadly threat, which is ALWAYS the desired outcome.