If ever there comes a time where you feel it necessary to unholster your pistol you will ultimately have to put it away again. This seems simple enough, but there should be some consideration to how it happens.
If the situation was such that you need your handgun out there was likely some danger. How do we know this danger has passed? If you have identified one or more threat(s) you should consider the “Plus One”. Being aware additional threats may exist that you aren’t aware of and scan for those, and do so while your defensive tool is still in your hands.
A plus one is the idea saying if the conditions exist for one threat (or injury, etc.) then the conditions exist for at least one more than you have identified to this point. If you always check for a plus one, you are less likely to be taken by surprise when you find it. And you want to find it, before it finds you.
This can be practiced during every shooting drill. After completing a course of fire, scan the target to see if it presents a threat. Then scan from side to side. Don’t just glance, but actually look and assess your surroundings. Check behind you as well, remembering muzzle awareness.
Now check the status of your handgun, does it need to be reloaded? After your gun is “up” give another scan and reholster. Now with the handgun in the holster and you still maintaining a solid shooting grip give a final scan. Yes this is a lot of looking around, but hopefully you won’t miss something. The multiple scans are giving you the best chance for success with your tools in hand. You are also developing the muscle memory to break your tunnel vision.
I fully realize this isn’t always possible, for example in the law enforcement world it was common to reholster and go hands on to make an arrest. But remember in this scenario we are still addressing the threat in front us with an arresting techniques. But the principle of scanning for the “plus one” remains, checking once you have the first threat addressed because if there is one, one more could exist.
It’s a simple drill to consider and worth including in your overall plan to to increase your situational awareness.
-Joe
Outpost 95 