Unique to tactical athletes is the level of performance the sensory systems for situational awareness must perform at. No other athlete or professional relies on their sensory systems to the extent that tactical athletes do. There are 4 primary sensory systems for situational awareness- visual, auditory, vestibular, and somatosensory. Each system has an important role… Continue reading Training The Sensory Systems With Specificity
Tag: situational awareness
When The Only Constant Is Chaos
The only constant for a tactical athlete is chaos. The unpredictable nature of the job requires a strong foundation of readiness. Job specific skills, strength, and endurance are all foundational elements vital for readiness. But to be ready for chaos that alone isn’t enough. It is one thing to lift heavy in the gym, another… Continue reading When The Only Constant Is Chaos
Low Vision Environments
Your vestibular system helps keep target focus with movement, but it doesn’t need a target to play an important role in situational awareness. In fact, it is in low vision environments that your vestibular system can really step up when it comes to situational awareness. If you are in a helicopter and its dark out,… Continue reading Low Vision Environments
Which Situational Awareness System Has Your Attention?
What has your attention matters. If you are looking down at your feet, you can’t find, follow, or focus in on a target. When you take the time to train your somatosensory and vestibular systems they can function at a high level without much attention. This lets your visual and auditory systems have your attention. … Continue reading Which Situational Awareness System Has Your Attention?
Reaction Time; Because You Never Want To Be 1/2 Second Slower
First off, I don’t like to use reaction time when it comes to someone as highly trained as you. Reaction implies a lack of control. Lets call it RESPONSE time, because you are trained to the extent that you respond, not react. I have no business talking about what appropriate or best practice responses are – so… Continue reading Reaction Time; Because You Never Want To Be 1/2 Second Slower
The 4 Situational Awareness Systems
Situational awareness utilizes 4 main systems. 1. Visual 2. Auditory 3. Vestibular 4. Somatosensory You probably recognize the importance of your vision and hearing on situational awareness, but the other two are equally important to maintaining situational awareness. The vestibular system is in your inner ear, it allows you to keep a target in focus… Continue reading The 4 Situational Awareness Systems
Situational Awareness And Subconcussions
As a Physical Therapist working at Joint Base Lewis-McChord I started a clinic to help those with dizziness and balance issues. In that clinic I noticed a trend of soldiers nearing retirement who came in with difficulty maintaining a high level of situational awareness in a more complex environment. Examples of this include difficulty keeping… Continue reading Situational Awareness And Subconcussions