Embers from the fire glowed like the eyes of some ancient animal, watching from the shadows. A few candles guttered in the damp air, their halos of light swaying whenever a breath of wind slipped through the gaps in the canopy. Beyond the circle of light, the jungle was a black wall, the hum of insects and frogs muffled by the stillness of the hour.

Beside me sat Quini, a Matis elder whose numerous piercings gave his face the fierce visage of a jaguar. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and spoke in a voice so soft I had to tilt my head toward him. His words moved in a rolling current of vowels and consonants that I didn’t understand, yet the rhythm alone carried a weight that pressed me to listen harder.

Phillip, an indispensable member of our expedition, translated the story in fragments as the interpretation unfolded. Quini was telling his story of first contact — of the day strangers came from beyond the forest. Some arrived with gifts, tools, and goodwill. Others came to take. His people had seen kindness and cruelty from the outsiders, sometimes within the same season, sometimes from the same hands.

Someone in our group asked how they were able to forgive some of the terrible trespasses committed against them. And then Quini spoke the line that has stayed with me since, “We did not judge the many by the evil of a few.”

For me, the words cut through the night like the crack of a branch underfoot. In a world quick to brand entire groups as guilty for the actions of a handful, that kind of grace felt almost revolutionary. I had come here to learn survival skills, but I was starting to realize that the deepest lessons in the jungle weren’t about shelter, fire, or food.

Ticuna tribesman, Alberto, makes living in the jungle look like a walk in the park. His tutelage throughout the expedition was always enlightening. (Photo Credit: Phillip Irizarry)

Journey to the Edge

It was impossible to imagine that moment when I first set out from home.

The floor of Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport was cold against my back as I tried to stretch out between a wall and my pack. It was just after midnight, and around me, other travelers lay draped across their luggage, arms and shoes tucked under straps as makeshift security. I had a handful of hours to catch a few winks before my connecting flight to Leticia. Sleep came in scraps, broken by the crackle of the PA system and the rolling clatter of carts on tile. Before long, I was up and meeting the rest of my expeditionary group in the security line. We had been cobbled together by Bushcraft Global, an outfitter with the right connections in Amazonia to make this kind of adventure happen.

Peter Magnin, a jungle veteran who has been on over a dozen trips like this, introduces himself to us as our main guide.

By the time I boarded our connecting plane south, the morning light was rising over the horizon. From the window, Bogotá’s sprawl quickly gave way to open land, then to an unbroken carpet of green that stretched in every direction. The rivers below cut through it in wide brown arcs, the sunlight catching the surface like strips of tarnished copper.

Leticia sits where Colombia meets Brazil and Peru, a border city that can’t be reached by road. Disembarking the plane, the air was thick and warm the moment I stepped onto the tarmac. The greenhouse scent of damp earth mingled with the exhaust of motorbikes buzzing through the streets. Our group assembled at the Tanimboca Nature Reserve, a few kilometers outside the city. Here we got to know Goran, owner of the reserve, whose main goal is bridging our world with the one we were about to enter.

The first two days were for acclimation. We stayed in palm-thatched cabins elevated on stilts, the screen walls keeping out most — but not all — of the night’s curious visitors. Spider monkeys chattered from the branches above, their tails swinging like pendulums as they eyed us from a safe distance.

Matis elder, Quini, demonstrates how to set a spring trap large enough to catch a taipan. (Photo Credit: Mike Condict)

We trained in the canopy that first day, climbing a rope to a platform 30 meters above the forest floor. From there, zip lines and rope bridges carried us between trees until we descended again by belay. The air up there was different, less dense, but still hot enough to stifle the lungs with each breath. Every muscle worked harder in the humidity, every drop of sweat refusing to evaporate. That was the point though, to teach our bodies what they’d be working against in the days to come.

That night, we hiked into the forest with a Witoto guide who showed us his “jungle EDC:” a small knife, headlamp, and several small pouches containing mambé, a powdered coca leaf mixture taken to sharpen the mind and, in his tradition, to honor the jungle. In the light of our headlamps, the forest revealed itself in pieces: the jewel-toned body of a tree frog clinging to a leaf, the eerie green glow of a scorpion under ultraviolet light, the jointed legs of a wandering spider disappearing into shadow.

On the second day, we wandered the markets of Leticia, buying machetes and fishing spears. Locals smiled when we tried our limited Spanish, often correcting us gently with a laugh. By evening, the indigenous members who would accompany our group had arrived from upriver: Victor, a representative of the Ticuna tribe; Quini, a Matis tribal elder; Tupa, a gifted Matis craftswoman; and her preteen son Tumi. Under Victor’s guidance, we shared our first rapeh ceremony together, the herbaceous powder burning through my sinuses like a fuse, clearing my head in a rush of light and heat. Quini’s smile afterward told me that joining their customs from the start meant more than I understood at the time.
The next morning, the roads ended. The jungle began.

The Long Walk In

The truck dropped us off at a rough track that ended in tangled undergrowth. We linked up Alberto of the Yucuna tribe who would be graciously hosting all of us on his tribal land. Juaneho Cuéllor, our camp cook for the next eight days, was there as well. Last-minute gear was stowed, packs were shouldered, and we began the three-hour hike into the interior.

It was slightly cooler beneath the triple canopy, but not by much. The heat was the kind that presses down on your shoulders and seeps into your bones. Humidity wrapped itself around me like a wet blanket. My clothes clung to my skin within minutes. The air smelled of leaf litter, loam, and the faint sweetness of something flowering nearby.

Talented Matis craftswoman, Tupa, and intrepid traveler Michael Burkus, share a laugh while making pottery from river clay. (Photo Credit: Phillip Irizarry)

The soundscape shifted as we went deeper. What little noise pollution existed this far from Leticia quickly faded, replaced by the rasp of insects and the occasional throaty call of a bird I couldn’t name. Sounds traveled surprisingly far, and our native guides spoke quietly to avoid disturbing the peace. Every so often, the path narrowed to the point where we had to turn sideways, pushing through vines that clung to the fabric of our clothes.

A Yucuna village emerged from the forest where the air smelled of woodsmoke and roasting cassava. Surrounding the village, large gardens were planted in the shade of young trees, the result of slash-and-burn cycles timed to the forest’s rhythm. Alberto pointed out crops tucked beneath the canopy, shielded from the equatorial sun until they were ready to thrive on their own.

By the time we reached the river bend that would be our camp, my legs felt heavy but alive. Hammocks went up between trees, each with its own tarp roof. A tributary snaked past, its surface dimpled by insects, hiding stingrays, caiman and otters beneath.

That first night, under the triple canopy’s darkness, I saw the forest floor glowing. Fallen leaves had been colonized by bioluminescent fungus, each emitting a pale green light. It was like standing above a second night sky, stars scattered at my feet.

Founder of the Tanimboca Nature Reserve, Goran, was our liaison between city and jungle. None of this would have happened without his expertise.

Learning the Jungle’s Language

Peter showed us how to swing a machete so the blade did the work instead of our shoulders. He made us practice until the motion was clean and efficient. Quini introduced us to the medicinal plant achote, smearing the cool red paste across our faces. It carried the faint scent of fresh earth and stained the skin until the next wash.

Alberto led us upriver to gather materials: black palm for blowgun barrels, palm leaves for weaving, and burro vines for lashings. He found palm heart in the wild, slicing it free with a practiced hand and passing around the tender, coconut-flavored core. Quini found a resin, quick to catch fire, and capable of many other uses.

Back in camp, Tupa taught us to weave baskets from palm fronds. Her hands moved with effortless precision, each strip folding over the next in steady rhythm. She also guided our group through the days-long process of making pottery from mud found near the edge of the river. Alberto mentored the group on how to construct a Yucuna-style blowgun, sew machete sheathes from tree bark, and creating simple-but-effective fishing bows.

Each night, the river called us back, sometimes for bathing, sometimes for fishing. Spear fishing in the dark was nerve-wracking. The riverbank was slick, stingrays could be underfoot, and occasionally the beam of a headlamp would catch the gleam of caiman eyes.
The jungle rewarded patience. Move too fast and you missed everything that mattered.

While our group was out exploring the jungle, Juaneho ensured everyone was well fed when we returned to camp. (Photo Credit: Phillip Irizarry)

Ceremonies of Endurance

Rituals came without fanfare, woven into the fabric of each day.
Rapeh was the most frequent, a reminder to clear the mind and align intention before entering the forest. For me, it felt like a mental sharpening stone, stripping away the fog.

Dressed as the “Mariwin,” a forest demon, Quini would be nearly invisible if not for the red clay mask disguising his face.

The Sanaga ceremony, an eye-drop made from another important medicinal plant, came before a hunt. The root tincture burned so intensely I had to clench my jaw, blinking against the tears. In that moment, I was instructed to speak the traits I wanted during the upcoming hunt: the sharp gaze of a hawk, the patience of an anaconda, the ferocity of a jaguar. When the burn eased, the forest looked as if someone had adjusted the contrast, colors richer, shadows deeper.

On our penultimate day, Quini emerged from the tree line transformed, skin blackened with charcoal, red clay mask, ferns tied to his limbs. He was dressed as the “mariwin,” a demon of the forest. In silence, he struck each of us with palm spines until they broke the skin. The sting was immediate, but so was the surge of energy that followed. In their villages, this was performed on a regular basis, for children, elders, everyone. Pain was a teacher, and the lesson here was that the mind could overcome the fear of it.
Some marks were permanent. On one morning, we were given the option of receiving a tattoo, ink made of charred resin, dual palm spines the needle. I chose to accept it, three simple lines, a symbol of acceptance into this close-knit group of travelers.

Not every bond needed a ritual.

In Alberto’s “moloca” — a large palm thatched building for the tribe to gather — a tuxedo cat wound around my legs as I stood in the building’s cool shade. I knelt to scratch its head, and a small Yucuna girl joined me. She said nothing, just smiled, her tiny hand brushing the cat’s fur alongside mine. We didn’t need translation for that moment.

Getting a Matis tattoo was an option that some of us took advantage of. We received the tat on our arms, but the Matis typically have them on their cheeks and foreheads.

Around the fire, conversations ebbed and flowed in interesting directions. A question in Spanish answered in Portuguese, translated into English, then back again into Portuguese or Matis. We laughed as much at the misfires as at the jokes.

One night we ate stingray, its meat tender and salty, like pulled pork from the river. Another day brought grilled grubs, their outer skins crisp, the inside nutty and rich. On our last morning Alberto had harvested a small caiman from the river for breakfast. I learned that in the jungle, trying something new wasn’t only about the experience, it was also a sign of trust.

Above: Creatures, like this scorpion, that would be next to impossible to see under the illumination of a headlamp, show themselves in stark contrast under a UV light. (Photo Credit: Jamie Boggs)

What the West Gets Wrong

Danger shapes the common Western view of the jungle — snakes that can kill with a single bite, insects that spread disease, predators lurking in the water. Those threats exist, but they’re not the whole truth.
Rather than unmitigated chaos, the jungle is order of a different kind. Every plant, every animal, every sound has a place and a meaning if you’re willing to learn it. The people who thrive there move through it with an awareness that most of us never develop. They don’t rush. They don’t force. They wait for the right moment because they know the wrong one can be fatal.

I learned that lesson firsthand on the riverbank at night, spear in hand. The mud was slick, the water hiding all manner of dangers under the silt. One misplaced step could have meant serious injury. My instinct was to move quickly, to cover more ground, but I forced myself to slow, placing each foot deliberately. When I matched the pace of the locals, I began to see more — the shimmer of fish just under the surface or the wandering spider lurking near the bank.

Our primary guide, Peter Magnin, stands triumphantly over a freshly caught stingray. It made for a tasty dinner!

Even as someone with a background in survival and preparedness, I realized that my training had been built around goals: Find water, build shelter, make fire. Here, the goal was to exist within the environment without breaking its rhythm. That mindset shift is one I’ve carried home, because it applies everywhere. Rushing is rarely the best way forward.

Technology is inexorably changing that relationship. Starlink dishes and cell phones are appearing in villages that once communicated only by runner or river. Younger generations leave for cities, trading the knowledge of their elders for the speed of modern life. These cultures are still here, still vital, but the window to learn from them firsthand is narrowing.

After the Jungle

Leaving the jungle wasn’t a clean break. We packed camp in the morning under a sky heavy with the first real rain of the trip. It fell in steady sheets, drumming on the tarps and splashing into the river. Goran tells us the jungle is sad that we are leaving. Hiking back to the road took half the time of our journey in, our bodies had finally adapted to the heat and humidity. Still, stepping into open ground felt strange after days under the canopy.

The truck that picked us up stopped at a roadside shop where chilled beer waited in sweating cans. It was the first cold drink we had in over a week, and it tasted like victory. Back at Tanimboca, we had lunch and said goodbye to our indigenous guides. Before we went our separate ways, through Phillips’ translation, Quini said, “Because of airplanes, the distance between us isn’t that far. We’ll always be just a few hours away.” It was a bittersweet moment that punctuated just how kindly we had been treated by our hosts over the course of the trip.

Villagers assist us as we toast coca leaves to make mambé, a ceremonial mix of herbs used to honor their ancestors and the jungle itself. (Photo Credit: Jamie Dakota aka “Chuii”)

That evening, we went into Leticia to watch the green parrots. Thousands of them fly in from the jungle at dusk every single day at the same time, filling the trees in the central park with a living, chattering canopy. From there, we wandered into the Three Frontiers festival that just happened to be taking place at the time. Street vendors sold grilled meats, fried plantains, and ice cream. Music spilled from every corner.
The next day, we took a boat up the Amazon River to Monkey Island. Along the way, we spotted gray dolphins leaping through the current, and — if I wasn’t mistaken — the rolling pink back of a river dolphin breaking the surface.

On our last night, Goran hosted a farewell feast at the Reserve. Juaneho prepared Colombian barbecue, smoky and rich, while locals performed traditional dances to the beat of exciting music. The air was thick with the smell of food, drinks, and the raucous sounds of new friends sharing their most exciting moments of the trip.

Always Close

Saying our goodbyes was more than a farewell. It was a reminder that closeness isn’t measured in miles, but in shared moments, mutual respect, and the willingness to step into each other’s worlds without judgment.

From left to right: Tumi, Tupa, and Quini of the Matis; adventurer and elected expedition interpreter, Phillip Irizarry; Ticuna tribesman and Tanimboca guide, Victor. All of whom helped make this expedition unforgettable. (Photo Credit: Phillip Irizarry)

If you’ve ever dreamed of pushing past the edges of your comfort zone, of learning survival not from books, but from people whose lives are woven into the land itself, you don’t have to imagine it. This journey was made possible by Bushcraft Global and the Tanimboca Nature Reserve, two teams dedicated to connecting people with the wild in ways that are authentic, challenging, and transformative. These organizations not only teach modern adventurers the skills to thrive in extreme environments, but also ensure that the traditions, stories, and techniques of those communities are respected and preserved.
For me, this trip began as a survival adventure and ended as something far deeper.

It quickly became a lesson in humility, patience, and reciprocity. For anyone willing to take the leap, the Amazon is still there, waiting to teach. Some lessons you can’t learn in books, on screens, or in classrooms. Some truths only reveal themselves in the glow of a dying fire, in the soft-spoken language of an elder, deep in a green cathedral that has endless wisdom to share.

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Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Imagine walking into a coffee shop, scanning the room, and instantly understanding who is engaged, who is uncomfortable, and who might be paying a little too much attention to you. This isn’t about mind-reading or gathering some sort of “energy.” It’s about recognizing the signals people give off and using that information to navigate the world more effectively.

Many people think of reading others as something reserved for law enforcement, security professionals, or criminal profilers. The reality is that anyone can develop this skill, and it has practical applications in everything from personal safety, business negotiations, and on to the simpler things in life like family relationships. The key is learning to observe and interpret behavioral cues in a way that helps you anticipate what’s coming next.

This ability doesn’t just keep you out of trouble. It can also help you recognize opportunities, build better relationships, and move through life with greater confidence.

Open-handed conversations can occur in virtual meetings as well.

Proxemics: Understanding Group Interactions

Proxemics is the study of how people use space and distance in relation to others. While it might sound abstract, proxemics is one of the most practical and observable tools you can use in public settings to read intent, dominance, or discomfort. This domain helps you assess relationships, social roles, and potential conflicts just by paying attention to how people position themselves and interact spatially. The following are several of what I think of as “low-hanging fruit” when it comes to this study. I have used these numerous times to determine who the “decision maker” is when it comes to business negotiations as well as recognizing when my wife and I are out of sync.

Covering of the head, crossed legs, and arms in front of torso likely indicates someone wishing to be closed off.

Push-&-Pull Movements

Push-and-pull movements are spatial indicators of comfort, trust, or disagreement. For example, when two people are engaged in conversation and face each other directly, they are likely in agreement. When one person begins to turn away or angle their body slightly to the side, they are “pushing” themselves out of the interaction. That physical withdrawal may indicate discomfort or disagreement. A pull, by contrast, might be seen when one person leans in, angles toward the other, or shortens the physical distance. This signals openness or trust.

Hands on the back of the neck can be an indicator of stress.

These signals happen naturally, and the average person notices them subconsciously. By bringing them into conscious awareness, you can make better decisions about how to respond to people in real time. This is one of the easiest to recall as well because there is such an obvious physical reaction to this. I just remember that the more someone’s back is toward me rather than their front, the more they are disconnected.

Open-hand conversation is one where the person is inviting you.

Identifying Leaders & Followers

Within a group, the leader is not always the loudest or the one who has formal authority. Often, they’re the person others look toward before speaking or acting. In group dynamics, people will often physically orient themselves with feet, torso, or even just a glance toward the person they subconsciously defer to.
The leader may also use a tactic called “once removed” communication, giving orders only to a lieutenant or second-in-command, who then relays the message. This distancing elevates the leader’s social status within the group. Recognizing this can help you spot high value individuals (HVI) in security scenarios or decision-makers in business settings. For those reading who want to use this as a launching point for solid business negotiations with unknown parties, this is a critical observation to make. The decision maker is key, and you should focus your attention on working with them whenever possible. Or at least reading them to know when they are pleased or not. This may be obvious, but this is an excellent battlefield observation to make. Knowing who the leader is lets you know who the “head of the snake” is for battlefield tactics.

Upon sitting or standing, concealed carriers will often adjust their firearm.

Entourage, Mimicry & Adoration

Entourage is a formation in which one or more people follow another in a beta position. In these groupings, subordinates often show physical signs of deference. They may glance at the leader for approval, mimic their body posture, or show signs of adoration such as opening doors, standing when the leader enters, or bowing their head slightly during greetings.

Mimicry is a powerful sign of engagement. If a person crosses their legs and leans forward, and the other does the same shortly after, that is a sign of rapport. If one leans back and the other remains leaning forward, that could suggest disagreement or unease. Watch this play out at dinner tables, business meetings, or any casual social setting. The physical harmony or discord between people often mirrors their emotional states. Many years ago, when I first started into the practice of behavior analysis, I would do this sort of practice at restaurants regularly. It is a great way to people watch and see these things at play from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Scanning the environment especially at funnel spots, like common doors, is a sign of someone who is keyed into the awareness.

Cultural Considerations

Cultural norms affect proxemic cues. In North America, social distance tends to be greater than in places like the Middle East or Latin America. Knowing this can help you avoid misreading closeness as a sign of aggression or distance as a sign of disinterest.

In international contexts, be aware that certain gestures, like showing the bottom of your foot, can be deeply offensive. For many years I taught traditional martial arts and combatives. I will never forget training with an incredibly high-level Japanese instructor. I sat on the training mat with my legs outstretched and the bottom of my feet showing. A training partner, and good friend, quickly corrected me to tell me that it was rude in that setting. I should not have the bottom of my feet toward the instructor in that manner.

When one person in a conversation is not facing their partner directly it could, but not always, mean that they have mentally checked out of the convo.

Kinesics: What the Body Reveals

Kinesics refers to body language, facial expressions, posture, and gestures. This domain is rich in detail and layered with meaning, especially when observed over time or within familiar contexts. Often you will hear this referred to as “tells.”

Self-Soothing & Defensive Behavior

Self-soothing gestures are small, often unconscious movements that indicate a person is trying to calm themselves. Common examples include rubbing the neck, scratching the head, wringing hands, or covering parts of the face. These can indicate stress, confusion, nervousness, or even deception. However, context matters. Someone might be rubbing their neck because of a cramp, not because they’re lying. That’s why it’s important to observe patterns rather than isolated actions. A single gesture means little on its own. But several signs stacked together can paint a clearer picture.

I, personally, will often rub my beard from mustache down to chin when I am uncomfortable or in deep thought. Understanding this has helped me when I am in negotiations or do not want others to know I am uncomfortable. I give serious and focused conscious thought to not doing that, so as not to give my mindset away. I hope it is obvious, but I am discussing these things as it relates to assessing others, but that goes the other way too. People will be assessing you. So, it is best to assess ourselves and fix the issues that we recognize are problematic.

Don’t allow yourself to get focus locked on a book, phone or task while in public areas. Even if the magazine is a great one.

Eye Behavior & Blink Rate

Eye contact is often misunderstood. While prolonged eye contact can suggest confidence, it can also be an attempt to project control or dominance. Conversely, a lack of eye contact may not be dishonesty, it may be cultural or a sign of shyness.

One of the most objective cues is blink rate. Research shows that the blink rate increases under stress. If someone normally blinks 10 times per minute and suddenly increases to 40, something has changed. That shift could be anger, anxiety, or even an effort to maintain composure while lying. Establish a baseline whenever possible, then look for deviations. It is critical that you understand this is a baseline versus an anomaly sort of situation. There is no way to say what the average blink rate is for humans. We all have a blink rate that works for us. We must gather the baseline first, then recognize the change.

Wearing a heavy or long jacket when the temperature does not match the needs is an anomaly worth considering.

Toe & Hand Direction

Feet are honest. Unlike facial expressions, which we learn to control socially, the direction of our toes is involuntary. If someone’s feet are pointed toward the exit, even if they’re smiling and chatting with you, they’re mentally on their way out. Hands are another useful indicator. Open palms usually indicate honesty and a willingness to engage. Hands in pockets or hidden behind the back can suggest concealment, physical or emotional. If someone shows you their palms mid-sentence, especially with fingers splayed, they may be signaling you to stop, even if their words don’t say it directly.

Mimicry is when people in conversation get in the same body positions. This typically means they are in agreement during the discussion.

Biometrics: The Body Cannot Lie

Biometrics refers to involuntary physiological reactions. These include blushing, pupil dilation, facial tension, and other signs driven by the autonomic nervous system. Because people cannot easily control them, biometric cues are often the most reliable indicators of true emotional state.
Stress & Hormonal Cues

When a person is embarrassed or under stress, adrenaline causes blood vessels to dilate, especially in the face, neck, and ears. This results in blushing. Flushing, which covers a larger area, may come from anger, arousal, or even alcohol.

Conversely, stress can also cause the body to pull blood away from the face, leading to paleness. This is another sign of the body preparing for fight or flight.

Nostrils flaring and bottom teeth showing are instinctual signs of agitation. These cues often precede aggressive action and should prompt you to raise your awareness. This all occurs because a person is trying to get more oxygen into their bloodstream preparing for a physical confrontation. Most of our interactions that involve this are those that end up in disagreement and don’t get physical. The beauty of this is — and I use this regularly — when you recognize this happening, you can begin moving out of position and/or using “verbal judo” to calm a possible heated situation before it gets physical.

Hands in pockets is a sign of closing in or possible deception. Always watch hands.

Pupil Dilation & Heat Signatures

Pupil dilation can be caused by low light, drug use, or emotional arousal. Sudden dilation in normal lighting might indicate attraction, fear, or rising tension. So, if you are having that convo at a bar trying to engage a date, that is a good thing. But if you find out that date already has a boyfriend, and he is doing this, it’s a problem. This spectrum of understanding is critical to putting this to good use.

Changes in body temperature can also be detected. If you’re physically close to someone, you may feel heat radiating off them during an adrenaline surge. From a distance, thermal optics can help identify elevated body heat, which is useful in tracking fugitives or locating someone hiding in a crowd. I have used this in leading man-tracking teams that have thermal optics. You leave your heat signature behind on the environment. It is rather wild to see how much heat you leave behind on the ground, touching a rock or tree, or similar. While all that technology is incredibly useful, most of us do not have it. But that does not mean we can’t see the increase in heat on a person. You can sense it, see it when a person begins to sweat.

Having a hat pulled down and avoiding eye contact could mean deception or simply someone who is shy. Behavior analysis is definitely not an exact science in most situations.

Sweating & Subtle Trauma

Sweating is a key stress indicator. If someone appears clammy or you notice sweat stains in inappropriate conditions, it may be a sign they are nervous, ill, or under emotional strain.
Other biometric signs like bloodshot eyes, bruises, or nystagmus may indicate substance use, fatigue, or physical trauma. In tactical scenarios, be alert for pressure marks on shoulders or around the eyes; these could indicate concealed weapons, recent recoil, or gear straps. This sort of read helps to understand who is “packing” around you, so you can prepare accordingly.

Pointing during a conversation is often meant to talk down to a person. Avoid such practice unless it is absolutely necessary.

Vision & Perception: Knowing How You See

Being a good observer means understanding the mechanics of human vision. The eye is not a camera. It is a biological sensor full of limitations and bias.

Central & Peripheral Vision

The fovea, located in the center of the eye, is responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Everything outside that small central area falls under peripheral vision. While peripheral vision lacks detail, it is more sensitive to motion, especially biological motion. You might not clearly see someone walking behind a car, but your brain is tuned to notice the movement. When you’re purposely observing a person or situation, then make sure you turn your head and eyes to what you are looking at straight on. You will gather more information in that manner.

Peripheral vision is especially useful for spotting threats, but it is limited. Under stress, it narrows. This tunnel vision can make you miss critical information. Counter this by regularly scanning your environment and using deliberate head movement. This is also something that gives me a quick self-check. When I recognize my vision has narrowed, it begins the checklist toward letting me know I am overstressed and need to either step back and get a grip, or otherwise get over it with focus, breathing, or other things I have trained to calm myself.

Day, Night & Twilight Vision

Cone cells handle daytime (photopic) vision and are sensitive to color and detail. Rod cells, which support nighttime (scotopic) vision, are more sensitive to motion and light but not color. The Purkinje Shift causes reds to appear darker and blues to appear lighter in dim lighting. That is why it is easier to see blue objects at night than red ones. Twilight (mesopic) vision engages both rods and cones. During this time, depth and color perception can become unreliable. This is often the most vulnerable time for misreading your environment.

Instead of me just using a bunch of technical big words let’s make this more practical for all of us. The worst time of the day for clear vision is dawn or dusk. That is because our rods and cones are switching back and forth rapidly to deal with the increase and decrease of light due to shadows. When this occurs, our vision is poor. When I used to teach combatives, I was fond of telling runners to not run at those times, as it is hard to see threats. In addition to this, when it gets dark it takes a full 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to completely adjust. Therefore, when you have the time, allow your eyes to adjust before you move around in the dark.

When talking, keeping your hands in front of your torso often indicates that your uncomfortable and protecting yourself.

The Rule of Three: Left of Bang Thinking

One of the most powerful tools in behavioral recognition is the Rule of Three. One anomaly may be coincidence. Two may be curiosity. Three should trigger action. Consider it in an equation: Baseline + Anomaly = Decision Making. But when you have three anomalies, it means you must prepare for action.

• A man enters wearing a hoodie.
• He paces and scans the store but doesn’t shop.
• He adjusts something in his waistband.

That third cue is your green light to prepare for action or remove yourself from the area.
Cognitive Blind Spots

Even skilled observers are vulnerable to blind spots. These include:

• Change Blindness: The brain can ignore obvious changes in the environment when distracted. Combat this by scanning deliberately and pausing to reassess regularly.
• Focus Lock: Fixating on a single threat, person, or thing (your phone) can cause you to miss the bigger picture. Force yourself to shift your gaze and reevaluate surroundings.
• Assumptions and Bias: If you assume the person in a suit is safe and the person in a hoodie is dangerous, you may miss the real threat. Let behavior dictate your evaluation not stereotypes.

Ethics of Observation

Reading people comes with responsibility. Using this skill to protect yourself or de-escalate a tense situation is ethical. Using it to manipulate, deceive, or exploit others is not. When in doubt, ask yourself: Am I helping someone be safer or just trying to gain an advantage?

Final Thoughts

Reading people is not about paranoia. It is about awareness. It is about noticing small, reliable cues and layering them into a fuller picture. Anyone can do it. With practice, it becomes second nature.
Start today. Observe group dynamics in a restaurant. Watch how people move in line at the store. Take note of blink rates, body posture, and spatial positioning. Over time, your awareness will sharpen, your instincts will refine, and you will be more prepared for both everyday life and high-risk moments.

About The Author

Craig Caudill is the director of Nature Reliance School, where he teaches outdoor safety, survival, and tracking skills to individuals and organizations. An accomplished author of several books on backcountry skills, Caudill is also a sought-after consultant for national television and media, including shows like Naked and Afraid and America’s Most Wanted. With decades of experience in wilderness education and situational awareness, Caudill combines practical expertise with a passion for helping others develop resilience and self-reliance. Learn more at www.naturereliance.org.

Read More From Issue 69

Don’t miss essential survival insights—sign up for Recoil Offgrid’s free newsletter today!

• Issue 69
• Editor’s Letter Issue 69
• Knives By Nuge
• All-Purpose Road Trip Pack
• Review of The Guerilla’s Guide to Signals Intelligence
• ZOLEO Review
• Signal to Noise: Crisis Communication
• Gear Up: Desk to Dawn
• Calling 911
• Radio Direction Finding

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

What do you do when you come across a medical emergency? If you’re like most bystanders, you watch and wait until someone else takes action. But for the few who step in, their response can mean the difference between life and death. On average, it takes first responders about seven minutes to arrive and begin care. In a high-traffic area, that wait could stretch longer. In remote areas with limited EMS coverage, you could be looking at 30 minutes or more before help arrives. That means you may be the only line of support during that critical window.

According to the American Heart Association, for every minute CPR is delayed, the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest drop by 10 percent. In this article, we’ll cover when to call 911, how to speak with the dispatcher, and what to expect when first responders arrive.

OPQRST Pain Assessment Mnemonic

• O Onset: When did the pain start? Sudden or gradual?
• P Provocation/Palliation: What makes it worse or better?
• Q Quality:What does the pain feel like — sharp, dull, stabbing, throbbing?
• R Radiation: Does the pain move or stay in one place?
• S Severity: On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is it?
• T Time: How long has it been going on? Has it changed?

SAMPLE History Medical Assessment Mnemonic

S Signs/Symptoms: What can you see, and what is the patient feeling? A good place to use OPQRST for pain.
A Allergies: To medications, foods, insects, or environmental factors?
M Medications: What are they taking: prescription, over the counter, supplements?
P Past Medical History: Any chronic conditions, recent surgeries, or major diagnoses?
L Last Oral Intake: When and what did they last eat or drink?
E Events Leading Up to the Injury or Illness: What was happening before the problem started?

Calling 911

What should you expect when calling 911? The dispatcher will ask for the nature of the emergency and the exact location, so take a moment to identify street signs or nearby landmarks before placing the call. They may also ask for your name and phone number in case the call is disconnected.

Stay on the line until the dispatcher says it’s OK to hang up. In most cases, they’ll stay with you until first responders arrive. If you’re assisting an injured person or handling a medical emergency, it’s fine to switch your phone to speaker or hand it off to someone else. You can also ask a bystander to call 911 while you focus on providing care.

As a general rule, if you’re calling about a police or fire emergency, it’s usually best not to rush in. Avoid putting yourself in harm’s way and becoming a second casualty. For medical emergencies, though, there are several ways you can help before EMS arrives.

If you have no medical training, stay on the line with the 911 dispatcher. They can walk you through what to do. At the very least, you can provide updates on any changes in the person’s condition. If you do have some training, offer help based on your comfort level. Even if you’re unsure, keeping the injured person calm by talking to them and distracting them from their condition can make a difference.

Have you considered what to do if 911 services aren’t available? An electromagnetic pulse or natural disaster could knock out all communication systems, including dispatch. In a fire emergency, you may need to send someone directly to the firehouse. That takes time, and time may not be on your side. Hopefully, the fire stays contained, and no one is trapped inside.

If it’s a police emergency, you’ll have to rely on verbal de-escalation and conflict management. With any luck, you won’t need to fall back on combatives or weapons training to stop the threat. In a medical emergency, you do what you can — keep the person stable, communicate with them, and wait for help to arrive. Training for all three scenarios — fire, law enforcement, and medical — should be a priority. It can make all the difference when systems fail.

YOU are the Pre-First Responder

There are many situations where medical or ambulance assistance might be needed. These range from individual emergencies — like chest pain, difficulty breathing, or signs of a stroke — to incidents involving multiple casualties, such as a vehicle pileup. If you’re first on the scene or simply the first willing to act, there are a few steps you can take to help.

Start by assessing the scene for safety. Make sure you aren’t putting yourself or others at further risk. Once the area is secure, begin evaluating each patient. In trauma situations, I prefer to use the MARCH mnemonic: Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respirations, Circulation, Head/Hypothermia. Stop major bleeding with a tourniquet before moving on to other casualties. If you reach the circulation step and find an unconscious patient, direct a bystander to begin CPR if appropriate. While they focus on that patient, continue assessing others.

In mass casualty scenarios, I recommend using a triage system with color designations. Green is for the walking wounded. Yellow indicates delayed care — these patients need attention but can wait without serious harm. Red is for those needing immediate intervention, as they’re unlikely to survive without it. Black is for those who have already died or are expected not to survive. In these cases, instruct some of the green-coded individuals to stay with the black-coded patients and provide comfort care.

When EMS Arrives

Emergency medical teams will perform their own assessments upon arrival. In a mass casualty situation, direct them to the red triage group first, as those individuals need immediate transport by ambulance.
One tool EMTs and paramedics often use is the SAMPLE mnemonic: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading up to the injury or illness. This is especially useful for single-patient assessments, though it becomes harder to apply in large-scale incidents. If you’ve applied a tourniquet, record the time and location on the body. If CPR was started, note the time it began.

Another helpful tool is OPQRST, which is used to assess pain. It stands for Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, and Time. These questions can help paint a clearer picture of the patient’s condition and guide further care. Once first responders arrive, ask how you can assist. Step back when needed and always defer to those with greater training or medical authority.

When Law Enforcement Arrives

Reasons to call for police assistance can include an active crime, violence against an individual, a burglary, or a traffic accident. In situations where law enforcement is needed, it’s usually best not to get directly involved. Your role is to observe and report.
If a crime has occurred, try to gather a detailed description of the offender. Note their approximate height, weight, skin tone, hair and eye color, clothing, and direction of travel. If a vehicle is involved, record the color, make, model, and license plate — including the issuing state. Count how many people were involved.

When you call 911, be ready to give your exact location, the nature of the emergency, your name, your phone number, and everything you’ve observed. Don’t be surprised if a responding officer follows up to include your statement in their report.

When the Fire Department Arrives

Fire departments typically respond to calls involving smoke, fire, gas leaks, or downed power lines. Many departments also have EMTs on staff who can assist with medical emergencies. If you’re inside a building where there’s smoke or fire, you might be tempted to grab a fire extinguisher or smother the flames yourself. But remember, a fire can double in size every minute. If it’s anything more than a small kitchen mishap, don’t try to fight it. Get out immediately. Don’t waste time gathering valuables. In the case of a gas leak, leave the building and move well away from the property. Stay out until officials say it’s safe to return.

When calling 911, be ready to give the exact address and describe the emergency — whether it’s smoke, visible fire, a gas leak, or something else. They may also ask about the fire’s location and whether anyone is trapped inside. After firefighters arrive, you may be asked for details about what happened. Above all, never re-enter a building that’s on fire or filled with smoke. Conditions change fast, and going back inside could cost you your life.

Color Code for Mass Casualty Triage

• RED: (Immediate) Immediate care and transport (e.g., open fractures, chest wounds)
• YELLOW: (Delayed) An injury that may need attention, but that can be delayed without significant harm to the patient (e.g., stable single organ wounds, CNS injuries)
• GREEN: (Walking Wounded) Walking wounded (e.g., sprain, fracture, laceration)
• BLACK: (Expectant) Deceased or those who are expected not to survive their injuries (e.g., unresponsive, high spinal cord injuries)

In Summary

Clear communication is critical when relaying information to first responders — EMS, police, or fire. The accuracy and detail you provide can literally be the difference between life and death. Never underestimate the value of your observations. Don’t stand by and watch. Help where you can.
The best way to prepare is through training, especially in basic medical skills. There are courses available across the country and online that can give you the knowledge to act confidently when it counts. You might be the reason someone survives.

Read More From Issue 69

Don’t miss essential survival insights—sign up for Recoil Offgrid’s free newsletter today!

• Issue 69
• Editor’s Letter Issue 69
• Knives By Nuge
• All-Purpose Road Trip Pack
• Review of The Guerilla’s Guide to Signals Intelligence
• ZOLEO Review
• Signal to Noise: Crisis Communication
• Gear Up: Desk to Dawn

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

Communicating during a disaster is incredibly challenging. Even in everyday situations, communication is a complex process for anyone involved in an exchange. Add the stress and urgency of a crisis, and things can go wrong quickly. In times of disaster, human beings often struggle to absorb life-saving information effectively. We process messages differently under pressure, retain little of it, and respond unpredictably. In fact, during such high-stress moments, people often revert to simpler levels of understanding, meaning the information shared must be clear and simple enough for a sixth-grader to grasp.

Crisis communication should be approached from both the perspective of the listener and the spokesperson. According to the latest Gallup Poll, only 20 percent of U.S. citizens expressed a fair amount of trust in the federal government, while others may feel completely neglected. For emergency responders, understanding these challenges is crucial in bridging communication gaps and building trust with the public. So, how can emergency response agencies effectively deliver life-saving information to their audiences? And equally important, how can those audiences remain open to receiving and acting on that information when their decisions may be a matter of life or death?

Community trust is vital in crisis communications; it helps ensure that the public follows safety instructions and cooperates with emergency responders. During a disaster, transparent, honest, and consistent messaging fosters trust, reducing panic and confusion, and empowering communities to stay resilient and respond effectively to the crisis.

Clear & Accurate Communication

Effective disaster communication is vital to ensuring the safety, well-being, and recovery of affected communities. When disaster strikes, it is the timely, clear, and accurate communication from response agencies that can mean the difference between life and death. The primary goal of disaster communication is to provide residents with the information they need to protect themselves and take appropriate action.

Clear communication is necessary to keep the public informed of risks and safety instructions such as evacuation orders as seen during Hurricane Katrina. In times of crisis, emotions are high, and the ability to quickly deliver concise and accurate messages helps prevent confusion and panic. Miscommunication or delays in disseminating information can have devastating effects, as people may not receive the necessary warnings to take life-saving measures in time.

STRAWBERRY, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – 2021/08/26: View of burning trees as the Caldor Fire grows to the Tahoe...

Risks of Poor Communication

The consequences of poor communication during a disaster are severe and multifaceted. Misinformation is one of the most dangerous byproducts of ineffective communication. During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, rumors and contradictory information spread through the affected regions, leading to confusion about the scale of the disaster and evacuation plans. In some cases, local authorities were slow to issue clear warnings, and public confusion led to people being caught off-guard by the waves resulting in thousands of avoidable deaths.

Panic is another significant risk associated with poor communication. When people don’t receive accurate or timely information, they may make irrational decisions driven by fear, such as attempting to flee in an uncoordinated manner or ignoring evacuation orders altogether. This chaos not only jeopardizes their safety but also complicates the efforts of emergency responders who are trying to help. The good news is that panic is not as common as we may believe during a disaster. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Panic during disasters is much less common than people tend to believe.” The National Research Council report titled “Disaster and the Community” from 2011 confers with the APA and states that “studies of mass disasters consistently show that, rather than panic, most people exhibit calm, cooperative behavior.” While this is all good news, it is important for communicators to always hope for the best yet plan for the worst as they traverse down a potential rabbit hole of deep distress.

Adding to potential problems, delays in communication, or failure to relay clear instructions, can result in delayed responses to critical needs such as medical assistance. A lack of coherent information about where to find supplies or how to get to safety can leave people stranded or without resources, exacerbating the disaster’s impact. Past disasters provide ample evidence of how communication failures can amplify the devastation. Take, for example, Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Poor communication from government officials and agencies led to widespread confusion and inefficiencies in evacuations and rescue operations. Many people in New Orleans did not receive timely warnings about the severity of the storm or the need to evacuate, particularly in low income or predominantly African American neighborhoods. As a result, thousands were left stranded in dangerous conditions, with inadequate resources and no clear guidance on where to seek refuge.
Recognizing the diverse needs of a community is essential for effective disaster communication. Communities are often made up of individuals from various cultural, demographic, and linguistic backgrounds. Understanding this diversity allows emergency responders to communicate in ways that resonate with all members, ensuring that life-saving information reaches everyone. Cultural norms and values can influence how people perceive authority figures or how they respond to directives. Some populations may have a mistrust of government agencies, while others may be more reliant on community leaders. By acknowledging these differences, emergency responders can tailor their messaging to increase receptivity and ensure a unified, effective response.

Crisis communication during a disaster is incredibly stressful as responders must balance the urgency of delivering accurate information with the need to manage public fear and confusion. The pressure to make quick decisions, handle misinformation, and coordinate with multiple agencies can be overwhelming. Clear, calm communication is essential to ensuring safety and maintaining public trust amid chaos.

Before the Disaster

Community engagement is critical for building a foundation of trust and preparedness before disaster strikes. Emergency responders should establish ongoing relationships with community organizations and residents, ensuring that they are well-informed about available resources and emergency procedures. Pre-disaster outreach, such as education campaigns, help to familiarize the public with the necessary actions they must take during a crisis while also reinforcing the credibility of emergency agencies.

The more involved and informed a community is ahead of time, the more likely individuals will feel prepared and empowered to respond effectively when disaster occurs. By prioritizing engagement, responders can also identify unique community needs or vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Tailored preparedness programs can then be developed to ensure that all residents are equipped with the right tools to protect themselves during a disaster.

Building Trust & Transparency

Trust is fundamental to disaster communication. If emergency responders have not established a strong, transparent relationship with the community before a crisis, their messages may not be taken seriously or followed. Building trust is a long-term effort that involves consistent, honest communication and active involvement in the community throughout normal times. Dr. Barbara Reynolds is a retired deputy director of external affairs with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and wrote the book on Crisis & Emergency Risk Communications. She informs us that “it’s vital to make an emotional and psychological connection with your audience at the initial stages of the disaster that’s occurring, especially if you’re back at a headquarters doing something that’s got your attention focused elsewhere. It’s an investment in both your community and communication to make sure that you’re doing the best you can to keep them informed and develop that trust-based relationship with them.”

By engaging with local leaders, listening to the concerns of the public, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to residents’ well-being, responders can create an environment where the public is more likely to heed warnings and take the necessary steps for safety when a disaster occurs. Effective disaster communication is a critical element in saving lives and reducing the overall impact of a crisis. To ensure that people can make informed decisions, emergency responders must adhere to key principles that guide the way information is disseminated. The principles of timeliness, clarity, consistency, actionable information, credibility, and the use of multiple communication channels are essential for effective communication and community safety.

Timely and factual communication is essential during a disaster to provide clear guidance and ensure public safety....

Timeliness: Real-Time Updates

One of the most important aspects of disaster communication is timeliness. In emergencies, situations evolve rapidly, and residents need real-time updates to make informed decisions. Regardless of the disaster, timely communication allows people to understand the current situation and take immediate action. Delays in providing updates can cause unnecessary risks, as communities may not be able to prepare or evacuate in time. Providing constant updates through reliable channels, even when new information is minimal, helps reassure the community and encourages proactive safety measures.

Clarity: Simple, Clear Language

Clarity in communication is crucial, especially during a disaster when emotions are high, and people are under stress. Complex or technical language can confuse or overwhelm the audience, increasing the risk of individuals missing vital information or misinterpreting warnings. Emergency communication should be straightforward, avoiding jargon or unnecessarily complicated terminology. Instead of saying, “Evacuate to the designated shelter area,” a clearer message would be, “Go to the school gymnasium on Maple Street for shelter.” The use of simple, action-oriented language helps ensure that everyone, regardless of education level or background, understands the message and knows exactly what they need to do to stay safe.

Consistency: Avoiding Confusion

Consistency is another fundamental principle of effective disaster communication. During a crisis, conflicting messages from different authorities can lead to confusion and chaos. It is crucial that all sources (local, state, and federal agencies) deliver consistent and unified messages. This helps ensure that people are not receiving mixed signals, which can cause them to act in contradictory ways. If local government authorities issue an evacuation order while a federal agency reports that conditions are not yet dangerous, the public might be left unsure of how to respond. Having clear communication protocols in place and ensuring coordination between agencies is key to maintaining consistency during a disaster.

Actionable Info: Providing Practical Steps

Disaster communication should provide clear, actionable information that allows people to take the necessary steps to protect themselves. Warnings are important, but they need to be accompanied by specific instructions on what to do. Telling people to “evacuate immediately” or “take shelter” is not enough. Specifically telling your audience to “take shelter in an interior room away from windows” offers a very particular course of action that helps alleviate stress and gives the listener a sense of control and ownership often needed during times of disaster. The clearer the instructions, the less likely people are to hesitate or second-guess their actions during critical moments.

Credibility: Trustworthy Sources

In a crisis, misinformation spreads quickly, especially with the rise of social media. To prevent confusion and panic, it is essential that emergency communication comes from credible and trusted sources. Government agencies, local emergency response teams, and reliable news outlets should always seek to be trustworthy in the eyes of the public so that disaster recommendations are acted upon. Additionally, before disseminating any information, authorities should verify the facts to ensure accuracy. False or unverified information can result in widespread fear or, worse, dangerous actions taken based on incorrect assumptions.

From the viewpoint of the listener, this has become increasingly difficult, if not almost impossible, with political bias prevalent in news agencies today. Randy Retter, an elected sheriff from Wayne County, Indiana, and subject matter expert in safety, relates our need to gain trustworthy sources of information from multiple sources. “When we are encompassed in a digital world, we are only using two of senses, which are sight and sound. In a disaster, all our senses, including our sense to think logically, are available to us. If we’re faced with a situation where we need factual information, even if we’re not completely prepared for it, we’ve got to use most of our senses to often make the best decision on what to trust.

“We don’t always receive that, so we’re forced to make a potentially bad decision based on incomplete information. I’m afraid that’s what’s quickly happening to our nation today.” There may not be a concrete answer to uncover all the facts during a disaster. The most effective way to determine factual information is to perform your own research and get an overarching view of what all news agencies are saying. It’s not perfect, but at least you’re not being spoon-fed information the benefits television ratings and not yourself.

Multiple Channels: Reach a Broad Audience

Finally, leveraging multiple communication channels is essential for reaching as many people as possible. Reynolds continues that “there is an opportunity for us to do a better job of managing the communication loop. It’s important to understand that there are best practices, but there is not just one way to communicate.”

She’s right. In today’s digital age, relying on just one communication method, such as radio or TV, can leave certain segments of the population uninformed. Social media platforms, websites, emergency apps, text messages, and traditional media outlets all play an important role in disseminating information quickly and widely. Social media, for instance, allows emergency responders to post real-time updates, while mobile apps can send push notifications directly to people’s phones. Traditional media like radio and TV are still critical for reaching those without internet access. A multi-channel approach ensures emergency messages are reaching the widest possible audience, especially in communities with varying levels of access to technology.

The effectiveness of disaster communication lies in its timeliness, clarity, consistency, credibility, and actionability. By adhering to these key principles and utilizing multiple communication channels, emergency responders can ensure that their messages reach those in need of information, helping communities stay safe and recover more quickly during and after a crisis.

Post-Disaster & Recovery

Effective communication doesn’t end once the immediate disaster threat has passed. In fact, the recovery and rebuilding phases require just as much, if not more, attention to ensure that communities receive the support they need to heal and rebuild. Ongoing communication during recovery plays a critical role in maintaining public safety. During the recovery phase, it’s essential to continue providing clear and actionable information to the community.

This includes updates on available resources such as shelter, food distribution, financial aid, and mental health services. As communities begin rebuilding, regular communication is needed to share progress, outline safety precautions, and direct people to available resources. If your local road access to certain areas becomes clear, informing residents can help them return home safely. Emergency responders and local authorities must continue to be visible, accessible, and responsive to the evolving needs of the community.

Feedback & Lessons Learned

Another crucial component of post-disaster communication is gathering feedback from the community. After the disaster, emergency agencies should solicit input from residents about the effectiveness of the communication during and after the event. This feedback can be gathered through a variety of means such as surveys and town hall meetings. Analyzing this feedback helps identify areas for improvement, whether it’s the clarity of messaging or the accessibility of resources.

Incorporating lessons learned into future disaster communication plans ensures better preparedness for the next crisis. Post-disaster analysis offers valuable lessons. Past events, like Hurricane Katrina or the California wildfires, have highlighted the importance of timely, clear, and coordinated messaging. Agencies that communicate transparently and consistently build trust and reduce confusion during recovery.

Empowerment & Resilience

Proper communication can also empower individuals and communities to take control of their recovery. When people have access to accurate and timely information, they feel more confident in their ability to rebuild. Empowering the community with knowledge about available assistance fosters resilience. This enables them to recover more quickly and emerge stronger, both emotionally and practically, from the disaster. Effective post-disaster communication not only supports recovery but also helps to build a foundation for long-term resilience in the face of future challenges.

Getting it Right

Effective communication by emergency responders is crucial in ensuring a coordinated and successful response to disasters. When emergency situations arise, clear, accurate, and timely communication can mean the difference between life and death. It enables responders to quickly assess the situation, allocate resources efficiently, and relay critical information to the public and other agencies. Effective communication, however, goes beyond just relaying information.

Disaster communication establishes trust within the community and provides reassurance, thus ensuring that all parties involved are on the same page. This is why ongoing preparedness and training are essential. Responders must regularly engage in communication drills, improve their technical and interpersonal skills, and be committed to honest dialogue in both chaotic and calm times.

When responders communicate transparently and effectively, they build public confidence and facilitate smoother operations on the ground. Disaster communication, performed correctly, creates a foundation of trust that keeps us safe and informed during times of crisis. While not at the forefront of all emergency responders, communicators should fight to find a seat at the planning table. Emergency-based communication truly is the glue that holds disaster response efforts together, fostering a stronger, more prepared community ready to face whatever challenges may arise. When time is essential in saving lives, proper communication is indeed a vital step in getting emergency response right for our safety … and that is what truly matters.

Instructions like “evacuate immediately” or “take shelter” are too vague, and can unintentionally put people in harms way. Instead, “take shelter in an interior room away from windows” is much more precise and affords people a greater chance of survival.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Crisis communication is crucial in ensuring that all individuals, especially vulnerable populations, receive timely, accurate, and accessible information during disasters. Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, individuals with disabilities, non-native speakers, and those with limited access to technology are at higher risk during emergencies, not only due to physical or situational limitations but also because they may face barriers in receiving critical updates.

Accessibility: Crisis communication must ensure that vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled individuals, and non-native speakers, have access to critical information through multiple channels (e.g., radio, text, social media, in-person outreach).

Clear, Simple Messaging: Information should be straightforward, using simple language and visuals to make it easier for everyone to understand, especially those with limited literacy or cognitive abilities.

Language Support: Messages should be translated and include cultural considerations to accommodate non-English speakers or individuals with limited language proficiency.
Technology Access: Recognize that some vulnerable individuals may lack access to modern technology, so traditional methods like printed materials or community-based announcements are essential.

Targeted Outreach: Engage with vulnerable populations directly through tailored outreach, such as providing sign language interpreters or dedicated helplines, to ensure they receive necessary guidance during a crisis.

About the Author

Mark Linderman is the owner of Disaster Initiatives, an online company that provides communication leaders with the tools needed to address their communities and the media throughout a crisis, teaching the communicator to approach crisis communication from the listener’s perspective. He is a certified emergency manager (CEM) and 19-year veteran of Public Health. He instructs Crisis & Risk Communication and Disaster Preparedness courses for seven universities, including Indiana University’s Fairbanks School of Public Health. Linderman is considered a subject matter expert in the field of disaster-based communication and is a widely received public speaker and advocate for disaster preparedness.

Read More From Issue 69

Don’t miss essential survival insights—sign up for Recoil Offgrid’s free newsletter today!

• Issue 69
• Editor’s Letter Issue 69
• Knives By Nuge
• All-Purpose Road Trip Pack
• Review of The Guerilla’s Guide to Signals Intelligence
• ZOLEO Review

Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)

Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.