Nick Wood Personal Safety

Most people think personal safety starts when violence begins.In reality, it starts long before that.

Based on Colonel Jeff Cooper’s Awareness Colour Code system, these levels of awareness can help you recognise potential danger earlier, make better decisions under pressure, and avoid unnecessary risk altogether.

The goal is not ego. The goal is to get home safe.

In this carousel I break down the 5 levels of awareness:

⚪ White – Unaware
🟡 Yellow – Aware & Prepared
🟠 Orange – Alert to potential threat
🔴 Red – Action mode
⚫ Black – Overload / survival shutdown

Awareness is your first line of defence.

These are some of the principles I teach through personal safety and conflict management workshops, with more covered in my upcoming book releasing later this year.

Stay alert. Stay aware. Stay safe.

In today’s climate, personal safety and threat awareness are more important than ever.

A “Severe” threat level means an attack is highly likely but awareness, preparation, and calm decision-making can help save lives.

As part of my ongoing work in personal safety, conflict management, and self-protection training, I believe education and awareness are key. Simple actions such as staying alert, recognising suspicious behaviour, knowing exits, and avoiding complacency can make a significant difference in an emergency situation.

This infographic was designed to help raise awareness around:
• What a severe threat level means
• What to look out for
• What to avoid
• Practical ways to stay safe

Awareness gives you options.

Most people train to fight one person.

Real situations don’t always look like that.

When facing multiple attackers, your goal isn’t to win.

It’s to create space and get away safely.

✔ Stay aware
✔ Keep moving
✔ Create space
✔ Keep it simple

Awareness gives you options.
Simple actions save lives.

Not all threats look dangerous.

Some watch you.
Some wait for the right moment.
Some smile in your face.

Understanding the difference between:
• Predator
• Opportunist
• Charming Predator

…can change how you move, who you trust, and how you respond.

Awareness is the first step.
Avoidance is the goal.
Action is the last resort.

Most people don’t get into trouble because they lack courage.
They get into trouble because they lack awareness.

Travel safety isn’t about paranoia.
It’s about preparation.

Small habits:
• Where you sit
• How you walk
• What you notice
• What questions you ask

These things matter.

Awareness → Avoidance → Appropriate Action.

Save this.
Share it with someone who travels alone.

If your school or organisation would benefit from practical personal safety training, feel free to connect.

Nick Wood

Violence is the last layer, not the first.

The 3 A’s that I go by.
It’s about Awareness.
It’s about Avoidance.
And only when necessary, Appropriate Action.

The best fight is the one you never enter..



SelfProtection

It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war.

Most people hope they’ll rise to the occasion.

Under pressure, you don’t rise.
You default to your level of preparation.

Train in peace.
So you don’t panic in chaos.

What you’re seeing here isn’t cowardice.
It’s stress response.

Under sudden threat, people default to:
• Freeze
• Flight
• Fight
• Or submission

Without training, most people freeze or run.

The question isn’t:
“Would you protect your loved ones?”

The question is:
“Have you trained your nervous system to function under threat?”

Protection isn’t about ego.
It’s about preparation, positioning, and decision-making under pressure.

If you are responsible for others, partner, children, team, stress inoculation matters.