The Decision Engine: Four Simple Questions That Can Save Your Life

by Jeff Young

At Lone Pine Tactical, we emphasize practical, real-world skills that go beyond the range—skills rooted in awareness, movement, and smart decision-making under stress. One particularly valuable concept we’ve incorporated into our training draws from advanced courses like “Take-A-Seat,” which focuses on effectively fighting from seated positions (such as in vehicles, restaurants, or on the ground), defending against close-quarters threats while seated, and rapidly transitioning back up to your feet to re-enter the fight.

A standout element from this type of training is a powerful post-engagement sequence: a straightforward mental checklist for the chaotic moments after neutralizing an immediate threat.

It consists of four simple questions:

1. Who can help me?

2. Who can hurt me?

3. Where am I going?

4. Where are my people?

These questions serve as tools for the post-incident phase of a deadly force encounter, helping you rapidly reorganize your surroundings once the primary threat is down.

Those four questions alone are game-changers. But upon deeper reflection, they reveal even greater potential. They aren’t limited to “after the fight.” They apply everywhere—in every phase of potential conflict and even in everyday life.

Over time, these questions have evolved into what I call my Decision Engine: a core framework for awareness, positioning, movement, and decision-making. It’s not a gimmick; it’s the foundation of effective self-defense, whether you’re facing a lethal threat or simply navigating a crowded parking lot.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Who Can Help Me?

This question identifies assets and resources around you. Help might come from:

• Your spouse, partner, or coworker

• A nearby law enforcement officer

• A calm bystander

• Someone already calling 911

But “help” isn’t always people. It could be:

• Solid cover like a vehicle or wall

• An exit or choke point you can control

• A locked door

• A store employee familiar with the layout

In a fight, this keeps you oriented toward support. In daily life, it trains you to spot resources proactively—preventing tunnel vision and improving your position before anything goes wrong.

2. Who Can Hurt Me?

This goes deeper than just spotting the obvious bad guy. Potential harm can come from:

• The armed attacker

• Accomplices or family members of the threat

• Bystanders reacting unpredictably

• Arriving officers who may misidentify you

• Environmental hazards like blind corners, elevations, or tight spaces

This question drives true situational awareness. It applies before, during, and after any incident. It’s essential for travel safety, reading crowds, and recognizing threats in unfamiliar places. It forces honesty about risks and eliminates blind spots.

3. Where Am I Going?

Purposeful movement is non-negotiable—in training, daily routines, or real fights. Random movement wastes energy and accomplishes nothing.

Asking this question ensures every step has intent. When entering a restaurant, gas station, or store, it prompts you to note:

• Exits and bathrooms

• Seating or aisle layouts

• Safe routes

It’s not paranoia; it’s efficiency. Just like you wouldn’t drive without a destination, you shouldn’t move defensively without a plan. This anchors your actions, shapes better angles, and prevents surprise.

4. Where Are My People?

As I’ve gotten older, this one resonates most. “My people” typically means my family—my wife, grown kids, or anyone under my protection. It includes:

• Spouses, children, or parents

• Friends or coworkers you’re with

• Vulnerable innocents in the moment

This question ensures accountability. It matters at home, in crowds, while traveling abroad, or in busy stores where separation is easy. It prevents unintentionally endangering those you care about and upholds your moral responsibility to protect the innocent.

Why This Decision Engine Works Everywhere

These four questions aren’t confined to deadly force scenarios. They apply:

• Long before any threat emerges

• During an active incident

• In the aftermath

• In everyday situations like parking lots, airports, restaurants, or foreign travel

They’re simple, fast, and prioritize what matters most. They integrate awareness, angles, positioning, and deliberate movement into one cohesive system.

Once internalized, they run in the background—sharpening your judgment without overwhelming you under stress. This is the heart of survivability: connecting awareness, timing, and responsibility into decisions that keep you and your loved ones safe.

At Lone Pine Tactical, we teach tools like this because real protection starts in the mind. Incorporate the Decision Engine into your routine, and watch your preparedness soar.

Stay aware, stay deliberate, and stay safe.