Strategies for Non-Escalation and De-Escalation

By Scott Gara

Knowing when to pull your gun in self-defense, and more importantly, when not to, is critical in a de-escalation strategy. De-escalation and non-escalation are often overlooked aspects of training, but they are important exercises. Becoming well-versed in de-escalation, or better yet learning how to avoid bad situations altogether, means you’re more likely to keep your gun holstered. In short, mentally working through de-escalation and non-escalation techniques could prevent you from having the worst day of your life.
To learn more, we caught up with Dave Young, Co-Founder of Vistelar Training. Vistelar Training offers a wide variety of instruction focused on human conflict. One of the most sought-after training courses revolves around the principles of non-escalation and de-escalation. As a former Marine and law enforcement officer, Young has seen plenty of encounters and witnessed the value of de-escalation.
Non-Escalation vs. De-Escalation
Dave Young teaches a class of students in non-escalation techniques. (Photo: Vistelar/Facebook.com)
Before we dive into specific strategies for de-escalation, let’s take a moment to understand non-escalation versus de-escalation. “Non-escalation strategies avoid the negative dance [while] de-escalation strategies help you manage the negative dance,” Young told us.
Simply put, non-escalation avoids a situation that could become elevated in stress, adrenaline, and the need for self-defense.

Source: Guns.com