At which level of situational awareness are you if you are "comprehending the situation"?

Being at the level where you are "comprehending the situation" corresponds to Level 2 of situational awareness. At this stage, individuals not only perceive what is happening around them, but they also understand the implications of those observations. This level involves actively processing the information gathered at Level 1—where the focus is primarily on detecting and recognizing elements within the environment.

At Level 2, a person can analyze the current situation, recognize patterns, and appreciate how different factors interact within that context. This deeper understanding sets the groundwork for making informed decisions as the incident unfolds. Levels 3 and 4 move into predicting future trends or addressing potential actions, which involves higher cognitive processes beyond mere comprehension of the current circumstances. Thus, identifying where one stands in the situational awareness spectrum is crucial for ensuring effective responses in any incident or emergency setting.