Hypervigilance Audit

Charlie Company Cooperative

What this is: Hypervigilance kept you alive in combat. It's your nervous system running threat detection at maximum sensitivity. The problem isn't that you have it — it's that it doesn't know when to turn off.

This audit helps you map your specific patterns. Awareness is the first step to recalibration.

Environmental Scanning

Seating position awareness

Always sit with back to wall. Need to see exits. Uncomfortable otherwise.

Worst in:

Exit mapping

Automatically identify exits when entering any space. Know your route out.

Worst in:

Crowd scanning

Watching hands, faces, body language. Looking for threats in crowds.

Worst in:

Vehicle awareness

Scanning parked cars, watching for VBIEDs, uncomfortable in traffic.

Worst in:

Startle & Reactivity

Exaggerated startle response

Loud noises cause physical jump, heart racing, combat posture.

Triggered by:

Fireworks / gunfire sounds

Fourth of July, hunting season, car backfires. Immediate stress response.

Coping strategy:

Helicopters / aircraft

Sound of rotors or low-flying aircraft triggers alertness or memories.

Reaction level (1-10):

Being approached from behind

Spouse, kids, coworkers approaching from behind triggers defensive response.

Have discussed with family:

Sleep & Home Security

Multiple door/window checks

Checking locks repeatedly before sleep. Can't rest until perimeter is secure.

Weapon within reach at night

Firearm or other weapon accessible while sleeping. Feel unsafe without it.

Light sleeping / easily woken

Any noise brings you to full alert. Never fully unconscious.

Home security systems / cameras

Extensive security setup. Checking cameras frequently.

Your Top 3 Triggers

What situations consistently activate your hypervigilance the most?

1. Situation/Trigger

1. Physical Response

2. Situation/Trigger

2. Physical Response

3. Situation/Trigger

3. Physical Response

Reframe: This Is Training, Not Damage

Your hypervigilance is your nervous system doing exactly what it was trained to do. The problem isn't that you're broken — it's that the software is still running combat protocols in a non-combat environment.

Recalibration strategies:

Grounding: When triggered, name 5 things you can see. Feel your feet on the floor. You're here, not there.
Communicate: Tell your spouse/family your patterns so they can adapt (don't approach from behind, etc.)
Controlled exposure: Gradually expose yourself to triggering environments in safe, controlled ways.
Physical reset: When activated, cold water on face, slow exhale, or brief intense exercise can reset the nervous system.
Professional support: EMDR and CPT have strong evidence for reducing hypervigilance specifically.