Tunnel Vision - Problems with Multi-tasking...

[Blue_Chameleon]

After analyzing my problems in FTO, as well as the FTO himself telling me that I'm completely screwing up here, it turns out that I have a hint of tunnel vision when it comes to listening to my radio...

Under normal conditions, I can hear my radio fine...but if I'm out to a hot call or if I'm trying to find my way to some place and my FTO is talking to me, I, for the life of me, cannot hear my radio. It's like the radio fades away in the background. Even if they're calling me over the air, I can't hear them!

Any suggestions as to how I can fix this problem??

I'm trying driving with music and my radio on at the same time. I'm trying to be on the cell phone and listening to the radio at the same time. I'm trying to watch TV and listen to my radio at the same time. It's really frustrating...cause I can't hear it! How have those of you who might have had a similiar problem remedy the situation??

[tcsd1236]

Turn everything off but the radio while on a hot call; turn the volume up HIGH so that you cant ignore it.

[FLLawdog]

A lot of it has to do with the newness of it all, as well. Here you are, in a new career, riding with someone who is responsible for your future, and even though you may not feel it, you're intimidated. Throw in the calls and everything spinning around in your head, and your brain can't quite process it all.

Relax. Focus. Think. Before work, get in a mindset that removes everything but work. No more distractions.

When you're in FTO, the last thing that needs to be on is the AM/FM. This eliminates conversation between you and the FTO.

As you're responding to a call, especially a hot one, you have to drive, know where you're going, know what's going on and relay all that on the radio. It's quite overwhelming.

The solution? No simple one, because it all depends on how you handle stress. Just relax. It sounds like you may be just a little intimidated by either the FTO or the stuff you have to do.

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[Don]

Hey Blue,

Give it some time. Yes I know, your FTO is on your ***. But that is his job, to bring you along as quick as possible without missing anything.

I really can

[Motivator]

Hey Blue,
I had/have the same problem. What I did and it helps alot is get a yellow legal pad, every time something comes over the air whether for you or not, adress wise, write it down. You may be down on a traffic stop and your buddy may be asking for backup, at that time the net is congested and you can't ask for directions. just look at your pad.

Always X out old adresses as you deem them not necessary any more, but not to where you can't read them any more.
I keep my pad right on top of my laptop and i have a pen with a piece of string, like at the bank. It sounds dumb, but it sure has helped me. Maybe as my experience increases I may use it less and less, but for right now I Have To Do It. My FTO likes to ask me where officer so-and-so is down at, if I can't give him the numerics and street he chews on me.

[Blue_Chameleon]

I actually spend a lot of time trying to relax. Before work, I always mentally prepare myself for my shift. Whether it's just sitting there and trying to resolve issues in my head or actually doing some work, I focus a lot on my job.

It's frustrating when I can't hear the radio...already, I've been humiliated by my FTO, fellow officers, and even by the dispatchers.

My family and my girlfriend see how tired I am all the time. At times, they are supportive...but I know they really want me back in a cubical, working on computer stuff. I personally don't want to go back...but sometimes with the amount of failure I've gone though, I am frightened that I won't make it though. I know positive thinking is the way to go...but when you have others close to you cheering you on to the other path, it makes it really hard and frustrating.

Sorry if I seem "whiny" but there just seems to be a million of things running in my mind when I'm off-duty and another 2 million when I'm on-duty.

[Don]

Blue,

Check your email!

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Never make fun of another mans wife, religion or dog, (not necessarily in that order)
6P1 (retired)

[MSchelling]

...but sometimes with the amount of failure I've gone th[r]ough... And, I think, therein lies one of the biggest problems. Don't be so hard on yourself. While it's an admirable trait to try to be your own worst critic, don't go to the extreme of forming a mental block. This is a sure-fire way to make critical mistakes and endanger yourself or others. Accept the fact that you're going to make mistakes. Your FTO is there to make sure you don't make life-threatening mistakes.

Ease up on yourself and try to be yourself. Be the real you, not the one others expect you to be. I think this is another angle on relaxing; You may be preparing for the bar fights, domestics, traffic stops, alarms and all, but are you preparing for the chance that you'll screw up?

For me, the phonetic alphabet was one of the hardest things for me to get down. I'd had the military version (alpha, bravo, charlie...) drilled into me. Suddenly, I had to change to another version (adam, boy, charlie...) On calls, especially when I knew my FTO was eye-f***ing me, I'd inevitably bungle it; often reverting to my old training.

Your FTO knows your going to botch things up. It's his job to bag you on it when you do. (It's also your job to err and then learn from your mistakes.) Accept it, regardless of his demeanor, as constructive criticism.

[Sparky]

Blue,

Motivator already gave you some good advice. You should try to keep up with all of the other units as much as possible. When you hear a unit on a hot call or one that has a propensity to go sideways, you can cruise over towards that area so that you will be close in case he calls for help. Once he calls "secure", you can meander on wherever you want in your ward.

Doing this will help you get used to listening to the calls. You can try listening to a scanner or your radio at home. Personally, I hated to listen to a scanner if I wasn't working, but I know some guys who said it helped.

I know a few old heads who still keep a scanner on in the background at home even when they sleep. An old habit from the old days when they were always on call to respond. These guys can hear priority radio traffic in their sleep. I had one show up at a officer assitance call in his bathrobe. He had his radio turned down low on his dresser, but the traffic woke him up. He jumped into a robe, grabbed his gun and hit the door. http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

This is the sort of thing that comes with time and you will get used to it. You will get to a point where you hear it and don't even realize it. You learn to filter out what is important and what isn't. You will also get to a point where you can tune everything out but your call sign, which will snap your ears to attention.

Remember, no one expects you to be perfect right out of the box, they only expect you to screw up and try not to make the same mistakes too much. As long as you are learning and improving, you're doing fine.

Next roll call that comes around, take a moment to look around the squad room...

Now think to yourself, (definately not out loud), "Hey! If some of these bozos can do this job, I sure can."

Keep trying new guy. You'll screw up and get it right soon. http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Just keep working at it!!

Remember what we told you before...it's not that you screw up, it's how you handle it when you do! And don't forget to tell us when you earn your nickname!!!!

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-Sparky

[TIGGY]

Blue, From reading both of your posts under this topic, it most def sounds like you are a analytical thinker. You, by your nature, like to analyze everything you do. I believe when you are thinking along these lines, is were your particular dilema arises.
Keep It Simple Sam. That is the key. Just remeber, even though your FTO may seem "God" like, he also has weaknesses. Ask him how he came over his weaknesses when he was a Rook. BE CONFIDENT. Just think that you made it through academy, a hiring process, and that you can make it through field training. "It aint nohting but a thing." Even though this may sound quirky; rent the movie "Rudy." It is very inspirational. It is based on a true story. When you face adversity, turn it from your strength rather than a weakness. While I was at the academy, one of the vet instructors made us write in bold, red letters on the back of our name plate; "I WILL NEVER QUIT." You control your own destiny, and dont let that intimidate you. Good luck and be safe. You're not alone in your early experiences.

[That Guy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by That Guy:
[B]Buy an ear plug radio speaker. Look at Otto Eng at http://www.ottoeng.com
These are a GOD-sent. I am glad I picked it up prior to FTO. These WORK. Look into it. 90% of the officers in my dept use them. The ocular cavity(?) set-up is the best. It is designed to hear the radio traffic as well as your surroundings with out having the muffle noise. Not to mention that it is a BIG officer safty plus. All incoming traffic is heard only by you. It mutes the mike and fits neatly in the ear.


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[FLLawdog]

Hey, Blue, haven't seen around lately. Ya doin' OK?

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."