An article at the Force Science News about the “triangle of death.” The triangle of death is the part of a white t-shirt that peeks out from behind a button-down shirt or vest, unbuttoned at the top (below the neck/chin). Looks like a triangle, and the article demonstrates that it makes for a great target. Good if it’s the bad-guy you’re shooting at, bad if it’s you wearing the triangle.

What happens is, especially in a low-light situation, the triangle stands out. When you’re in a pressure situation your eyes scan and have to take in massive amounts of information in limited time, so you tend to process what stands out and/or what your eyes/brain tends to focus on. So, especially in a low-light situation, a little peek of white against an otherwise dark background (e.g. police uniform) is going to stand out, be zeroed in on, and likely become a point of aim.

I’ve seen this myself in FoF scenarios or even just pressure-stages (e.g. timed events) against realistic targets. All too often where do rounds hit? in the hand. The hand is holding a gun, pointed at you, you’re shooting back, your eyes focus on the gun, and you end up shooting at the gun.

Lessons to learn? When it comes to shooting, you’ll have to train yourself to better pick up on cues and indicators and shoot what you’re supposed to shoot instead of what your eyes may get drawn to. When it comes to what to wear, blend in with your surroundings, which may mean in a low-light situation that you wear more subdued clothing.