Which of the following is a pre-attack indicator?

• A. Non-compliance with orders
• B. Trying to hide hands
• C. Calm breathing
• D. Cooperative listening

Answer: (B)

Pre-attack indicators are early signals that a person may move toward violence. Among these cues, hiding or concealing the hands is particularly telling because the hands are the primary tools someone might use to strike or to reach for a weapon. When someone hides their hands, you lose visibility into what they might do next, which increases risk and narrows your window for safe de-escalation. This behavior often appears with rising tension and can signal impending escalation even if their overall demeanor seems calm at the moment. Because of the uncertainty it creates, increase your awareness, maintain distance, and use clear, calm commands while keeping your own hands visible and ready to respond. In contrast, calm breathing and cooperative listening suggest a lower level of threat and are not themselves indicators of imminent aggression, and non-compliance with orders, while concerning, does not inherently mean the person is about to attack.