Active Shooter Response Options: Run / Hide / Fight
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With the rash of riots and mental anguish of being forced into hiding for months in fear of the china virus pandemic, a re-posting of this seemed to be appropriate. After all, this is a blog about preparing for emergencies. I pray that you never find yourself in this kind of horror but, if it should happen, I hope this is helpful to prepare you for your safety and survival and for those you care about. Please feel free to pass it on if you feel it's useful.
The direct link to this Posting is: https://www.5six7.com/survival/P4T/P4T_Blog-ActiveShooter.htm In today's society, constantly practice Situational Awareness (pay attention to what's going on around you). |
This training video, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), demonstrates possible actions to take if confronted with an active shooter scenario. The instructive video reviews the choices of evacuating, hiding, or, as an option of last resort, challenging the shooter. The video also shows how to assist authorities once law enforcement enters the scene.
VIDEO SYNOPSIS:
How to Respond When an Active Shooter is in Your Vicinity: Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life:
1. Run (Evacuate). If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:
- Devise an escape route and plan NOW. Wherever you go, be aware of Marked Exits
- If possible, help others escape but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
- Leave your belongings behind
- Discourage individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be located
- Do not attempt to move wounded people
- Follow the instructions of police officers
- Keep your hands visible and empty so police don't mistake you for the perpetrator
- Call 911 when it is safe to do so
2. Hide. If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:
- Be out of the active shooter’s view
- Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., a room with a closed and locked door)
- Not trap you or restrict your options for movement. To hinder an active shooter from entering your hiding place: lock or blockade the door with heavy furniture.
If the active shooter is nearby:
- Lock or barricade the door
- Silence your cell phone and/or pager. Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions).
- Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
- Remain quiet
If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:
- Remain calm
- Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location
- If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen and trace the call
3. Fight (Take action against the active shooter). As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:
- Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her (keep in mind that this person has nothing to lose so fight as if your life depends on it)
- Yelling, throwing items, and improvising weapons
- Committing to your actions
OTHER RESOURCES:
Personal Preparation to Stop a Mass Shooter
Training to Stop an Active Shooter
DHS Active Shooter Preparedness Resources and Companion Video
Strategies to Escape an Active Shooter
Firearms Training for Personal Defense
Building a Personal Defense Strategy
Moral Decay: The Cause of Increased Violence