The thought of encountering an active shooter is terrifying, but in today’s world, it’s crucial to be prepared for the worst. Knowing how to respond in such a high-stress, life-threatening situation can mean the difference between survival and tragedy. Whether you’re in a school, office, shopping mall, or public space, having a plan and understanding key survival tactics can save your life. In this guide, we’ll cover essential survival tactics to help you stay calm, make quick decisions, and increase your chances of surviving an active shooter event.
What Is an Active Shooter Situation?
An active shooter situation occurs when one or more individuals are actively engaged in attempting to kill or harm people in a populated area. These events are often unpredictable and evolve quickly, meaning the first few minutes are critical for survival. Active shooters may target specific individuals, or they may randomly fire at anyone in their path.
While law enforcement will respond as quickly as possible, active shooter events often unfold in a matter of minutes. As a result, the first line of defense is the people caught in the situation—meaning that understanding survival tactics and how to react is vital.
The “Run, Hide, Fight” Approach: The Basics of Survival
The Department of Homeland Security advocates for the Run, Hide, Fight approach during an active shooter incident. This method provides clear, straightforward guidance on how to maximize your chances of survival in a chaotic and rapidly evolving situation.
1. Run: The First and Best Option
Whenever possible, your first and best option in an active shooter situation is to escape. Getting away from the shooter can significantly increase your chances of survival.
- Know Your Exits: Always be aware of your surroundings and know the nearest exits, whether you’re at work, school, or a public space. Having an escape route in mind can save precious seconds when you need to move quickly.
- Don’t Wait for Others: If you can safely escape, don’t wait for others to follow. Encourage those around you to leave, but don’t let indecision cost you valuable time.
- Leave Your Belongings: In an active shooter scenario, your priority is getting out alive. Leave personal items behind—don’t waste time gathering belongings.
- Help Others If You Can: If possible, help those around you escape, but do not risk your life if they refuse to move or if it’s not safe to assist.
- Prevent Others from Entering: If you’re leaving a building, warn others from entering the area where the shooter is located.
2. Hide: When Escape Is Not Possible
If running isn’t an option, your next best course of action is to hide. The goal of hiding is to avoid detection by the shooter and protect yourself from harm.
- Find a Secure Hiding Spot: Look for a hiding place that is out of the shooter’s view, such as a locked office, supply closet, or behind large furniture.
- Lock and Barricade Doors: If you’re in a room with a door, lock it and barricade it with heavy objects like desks, chairs, or filing cabinets. This makes it harder for the shooter to get inside.
- Stay Quiet: Silence your phone, turn off any noise-making devices, and remain as quiet as possible. The shooter will be drawn to sounds, so staying silent increases your chances of going unnoticed.
- Stay Low and Out of Sight: Position yourself low to the ground and away from windows or doors. The goal is to make yourself as invisible as possible.
- Wait for Law Enforcement: Stay in your hiding place until law enforcement arrives and gives the all-clear. Don’t open the door for anyone unless you’re certain it’s the police.
3. Fight: Your Last Resort
If you’re unable to run or hide and are confronted with the shooter, your last option is to fight. This is a last-resort tactic to be used only when your life is in immediate danger.
- Commit to Your Actions: If you decide to fight, commit fully to your actions. Your goal is to incapacitate the shooter by any means necessary.
- Use Improvised Weapons: Look around for anything you can use as a weapon, such as a fire extinguisher, chair, or any heavy object. Throw objects, strike with force, and aim for the shooter’s weak points.
- Work Together: If you’re with others, work as a team to overwhelm the shooter. The element of surprise can be a powerful tool in disarming an attacker.
- Aim for Disarming: If you can, aim to disarm the shooter, focusing on areas that could incapacitate them, such as their hands or head.
Situational Awareness: Key to Survival
One of the most critical skills in surviving an active shooter situation is situational awareness. Being aware of your surroundings, knowing the layout of the area, and recognizing potential threats can help you react quickly and appropriately.
- Know Your Exits: Whenever you enter a building, be aware of all the exits. In an emergency, you may not be able to leave through the front door, so knowing alternate routes is crucial.
- Stay Alert: In public places, stay vigilant and be aware of any unusual behavior. While you can’t always predict when an active shooter event will occur, being alert can give you the advantage of reacting quickly if something feels off.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. If a situation feels dangerous, don’t hesitate to act, even if others are not reacting yet.
Helping Others in an Active Shooter Situation
While your primary focus should be on your own safety, there may be moments when you can help others without putting yourself in danger.
Helping the Injured
If you come across someone who is injured during an active shooter event, assess whether you can safely assist them. If it’s safe to do so, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Triage Quickly: If someone is severely injured, help them stop the bleeding by applying pressure. If you have a first aid kit or materials to improvise bandages, use them.
- Move the Injured: If you need to move an injured person to safety, do so quickly and carefully, but only if it won’t put you in harm’s way.
- Keep the Injured Calm: Talk to the injured person and keep them calm. Reassure them that help is on the way.
Coordinating with Others
If you’re with a group of people, coordinating your actions can improve your chances of survival. In a high-stress scenario, people may panic or freeze. Encourage others to follow the Run, Hide, Fight strategy and help them make quick decisions.
How to React When Law Enforcement Arrives
When law enforcement arrives on the scene of an active shooter event, their primary goal is to neutralize the threat as quickly as possible. Here’s how to react when the police enter the building:
- Stay Calm and Follow Instructions: Remain calm and immediately follow any instructions given by law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible: Raise your hands and keep them visible at all times so the officers can see that you’re not a threat.
- Don’t Point or Shout: Avoid pointing or shouting at law enforcement officers, as they are focused on identifying and stopping the shooter.
- Move to Safety: Once law enforcement has neutralized the threat, follow their instructions to move to safety. Officers will likely direct you to an evacuation point or safe area.
Mental Preparedness: Staying Calm in a Crisis
Surviving an active shooter situation isn’t just about physical actions—it’s also about mental preparedness. In the chaos of an active shooter event, panic can lead to dangerous decisions. The more mentally prepared you are, the better your chances of staying calm and acting decisively.
Practice Breathing Techniques
Controlled breathing can help you stay calm and focused in high-stress situations. Practice deep, slow breaths to reduce anxiety and maintain clarity of thought.
Rehearse Your Plan
While we never want to imagine being in an active shooter scenario, mentally rehearsing your response can make you more prepared. Consider the spaces you frequent—whether it’s work, school, or your local mall—and think about how you’d escape or hide if necessary.
Be Prepared to Survive an Active Shooter Event
An active shooter event is a terrifying and unpredictable scenario, but knowing how to react can increase your chances of survival. By following the Run, Hide, Fight approach, staying aware of your surroundings, and mentally preparing yourself for a crisis, you can protect yourself and others during an active shooter situation. Remember, quick decision-making and having a plan in place are critical to staying alive when every second counts.
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