Are You Stuck In A Mass Shooting? How To Stay Safe Before, During, And After
In today's unpredictable world, understanding how to react during a crisis in crowded public spaces is vital. The threat of a mass attack, whether involving an active shooter with firearms, a vehicle used as a weapon, or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), requires a proactive and informed response. This guide outlines the crucial steps you must take to prepare, survive, and assist others during such a devastating event.
Seek Safety: Move quickly and decisively towards the nearest viable exit.
Leave Belongings: Do not stop to gather personal items; your life is more valuable than your possessions.
Find Concealment: Find a place to hide out of the attacker's view and, if possible, place a solid barrier between yourself and the threat.
Secure Your Position: Lock and barricade doors, close blinds, and turn off all lights.
Keep Silent: Silence your mobile phone and remain absolutely quiet.
Commit to Action: Be aggressive and commit fully to your actions. Your goal is to disrupt the attack or disable the attacker.
Improvise Weapons: Recruit others and use makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books to ambush the attacker.
Be Prepared: Understand that defending yourself may require you to cause severe or lethal injury to the attacker."
Police responding to a mass shooting are focused on stopping the threat.
Consider Seeking Professional Help
Do not overlook the psychological impact of surviving a mass attack. "Be mindful of your mental health." If needed, seek professional help for yourself and your family to cope with the trauma. Managing trauma is a critical step in long-term recovery.
Prepare BEFORE: Vigilance is Your First Defence
Your safety begins long before an incident occurs. Cultivate a constant state of situational security awareness.- Stay Alert: Always be acutely aware of your environment and any potential dangers. Note where you are and who is around you.
- Observe Warning Signs: Be vigilant for unusual or violent communications, expressed anger, substance abuse, or any intent to cause harm. These warning signs may increase over time.
- Report Suspicion: If you notice anything unusual like suspicious packages, strange behaviour, or concerning communications, you must inform to local authorities immediately.
- Have an Exit Plan: Wherever you go be it work, school, or a special event, identify all possible exits and secure areas to hide. Knowing your options reduces reaction time during a crisis.
- Learn Lifesaving Skills: Knowledge is power. Take training courses and standard first aid to equip yourself to assist the wounded before professional help arrives.
Survive DURING: The Core Strategy — Run, Hide, Fight
The universally recognised survival strategy for a mass shooting or mass attack situation is Run, Hide, Fight.Run to Safety (Evacuate)
Getting away from the attacker is your absolute top priority.Seek Safety: Move quickly and decisively towards the nearest viable exit.
Leave Belongings: Do not stop to gather personal items; your life is more valuable than your possessions.
Cover and Hide (Shelter)
If evacuation is impossible, you must secure yourself out of sight.Find Concealment: Find a place to hide out of the attacker's view and, if possible, place a solid barrier between yourself and the threat.
Secure Your Position: Lock and barricade doors, close blinds, and turn off all lights.
Keep Silent: Silence your mobile phone and remain absolutely quiet.
Defend, Disrupt, Fight (Confront)
Fighting is strictly a last resort when you cannot run or hide.You may also like
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Commit to Action: Be aggressive and commit fully to your actions. Your goal is to disrupt the attack or disable the attacker.
Improvise Weapons: Recruit others and use makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books to ambush the attacker.
Be Prepared: Understand that defending yourself may require you to cause severe or lethal injury to the attacker."
Help the Wounded
After ensuring your own safety, if you are able and the immediate threat has passed, provide immediate care to the wounded. Help move them to safety and apply any lifesaving skills you have learned.Be Safe AFTER: Law Enforcement and Mental Health
When Law Enforcement ArrivesPolice responding to a mass shooting are focused on stopping the threat.
- Remain Calm: Follow all instructions given by officers immediately.
- Visibility is Key: Keep your hands visible and empty at all times.
- Evacuate: Follow law enforcement's instructions and evacuate in the direction they tell you to go.
- Report: Report to designated areas to provide information about the event and seek assistance. Share updates with family and friends when you can.
Consider Seeking Professional Help
Do not overlook the psychological impact of surviving a mass attack. "Be mindful of your mental health." If needed, seek professional help for yourself and your family to cope with the trauma. Managing trauma is a critical step in long-term recovery.
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