How To Survive An Active Shooter Situation: The Ultimate Survival Guide- guest post

Everyone thought the Titanic was unsinkable. That’s why they didn’t prepare for it. There were insufficient number of lifeboats and the crew didn’t know what to do if the boat started to sink. So when the Titanic actually started sinking, everyone straight up panicked causing over 1,500 deaths.

I believe the same happens today in…

Active Shooter Situations

We think an active shooter situation could never happen to us. That isn’t true. In fact, according to the FBI, active shooter situations have become increasingly common in the past few years. That said, how do you prepare for an active shooter?

Become Aware of Your Surroundings!

This is the most important tip I can give you. You won’t be able to respond to an active shooter situation if you don’t know it’s happening.

That’s why Sherlock Holmes is always a step ahead of everyone else…he’s always analyzing his surroundings.

Image from Sherlock Holmes film (2009)

You can do the same. Here’s how:

 Open your eyes. Do you see something (or someone) suspicious? Keep your eyes on them. Then…

1. Mentally Map the exits. What’s the closest exits to you? Mentally note it. Next…
2. Listen to your surroundings. Do you hear something that sounds like a gunshot or a firecracker?

 

Get ready because that’s probably code red for your…

Active Shooter ‘Survival’ Plan

Here’s the problem:

If you’re ever put into an active shooter situation, your brain will most likely ‘shut off’ due to the stress. As a result, you’ll freeze. To overcome that, you need to simulate the stressful situation, so your body can ‘desensitize’ to it and react properly in an emergency.

You’re probably thinking…

How Do You Simulate An Active Shooter Situation?

There are two options.

The first option is to take an active shooter response class.

armed murderer, image from NBCnews.com

This class will teach you everything you need to know (along with drills) on active shooter situations.

 

The second option is to get firearm training.

firearms training, image from TruthAboutGuns.com

This training will teach you how to defend yourself against an active shooter.

 

But which option should you choose? In my opinion, choose both. Here’s why: The more prepared you are for the situation, the faster you’ll be able to respond.

That makes you ready to…

React To Any Active Shooter Situation

In order to react, you need to choose one of three proven options:

• Running
• Hiding
• Fighting

The option you choose depends on your unique circumstances. Let’s break these options down, starting with…

Running

When Should You Run?

As your first resort.

Where Should You Run?

Away from the shooter.

moving target, image from YouTube.com

And while you’re running, keep your hands visible at all times. This helps both law enforcement and the average Joe identify the active shooter. And speaking of the average Joe, if you see a Joe along the way, tell them to come with you. If they don’t want to come, just keep on moving. The same applies for wounded people. Don’t try to stop to help wounded people. It’ll just increase your chances of getting hit (making 2 wounded people). Instead, focus on getting out ASAP.

After you’re safe…

Call 911

Don’t ever assume someone has already called 911. There’s actually a high chance nobody has.

 

But what if you get seen by the shooter along the way? Then you should try…

Hiding

When Should You Hide?

When you can’t exit the building.

How Should You Hide?

Just like in hide-and-seek, go for ‘hard-to-find’ places. Some good examples are lockable rooms, bathrooms, or closets.

As a general rule, you should always:

• Turn off the lights
• Silence your phone entirely (no vibrate)
• Barricade the doors (if there any)

barricade, image from WAGhostWriter.com

After you’ve done that, crouch behind solid cover (like a desk or cabinet).

What Should You Do While Hiding?

Call 911. Even if the shooter’s nearby, just dial 911 and leave the line open so the dispatcher can hear what’s happening. And while you’re waiting for help, make sure to NEVER open the door for anyone you don’t know (other than police). The reason? A common tactic murderers use to get easy victims is to knock on doors and ask for help. Don’t make that mistake. Keep the doors closed.

So by now, you’re hiding…waiting for help to arrive when the shooter opens up your barricaded door. What should you do?

In this case, get ready to start…

Fighting

When Should You Fight?

Fight when you can neither run nor hide.

How Should You Prepare To Fight?

With whatever weapon you can get your hands on.

If you’re armed, use your firearm training (from earlier) to take down the gunman.

If you’re unarmed, find yourself a weapon like a book, mug, pen, or any sturdy object.

improvised weapons, Image from Survivalsherpa.com

After you’ve selected your weapon, it’s time to find someone to help you take down this monster. The reason’s simple. Shooters can hit only one target at a time, so attacking as a group increases your chance of survival.

Speaking of fighting…

How Should You Fight?

Use the ‘disorient and charge’ strategy. Here’s how it works:

Before you charge the shooter, throw something at him. This immediately creates hesitation, buying you a few seconds. Then, charge the shooter all at once. At this point, the shooter will do one of two things:

1. Run
2. Fight

In either circumstance, keep charging the shooter until you get close enough to reach his gun. As soon as you do, grab the gun’s barrel as hard as you can and move it away from your body. This will give you control over the gun’s direction and even stop the gun from refiring. This really works (even on AR-15s with scopes).

Here’s a great video demonstrating the ‘barrel hold’ move: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVtXPIjM3jQ

Alright, now the gunman’s weapon has been contained. What’s next?

Disable the active shooter

Don’t stop hitting the gunman until he can’t cause anymore harm. After the gunman’s no longer a threat, remove his gun and keep watch until the police arrive.

And that’s all there is to surviving an active shooter situation. Sure, you may never see an active shooter in your lifetime. And I hope you don’t. But you should always be prepared for the worst, so you can save you (and your loved ones) if the ugly day ever rears its head.

And with that, it’s now time to…

Turn It Over To You

What’s one tip you plan on implementing from this guide? Maybe you’ll start getting firearm training. Or maybe you’ll take an active shooter course. Either way, let me know what tip you’ll apply in the comments below!
~_~_

Author Bio:

Richard Douglas has trained with active shooter prevention experts for the past 5+ years. He’s also the owner of Scopes Field, a blog where he reviews the top scopes and guns on the market.