The odds of being involved in a mass shooting are low, but public shootings have increased over the last few years.It can be easy to feel overwhelmed in a crisis.Should you ever find yourself in danger, knowing how to react appropriately can increase your chances of survival.
Step 1: Stay calm.
panicking causes people to react emotionally rather than thoughtfully in an emergency.There are a few things you can do to remain calm during an emergency.You should focus on your breath.Hold your breath and exhale to the count of three.You can do this while moving to safety, but you have to control your breath.
Step 2: Alert others.
You should alert other people if you know of an active shooter situation.Some people may not have noticed, while others may be afraid.Everyone needs to get out or hide if you believe there is an active shooter situation.
Step 3: Know the plan.
It's important that you have a plan in place in case of an emergency.If you have a backup plan, training and preparation can help you escape to safety.If you can't follow your primary plan, look at your backup plan.
Step 4: Prepare to run.
People are in an emergency.If a shooter is active, you may want to hide.If you can't safely escape, hiding should only be an option.If you know of an escape route that will keep you at a safe distance from the shooter, resist the urge to run, as long as you can do so safely.
Step 5: Look at your movements.
Plan your escape route and be aware of your surroundings.If there are possible positions along the route where the shooter could potentially ambush you or others, you should know how you would respond if that were to happen.Most people aim at random targets.Try to be rational and avoid entering the shooter's line of sight because the harder you are to see and hit, the safer you will be.If you're in the vicinity of the shooter, try to find an escape route that will allow you to hide and protect you from bullets.
Step 6: If you can, leave.
Even though you're afraid, it's important to keep moving and to get as far away from the shooter as possible.If you want to avoid being shot by random fire, you should put as much distance between you and the shooter as possible.If the shooter has not noticed you, you are lost in a crowd, or you hear gunshots from a distance, then this is possible.Try to help others without putting yourself in danger.If others insist on staying, try to escape.Encourage the other people to leave with you.Don't wait for others to make a decision about running.You have to get out first and foremost.
Step 7: You should leave your stuff.
Don't forget that your life is more important than your phone.If you see anyone else trying to get their things, tell them to leave their possessions behind.
Step 8: You can use any exit you want.
Emergency exits and emergency windows can be used to escape.If you can, look for and use the doors and exits that are designated for staff in restaurants, movie theaters, and other public places.
Step 9: You can call the emergency services.
Once you have made a safe exit from the situation, you can call the emergency services.Once you're outside, stay as far away from the building as possible.People should not enter the situation.Alert people outside of the building of what's happening and tell them to stay away.
Step 10: You can find a hiding spot.
If shots are fired your way, choose a spot that is out of the shooter's visual field.It is important that your hiding place doesn't trap you and make you a duck.If you need to escape from a hiding place, you should have enough space to do so.You should be quick in deciding where to hide.Try to find a hiding spot as soon as possible.If you can't find a room with a door that can lock to hide in, try hiding behind a piece of furniture, like a filing cabinet or a photocopier.
Step 11: Stay quiet.
If there are lights, turn them off.Turn off your phone's ability to vibrate and its ringer.Resist the urge to cough or sneeze, and don't try to talk to anyone who is hiding near you.If you're hiding, the last thing you want to do is have the shooter notice you.Even if you are tempted, don't call the authorities.If you're in a populated place, like a restaurant or school, chances are that some people escaped or heard the gunfire, which will alert law enforcement.
Step 12: The hiding spot needs to be blocked.
Lock the door or block it with something heavy if you are in a room.It should be difficult for the shooter to enter the room.Making it difficult for the shooter to get into a room keeps you safe and buys you time.The police should respond in a matter of minutes if you or someone else has called them.A lot of time is spent in an emergency situation.
Step 13: Stay low and horizontal.
Lie on the floor and not covering your head.Your internal organs are protected by this facedown position.If the shooter sees you in this position, he may assume you're dead.If you lay low to the ground, you are less likely to be shot by a stray bullet.Don't approach the door.Some people shoot through a locked door, rather than trying to break it down.It's best to stay away from that area since bullets can go through doors.
Step 14: Fight as a last resort.
If you can escape or hide from the shooter, don't fight him.It's important to go into full survival mode if you must fight.
Step 15: Find items that can be used as weapons.
There is a pot of hot coffee that you can use to hit the shooter.Most people don't have guns on hand, so you'll need to use what you have around you.You could throw the object at the shooter if you held it in front of your body.A letter opener can be used as a knife.A pen could be used as a weapon since it has leverage with the back of your thumb.If there is a fire extinguisher nearby, grab it.You can hit the shooter in the head with the fire extinguisher or use the object itself.
Step 16: Help the shooter.
If your life is in danger, fighting back against the shooter is always a last resort.Work alone or with others to fight if you can't escape.To get the gun out of his hands, try to knock him down.Encourage others to help you.Working as a group will give you an advantage.
Step 17: Don't be afraid to be aggressive.
Only if your life is in danger can you disarm the shooter.It's important that you act fast and focus on disarming the shooter.If the shooter has a rifle, grab the barrel and hit or kick him at the same time.If you follow the shooter's movement, he may get thrown off balance and lose control of the weapon.You can use the weapon as leverage if you can get the butt end of the rifle.If the shooter has a pistol, try to grab it from the top of the barrel so that he can't point it at you.With many models, grabbing the pistol from the top keeps the gun from cycling properly, so the next round won't be chambered without manually hoisting the slide.When trying to bring down the shooter, aim high.During a shooting, his hands and weapon are the most dangerous parts of him.Try for the eyes, face, shoulder and neck.
Step 18: Stay focused.
If you're armed with a broom and you know the shooter has an assault rifle, stay focused on getting that rifle out of his hands and bringing him down.Think about your life and the lives of others.Your body's natural fight response should be triggered to keep you alert and focused on staying alive.
Step 19: Stay calm.
Try to breathe deeply if you've escaped the situation.It's best to focus on your breathing in order to get your bearings, as you may be experiencing feelings of panic or shock due to the trauma.You should call your family and loved ones to let them know that you're okay.
Step 20: All the time, keep your hands visible.
Law enforcement's first task is to stop the shooter, so as you emerge from the building or public place, always keep your hands up to show that you are not carrying any weapons.Since some people pretend to be victims, police are trained to treat everyone as a suspect.
Step 21: Don't point or shout.
During a public shooting, the police have specific guidelines.Since your emotions are likely heightened, don't intervene in the situation and let them do their jobs.They should be allowed to do their jobs and take down the shooter.
Step 22: Help for the injured is on the way.
The primary goal of the police is to locate and stop shooters.Paramedics have already been called to care for those shot or hurt during the incident, so you needn't worry as they will not stop and tend to the injured.Slowing your breathing can help prevent shock and slow the bleeding if you have been shot.If you can't stop the bleeding, cover the wound with your hands or a cloth and apply pressure.