Shots Fired: What to Do in an Active Shooter Situation

Active shooter incidents are violent, deadly, and scary events. Their random and unpredictable nature amplifies all of these things. While many people associate active shooter situations with schools and universities, they can happen in, essentially, any public space. Knowing how to respond if you find yourself in an active shooter incident is critical.

Preparation and Situational Awareness

Part of your response to an active shooter happens well before the incident. Always remain aware of your surroundings and the possible dangers of any environment. Look out for people acting suspiciously. Always note at least two exits to every room that you enter. Some rooms may not offer two exit points but place yourself close to exits whenever possible.

It’s important to note that not every “strange person” is an active shooter. You can’t place unfair labels on others because their actions aren’t like yours or how you think they should act. That’s why situational awareness is so critical.

Escape or Hide

Unfortunately, this is one of those times when you determine how to protect your own life first and foremost. Two of the best ways to do this are to escape or hide. As soon as you hear shots fired, look at your escape or hide-out options.

Escape

Your first goal should be to try to escape; hence, knowing the exits wherever you are. Have an evacuation route in mind and a plan of escape. No matter what anyone else does, if you can escape, then leave. Leave everything behind if you have to. You can go back and get those things later but remaining there to gather your property makes you an easy target.

If you can, help others escape. Don’t try to move injured people because it just makes you more of a target. Remember, we are looking after your life first. You can double back to help once the area is safe. Tell everyone evacuation is the smartest option. Also, keep other people from entering the area where the active shooter is, if at all possible. As soon as you can, call 911 for help.

Always keep your hands visible so that when law enforcement arrives, they can tell the bad guy from the good guys. Follow all instructions that law enforcement officers give you. It’s not the time to become rebellious and, whether you agree with them or not, just follow what they’re saying. Police, deputies, and agents are trained for active shooter events, and their primary goal is to stop the threat, and then aid and rescue. No one can render aid if the shooter is still at large.

Hide

If you can’t escape, the next best thing is to find a place to hide. You should look for a place where the shooter likely won’t find you and where you’re out of their view. Find cover to provide protection from bullets, such as a closed and locked office door. Bullets may still penetrate the door, but they will be traveling slower and will do less harm. However, don’t trap yourself with no way to move.

Block the door, if you can, with a heavy object to prevent him from entering the room. Remain calm and silence your pager or phone, so the shooter doesn’t hear it if they are close. Turn off any other source of noise like televisions or radios. Hide behind a heavy object like a desk or cabinet if you can.

If Escape or Hiding Aren’t Possible

If you can’t escape or hide, remain calm and try to call 911 to alert emergency services that there is an active shooter and to provide a location. Leave the line open if you can’t speak, so the dispatcher can hear what’s going on.

Only try to incapacitate or disarm the shooter if your life is in immediate danger. Act aggressively and throw items at them to distract them. Yell or scream to throw them off. Once you decide to fight, you must commit, or you will lose your life. It’s all or nothing because backing down in the middle of your fight plan shows weakness and gives the shooter the upper hand.

Render First Aid When It’s Safe

It may seem cold to wait to help an injured person, but, to put it bluntly, you’re not going to be able to help at all if you die. When it’s safe, and if first responders aren’t there yet, look around for whatever first aid supplies that you can find. Many places, like offices and businesses, have well-stocked first aid kits.

What you really need is a trauma kit and, with active shooter incidents happening more frequently, some public places are starting to keep those on hand as well. Use anything you can find as a tourniquet to stop bleeding, as this is the most vital first aid to save someone with a gunshot wound.

Remember to always remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings. If you find yourself in the middle of an active shooter event, either evacuate or hide. Only attempt to disarm or overpower a shooter as a last resort. Provide first aid to victims only when it’s safe to do so. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll know exactly how to respond in an active shooter situation.