It’s a dangerous world we live in. Schools, churches, hospitals, movie theaters, concert venues, nightclubs, and even the YouTube headquarters have all been the site of an active shooter situation. The Department of Homeland Security describes an active shooter as an “individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.” In other words, they’re a bunch of cowards.
Active Shooter Preparedness
As we always preach here on Gentleman Pirate Club, the key to surviving natural and man-made tragedies such as an active shooter situation is preparation.
Active Shooter Training
One way to prepare for this is to undergo active shooter training. Sadly, we’ve reached this level of inhumanity that even schoolchildren are required to undergo active shooter drills. Schools are mandated by some states to conduct such drills and there have been varying opinions on the subject matter. As a matter of fact, 95% of public schools from 2015 to 2016 held drills to train teachers, staff, and students on what to do in the event of an active shooter situation.
Devise a Plan
Discuss with the family what exactly each of you should do when faced with an active shooter situation. If you enter a building for the first, for example, you should take a minute to look for the emergency exits. These pieces of information will come in handy in emergency situations such as when a fire breaks out or if there’s an active shooter situation. Show your family the nearest exits (at least two), which you should take when chaos ensues. Quickly devise an escape route and explain this to them, as well. Also, look out for possible hiding places for when escape is no longer an option.
Employ Anti-Active Shooter Countermeasures
Some companies, schools, and even churches have taken to arming themselves in an effort to thwart an active shooter situation as it happens. Those chosen to become guardians will undergo proper training, especially in handling firearms. Once they’re ready to go, they won’t be carrying guns while going about their work, of course.
Aside from the training, the selected employees will have access to gear necessary in an active shooter situation. The anti-active shooter grab-and-go bag should include, aside from the firearm, spare ammunition, a bulletproof vest or body armor, a knife, a tactical flashlight, and a portable radio.
Other items you could include are a police whistle, signal mirror, window punch, pepper spray, paracord, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
Be Wary
Always keep an eye out for potential trouble. We’re not trying to make you paranoid but you should away be vigilant. Once you notice something amiss, tell the authorities at once. You should also be familiar with the sound of gunfire. If you recognize it from a distance, you still have time to get away.
As It Unfolds
Run
You should try to escape the moment you become aware of an active shooter situation. Remember the escape route you devised in your head as you run towards the nearest exit. Encourage others you chance upon to escape with you. If they refuse to move from where they’re hiding, leave them.
In case the shooter pops out of nowhere as you’re making your dash to safety, you should start running in a zigzag pattern. Look for something that will give you cover. A wall and tall furniture are your best bets. If the shooter decides to leave you alone since he can’t directly see you, that’s when you continue running away.
Once you’re safe, call the authorities and tell them what’s happening. Make sure you describe important details such as the shooter’s location and weapon choices. Also, keep other people from entering the building or going in the direction of the active shooter.
Hide
If running to safety is impossible, your best move is to hide. As mentioned earlier, you should look for potential hiding places whenever you’re in a building, especially one you’re not too familiar with.
One good hiding spot is an enclosed room. If you manage to get in one, lock the door and barricade yourself inside. Use furniture and other heavy things you can find. Stay away from the door once you’re done blocking it. Turn off the lights and close the blinds. Hide at an angle that bullets can’t reach you. Stay low and hide behind a solid object.
An active shooter situation usually lasts for 15 minutes, give or take. If you can manage to stay hidden for that long then chances are you’ll be one of the survivors. Once you’re hidden, you have to stay as quiet as possible. Put your phone on silent. You don’t want a not-so-timely call exposing your position to the shooter. If the place is dark, the glow of your phone may also give you away.
You will need still to communicate with the outside world, however. Send text messages as quickly as possible. Call only if you’re sure the shooter is far away. Provide details such as your name and exact location, how many you are in the room, and a description of the shooter or shooters. Tell the recipient not to call so our position will not be compromised. Once you’re done, hide your phone.
Fight
If all else fails, fight. You’ve probably seen a lot of action flicks where the protagonist manages to subdue the assailant. In a real-life active shooter situation, you should avoid this as much as possible. However, if you really have to fight, you should enlist the help of others in the room you’re hiding in. You should also look around for possible weapons.
You need to plan this out. Assign a task to each volunteer. If you’ve seen Avengers: Infinity War, you know the scene where some of the Avengers were ganging up on Thanos trying to take away the Infinity Gauntlet. This is what you’re trying to do. Some of them should try to grab the feet while others would aim for the head and arms. Another will try to wrestle the gun away. If the shooter manages to enter your room, the group should spring into action and follow the plan to the tee.
Aside from improvised weapons, you can use a spray to temporarily blind the shooter. Once the shooter is distracted grab the gun and neutralize the threat. If you’re sure it’s completely safe, let go of the gun and other weapons. The police may mistake you for the shooter.
Once it’s all over, don’t go rushing outside or make swift movements when the authorities storm the place. Simply raise your hands up to signify that you’re not a threat. Remember, they don’t know who the real suspect is. They weren’t around when the active shooter situation started and ended so they have little to no idea who the bad guy or gal is.
If you have other survival tips we can use during an active shooter situation, we’re all ears. Anything that can keep us alive during such a tragedy is definitely a huge plus. And in case you want to learn more about surviving, in general, go visit The Gentleman Pirate. Yo ho ho.
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