Run – Your First and Best Option

In an active shooter situation, panic can set in, making clear thinking difficult. However, remembering the "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol can be a lifesaver. Your very first and often best option is to RUN.

Why Run?

The primary goal in an active threat scenario is to remove yourself from danger as quickly and safely as possible. Running allows you to create distance between yourself and the threat, potentially saving your life and the lives of those with you. Think of it this way: the further you are from the danger, the safer you are.

How to Run Effectively:

• Have an Exit Strategy: Before an incident even occurs, take a moment to identify potential exits in any building you frequent – your workplace, a school, a shopping mall. Knowing where to go before chaos erupts saves precious seconds.

• Leave Belongings Behind: Your personal items are replaceable; your life is not. Do not waste time gathering your phone, purse, or backpack. Drop everything and go.

• Help Others, But Don't Be a Hero: If it's safe to do so, help others escape, especially those who may be vulnerable. However, understand your limitations. Your priority is your own survival. Don't put yourself in extreme danger to help someone else if it means certain harm for you.

• Once Safe, Call 911: As soon as you are in a secure location, call emergency services. Provide clear information: your location, the number of shooters (if known), their description, and any weapons seen.

Remember, running is not a sign of cowardice; it's an intelligent and crucial survival tactic. Prioritize escape, and if you can get out, do so immediately. Stay alert, stay aware, and be prepared to act.

Hide – When Running Isn't an Option

Sometimes, running from an active threat isn't possible. Perhaps the shooter is too close, or all escape routes are blocked. In these terrifying moments, your next best option is to HIDE. This isn't just about finding cover; it's about making yourself as invisible and inaccessible as possible.

Strategic Hiding:

The goal of hiding is twofold: to be out of the shooter's sight and to be behind something that offers protection.

• Out of Sight: Find a location where the shooter cannot see you. This might be in an office, a classroom, a storage room, or even behind a large piece of furniture. Darkness can also be an ally – turn off lights if safe to do so.

• Behind Cover, Not Just Concealment: Understand the difference. Concealment hides you (e.g., behind a curtain), but won't stop bullets. Cover hides you and offers ballistic protection (e.g., behind a thick concrete wall, a large desk, or filing cabinets). Always aim for cover if available.

• Secure Your Location: If you are in a room, lock the door. If the door doesn't lock, barricade it using heavy furniture, desks, or anything available that can impede entry. The more difficult it is for the shooter to get to you, the more time you buy for yourself and for law enforcement to arrive.

While Hiding:

• Silence is Golden: Turn off your cell phone ringer and put it on vibrate. Silence any other noise-making devices. Stay as quiet as possible.

• Stay Low and Away from Windows/Doors: If you can, lie on the floor, ideally against a wall that is not shared with the hallway where the threat might be. Stay out of sight lines from doors and windows.

• Remain Calm and Patient: This is easier said than done, but deep breaths can help you maintain focus. Wait for law enforcement to arrive. Do not emerge until you are absolutely certain the threat has been neutralized, or you are instructed to do so by uniformed police officers.

Hiding effectively can create crucial time and space, significantly increasing your chances of survival when escape is not an option.

Fight – Your Absolute Last Resort

The "Fight" option in active shooter response is the most challenging to contemplate and should always be your absolute last resort, when your life is in imminent danger and you have no other choice to run or hide. It's about disrupting the attacker, creating an opportunity for escape, and fighting for your survival.

When to Consider Fighting:

This decision is made when face-to-face with the shooter, and you genuinely believe you or others around you will be killed if you do nothing. It's not about being a hero; it's about primal survival.

How to Fight (If You Must):

• Commit Fully: Hesitation can be deadly. If you decide to fight, commit 100%. Your goal is to incapacitate or disorient the shooter enough to create an escape route or to buy time for others.

• Improvise Weapons: Look around for anything you can use as a weapon. This could be a fire extinguisher, a heavy book, a chair, a pair of scissors, a pen, or even hot coffee. The goal is to cause pain or create a distraction.

• Create a Diversion: Yell, scream, throw objects, set off alarms if possible. Anything to surprise and disorient the attacker.

• Act as a Group: If there are multiple people in the room, and it's safe to do so, act together. A coordinated group attack is far more effective than an individual one. Swarm the attacker, focusing on disarming them or tackling them to the ground.

• Focus on Vulnerable Areas: Aim for sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose, throat, or groin. The intent is to cause enough pain or incapacitation to allow for escape.

• Disarm if Possible: If you have the opportunity, try to separate the shooter from their weapon. Be aware that this is incredibly dangerous.

Fighting is a desperate act born out of desperate circumstances. It's a testament to the human will to survive. While we hope no one ever has to face such a decision, understanding this final option is a critical part of being prepared. Remember, Run first, Hide second, and only Fight if your life depends on it and all other options are exhausted.

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