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You’re in public, minding your business, on your way to work — and gunshots ring out. This rare, but terrifying scenario is something that all of us should consider with the prevalence of mass shootings in modern times. There have been five in the U.S. just this year alone, not to mention the staggering number of gun deaths in America. So here are immediate actions you can take to ensure your survival, which I learned during my time as a U.S. Marine.
1. Hit The Deck!
This seems like common sense. Matter of fact, all of these will seem like common sense. But you wouldn't believe how many people hear gunfire in a public place and just stand around, heads all in the air, bewildered, looking this way and that.
Get low! The first thing you need to do is remove your dome from the where the bullets will be. So ... lower it.
2. Don't Scream
If you find yourself in a situation like this, keep your mouth shut. The last thing you want to do is make the shooter notice you.
That includes talking on your cell phone—stay off of it, especially if you're in a city or other populated public place, where people who are within earshot but outside the danger zone can call the police.
Authorities might even be on the spot.
3. Conceal Yourself
Seems like common sense, right?
But again, some people will sit well within sight of a perpetrator. Put something in between you and the shooter, preferably something that blocks his sight completely, but anything that offers a bit of misdirection (like tall grass) will help.
If he can't see you, he'll have trouble shooting you.
4. Find Cover
Cover and concealment are not the same thing. Concealment is just about sight, whereas cover actually conceals and stops bullets. This could be a concrete embankment, like the one pictured here.
Cars are not cover! They are concealment. This isn't the movies. Bullets go through cars. If a car is your only choice, however, security experts tell Business Insider to place the engine between yourself and the shooter.
Otherwise, quietly find some earth, stone, or steel to hide behind.
5. Identify The Threat, Move Away
This is the last step.
From your position, Try to identify where the threat is, then move away slowly, keeping a low profile, keeping that piece of cover or concealment between you and the threat.
Don't be a hero! Leave that up to our men and women in uniform.
I can't tell you not to try and save an old lady, or a child, or a friend. Admittedly I would try to save any one of them. But just know the risk.
speculativeoptimist
A timely and well advised piece of info here, especially after I just did a thread on a man walking into a church and shooting the preacher today. Thank goodness he did not turn his gun on the audience.
This info is basic and common sense, but should definitely be in our minds as to what to do in such a dire situation. They should run this in every Sunday paper across the US. Good thread and thanks.edit on 29-9-2013 by speculativeoptimist because: (no reason given)
Get to cover, look for injuries, remove gun from holster.
Here's What To Do If You're In Public And Bullets Start To Fly
There have been five in the U.S. just this year alone, not to mention the staggering number of gun deaths in America
BrokenCircles
Every situation is unique. Something that may increase the chances of survival in one scenario, may not work the same for a different set of circumstances with a different shooter.
antar
reply to post by DocHolidaze
I dont agree with your thoughts on my intent.
I am a huge proponent for guns and their necessity in keeping the country a safer place.
There is no reason to doubt me or think I am up to some kind of mind control agenda against the second or any of the others...
antar
reply to post by Cuervo
Excellent point, so if you have a legal permit and something goes down, and you are trying to help save lives, how do you stay alive once the LEOS arrive?