As a kid, I remember safety training being a matter of “stop, drop and roll” in case you caught on fire. No one explained how likely that might be, but it seemed prudent, so we learned it.
Now the fire we fear is of the ballistic variety. With the mass shootings in Paris and San Bernardino fresh in everyone’s mind, and the anniversary of the Sandy Hook massacre, it’s not unreasonable to think about “what if” something like that happens close to home.
I’m well aware that I’m far more likely to be harmed by someone texting while driving than I am being shot. We are all much more endangered by a lot of things that don’t always make the news or become political debate fodder.
But last week I attended a workshop offered by the Peachtree City Police Department to learn what to do if confronted by an active shooter – an armed person opening fire in a public place with the intent to cause mass casualties.
Such incidents are happening more often than they used to – according to the FBI, an average of 11 per year with just over 1,000 people killed or wounded between 2000 and 2013 – but they still account for only a tiny fraction of gun homicides.
Most mass shootings end within minutes, usually before police arrive. So the idea of shooter training is to save yourself and others by making quick decisions and taking meaningful action.
This workshop, led by two experienced officers, consisted of about 30 of us listening to instructional talks that were suddenly interrupted by simulated gunfire coming from the hall, three times.
The first time, we were told to evacuate, and all ran out a side door. The second time, we were told to hide, which I didn’t do so well; I just dropped between rows of seats, when the idea is to go under desks or anywhere a shooter might not see you. The third time, we were told to barricade the door and grab anything that could be used as a weapon. By this time we moved pretty darn fast, stacking furniture and wielding every heavy object within reach.
The lesson is to run, hide or fight – just don’t wait too long and do nothing. Think pragmatically so you can “be the match” that lights a fire under others to get organized and get moving.
When I was a teenager, two tornadoes hit my neighborhood, so we got disaster training. My parents live in Florida, so they prep for hurricanes.
As a woman, I’ve learned self-defense against sexual assault. Knowing CPR and first aid can save lives anytime. I learned how to swim to prevent drowning. Since 9/11, more people think about what they’d do during a hijacking. I recommend the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook because you just never know…
Living life and going about your business involves all sorts of risks, from natural disasters to man-made mayhem. The key to not driving yourself (or others around you) nuts is being prepared without being paranoid.
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