Civil unrest, violence, and active shooter

2 min read · 0 of 6 tasks checked · saved on this device

Avoiding crowds and unrest

If you know of a demonstration or tense event, avoid the area. Change your route before you get there.
In a crowd, stay at the edge, near an exit. Locate at least two exits as soon as you arrive anywhere.
If the crowd starts to push, don't go against the flow: move diagonally toward the edge. Protect your chest with your arms bent so you can breathe.
If you fall, get up immediately. If you can't, curl up on your side protecting your head and neck.
If there is tear gas, move away in the direction opposite the wind and don't rub your eyes.
At home during unrest: stay inside, lock up, close the curtains, stay away from windows, and follow the local news.

Active shooter: Run, Hide, Fight

This is the guidance of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI. Most of these attacks end within 10 to 15 minutes, often before police arrive, so what you do in the first seconds matters.

Active shooter: Run, Hide, Fight
Action	When	How
RUN	Whenever a safe route exists.	Leave your belongings. Help others get out if you can, but don't stop if they won't follow you. Keep others from entering the area. Keep your hands visible. Call 911 when you are safe.
HIDE	If you can't flee.	Out of the attacker's sight, behind something that can stop bullets if possible. Lock and block the door with furniture. Turn off lights, silence your phone (including vibration), and stay quiet.
FIGHT	Only as a last resort, if your life is in immediate danger.	Act with as much aggression as possible to incapacitate the attacker. Use objects at hand (fire extinguisher, chair). If there are others, act together. Commit fully.

When the police arrive: stay calm, raise your empty hands with fingers spread, follow their orders, make no sudden movements, don't grab onto them, and don't yell or point at them. Their first task is to stop the attacker, not to tend to the wounded. To control bleeding while help arrives, see chapter 7.