Tips For Staying Safe In A Mass Shooting

We don't expect to ever be in a mass shooting, but assuming the worst can happen is the first step to being prepared. Find out more on BrainStuff.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to brain Stuff from How Stuff Works. Hey, brain Stuff,
Christian Sager here. Not that long ago, soft target was
just a term used by military, federal or police operations,
but it's sadly entered everyday terminology. We're talking about a mall,
a church, or a nightclub. These soft targets are considered

(00:24):
any public place where security is limited and are potentially
populated by a high number of victims. Active shooter is
another headshaker in today's lexicon. It's definition is someone with
a gun or guns trying to kill as many people
as possible, basically a mass shooting, and these shootings seem

(00:45):
to be happening more often in the US and in
places that are considered safe a movie theater, a sporting event,
a music festival. The chances of dying in a mass
shooting this is a shooting where four or more people
are killed at once. They're low, just one in fifteen thousand,
three hundred and twenty five people, according to a data

(01:06):
analysis by Business Insider. But staying vigilant when visiting these
so called soft targets, especially if the unthinkable happens, could
save your life. In today's episode, we're sharing some tips
from Paul Merit, owner of Fortress Consulting, which specializes in
helping businesses guard themselves against active shooter situations. First of all,

(01:30):
it's important to be prepared. Not paranoid and not terrified,
but be prepared. This is actually the important first step
in maintaining your safety. Once you come to grips with
the idea that you might one day find yourself in
an active shooter situation, you take precautions. Next, always be
situationally aware. When you fly on a plane, for instance,

(01:52):
flight attendants tell you where the exits are located. Do
the same when you're at the mall or the movie theater.
Look around as you shop or before the movie begins,
where the exits? Where did you come in? Having an
idea of your location will come in handy if a
worst case scenario unfolds. You should also try to deny

(02:12):
your denial. A common response from people when they hear
gunfire is to assume it's fireworks. But if you think
about it, there are very few places in which you
will encounter fireworks. A crowded soft target is not one
of them, So assume it's gunfire and make your next decision.
In most shootings, people have room to run or hide. First,

(02:36):
note where the gunfire is coming from, and move as
quickly as possible in the opposite direction toward the nearest
exit that you previously noticed. Do not lie down if
at all possible, and if you cannot move quickly, find
the nearest hiding place and silence your cell phone. Text
people instead to let them know your location and whether

(02:57):
you need help getting to safety. Finally, once you've removed
yourself from danger, run and don't stop going. Call nine
one one, but keep moving until you are completely out
of the area. If you can help others without endangering yourself,
do so. If you can't leave and are stuck in
a hiding place that is safe, stay there until authorities arrive.

(03:21):
This could take minutes or hours, but stay hidden. Here's
another tip. Learn how to use a tourniquet. You never
know when you'll be called upon to use this skill.
Stories have emerged from shootings in which proper application of
a tourniquet stopped or slowed of victims bleeding, and it
saved someone's life. Merit says he keeps one tourniquet in

(03:45):
his car and one at home. Today's episode was written
by Jamie Allen, produced by Tristan McNeil and For more
on this and other topics, please visit us at how
stuff Works dot com m