What To Do During a Terrorist Attack?

The UK government has a pretty basic but overall correct guideline for terrorist threats which consists of RUN, HIDE, TELL. It can of course be complemented with defensive skills, a carry weapon and a well selected EDC kit, which could be life saving. Still, sound advice:

Run

• Escape if you can
• Consider the safest options
• Is there a safe route? RUN. If not, HIDE
• Can you get there without exposing yourself to greater danger?
• Insist others leave with you
• Leave belongings behind

Hide

• If you can't RUN, HIDE
• If you can see the attacker, they may be able to see you
• Find cover from gunfire such as substantial brickwork or heavy reinforced walls
• Be aware of your exits
• Try not to get trapped
• Be quiet, silence your phone
• Lock and barricade yourself in
• Move away from the door

Tell

• Call 911: What do the police need to know?
• Location: Where are the suspects?
• Direction: Where did you last see the suspects?
• Descriptions: Describe the attacker, numbers, features, clothing, weapons
• Provide further information: Casualties, type of injury, building information, entrances, exits, hostages
• And stop other people entering the building if it is safe to do so

This is the kind of advice you give in general to people, especially children, in places where shootings occur with certain frequency. When we lived in Argentina, my wife and oldest son knew that the first thing to do if shooting started was to move away from it! Understanding the difference between cover and concealment can be very useful but it may be harder to tell for those that aren’t knowledgeable regarding firearms and ballistics.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”.