Education, Prevention, and Mitigation

for Violence in the Workplace

The FBI defines an active shooter as one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. Implicit in this definition is the shooter's use of one or more firearms.

LAST RESORT! If escape is impossible and danger is imminent, attack (FIGHT) the attacker. Escape will always be the best response for surviving an active shooter. HIDE will always be the second-best response for surviving an active shooter.

Unfortunately, we may not have either option.

When faced with the reality of no escape route and no place to hide and cover, we have a choice. We fight (attack the attacker), and maybe we get injured or die. Or, we don’t fight (attack the attacker), and injury and/or death are absolute. If we fight (attack the attacker), at least we have

a chance. It’s a decision that no one can make for another person. Only YOU can decide!

Rules #6 – Attack the Attacker (FIGHT)

Act as Aggressively as Possible

You will need to mentally prepare yourself ahead of time to act with aggression. Mental Movies and Impressing the Unconscious Mind help prepare us for engaging in this last resort option.

Swarm! (If there is more than one of you)

To swarm is to attack the attacker simultaneously with more than one person. Obviously, you cannot demand that others attack the attacker with you, but you can encourage them. This last resort option is up to each individual.



Improvise Weapons and Throw Items

There are many weapons, more than likely, in your environment right now. You might not realize that. Improvised weapons are anything that can be picked up and thrown or used to strike the attacker.



Yell and Scream!

Using a loud scream or yell can cause a momentary delay. Momentary delays are distractions. Distractions affect the senses, and it takes time for the mind to process the new information.

Remain Quiet & Alert

An active shooter is using deadly force; therefore, it is recommended that you strike areas that are “high-risk target areas.” Striking any area other than a high-risk target area wastes time and energy and may expose you to increased danger.



Prepare to Attack the Attacker

Anything less than a 100% commitment is also a waste of time and energy and could expose you to increased danger. In an active shooter situation, we must have an attitude of “How dare you affect my life this way!” “How dare you take my life!” “How dare you affect my children’s future!” The “how dare you” attitude creates a mindset of full commitment to our actions and livelihood.



DISCLAIMER

This is not a recommendation to attack (fight) but rather a choice to attack (fight) where there are no other options.



Source:

Increase your awareness, preparedness, and responses for an active shooter. This email is a brief overview on one of the Rules for Surviving an Active Shooter. AVADE® provides in-depth training on active shooters and how to survive this extreme violence.  

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