Dark, but needed thread: How to survive an active shooter at a trade show.

[wasteland]

As show season approaches and there is another thread already going on helpful tips for show success, I thought i should post this here in the Age of Incels and Christian Extremists attacking anything they hate (yes, that means us).

Here is a solid set of protocols for what to do at shows or any soft-target public gathering written by a Navy SEAL that you may want to take note of.

######

Part 1:

SEAL Steps to Surviving an Active Shooter By Cade Courtley - Former U.S. Navy Seal

Average Police Response Time to an Active Shooter Incident: Ten minutes and 30 seconds. That’s the national average time it takes a police officer to show up at the scene after a high-priority 911 call is received. In many larger cities, including Los Angeles and New York, there are full-time officers assigned to SWAT operations. Yet statistically, their response time is approximately 20–30 minutes before they can get to the scene. Smaller municipalities often have officers who are regularly assigned to other departments, although they are trained for “active shooter” incidents. It can take up to 45 minutes or longer for these units to respond. Nearly 99% of the time, these critical situations are handled by regular patrol officers before SWAT ever gets there.

This is why it is your response time and what you do that really count.

Head up, Eyes Open
In this scenario, situational awareness means paying attention to exits, cover and people.

When going to a busy hotel, concert, or a business conference, pay attention to the exits. Make a mental note of at least three options — preferably in three different directions. They could be as obvious as a set of double doors or as desperate as a second-floor window with a 10-foot drop onto pavement.

Second, observe the whereabouts of any large items or objects that seem sturdy enough to provide cover if needed and file this information. In some hotels, for example, there may be a lounge area with furniture, sculptures or columns placed at regular intervals. Do the windows open? The cooking and dishwashing equipment in a hotel kitchen will provide very good cover.

Third, look around at the people you pass while in public places or when you are among crowds. If you are at a business conference, pay special attention to individuals who don’t seem to have the demeanor of the average attendee, so to say. Many times, these shooters imagine themselves as some type of militia or military imitators and could be wearing army boots or fatigues, while clearly identifiable as someone not in active duty.

Here is this same information condensed into a simple, easy-to-remember checklist:

• Know your exits.

• Locate places or objects that could serve as your nearest cover.

• Observe isolated individuals carrying large bags, such as duffel bags, or who are wearing unseasonably heavy clothing. Keep an eye on people who seem particularly nervous or are sweating. Watch individuals wearing military-style boots or clothes that are “out of place.”

Most importantly, trust your gut and be alert to someone or a situation that just doesn’t seem right so you can notify the proper authorities.

Shots Fired
People who have never heard the sound of gunfire often compare it to the sound of a car backfiring or a loud firecracker. But the discharge of a firearm in a closed environment, such as an auditorium or a hotel lobby, is distinct and will leave no question that an assault of a deadly nature has begun. As your ears begin to ring, you must understand that what you do in the first few seconds of this event will determine if you live or die.

Some people think that gunfire produces the smell of burning sulfur or gunpowder like at a fireworks display. However, modern ammo uses smokeless powder and is virtually odorless. Of all yours senses, initially trust your ears in this scenario — the sound of gunfire is unmistakably distinct…if you know what to listen for.

As soon as you hear shots, the FIRST THING you must do is remove yourself from the immediate vicinity of the source of the gunfire, which is referred to as the “kill zone” or the “X,” and do so without hesitation. Simply put, you must do whatever it takes to get clear of the “kill zone” if you expect to have any chance of survival.

If you survive the first 10 seconds of this type of ambush, you have a much better chance of making it out alive.

Fight, Flight or Freeze
When a shooting occurs in a public place, the natural and initial response is to flee, but you need to do it with forethought. There is little time to think, but you must make your flight a calculated one so you don’t turn yourself into a more visible and attractive running target. By scrambling in panic, you could end up going nowhere worthwhile or even moving closer to the line of fire. Your flight must be for the purpose of getting clear of danger — off the “X” — and not flagging your position.

In many shootings, it’s bystanders who freeze who are added to the casualty toll. Do not freeze or burrow in — react and move immediately. Hitting the floor and lying flat is usually the first thing people do instinctively, but don’t just cover your head and hope for the best.

Maintain Cover
You must begin moving immediately while staying low. If you are able to dive for one of the objects you previously identified as cover, make that move while the shooter is aiming somewhere else.

Get to your cover while staying as low as possible, and do it with maximum purpose. Continue to move away from the shooter, going from cover to cover. Visualize the path you will take — this will help you set your mind to achieving small goals or little victories, as each move takes you farther from the “X.”

For example, you see a potted plant 15 feet away. Your goal is to make it to that point, and thus you gain one more little victory in your overall escape plan. Once you make it to that secure cover, follow your path to get to the next one.

At first, get to covers by making small bounds. As you gain distance from the shooter, you can increase the distance you travel between covers.

Start by low-crawling, but note that the farther you are away from the shooter, the faster you can move, until even sprinting if the situation warrants it. But remember — assault rifles have a maximum effective range of 600 meters (or six football fields), and sniper rifles can hit targets even further, so if you can hear gunfire, you can be shot. You must continue to move with maximum purpose and calculated caution.

Danger Crossings
Even when places have numerous objects that afford cover or concealment, your escape route will often have open spaces, like hallways, sidewalks or roads that must be crossed. These junctions, while you are still in the line of fire, are called “danger crossings.” If you come upon a dangerous crossing, take a moment to discern a pattern in the shooting and try to move when there is a pause in the gunfire. This will generally happen when the shooter is reloading. Even after you have cleared the kill zone, there is still a good chance of being shot.

Maintain a lower profile (slightly hunched over, with your weight over the balls of your feet). Continue to move from cover to cover. Utilize shadows or “dead space” areas that are obstructed from view. Be sure to stay at least a foot off of walls. When a bullet ricochets off a wall, it tends to travel down the wall approximately 6 inches. If your body is against the wall, you will get hit.

Exiting the Area
Once you have successfully cleared the kill zone, you need to quickly decide the best way to gain even greater distance from the shooter or ultimately exit the building.

Remember where you saw the main exits. Fire exit doors in hotels and many other public buildings are required by law to be at the rear of the building or at the back of each store. Continue to move, but take no chances, because the shooter could be following you. Put as many obstacles as you can between you and danger, by closing doors as you go or tumbling merchandise to the ground, making it harder for the shooter to trail you if that is his or her intention. If, and only if, you feel you are at a location of relative, short-term safety, gather yourself. When you are in a defensive position that is well hidden and away from the site of the shooting, take a moment to calm yourself, but keep your mind alert.

Continued in Part 2....

[wasteland]

Part 2:

Stop and Assess
You’ll naturally think, “What the hell just happened”!? Don’t sit there and ponder this. Visualize your trigger and focus. The calmer you are, the better equipped you’ll be to outthink your assailant.

To devise a trigger, you must dig deep, identify the single-most-important thing in the world to you and make a mental portrait of this image. Whatever it is, your trigger is how you ignite the will to survive. Use this memory file as the ultimate motivation to get you through life-and-death situations.

If able, call 911. Give police as much HUMINT (human intelligence) as possible, including:
• Who you are, what’s happening and where
• How many shooters there are and their physical description
• What types of weapons are being used, and what special gear, such as body armor, you observed
• The shooter’s skill level, ethnicity, language or accent — and anything else that may be helpful to first responders.

Next, check yourself for wounds. If you have made it this far, you are probably not critically injured. Present breathing and a heartbeat rule out serious injuries, but many times, in great stress, people will be injured and not know it. Do a quick head-to-toe self-assessment, paying particular attention to bleeding and potential fractures.

If you are with others and someone is injured, you may need to figure out a way to transport that person. Also, take a moment to remove excess or brightly colored clothing and any accessories you don’t need (coat, purse or shiny jewelry).

Another part of this assessment step is to take an inventory of the resources at hand that could help you further. Is there anything that can break a window, for example, or something to act as a transportable shield? Is there a vending machine or a water cooler nearby to get some nourishment? You have just been through strenuous physical activity and significantly more effort may be required until you are safe.

Pick the best plan for evacuation and then follow it.
In an active shooter scenario, here are your three options:
1. Head to the nearest exit.
2. Run to the highest level and attempt rescue from the roof.

In making your decision to evacuate, choose the most discreet way out and the one most likely to limit your chances of meeting the shooter again. Your goal now is evacuation. However, remember that the safest evacuation route may not be the most direct. The best exit may not be the closest one.

Never assume this is the only shooter or that the incident is now over.
Instead, be sure to:
• Stop and listen: Do you hear any more gunfire?
• Does a shooter that was taken down have a radio? If they do, they must have accomplices.

Again never assume an active shooter situation is over until law enforcement declares it.

Hands in the Air
If your efforts are successful and you’ve made it out alive, you surely don’t want police to think you are one of the assailants. As in the military, law enforcement officers are taught to look at the hands of anyone first. If your hands are free of weapons, then you aren’t considered a shooting threat. When you are about to exit and think there is a high probability of encountering law enforcement, you must empty your hands. Put all makeshift weapons and other personal items (including cell phones as they can be used to detonate a bomb) on the ground and away from you. Place hands high in the air and yell out, “Friendly — I'm unarmed.” Keep repeating this, and do so loudly. At this point, do exactly as you are instructed. There will be time for police to realize you are a survivor once they have you in a nonthreatening position.


And now that I've bummed folks out (sorry about that), come to the Vegas and LA shows and have a fun and productive time. And most importantly. Be aware of your surroundings, have an exit plan, and stay safe.

[Shoplifter]

How to avoid someone you've ripped off at a trade show would be more useful to many here.

[CurrentlySober]

Dont forget this is GFY...

most of us cunt a4d2go2 tradeshows...

[Mr Pheer]

So someone is going to shoot up the show this weekend? Great. Now I'm not going.

[wasteland]

Originally Posted by Shoplifter

How to avoid someone you've ripped off at a trade show would be more useful to many here.

True, but the guy that wants to punch someone in the nose for a deal gone bad is a lot different that a Christian extremist Incel wanting to gun down a few porn folks with an AK-47

[wasteland]

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

Dont forget this is GFY...

most of us cunt a4d2go2 tradeshows...

Translate "cunt a4d2go2" please?

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by wasteland

Translate "cunt a4d2go2" please?

Do not have the financial ability to travel and book accommodation at the show - - Cannot afford to attend - Cant afford to go - cunt a4d 2 go = cunt a4d2go2

[DVTimes]

The above is not going to save you as I am a great shooter.

[k0nr4d]

Originally Posted by wasteland

True, but the guy that wants to punch someone in the nose for a deal gone bad is a lot different that a Christian extremist Incel wanting to gun down a few porn folks with an AK-47

Why is he a Christian and not something else?

[TheLegacy]

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

Do not have the financial ability to travel and book accommodation at the show - - Cannot afford to attend - Cant afford to go - cunt a4d 2 go = cunt a4d2go2

Wait if you're not going then who am I going to use as a human shield? LOL JK

I'm not going either - not sure I could fit into the hotel with so many large ego's around

[sarettah]

Originally Posted by Mr Pheer

So someone is going to shoot up the show this weekend? Great. Now I'm not going.

I was feeling exactly opposite, if somebody is gonna shoot it up, i am going

.

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by TheLegacy

Wait if you're not going then who am I going to use as a human shield? LOL JK

I'm not going either - not sure I could fit into the hotel with so many large ego's around

If someone does start shooting, use a few female models as human shields.

We are in 2023 and it would be sexist not to.

[OneHungLo]

Originally Posted by k0nr4d

Why is he a Christian and not something else?

You already know why.

[Mr Pheer]

Crockett would be the main suspect if I had to pick who would most likely be the shooter.

[OneHungLo]

Originally Posted by Mr Pheer

Crockett would be the main suspect if I had to pick who would most likely be the shooter.

This 100%. He has to be on a watch list somewhere.

[DVTimes]

Having met some webmasters, they are so large that they would be hard to miss and they would take ages to waddle away.

Most would drop dead of a heart attack simply from running the first time in 50 years.

[The Porn Nerd]

Yeah thanks for the info, I'm certain it will be helpful to those attending. As for me? No thanks. Not going to ANY mass gatherings indoors in the US and fuck few outdoors.

But hey, let's Zoom!

[CurrentlySober]

Originally Posted by k0nr4d

Why is he a Christian and not something else?

I believe that Colin (the OP) was involved in an active shooter scenario in the late 90s at an adult event. The shooter in that instance was a Christian Extremist.

Over to Colin to expand, should he wish to.

[Major (Tom)]

Originally Posted by sarettah

I was feeling exactly opposite, if somebody is gonna shoot it up, i am going

.

Perfect time for your new 6 shooters & assless chaps. Pew pew

[InfoGuy]

Originally Posted by wasteland

Part 2:

Stop and Assess
You’ll naturally think, “What the hell just happened”!? Don’t sit there and ponder this. Visualize your trigger and focus. The calmer you are, the better equipped you’ll be to outthink your assailant.

To devise a trigger, you must dig deep, identify the single-most-important thing in the world to you and make a mental portrait of this image. Whatever it is, your trigger is how you ignite the will to survive. Use this memory file as the ultimate motivation to get you through life-and-death situations.

If able, call 911. Give police as much HUMINT (human intelligence) as possible, including:
• Who you are, what’s happening and where
• How many shooters there are and their physical description
• What types of weapons are being used, and what special gear, such as body armor, you observed
• The shooter’s skill level, ethnicity, language or accent — and anything else that may be helpful to first responders.

Next, check yourself for wounds. If you have made it this far, you are probably not critically injured. Present breathing and a heartbeat rule out serious injuries, but many times, in great stress, people will be injured and not know it. Do a quick head-to-toe self-assessment, paying particular attention to bleeding and potential fractures.

If you are with others and someone is injured, you may need to figure out a way to transport that person. Also, take a moment to remove excess or brightly colored clothing and any accessories you don’t need (coat, purse or shiny jewelry).

Another part of this assessment step is to take an inventory of the resources at hand that could help you further. Is there anything that can break a window, for example, or something to act as a transportable shield? Is there a vending machine or a water cooler nearby to get some nourishment? You have just been through strenuous physical activity and significantly more effort may be required until you are safe.

Pick the best plan for evacuation and then follow it.
In an active shooter scenario, here are your three options:
1. Head to the nearest exit.
2. Run to the highest level and attempt rescue from the roof.

In making your decision to evacuate, choose the most discreet way out and the one most likely to limit your chances of meeting the shooter again. Your goal now is evacuation. However, remember that the safest evacuation route may not be the most direct. The best exit may not be the closest one.

Never assume this is the only shooter or that the incident is now over.
Instead, be sure to:
• Stop and listen: Do you hear any more gunfire?
• Does a shooter that was taken down have a radio? If they do, they must have accomplices.

Again never assume an active shooter situation is over until law enforcement declares it.

Hands in the Air
If your efforts are successful and you’ve made it out alive, you surely don’t want police to think you are one of the assailants. As in the military, law enforcement officers are taught to look at the hands of anyone first. If your hands are free of weapons, then you aren’t considered a shooting threat. When you are about to exit and think there is a high probability of encountering law enforcement, you must empty your hands. Put all makeshift weapons and other personal items (including cell phones as they can be used to detonate a bomb) on the ground and away from you. Place hands high in the air and yell out, “Friendly — I'm unarmed.” Keep repeating this, and do so loudly. At this point, do exactly as you are instructed. There will be time for police to realize you are a survivor once they have you in a nonthreatening position.


And now that I've bummed folks out (sorry about that), come to the Vegas and LA shows and have a fun and productive time. And most importantly. Be aware of your surroundings, have an exit plan, and stay safe.

3. Exercise your 2nd Amendment rights, draw your Smith & Wesson pistol, eliminate the threat, save everyone and walk out a hero.

But in all seriousness, it's good advice to be prepared. Thanks for sharing.

[celandina]

Only in America

CNN —

A 6-year-old boy is in police custody after he shot a teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, Friday afternoon, Police Chief Steve Drew said in a news conference.

“The individual is a 6-year-old student. He is right now in police custody,” Drew said. “We have been in contact with our commonwealth attorney and some other entities to help us best get services to this young man.”

Drew said the female teacher – who is in her 30s – was shot inside a classroom and added that “this was not an accidental shooting.”

The police chief said there was an altercation between the teacher and the student, who had the firearm, and that a single round was fired.

Protecting 6 year old's 2nd Amendment right

[CaptainHowdy]

That is my happy-go-lucky dose for today . . .

[sarettah]

Originally Posted by DukeSkywalker

Perfect time for your new 6 shooters & assless chaps. Pew pew

you really shouldn't project like that

.

[wasteland]

Originally Posted by DVTimes

Having met some webmasters, they are so large that they would be hard to miss and they would take ages to waddle away.

Most would drop dead of a heart attack simply from running the first time in 50 years.

Here's a wall of protoplasm at Internext:

[wasteland]

Originally Posted by CurrentlySober

I believe that Colin (the OP) was involved in an active shooter scenario in the late 90s at an adult event. The shooter in that instance was a Christian Extremist.

Over to Colin to expand, should he wish to.

Close enough. 1998 at the New Orleans Fay Sharp show, we got attacked by a gang of angry Baptists in front of the show hotel. No one died. 6 Baptists arrested. We made it on the 6pm local TV news! It did make for great branding wearing our dot-com logo shirts for the TV interviews though!

[DVTimes]

Originally Posted by wasteland

Here's a wall of protoplasm at Internext:

They look like they are already on there last legs.

I do not think you need to fear a shooter, as most shooters seem to want living targets. Most of them look to be coffin dodgers.

[The Porn Nerd]

Originally Posted by wasteland

Close enough. 1998 at the New Orleans Fay Sharp show, we got attacked by a gang of angry Baptists in front of the show hotel. No one died. 6 Baptists arrested. We made it on the 6pm local TV news! It did make for great branding wearing our dot-com logo shirts for the TV interviews though!

Wow!! That must have been a very scary situation. Crazy shit!! Glad you all got out of there ok.

BTW: a seriously good idea for anyone attending mass gatherings like conventions, shows, industry events etc would be some bullet proof armor under those baggy hoodies yo.

[Major (Tom)]

Originally Posted by sarettah

you really shouldn't project like that

.

I’m not allowed to imagine? You’re like the lovely elizabeth and i’m like george “the animal” steele. As macho man said, “I see the lust in your eyes for the lovely elizabeth.”

[King Mark]

Originally Posted by k0nr4d

Why is he a Christian and not something else?

Joseph Paul Franklin was an Evangelist

[OneHungLo]

Originally Posted by King Mark

Joseph Paul Franklin was an Evangelist

Even tho muslims make up 1% of the population, they are 27% of the terror attacks here.

[baddog]

Why is this posted on two different forums on this board? Does the op work for CNN now?

[TrafficGoldmine]

wow GFY
living in 2023 !

[Tasty1]

Originally Posted by wasteland

Here's a wall of protoplasm at Internext:

There is a gunner down there.

[wasteland]

Originally Posted by baddog

Why is this posted on two different forums on this board? Does the op work for CNN now?

Here's why:
One of the problems with site owners creating "ghettos" for political debate is it almost always divides the community into two segments, the main forum becomes monochromatic and boring and the ghetto is where all the interesting discussions happen.

I posted it in both to get the info to everyone on GFY, regardless of which board they actively follow.
It's called "community service goodwill"

If you have a problem with that, send a stern letter to your congressman.

[Rochard]

You need to apply common sense and pay attention.... Doesn't matter where you are. Walk into a theater and note where the exit is "just in case". I am less concerned about a active shooter and much more concerned about a fire.

We had a huge fire at our local mall a few years ago and people lost their minds...

[Major (Tom)]

Originally Posted by Rochard

You need to apply common sense and pay attention.... Doesn't matter where you are. Walk into a theater and note where the exit is "just in case". I am less concerned about a active shooter and much more concerned about a fire.

We had a huge fire at our local mall a few years ago and people lost their minds...

Todays ilk isn’t cut out for shit hitting the fan. Conflict zone training. That’s that

[V_RocKs]

Originally Posted by InfoGuy

3. Exercise your 2nd Amendment rights, draw your Smith & Wesson pistol, eliminate the threat, save everyone and walk out a hero.

But in all seriousness, it's good advice to be prepared. Thanks for sharing.

Particularly in Vegas. Nevada loves gun owners.

[InfoGuy]

Originally Posted by InfoGuy

3. Exercise your 2nd Amendment rights, draw your Smith & Wesson pistol, eliminate the threat, save everyone and walk out a hero.

But in all seriousness, it's good advice to be prepared. Thanks for sharing.

I looked up #3 and Cade Courtley's suggestion is...

3. Set an ambush, recover a weapon and shoot your way out.

SEAL Steps to Surviving an Active Shooter
By Cade Courtley - Former U.S. Navy Seal