Active Shooter: Surviving an Attack Course

Lesson 1 • The Human Response to Sudden Violence

Physiological and psychological reactions to sudden lethal threats impair decision-making. Recognizing these reactions prepares individuals to override instinctive freeze responses.

Lesson 2 • Situational Awareness Fundamentals

Continuous environmental scanning reduces reaction time during an attack. This section builds the habit of baseline awareness as a daily protective practice.

Lesson 3 • Attacker Profiles and Behavioral Patterns

Research-based attacker profiles reveal pre-attack behaviors and motivations. Understanding these patterns enables earlier recognition of potential threats.

Lesson 1 • Behavioral Indicators of Potential Violence

Specific observable behaviors signal escalating risk before an attack begins. Recognizing these indicators allows intervention or early evacuation.

Lesson 2 • Reporting Threats and Suspicious Activity

Timely, accurate reporting to security or law enforcement can prevent attacks. This section covers what to report, how to report it, and overcoming reluctance to act.

Lesson 3 • Environmental and Contextual Red Flags

Physical environment changes and contextual anomalies often precede attacks. This section trains systematic scanning of surroundings for out-of-place elements.

Lesson 1 • Applying the Framework Under Stress

Stress degrades decision quality; rehearsed frameworks restore it. Scenario-based practice embeds the Run-Hide-Fight sequence as an automatic response.

Lesson 2 • Run: Evacuation Principles and Execution

Evacuation is the highest-priority option when a safe exit path exists. This section covers route selection, movement techniques, and assisting others during escape.

Lesson 3 • Framework Overview and Decision Logic

Run-Hide-Fight provides a prioritized decision tree for responding to an active shooter. Understanding the logic behind option selection is critical before practicing each option.

Lesson 4 • Fight: Last-Resort Physical Resistance

Physical resistance is employed only when no other option exists and survival is at stake. This section addresses the mindset shift and improvised defensive actions.

Lesson 1 • Movement Techniques During Evacuation

Body mechanics and movement patterns reduce exposure to gunfire during escape. Low-profile movement, wall hugging, and speed management are practiced skills.

Lesson 2 • Post-Evacuation Assembly and Accountability

Reaching a rally point and confirming headcounts prevents re-entry into danger zones. Structured accountability procedures also aid law enforcement response.

Lesson 3 • Mapping Your Environment

Knowing exit locations, stairwells, and alternate routes before an incident is essential. Systematic environmental mapping converts unfamiliar spaces into navigable escape paths.

Lesson 4 • Assisting Vulnerable Individuals

Employees with disabilities or mobility limitations require pre-planned evacuation support. This section covers buddy systems, carry techniques, and areas of refuge.

Lesson 1 • Selecting and Securing a Safe Room

Room characteristics determine defensive value during a lockdown. Solid doors, interior locations, and limited windows are prioritized selection criteria.

Lesson 2 • Managing Occupants During Extended Lockdown

Panic, noise, and poor positioning endanger everyone in a secured room. Leadership techniques and behavioural management keep occupants calm and concealed.

Lesson 3 • Barricading Techniques with Available Materials

Improvised barricades using furniture and equipment significantly delay attacker entry. This section provides step-by-step construction methods using common office and facility items.

Lesson 4 • Recognising the All-Clear Signal

False all-clear signals from attackers are a documented tactic. This section trains verification procedures to distinguish legitimate law enforcement contact from deception.

Lesson 1 • How Law Enforcement Responds to Active Shooters

Modern law enforcement uses immediate action rapid deployment to neutralise threats without delay. Understanding this response model prevents dangerous misunderstandings during contact.

Lesson 2 • Navigating the Perimeter and Reunification

Post-incident perimeter management controls access and supports victim identification. Understanding reunification procedures reduces family distress and scene confusion.

Lesson 3 • Survivor Behaviour During Law Enforcement Contact

Officers cannot immediately distinguish survivors from attackers in a chaotic scene. Specific behaviours reduce the risk of being misidentified as a threat.

Lesson 1 • Airway Management and Chest Wounds

Chest wounds can cause tension pneumothorax, a rapidly fatal condition treatable with a chest seal. Basic airway positioning and chest seal application are covered in this section.

Lesson 2 • Wound Packing for Junctional Bleeding

Wounds in the neck, groin, and armpit cannot be treated with tourniquets and require packing. Correct gauze packing technique with sustained pressure controls junctional hemorrhage.

Lesson 3 • Tourniquet Application Techniques

Correctly applied tourniquets stop life-threatening limb hemorrhage within seconds. This section covers commercial and improvised tourniquet application on arms and legs.

Lesson 4 • The Survivable Wound and the Golden Period

Most gunshot fatalities result from preventable blood loss within the first ten minutes. Understanding this window motivates immediate bystander intervention before professional help arrives.

Lesson 1 • Developing an Active Shooter Response Policy

A written policy establishes organisational expectations and legal defensibility for active shooter response. This section covers policy components, approval processes, and communication to staff.

Lesson 2 • Conducting a Facility Vulnerability Assessment

Systematic assessment identifies physical and procedural gaps that increase attack risk or harm. Findings drive targeted improvements to access control, lighting, and response resources.

Lesson 3 • Building a Culture of Preparedness

Sustained preparedness requires organisational culture, not just periodic training events. Leadership commitment, peer reinforcement, and visible readiness resources embed preparedness as a norm.

Lesson 4 • After-Action Review and Continuous Improvement

Structured post-drill review identifies gaps and drives iterative improvement of the preparedness programme. Documented findings create accountability and measurable progress over time.