Shootin' it Straight - Chaotic Planning

Shootings, stabbings, vehicle-borne attacks, and mass upheaval are not a new phenomen. They’ve existed since mankind first allowed evil to take root. High-profile incidents receive the most attention, and in today’s media-driven world that means a constant demand for shock and awe headlines. What rarely gets discussed, however, is what to do when the chaos erupts around you.

The hard truth is that you may find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and no amount of preparation will help if you are the direct target. In that case, your only hope may be that Heaven is indeed a lot like Dixie. But for the more likely scenario, being caught in the vicinity of mass panic sparked by criminals of any stripe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and others.

First, familiarize yourself as best you can with the area you’re in. Identify exits, choke points, and high-traffic spots. When panic breaks out, those areas can be just as dangerous as the attack itself. Think less like a bystander and more like a football running back, waiting for the right opening can be the difference between escape and disaster.

Second, don’t focus solely on carrying a firearm for self preservation. Many people prepare to inflict harm but give little thought to treating wounds when plans go sideways. If you have the ability to cause bleeding, you also bear the responsibility to know how to stop it. A legitimate trauma kit should be on you or close at hand. Odds are, you’re far more likely to treat the injured than engage in a Hollywood style shootout.

Third, have a plan before you need one. Communication is king. Make sure you and your group are on the same page. Set a rally point, establish clear instructions, and keep phones charged. Panic thrives where preparation is absent.

No one wants to be present when mass chaos erupts. Yet too often we comfort ourselves with the illusion that tragedy only strikes others. It isn’t so. Treat the threat of mass casualty events the same way you treat the possibility of a flat tire on the interstate: pack, prepare, and hope you never need it.

With any luck, your name will never appear in the news. You won’t be called a hero, and you’ll be forgotten in the fray. That’s the best outcome. Because the difference between a close call you recount at the dinner table and your loved ones reading your name in a casualty report may very well come down to your preparation.