Run, hide, fight? Hide, run, fight? Fight, Fight, FIGHT?

It's great that so many workplaces and government agencies are teaching active shooter survival, even if it's just a 15 min video one time. A little knowledge can go a long way. Practice is better of course, but we can't let the best solution get in the way of progress.

But I've always wondered if what they're teaching is the best advice for such situations. I remember thinking about this when I did my Census Bureau active shooter training, before I had even started training in Krav Maga (but had martial arts experience under my belt). 

The good: 

1. Classes like this get people prepared...even if it's a baby step, it's a good one. 
2. They emphasize protecting yourself (running and hiding) instead of trying to be a hero. That's smart. More on that below. One thing I remember vividly from my Census training is to be careful about rushing out into waiting law enforcement, lest you be confused for a gunman. Go out hands up (and empty) and clearly state you're not threat. 
3. They usually teach awareness of "environmental weapons"...i.e., heavy things you can throw at a bad guy. That kind of awareness and thinking is a great start for anyone who wants to protect themselves, friends, and family

The bad: 

1. They don't teach much else about fighting back. I realize they can't for liability reasons, but I also believe the world would be safer if everyone was ready to fight back. 

The questionable: 

1. The biggest question on my mind, and motivation for this post, is whether "Run, Hide, Fight" is the safest order of actions. Some training I've done teaches "Fight, Fight, Fight," but it's a special type of person who takes that training and thinks that way. And to be honest, the training includes run and hide techniques, too.
2. The problem with running first...
1. You don't know what you're running into. If you clearly have one gunman and a clear opening ahead of you, running is great. Or if you're running to cover/concealment. But you could just as easily run into the gunman or another gunman. Or get caught up in a stampede. So first, get your bearings!
2. Your safest place may be the cover and concealment you have. Take time to assess before running. Where is the threat coming from? Is it near or far? Right or left? Which way are people running? Do you have cover/concealment where you are already
3. The challenge of hiding:
1. Cover v. concealment... Briefly, cover is something that protects you from bullets. Concealment just hides you. Sounds academic, but with practical results. So keep that distinction in kind. 
2. Even if you hide for the moment, think ahead to exit routes or counter-attack angles. 

Resolution: Taking this all in, below is what I'd advise (keeping in mind I have no military or LE training, and just do this as a hobby). 

1. Think Fight, Fight, Fight, but act with Hide, Run, Fight
2. Why Hide first? Unless you know you can get away safely, it's always smartest to get your bearings first. This doesn't mean hide and stay put. You may be hiding then running, then hiding again to get to a safer spot.
3. Hiding first matches more closely with the OODA loop approach to situational orientation. OODA stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop)
4. Rather than just RUN, do this.
1. Observe: What did you hear? Was it a gunshot, explosive, or something else? What do you see? Are people running away from something? 
2. Orient: Where are you? Do you have your tools with you? Do you have somewhere to shelter-in-place? Do you have anyone you have to protect?
3. Decide: Do you need to change your position? Attack? 
4. Do what you decided to do? If you act, remember "Speed, Surprise, and Violence of Action"...more on this concept in another post. 

Stay safe!