Is this day a particular day when the terrorists might gain some 'respect' amongst the Islamics, ie. one of our holidays or one of theirs. Is the crowd going to be more than normal? Will a Senator be there or someone else who is a 'target'?
If so, don't go. Wait until the hazardous days have passed.
When you are in the building:
Take a look at the people who are there with you? Is there a small group that gives you reason for worry? If so get out! Tell the security guards what you are thinking.
In schools, talk with your children about what they would do if they heard a gunshot in the building.
This is my advice, nothing that has been approved by any authority!
Tell them to forget what the teacher is saying and get out the closest window as fast as possible. Stay quiet! No talking whatsoever! Do not run across open ground to get to the parking area if it is more than 20 feet to the parked vehicles because someone could be on the roof ready to shoot them.
Then run along the wall to a corner of the building. This gives them the choice of what 'side' of the building they think is safest. Two steps and they are on the safer side.
Now look for shadows on the ground from humans on the roof. Take a breather. Observe what is going on around them. Are they as far as possible away from the direction they think the shot came from? Yes, then lay down amd be quiet.
If they do see some group they think could be attacking the building, either run away from them using the building as a protection shield or lay down and pretend to be DEAD.
When the group is inside the building, BE QUIET and pretend to be DEAD. Let the cops tell them when it is safe to run away from the building.
Again !! This is my advice, nothing that has been approved by any authority!
I just don't like the idea of being inside the building because that is where the attackers want to be.
If they are in a mall or a Wal-Mart or some other big store where there is lots of people and shooting starts inside the building, the same advice holds true. Look for a door with a FIRE sign above it and go out that door. The crowd is going to use th exite same door they came in. Bad move unless you can get to the door before the crowd can.
Once they are outside do a quick ground scan for the roof shadows and head for the dumpster or a big truck. Somewhere where they can sit down and take a breather to determine what to do next.
Once more!! This is my advice, nothing that has been approved by any authority!
While pretending to be DEAD remind your kids that corpses do not swat flies, talk or change positions. They are silent and do not move. Sure it's uncomfortable to have four flies walking around on your face but a bullet hole in your chest is not uncomfortable, it hurts like hell and you will die from it!
The trick to staying alive is staying aware of what's happening around you. Just like driving a car at 65 mph.
So, just because they have made it away from the building where they heard the shooting doesn't mean the next building is safe to enter.
Look for cops with cop cars. Cops that look worried and hiding behind their own car for protection. Those guys are our cops not someone wearing a stolen uniform.
Once more!! This is my advice, nothing that has been approved by any authority!
If sleeping in a dumpster is the best choice they have when nighfall comes. DO IT! You are still alive and nobody is shooting at you, so stay there for the next 4, 6, 12 or 24 hours.
Stay aware and stay alive.
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"Tell them to forget what the teacher is saying and get out the closest window as fast as possible. Stay quiet! No talking whatsoever! Do not run across open ground to get to the parking area if it is more than 20 feet to the parked vehicles because someone could be on the roof ready to shoot them.
Then run along the wall to a corner of the building. This gives them the choice of what 'side' of the building they think is safest. Two steps and they are on the safer side.
Now look for shadows on the ground from humans on the roof. Take a breather. Observe what is going on around them. Are they as far as possible away from the direction they think the shot came from? Yes, then lay down and be quiet.
If they do see some group they think could be attacking the building, either run away from them using the building as a protection shield or lay down and pretend to be DEAD."
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Is this a "tin foil" or "the sky is falling" panic?
Why don't we ask the children of Beslan . .
Whoever thought they would see the day in America we would be having THIS conversation? - ping.
HINT: If they did it in Beslan, they'll do it in Detroit.