Imagine sitting in a restaurant, chatting with friends or enjoying a romantic evening with a date or your spouse. Surrounding you is quiet conversation. Then from somewhere in the room comes the cascade of shouts. This is followed closely by the gunfire, a distinctive high pitched crack like firecrackers. Screams pierce the hushed quiet. People begin a panicked rush toward any exit available. The room erupts into chaos. How can you protect your date, wife or friends?There are few things more terrorizing than being trapped in a room with a gunman on a rampage. There is no reasoning with this person. They are committed to a plan of action, knowing that plan can only lead to their death or a lifetime in prison.

Recent news stories prompted me to write this article. Recent attacks by lone gunmen appear to be more prevalent at this time. Hopefully these tips will help in the unlikely event that you find yourself cornered by one of these crazies.
Tip One: When I first began dating my fiancée, she wondered why I insisted that I sit facing the door at restaurants. The most observant member of the party should face the door. By keeping an eye on the comings and goings of the crowd, that member can detect someone that is out of place or acting erratic. This can give your group an advantage in escaping the carnage.

Tip Two: As you are led to your seat, look around to locate any and all exits from the room. An exit may be the kitchen or a hallway leading to an exterior door. If you are on the first or even the second floor, look for windows to smash and jump from the room. A broken leg or arm beats a bullet anytime.

Tip Three: Once you are committed to an escape route, keep moving and stay low. A moving target is harder to hit, regardless of what you have seen in the movies. If you do get hit, keep moving toward the exit, if you can.

Tip Four: Use cover and concealment. Cover is anything that can possibly stop a bullet. It may be a heavy table or counter. Concealment is anything that hides you, but may not stop a bullet. One incident that I heard about involved a detective who used a newspaper. The gunman, wanting a clear shot kept trying to move around the newspaper, meanwhile the detective was able to draw and shot the assailant through the paper. Concealment buys you time.

Tip Five: Don’t try to gather up your possessions. Leave the purse, the cell phone or coat. Time used collecting these items, is seconds that could mean the difference in getting out alive or not.

The odds of finding yourself in this situation are slim, but having a plan of action is the surest way to avoid being a victim if it does.

Remember: Your safety is up to you.