In the light of recent terror attacks in the UK, the government have come up with a campaign, that has the backing of some big names but is it really what you should do. The chances of becoming involved in a terror attack have greatly increased in the last year. Homegrown terror suspects have risen and online grooming and radicalizing have become commonplace. The ranting and teaching of hate has been taken from the backrooms of mosques overseas and delivered into individuals’ bedrooms right here in the western world. Prisons are rife with young men queuing up to become the next jihadis.

The portrayers of this hideous nonsense remain aloof to the judicial system and hiding behind their computer screens peddling their menace. And although the government has a good idea who many of them are, and the evidence to back their suspicions, the frontline security services have their hands tied with red tape and an unwillingness to change caused by political parties only interested in the number of votes they can attain.

The only advice on offer for anyone caught up in an attack terror related or otherwise is “Run Hide Tell.” A quick and simple, easy-to-remember solution to all your problems. A pat on the back for whoever cooked up the scheme and put everyone’s minds at ease. Follow the instructions being bellowed out by Bear Grylls and some other random so-called celebrities who have never experienced any combat between them and you’ll live to fight another day. That’s the theory anyway. I’ve analyzed some of the recent attacks and although I’m not completely opposed to what is being said in as far as at least you are being encouraged to do something. I find the whole thing left wanting and even becoming the route cause of most of the casualties in quite a few instances.

What I aim to do with this article is break down the three elements and pit them against two different scenarios. Once we have established where the problem areas are, we can readjust and improve on the current advice. Basically it’s a guide from an operator and not some Whitehall internet warrior.

RUN HIDE TELL VERSES:

RHT vs Suicide Bomb

Actually getting out of an area which has been bombed is a great shout. But running when a bomb has already detonated causes panic. In the Manchester bombing although their were severe casualties in the immediate blast, further casualties were caused in the panic and rush to get away. Also, people need to identify exactly which area the bomb has come from or they will run into the scene. There may well be a secondary attack, so once clear of the initial incident it’s prudent to get well away from any other congregations of people who may well be just lining up to get whacked again. Hiding in the immediate vicinity gives you a good chance of becoming embroiled in a secondary incident. You need to ensure you are well out of the way and with a suicide bomb in particular, once its gone bang the threat often resolves with the coward who sets it off. Once it’s safe do the right thing. Hanging about to film stuff is not the right thing.

RHT vs Active Shooter

Once again, getting away from the scene and out of line of sight is imperative and at the best possible speed. But failure to identify where the potential shooter or firing point is could well lead to further casualties if a stampede encourages people back into harm’s way. Breaking contact is more realistic and getting a bound away into cover whilst identifying what’s going on would be preferable. Running aimlessly around and not knowing where the threat is coming from may well take you into a worse situation than you are already in. Also, heading toward choke points and following the crowd may well increase you chances of being picked off. A rush from one area will leave any active shooter searching for targets. Again if you have not identified what is going on, then you may well compound your situation. I saw people in the recent attack in the Las Vegas hiding within the line of fire and in light cover. Out of view is not always out of danger, the ammunition hailing down will go through quite a bit. You need to be well out of line of sight or behind hard cover assessing your position all the time. Your initial bound away from trouble needs to be at speed, zig zagging and in a direction which takes you away from the killing zone. If you feel you are being followed, then you may well want to hide or bolt yourself in somewhere. But remember once static unless in a bullet-proof bunker you may well be just waiting to be caught. I would much sooner be on the next bus, cab, train tube or on foot well away from the scene whilst contacting emergency services.

Summary:

Running away is a great start point if you have identified what is going on. Running when there is no immediate bullets or debris coming your way will just cause panic and you may well be injured in the following rush to escape. Hiding is a last resort if you can’t get away quickly enough and there is a threat seeking you out. Telling people is absolutely the right thing to do but only once you are safe. My thoughts are you should break contact, take cover and asses the situation before acting swiftly and with commitment to whatever you have decided is the best course of action. In any event you should try to get out and get gone .

Featured image courtesy of YouTube