What should you do first in an Active Shooter situation when there is an opportunity?

In an Active Shooter situation, when there is an opportunity, the most effective response is to evacuate immediately. This choice prioritizes personal safety by removing oneself from the dangerous environment as quickly as possible. Evacuation allows individuals to distance themselves from the threat, potentially saving their lives and the lives of others.

The instinct to evacuate leverages the fact that in many active shooter scenarios, the situation can escalate rapidly, and the most critical factor is to reach a place of safety. It is important to understand that if an opportunity to escape arises, taking advantage of it is often the best course of action. If it is safe to do so, moving to a secure area away from the danger should be the first step.

While barricading oneself, calling 911, or fighting the shooter may seem like viable options, they typically come into play when evacuation is not possible. Each of those actions involves additional risks and complexities that should be avoided if there is a clear path to safety. In summary, prioritizing evacuation in an Active Shooter situation can maximally increase one's chance of survival.