These days more and more active shooter incidents are becoming more frequently to those who travel a lot. Women travelers know all too well the restrictions unfortunately on travel throughout the world are becoming more and more stringent, due to threats of active shooter incidents. However, if you’re traveling alone being prepared for possible trouble is still vital for women traveling alone especially. Do to the recent active shooter incidents in Paris and now San Bernardino, California this has became knowledge that women traveling alone or together need to know how to prepare for a active shooter incidents if it should happen while traveling. Canceling a trip or just not going shouldn’t be a option, we should not give in to fear but be wise and aware.
Don’t give into fear, but be wise and aware!
Luxe Women Travel would like to thank Steve Smith founder and President of Guardian Defense https://guardiandefenseplan.com a Active Shooter Incidents Training company for phone interview with me, were he answered question about preparing for a Active Shooter Incident. Steve gives some very good tips on how and what we need to do to prepare for a possible Active Shooter Incidents as we travel or go about our normal lives.
“Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but AROUND IN AWARENESS”- James Thurber
Here are 4 safety tips for women traveling doing active shooter incidents – Awareness, Have a plan, Run, Hide, Fight.
Tip #1. Being aware of your surroundings is very important doing active shooter incidents.
If you find yourself at public Arenas, Airports, Restaurants or any other large open event/locations, in order to prepare for active shooter incidents “scan the area” all ways. Look for your escape, know where your exits are or covering if need be. If you feel funny about someone or something they my have left behind in a place notify local authorities. “If you continue to feel funny, leave.”
Pay attention to detail, get in the habit of scanning places each time you visit in the event something might be going wrong.
“Having a plan and knowing how to react is critical” -Steve Smith
Tip #2. Have a Mental Plan
Women travelers should look around and think about what you would do if something should happen quickly, know where your exits are plan how you would get there from where you are, things you can hide behind, places where you can hide or things you can use to fight with.
“Don’t have your back to where a problem might come from”.-Steve Smith
Tip #3. Run, Hide, Fight – from the Department of Homeland Security – doing active shooter incidents.
“Run. Hide. Fight.: Surviving an Active Shooter Incidents” is a Department of Homeland Security Grant Funded Project of the Regional Catastrophic Planning Initiative. Produced by the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. Ready Houston, www.readyhoustontx.gov.
RUN. When an active shooter incidents is in your vicinity – doing active shooter incidents:
- If there is an escape path, attempt to evacuate.
Evacuate whether others agree to or not. - Leave your belongings behind.
- Help others escape if possible.
- Prevent others from entering the area.
- Call 9-1-1 when you are safe.
IF YOU CAN’T GET OUT SAFELY, YOU NEED TO FIND A PLACE TO HIDE
HIDE! If an evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide – doing active shooter incidents.
- Lock and /or blockade the door.
- Silence your cell phone.
- Hide behind large objects.
- Remain very quiet.
CAPTION: YOUR HIDING PLACE SHOULD:
- Be out of the shooter’s view.
- Provide protection of shots are fired in your direction.
- Not trap or restrict your options for movement.
FIGHT. As a last resort, and only if your life is in danger – doing active shooter incidents:
- Attempt to incapacitate the shooter.
- Act with physical aggression.
- Improvise weapons.
- Commit to your action.
Tip #4. Self Defense Classes or Training for Active Shooter Incidents
As Steve and I talked he shared his thoughts about Self Defense classes that women traveling alone can take that may help with physical protection. Firer Armed training was discussed, going to a range and trying it-it may not suit you, or contact resolution, martial arts training, and caring mace (check with airlines security on rules for self defense products). Check with you local authorities, State or Country to see what permits are needed defense products.
These safety tips and information does not mean it is guaranteed that something bad could happen to you while on your trip, but, it is better to know ahead of time how Women Traveling alone or together can be ready for unexpected Active Shooter Incidents while traveling.
I love traveling. It is a passion of mine–even as a child I would day dream about far away places. After raising my daughter, I found myself a empty nester, widow, retired, and searching for a new quest in life. Travel has always been there for me when I wanted to escape and get away from it all. I have experienced traveling with other women and alone because after several years of traveling with my husband, I became a widow with time to travel but my friends and family are often not able to come along. So I established a travel business to help other women who were ready to travel or who life may have thrown them a curve because they have gone through a lose of a spouse or partner, divorced, or she may be a caregiver needing a escape, or feeling a little neglected because their husband is not able or not willing to come along experience the same connection, freedom and rejuvenation I did traveling with other women traveling together or Solo.