Importance Of An Exit

Security at a large event
How important is an exit?
May 22, 2017
MANCHESTER, England — Children were among the 22 people killed in a suicide attack after an Ariana Grande concert at Britain's Manchester Arena, police confirmed Tuesday.
Meanwhile, authorities identified the suicide bomber responsible for the carnage as 22-year-old Salman Abedi and warned angry residents against any reprisals.
Nicola Murray, who was at the concert with her 12-year-old daughter Olivia, told NBC News that she witnessed "a red-orange-looking flash" and heard an "incredibly loud bang."
"Within seconds, as you can imagine, it was chaos and people were panicking and running to try and get out the door," she said. "We were getting swept with the people crushing to get out and I was terrified my daughter would get crushed. At one point, she was getting dragged away from me but I managed to pull her into me and force her in front of me while trying to direct her to the door and down the steps.”
This is a short excerpt from and NBC report of a terrorist bombing at a pop-star concert in England.
Do you know how to exit a large event like this one in case of a fire, natural disaster, or a terrorist threat? Here are some tips.
First and foremost is situational awareness. I know it’s exciting to attend a large event like the one above, but the first thing to do once you’re inside a large event is to identify two exits. Why two? If you were at the above concert you would be faced with a bomb detonation at the main entrance (and exit) of the event. Don’t go toward the blast. Plus, if there are more bombs, the terrorists would probably pick the most likely heavily used exit to detonate another bomb. So with two identified exits, you will have a choice.
It’s also a good idea to identify security. What color are their shirts? Are they easy to spot in a crowd? Do they carry radios? All of this info might be handy.
If permitted be armed. Most large events will have specific rules on guns being present. Usually it is prohibited. Often a metal detector is implemented at the entrance of the event. If you cannot have a gun, a knife, a tac pen, any other less offensive weapon may be permitted.
If something does go down quickly scan the room. While the inevitable panic ensues, you need to keep your wits about you and take a second to make sure the exit you’re heading to is safe. You don’t want to be rushing to a place where a guy with an AK-47 is waiting to mow people down. I realize keeping your cool is difficult to do when you’re scared and confused, but it’s crucial that you can immediately assess whether you’re heading in a safe direction.
Most of the time, it’s not a good idea to follow the crowd. So if you see everyone running in a certain direction, you probably want to head the other way. Think about crowd mentality that people will blindly follow the herd without thinking. This is another reason why following the crowd is often a bad idea. Most people have no idea why they are going where they’re going, except for the fact that everybody else is headed that way. When faced with panic or great stress, most people will return from where they came in. This is why it’s important to picks two exits when you enter a big event. Also, in a large open room, it’s sometimes easier to move around on the perimeter of the building. Especially if you are going against the flow of the crowd.
If you are seriously injured and bleeding, the first aid of pressure is important until you are safe and can get medical help. Safety is the prime directive here.
These are simple tips. But these are things that have proven to work. Remember to be in “Yellow” when in places with a lot of people.
As a reminder here are Jeff Coopers color codes again.
WHITE
Unaware and unprepared. "Daydreaming" or "preoccupied”, oblivious to possible threat. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy of your attacker.
YELLOW
Relaxed alert. There is no specific threat situation. You don’t expect to be attacked, but are simply aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself". You are alert and aware of your surroundings. You are difficult to surprise, so you do not make an easy victim.
ORANGE
Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has your attention. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat. The difference between Yellow and Orange is this specific target for your attention. Your mindset shifts to "I might have to defend myself against that person today", focusing on the specific target which has caused the escalation in alert status. When you shift upward to Orange, you begin to focus your attention on this individual that caught your eye, but you do not drop your guard. You don't want to be blind-sided by his friends. You begin to watch him and assess his intentions. Once you figure out he's not a threat, dismiss him and de-escalate right back down to Yellow.
RED
Condition Red is the fight or flight. It means stop him or escape. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. You must act now with a decisive and aggressive action.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn