By James Wallunya
Al-shabaab, the Somali based terrorist groups has conducted several recent attacks in Kenya, leading to extensive loss of lives, property and injuries. The militia group employs the ‘hit and run’ tactic increasing technical problems to its guerrilla warfare with the Kenyan security forces. They have changed tact from kidnappings and bombings to public shootout. Gunmen linked to the terror group have on occasion massacred civilians and expatriates as well on Kenyan soil, with the latest being the Garrissa University College attack that claimed 147 lives. Their successes are attributed to security lapses within the nation and articulate planning on the terrorist’s side which includes well connected networks in the country.
Getting out unhurt or turning a hostage situation into a standoff or a win to your advantage is a key priority when one is caught up in one. Putting aside luck, you need to be prepared enough to enable your security during such unprecedented occurrences. The more informed we are the better choices we make.
The moment you hear the first gun shots, the brain registers the situation as dangerous and immediately the neural flight and fight reaction plays resulting in tunnel vision and auditory exclusion. At this point, your preparation for such events will save the day, don’t freak or freeze; react!
It’s important that you remain calm, don’t scream or shout to avoid attracting the shooter’s attention. Be aware of your surroundings; lock doors, stay away from windows, find a place to hide; a place that will not only hide you but also stop bullets from reaching you, take a concrete pillar for example , be wary of thing that may topple and make loud noises, switch of your phone or put it on silent mode. If you can’t find a place to hide, stay low; lie in a horizontal manner with your face down and your hands near your head, but not covering your face. This will trick the shooter that you are dead and protect your inner organs. If you are at a safe distance, where you may not be heard, make a call to inform the police about your situation. Don’t` do this if you can be heard! If you see a police officer in the vicinity, don’t shout or scream either. Remember that the police will treat everyone as a suspect during such moments, keep your hands visible and listen to and follow any instructions given quickly without argument.
Try and identify the shooter’s position and find a way to move further away from him/her. Keep a low profile and ensure that there is cover between you and the shooter. Identify an exit, if you are not familiar with the place, look out for directions on walls or from a person who knows the place. Follow them if you can’t ask. The idea of saving another person may constantly ring in your head, but if you are not a professional, leave that to the men and women of uniform. If you must save a person, ensure that you are properly covered or concealed. When running way from a shooter, do it in a zigzag manner, this will make it harder for the shooter to aim at you.
As your last resort, fight! Do this especially when you are a point blank range. The combat may be unbalanced; reasonably, you are at the losing end. Use anything at your disposal as a weapon, disrupt the shooter's ability to see, breathe or control their weapon. It will be much easier if you do this collectively, as a group. Aim for the perpetrators hand and head, hit any and every vital organs at your reach, this will help you buy time, for others to run, for the police to come in and also offers a golden chance to disarm the shooter.
Finally, gunshots wounds are survivable, thanks to modern medicine. Realize this if you have been shot and do everything to survive. Stay calm, and breath slowly, this will slow down the bleeding and help prevent shock. Apply pressure on the wound and use something to cover yourself to maintain body temperature. Seek medical assistance.
Getting out unhurt or turning a hostage situation into a standoff or a win to your advantage is a key priority when one is caught up in one. Putting aside luck, you need to be prepared enough to enable your security during such unprecedented occurrences. The more informed we are the better choices we make.
The moment you hear the first gun shots, the brain registers the situation as dangerous and immediately the neural flight and fight reaction plays resulting in tunnel vision and auditory exclusion. At this point, your preparation for such events will save the day, don’t freak or freeze; react!
It’s important that you remain calm, don’t scream or shout to avoid attracting the shooter’s attention. Be aware of your surroundings; lock doors, stay away from windows, find a place to hide; a place that will not only hide you but also stop bullets from reaching you, take a concrete pillar for example , be wary of thing that may topple and make loud noises, switch of your phone or put it on silent mode. If you can’t find a place to hide, stay low; lie in a horizontal manner with your face down and your hands near your head, but not covering your face. This will trick the shooter that you are dead and protect your inner organs. If you are at a safe distance, where you may not be heard, make a call to inform the police about your situation. Don’t` do this if you can be heard! If you see a police officer in the vicinity, don’t shout or scream either. Remember that the police will treat everyone as a suspect during such moments, keep your hands visible and listen to and follow any instructions given quickly without argument.
Try and identify the shooter’s position and find a way to move further away from him/her. Keep a low profile and ensure that there is cover between you and the shooter. Identify an exit, if you are not familiar with the place, look out for directions on walls or from a person who knows the place. Follow them if you can’t ask. The idea of saving another person may constantly ring in your head, but if you are not a professional, leave that to the men and women of uniform. If you must save a person, ensure that you are properly covered or concealed. When running way from a shooter, do it in a zigzag manner, this will make it harder for the shooter to aim at you.
As your last resort, fight! Do this especially when you are a point blank range. The combat may be unbalanced; reasonably, you are at the losing end. Use anything at your disposal as a weapon, disrupt the shooter's ability to see, breathe or control their weapon. It will be much easier if you do this collectively, as a group. Aim for the perpetrators hand and head, hit any and every vital organs at your reach, this will help you buy time, for others to run, for the police to come in and also offers a golden chance to disarm the shooter.
Finally, gunshots wounds are survivable, thanks to modern medicine. Realize this if you have been shot and do everything to survive. Stay calm, and breath slowly, this will slow down the bleeding and help prevent shock. Apply pressure on the wound and use something to cover yourself to maintain body temperature. Seek medical assistance.