The fastest and most effective way of evacuation is self-organization of a group of people
According to the BBC, many survivors of the Paris attacks say they mistook the first shots for the sounds of firecrackers or fireworks. As psychologist and survival instructor John Leach notes, such a mistake is typical. People who do not expect to hear gunfire tend to mistake it for familiar sounds. "We react to an image already present in our minds, and we do not react directly to our surroundings, which makes us vulnerable," he says.
The time it takes to understand what is actually happening can be fatal. But if a person has thought out their behavior in advance for several emergency situations, the process of realization can happen much faster.
Preparedness for the worst
"In such cases, you need to ask yourself: if it comes to the worst, what will I do?" says Leach.
It is very easy to sit in a restaurant or cinema and not pay attention to the location of emergency exits. But if people were constantly aware of this, the number of casualties could be reduced. During the attack on the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, a security guard led a group of people out of the hall through such an exit to the left of the stage.
The vast majority of people in an armed attack become paralyzed and unable to do anything.
Speed of reaction
Leach studied a number of similar incidents in different countries and concluded that only 15% of people react to such circumstances in a way that increases their chances of survival. Up to 75% will be too shocked by what is happening to take any action. The remaining 10% will react negatively, reducing their own chances of survival and complicating the situation for those around them, the psychologist indicates.
Readiness to act increases the likelihood of escaping a critical situation. However, human nature has an inherent tendency to check one's behavior against that of other group members. In a classic experiment, psychologists observed the behavior of people in a closed room that was filling with smoke. People who were alone reacted faster than those who were in a group.
Hide from the eyes of the attackers
According to Ian Reid, a former military instructor and personal security expert, the first thing to do in such situations is to try to find cover and get out of sight of the attackers. Sometimes it is enough to just lie on the floor, but ideally it is better to hide somewhere.
The best cover is thick concrete walls. "In Hollywood movies, heroes often hide from gunfire behind cars, but that rarely helps because thin metal cannot stop bullets," says Reid. But sometimes even a car is better than nothing.
In the case of shooting in a crowded room, a single bullet can wound several people. Taking cover not only reduces the likelihood of becoming a target for shooters but also reduces the risk of being caught in crossfire.
Many of the survivors in Paris did exactly that – they turned over tables to hide behind them, or hid behind speakers in the concert hall. But the hall had few places to take cover, which led to many casualties.
A husband and wife from Ireland survived by playing dead. Another survivor, Theresa Sid, told the BBC: "The man lying next to us was seriously wounded and moaning, and we urged him – quiet, quiet, be silent, don't move, because they were shooting at those who moved." "Terrorists usually fire roughly at moving targets," Reid notes, "especially if it is dark."
Don't be ashamed to run
Some of the audience in the concert hall tried to run to exits while the attackers were reloading their rifles. This is a risky move, but sometimes it is the only chance to escape. Several other people hid in adjacent rooms and toilets, and that saved them.
In January, 24-year-old black salesman Lassana Bathily became famous across the country for hiding visitors of a Jewish supermarket in the basement during an extremist attack. He turned off the refrigerator and lights and ran for help. Everyone he hid survived.
Self-defense – a difficult choice
In some cases, attack victims may rush at the attackers. In August, an attack on a train in France was thwarted when passengers rushed at the lone terrorist armed with a rifle. However, of the four people who attempted this, two were military personnel with special training. They only attempted it after the attacker's rifle jammed.
As Reid says, if you have no training, do not try to physically disarm a terrorist. "You are putting your life in serious danger," he points out. It is important to remember that many extremists operate in a group. Some of them may have explosive belts or body armor.
Lebanese Adel Termos saved dozens of lives in Beirut last week when he rushed a suicide bomber from behind. But the bomber managed to detonate the bomb, and both died in the explosion.
Despite this, some believe that one must be prepared for self-defense if necessary. According to James Alvarez, a psychologist and negotiator, jihadists from the Islamic State group are not interested in taking hostages. "There is no one to negotiate with. If I know I will be shot, I want to think that I will not sell my life cheaply."
If you manage to run or hide, it is very important to stay vigilant. "Try to move as far away as possible under cover and seek help from the nearest authorities," says Reed. "Remember, there is always a risk of a second explosion or attack."
Help each other
The likelihood of you becoming a victim of an attack is still small. But if it does happen, according to Chris Cocking, a social psychologist and expert in crowd behavior, cooperating with others can aid survival.
After the bombings in London in July 2007, Cocking spoke with dozens of people who were affected and concluded that the fastest and most effective way to evacuate is self-organization of a group of people. This is the only way to avoid, for example, a stampede if there is a single exit in a building. According to Cocking, for most of us, it is natural to help a neighbor even in the most hopeless situations. "People usually think that in such cases it's every man for himself, but in reality it's not," he says.