Staying Safe During Civil Unrest, Terrorism, and Mass Casualty Events
- SheepDog Society Admin.
- 3 hours ago
- 13 min read
Dangerous public events move fast. A normal commute, concert, sports event, protest, shopping trip, or school day can become chaotic in seconds. The goal is not to live in fear. The goal is to have a few clear decisions already made so panic does not make them for you.
This guide explains how to keep yourself and others safer during civil unrest, acts of terrorism, or mass casualty events. It focuses on practical steps anyone can use: planning, awareness, movement, communication, sheltering, basic aid, and recovery.
This is general safety information, not legal, medical, or law enforcement advice. In any emergency, follow instructions from local authorities, first responders, and venue safety staff when it is safe to do so.
1. Build a simple safety plan before trouble starts
A safety plan does not need to be dramatic. It needs to be usable when people are stressed, tired, separated, or scared.
Start with the places you spend the most time: home, work, school, places of worship, transit routes, grocery stores, parks, entertainment venues, and regular event spaces. For each place, know three things:
How to leave quickly
Where to shelter if you cannot leave
How to reconnect with the people you care about
Write the plan down or save it offline on your phone. Phones can die. Networks can become overloaded. People forget details under pressure.
A useful plan should include:
Two meeting places
One should be close by, such as a nearby corner, landmark, or parking area. The other should be farther away in case the neighborhood is blocked off.
One out-of-area contact
Choose someone outside your city or region. If local calls are jammed, texts to another area may still go through.
Basic medical notes
Include allergies, key medications, emergency contacts, and any access or mobility needs.
Transportation options
Know how to leave without your usual car, train, bus, or rideshare.
Pet and dependent care plans
Decide who can pick up children, check on an older relative, or help with pets if you cannot return home.
Keep the plan plain. A good emergency plan should fit on one page.
2. Prepare a go bag that supports the first few hours
In many emergencies, the first few hours are the hardest. You may need to walk, wait, shelter, treat a minor injury, prove your identity, or stay reachable.
Pack a small bag that is easy to carry. A backpack is better than a rolling suitcase because stairs, broken glass, curbs, crowds, and blocked roads can make wheels useless.
Include items such as:
Water and high-energy snacks
A basic first aid kit
Any essential medications
A flashlight or headlamp
A phone power bank and charging cable
Ear protection, such as foam earplugs
A dust mask or respirator if you already have one
Disposable gloves
A small notepad and pen
Copies of important documents
Cash in small bills
A paper map of your area
A whistle
Weather-appropriate layers
Comfort items for children, if needed
Do not overload the bag. If it is too heavy, it will be left behind. The best bag is the one you can grab and carry while moving quickly.
For daily life, carry a smaller version in a purse, backpack, or jacket pocket:
ID
Phone
Cash
Medication
Emergency contact card
Small flashlight
Bandage or compact bleeding-control dressing, if trained to use it
The goal is not to prepare for every possible disaster. The goal is to reduce the most common problems: thirst, dead phone, minor injury, confusion, darkness, and separation.
3. Stay aware without becoming distracted by fear
Good awareness is calm and practical. It means noticing exits, crowd movement, sound changes, and anything that blocks your path. It does not mean staring at people, assuming motive, or letting suspicion take over.
When entering a public place, take a few seconds to scan:
Main exits
Emergency exits
Stairwells
Barriers, fences, gates, and bottlenecks
Places that could provide cover or concealment
Security staff, medical tents, information booths, or police positions
The behavior of the crowd as a whole
Pay attention to crowd energy. A peaceful crowd can become dangerous if it surges, compresses, panics, or has only one narrow exit.
Warning signs that deserve attention include:
What you notice | Why it matters | Safer response |
A crowd suddenly moves in one direction | People may be reacting to a threat you cannot see | Move diagonally toward open space, not straight against the crowd |
People start dropping belongings and running | Panic may spread faster than information | Leave the immediate area if you have a safe route |
Exits become crowded or blocked | Crush injuries can happen even without violence | Look for secondary exits, stairs, side streets, or staff-only routes if directed |
Smoke, loud bangs, breaking glass, or vehicles moving unpredictably | These can signal immediate danger | Create distance, get behind solid protection, and leave when safe |
Police or security rapidly change posture | They may have information you do not | Follow lawful directions and avoid sudden movements |
Do not record video if it delays your escape. A phone can help later, but survival comes first.
4. Leave early when conditions begin to change
Leaving early is one of the safest choices in civil unrest and many public emergencies. People often stay because they do not want to overreact, lose money, miss an event, or seem rude. That hesitation can cost time.
If a situation feels wrong, leave before everyone else decides the same thing.
Good reasons to leave include:
The crowd becomes packed and hard to move through
People start shouting in alarm rather than excitement
Fights break out nearby
Objects are thrown
Police lines change position quickly
Vehicles enter pedestrian areas in an unsafe way
You see smoke, fire, or broken glass
You hear repeated loud bangs and cannot identify the source
Your exit route is getting more crowded
Move with purpose. Do not run unless there is an immediate threat and you have room to do so. Running can cause falls, trigger panic, or draw attention in some settings.
If you are with others, use short commands:
“Move now.”
“Stay together.”
“This way.”
“Phone away.”
“Meet at the second spot.”
Keep your hands visible if law enforcement is nearby. Do not argue, push through police lines, or make sudden moves toward officers or security staff.
5. Move away from danger using distance, cover, and angles
If violence, explosions, gunfire, vehicle attacks, or other serious threats occur, the safest action is usually to create distance. Distance buys time. It reduces exposure. It gives first responders space to work.
Use three ideas when moving:
Distance
Move away from the immediate threat as soon as you can. Do not drift closer to see what happened. Do not return for dropped items.
Cover
Cover is something that may stop or slow a threat, such as a concrete wall, engine block, large planter, brick corner, or heavy structural column. Concealment hides you but may not protect you, such as a curtain, thin wall, or parked car door.
Angles
Move out of direct lines. Turn corners. Get behind structures. Avoid open straight paths if danger is behind you.
If you are in a crowd, avoid the center of a surge. Try to move diagonally toward the edge. Keep your feet under you. Protect your chest space so you can breathe.
If you fall in a crowd:
Get up quickly if you can.
If you cannot get up, curl on your side.
Protect your head with your arms.
Do not lie flat on your back or stomach if people are moving over you.
Call out clearly for help when there is a gap.
If you are helping someone else move, do not pull them by one arm through a dense crowd. That can injure them or separate you. Link arms or guide them from behind at the upper back or shoulder if safe and appropriate.
6. Shelter in place when leaving would put you in more danger
Sometimes leaving is not the safest option. If the danger is directly outside, if exits are blocked, or if authorities tell people to stay inside, sheltering may save lives.
A good shelter location should have:
A door that closes
A way to block view from outside
Solid walls when possible
Limited interior windows
A second exit if available
A way to communicate quietly
Basic supplies
If you shelter, act quickly:
Move away from hallways, windows, and exterior doors.
Lock or block the door if it is safe and legal to do so.
Silence phones and turn off vibration.
Keep lights low if visibility from outside is a concern.
Stay low and quiet.
Text, rather than call, when sound could create risk.
Share your location with emergency services if you can do so safely.
Do not open the door until you are certain it is safe or authorities clearly direct you.
Use clear information when contacting 911:
Your exact location
Number of people with you
Injuries
Description of the danger
Whether the threat is moving or stationary
Safe entry points for responders, if known
Do not assume every loud noise means the threat is near you. Panic can spread through buildings. Stay quiet, listen, and make decisions based on what you know.
7. Communicate clearly when networks are overloaded
During major emergencies, phone networks often slow down. Too many people call, stream, post, and refresh at once. Text messages may work better than voice calls.
Before an event or outing, agree on a simple communication plan:
A check-in time
A meeting point
A backup meeting point
An out-of-area contact
A phrase that means “leave now”
A phrase that means “I am safe but cannot talk”
Keep messages short. Good emergency texts look like this:
“Safe. Leaving north gate. Meet at library.”
“Separated. I am at 5th and Pine. No injury.”
“Sheltering in Room 204. Two injured. Called 911.”
“Phone low. Going to second meeting spot.”
Avoid spreading rumors. Do not forward unverified claims about suspects, locations, or threats. False information can send people into danger and interfere with responders.
Use official sources when possible:
Local emergency alerts
Police, fire, or emergency management channels
Venue public address systems
School or workplace alert systems
Weather and public safety notifications
If you post online, avoid sharing real-time locations of sheltering people, police movements, medical staging areas, or evacuation routes unless authorities ask the public to share specific information. Details that seem helpful can create risk.
8. Help injured people without becoming another casualty
After a mass casualty event, the instinct to help is strong. Helping can save lives, but only if you do not put yourself in the same danger.
Use this order:
Protect yourself
Call for help
Stop life-threatening bleeding if trained or able
Open an airway if safe and you know how
Keep people warm and still
Guide responders to the injured
Do not rush into an unsafe area. If the threat is active, fire is spreading, a structure is unstable, or vehicles are still moving dangerously, wait until it is safe or move only if you can do so without adding victims.
For severe bleeding, apply firm direct pressure with clean cloth, gauze, or clothing. If you have a commercial tourniquet and know how to use it, follow your training. If you do not, focus on direct pressure and getting professional help.
For people who are confused, panicking, or in shock:
Speak calmly
Use their name if you know it
Give one instruction at a time
Move them away from danger if they can walk
Ask bystanders for specific help
Use direct requests:
“You in the blue hoodie, call 911.”
“You with the backpack, bring that first aid kit.”
“You two, help guide people away from this entrance.”
“You, stand by the corner and wave responders over.”
Specific requests work better than shouting “Someone help.”
Do not give food or drink to seriously injured people unless medical professionals direct it. Do not move someone with possible head, neck, or spine injury unless staying there exposes them to greater danger.
If you want to be more useful before an emergency happens, take a recognized first aid, CPR, or bleeding-control class. Training helps you act faster and safer.
9. Protect children, older adults, and people with access needs
Emergencies are harder for people who need help moving, hearing, seeing, understanding instructions, managing medication, or staying regulated under stress. Planning for those needs is part of safety.
For children:
Teach them full names, caregiver names, and one phone number when age appropriate.
Place an emergency contact card in a pocket or backpack.
Choose bright clothing or an identifying item at large events.
Tell them what to do if separated.
Practice finding staff, police, firefighters, or families with children when they need help.
Use simple commands during danger.
For older adults and people with medical needs:
Keep medication lists updated.
Store backup assistive device supplies, such as batteries, chargers, or glasses.
Plan for elevators being unavailable.
Know who can provide transportation if roads close.
Keep written instructions for caregivers.
For people with sensory, cognitive, or communication needs:
Carry a card that explains key needs in plain language.
Include noise-reducing headphones or comfort items if useful.
Practice short scripts before big events.
Identify quiet areas when entering a venue.
Pair with a trusted person who understands the plan.
Do not separate from someone who depends on you unless staying together creates greater danger. If separation is unavoidable, tell them exactly where to go, who to look for, and what to say.
10. Navigate civil unrest with distance and restraint
Civil unrest can include peaceful protest, counterprotest, police activity, property damage, traffic shutdowns, and sudden clashes. The safest option for bystanders is often to leave early and avoid the edges where conflict tends to spill into streets, sidewalks, and transit stops.
If you are not participating:
Avoid the area if you know unrest is likely.
Check road closures before leaving home.
Do not cut through crowds to save time.
Stay away from damaged property, fires, and police lines.
Keep your hands visible near law enforcement.
Do not pick up unknown objects.
Do not argue with angry groups.
Leave if the mood changes.
If you live or work near unrest:
Bring people and pets indoors.
Lock doors and close blinds.
Move away from street-facing windows.
Keep important items ready in case you must leave.
Park vehicles away from main streets if possible.
Follow local emergency instructions.
If chemical irritants are present, move away and get to fresh air. Avoid rubbing your eyes. Remove contaminated outer clothing when safe and wash exposed skin with clean water. Seek medical care for breathing trouble, chest pain, eye injury, severe skin reactions, or symptoms that do not improve.
If you are driving near unrest, turn around before you reach the crowd. Never drive into a group of people. If surrounded, stay calm, keep doors locked, avoid sudden acceleration, and follow lawful directions from authorities.
11. Respond to explosions, fires, and structural damage with caution
Explosions and severe impacts create more than one hazard. There may be fire, smoke, glass, unstable structures, damaged utilities, blocked exits, and secondary injuries from panic.
If an explosion occurs nearby:
Get down briefly if debris is still falling.
Cover your head and neck.
Move away from windows, glass, and damaged structures.
Leave when you have a safe route.
Avoid elevators.
Watch for smoke, fire, exposed wires, flooding, or gas smells.
Do not gather near the scene.
Follow instructions from responders.
If you smell gas, hear hissing, or see damaged utility lines, move away and warn others without creating sparks or flames. Do not use matches or lighters.
If smoke is present, stay low. Cleaner air is often closer to the ground. Cover your nose and mouth with cloth if needed, but do not rely on fabric as full protection. If you cannot breathe or see, turn back and find another way out.
Once outside, keep moving away. Many people stop just beyond the exit to call, film, or look back. That blocks others and may keep you too close to danger.
12. Decide when to run, hide, or fight as a last resort
In some violent attacks, public safety guidance often uses three basic actions: run, hide, and fight. The wording may vary by agency, but the order matters.
Run when you have a safe path
Leave belongings. Encourage others to come, but do not let indecision trap you. Keep your hands visible if responders are present.
Hide when escape is not safe
Get out of sight. Lock or block entry if possible. Silence devices. Stay low. Stay quiet. Prepare to move if the situation changes.
Fight only as a last resort
If you face immediate life-threatening danger and cannot run or hide, defend yourself with full commitment using available objects and group action if others are with you. This is a last option when survival is at stake.
Do not search for the attacker. Do not move toward danger to help unless the area is safe enough to do so. Do not carry items in your hands when police enter, since responders may not know who is involved.
When law enforcement arrives:
Keep hands visible and empty.
Follow commands.
Avoid sudden movements.
Do not grab officers.
Point or describe danger if asked.
Understand that officers may move past injured people to stop the threat first.
That can feel shocking, but it is part of stopping further harm.
13. Reunite, report, and recover after the immediate danger passes
Safety does not end when you leave the scene. The hours after an emergency can be confusing. Roads may close. Hospitals may be overwhelmed. Families may be searching for loved ones. Rumors may spread.
Once you are away from danger:
Check yourself for injuries.
Check the people with you.
Move to your agreed meeting point if safe.
Send a short check-in text.
Follow official instructions.
Avoid returning to the scene.
Preserve evidence if you witnessed a crime, but do not put yourself at risk.
Seek medical care for injuries, smoke exposure, chest pain, breathing problems, head impact, or severe distress.
If you witnessed violence or helped injured people, emotional effects may show up later. Common reactions can include trouble sleeping, irritability, numbness, guilt, jumpiness, nausea, or replaying sounds and images. These reactions can happen even when you were not physically hurt.
Support recovery by doing simple things:
Drink water and eat something.
Get to a safe, quiet place.
Contact someone you trust.
Limit repeated viewing of graphic footage.
Write down key facts while memory is fresh.
Seek professional support if distress continues or interferes with daily life.
For children, keep explanations honest but brief. Reassure them about what is being done now to keep them safe. Watch for changes in sleep, appetite, behavior, or separation anxiety.
14. Practice the plan until it feels ordinary
A plan that has never been practiced may fail under stress. Practice does not need to be intense. It should make safety habits feel normal.
Try these low-stress drills:
Find two exits whenever you enter a large venue.
Send a test check-in text to your household.
Walk from work or school to a backup meeting point.
Review your go bag every few months.
Practice opening emergency contact info from a locked phone.
Teach children how to identify safe helpers.
Take a first aid or bleeding-control class.
Check local alert settings on your phone.
Keep practice calm. The point is confidence, not fear.
What success looks like
You cannot control every threat. You can control how prepared you are to notice danger, leave early, communicate clearly, and help without becoming trapped.
A safer person does a few things consistently:
Knows exits before needing them
Leaves when conditions start to change
Carries basic supplies
Sends short, useful messages
Avoids rumors and unsafe crowds
Helps others within safe limits
Follows official instructions when safe
Reviews the plan before it is needed
The best emergency plan is simple enough to remember and flexible enough to use. Build it now, practice it lightly, and carry the basics. If the day ever comes when seconds matter, those quiet preparations can make the difference between confusion and clear action.