Survival 101: A comprehensive guide to staying safe during a school shooting

07/08/2025 / By Zoey Sky

Since the Columbine shooting in 1999, the United States has experienced over 380 school shootings. Traditional security measures like cameras, locked gates and resource officers often fail to prevent these incidents, as seen in the Parkland and Uvalde tragedies. These events reveal that relying solely on conventional security is insufficient and can create a false sense of safety.
Instead of depending solely on security measures, individuals should equip themselves with practical tools and knowledge to increase their chances of survival. Essential items include communication tools and medical gear.
The “escape, hide, fight” protocol is a traditional approach that needs to be adapted to the unpredictable nature of school shootings. Escape and move quickly and strategically, using zig-zag patterns to avoid becoming an easy target. Hide and barricade yourself in a safe location, silence your phone and be prepared to defend yourself if necessary. As a last resort, use improvised weapons and swarm tactics to overpower the shooter, aiming for vulnerable areas like the eyes, throat or knees.
If you are outside when a shooting occurs, immediately drop to the ground, seek cover, move away from the gunfire, stay down and call for help when it is safe to do so.
Schools should invest in more than just basic drills. They need to provide emergency equipment like AEDs and trauma kits, train staff in tactical barricading and communication, and implement age-appropriate training for students that emphasizes practical skills and stress inoculation.

In an era where the unthinkable has become a grim reality, understanding how to respond during a school shooting is crucial.

The frequency of these tragic events demands a proactive approach to safety, moving beyond traditional security measures and embracing practical, effective strategies for survival. (h/t to PreppersWill.com)

The hard truth: Rethinking security

Since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, the United States has witnessed over 380 school shootings. These events shatter the illusion of safety in educational environments, leaving behind a trail of trauma and loss.

The sobering reality is that conventional security measures, such as cameras, locked gates and resource officers, often fall short.

The 2018 Parkland shooting, despite the presence of an armed officer and security systems, underscores this harsh truth.

The 2022 Uvalde tragedy further highlights the limitations of relying solely on law enforcement, as precious minutes ticked by with officers waiting outside while students desperately called for help.

The key takeaway is that traditional security measures provide a false sense of safety. They are not foolproof and can lead to complacency.

Instead, you must focus on empowering yourself with the knowledge and tools to increase your chances of survival.

Gear that makes a difference

When it comes to surviving a school shooting, practicality trumps all. Forget the marketing hype of “bulletproof” backpacks; instead, consider tools that are accessible, easy to use and proven effective in high-stress situations.

Communication tools – Cell networks can fail in the chaos of a shooting. Walkie-talkies with pre-programmed channels can help maintain communication.
Medical gear – A combat application tourniquet (CAT) tourniquet, used by combat medics, can be a lifesaver. Knowing how to apply it one-handed is a critical skill.
Portable barricades – Devices like the DoorJammer can reinforce doors, providing an additional layer of protection.
Window breakers – These inexpensive tools can turn any classroom window into an escape route, a lesson learned from the Virginia Tech shooting.

The best gear is simple, effective and requires minimal training. It’s about having the right tools at the right time, not about turning classrooms into fortresses. (Related: Preparedness 101: Avoiding common prepping pitfalls for survival success.)

Escape, hide and fight: A tactical approach

The traditional “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol is a good starting point, but it needs to be adapted to the unpredictable nature of school shootings.

Escape first

Hearing gunfire in school is terrifying, but fight the urge to freeze. Remember that in most shootings, those who move quickly have higher survival rates.

Don’t wait for confirmation – If you hear something that sounds like gunfire, assume it’s real. Hesitation can be deadly when time is of the essence.
Know your exits – Familiarize yourself with all possible escape routes at your school, such as doors, windows and HVAC access points.
Move strategically – Use the three-second rule: pause, listen and then move. Avoid running blindly into danger. Use zig-zag patterns in open areas to make yourself a harder target.

Hide smartly

When facing an active shooter situation, you need to hide somewhere that offers enough protection.

Barricade properly – A locked door is not enough, so use heavy furniture to create a V-shaped barricade. This will make it harder for a shooter to enter.
Silence is more important than darkness – Muffle any sounds that could give away your location. Turn off phones and avoid crying or coughing.
Be prepared to fight – If a shooter breaches your hiding place, you must be ready to defend yourself.

Fight as a last resort

If you are unable to run or hide, it’s time to fight.

Use weapons of opportunity – Use things like fire extinguishers to blind and disorient. Chairs can be used to block or disable a weapon.
Swarm tactics – A coordinated attack can overwhelm a lone shooter. One person distracts while others rush.
Target weak points – If you are forced to fight, aim for the eyes, throat or knees. Forget complex disarming techniques; focus on causing maximum damage quickly.

If you’re outside during a shooting

Here are some tips to stay safe if you are outside during a school shooting:

Drop and cover – The second you hear gunfire, immediately drop to the ground, face down and seek cover if possible.
Move away from gunfire – Crawl or move quickly to a safe location, using any available obstacles for protection.
Stay down – Once you are in a safe place, remain still and avoid peeking or drawing attention.
Call for help – Once it’s safe to do so, contact the authorities. Don’t assume someone else has already done so.

Preparing for emergency response

Schools must go beyond basic drills and invest in comprehensive training:

Emergency equipment – Ensure automated external defibrillators (AEDs) trauma kits and other critical equipment are readily available and staff know how to use them.
Staff training – Train teachers in tactical barricading and communication techniques. Regular drills should simulate the chaos of a real shooting.
Student training – Implement age-appropriate training that emphasizes practical skills, not just compliance. Stress inoculation is crucial for building the instincts needed in a crisis.

The new threats: Swatting, 3D guns and copycats

The landscape of school violence is evolving. Digital threats like swatting, the rise of 3D-printed guns and the copycat effect are new challenges that demand a rethinking of preparedness strategies.

Swatting – Swatting, or anonymously calling in a fake threat to send a SWAT team into a school, can create chaos and divert resources. Schools must have protocols in place to verify threats quickly.
3D guns – Untraceable firearms require new approaches to security, including metal detectors and vigilance against suspicious behavior.
Copycats – The glorification of shooters on social media fuels a cycle of violence.

Schools should monitor online platforms for warning signs and address the psychological impact of these events

School shootings are a tragic reality, but they don’t have to be a death sentence. By adopting a mindset of preparedness and training for the worst, you can increase your odds of survival. This isn’t about living in fear; it’s about recognizing the pattern of violence and taking steps to protect yourself and your community.

In the end, the goal is simple: Ensure that when the unthinkable happens, you are ready to respond with courage, intelligence and determination to survive.

Visit Preparedness.news for more stories on how to prepare for different survival scenarios. You can also check out Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for more supplies for your prepping needs.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Minnesota shootings and how it rattled Capitol Hill.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.