During healthcare active shooter exercises, AS 360 discovered that caregivers could not always Get Out, because patients could not be abandoned. Further, treatment was not possible during lockdown because the Emergency Department could not respond, and medical supplies were not accessible. AS AS360’s observations were supported by K. Inaba et.al in a New England Journal of Medicine article titled, Active Shooter Response at a Healthcare Facility. The authors noted that the traditional Run, Hide, and Fight model was not always practical in healthcare settings because caregivers wanted to remain with their patients. The authors suggested caregivers Secure the area, initiate treatment to Preserve life, and fight as a last resort. Preserve actions include bleeding control and pre-positioned Stop-the-Bleed kits to ensure tourniquets and wound packing is available.
AS 360 teaches Get Out, Get Down, and Get Ready – similar to Run, Hide, Fight – and agrees that Secure and Preserve is effective when you can’t Get Out. In addition, we suggest that Secure and Preserve has application outside the healthcare arena when running from an active shooter is not possible. Examples include:
- Teachers that are obligated to protect their students.
- Protecting family members in home settings.
- Business supervisors protecting co-workers.
- Religious leaders protecting their congregants.
Key Takeaway:
- Include the Secure and Preserve steps in your active shooter planning.
- Conduct bleeding control training and pre-position Stop-the-Bleed kits.
What are your thoughts and comments?
