topic Re: an interesting observation in Community Chat

an interesting observation

gellen — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 13:51:44 GMT

On television last night they showed people scrambling when shots were fired at the Atlanta mall. In the corner of the picture they show a woman calming taking her time to gather up her packages before she ran for cover. I have heard this happens as well during airpline evacuations Huh??

Re: an interesting observation

kaydee50 — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 13:55:11 GMT

Actually, I never understood why people run so haphazardly. I think I would just drop where I was and try to hide underneath something. Where are they running to??

Re: an interesting observation

software — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 13:59:29 GMT

Run, hide, fight. That's how people are trained when faced with an active shooter.

When running, run zig zag, harder target to hit.

In a mall, I would have a hard time determining where the shots were coming from, with all that tile & concrete, the sound would echo. I wouldn't know which way to run, so I would hunker down in a safe place.

I don't shop malls anymore, there was a shooter at a local mall last year. Very easy for me to avoid altogether.

Re: an interesting observation

SXMGirl — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 14:08:37 GMT

I can tell you from first-hand experience that you have no idea what you will do until it happens. I found what I hoped was a safe place (it was), but most people just try to get out of harms way. I never go to the mall and have not since 1985. Online shopping has been a blessing for me.

Re: an interesting observation

KingstonsMom — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 14:10:11 GMT

In moments of pure panic like these scenarios, it's hard for most people to think clearly and rationally in the split second you have to make a decision of what you should do.

Re: an interesting observation

SahmIam — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 14:50:29 GMT

"Panic kills".

This was drilled into me starting at the age of 18. Staying calm, moving with purpose and thinking clearly is what one needs to do but...unless you've been trained that way (or have other issues at work such as medication, going into shock or mentally unaware) the vast majority panic and flee (which is just as dangerous).

In the end, until it happens, you don't know how you will respond.

Re: an interesting observation

BlueFinch — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 15:14:10 GMT

@SahmIam Excellent comment. Yes, by nature, we will do whatever the masses around us are doing, creating panic and erasing any ability for effective problem solving.

I think scanning the environment for a quick assessment of, 'what should I be doing,' might be more helpful. But, you're right. It would take training and nerves of steel.

Re: an interesting observation

gellen — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 15:34:22 GMT

Whatever you decided to do; ;why would you pause to gather up your stuff?

Re: an interesting observation

sidsmom — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 15:34:50 GMT

This behavior is reinforced every time we fly.

The plane comes to a stop & everyone stands up...

even those in the back who have no chance of leaving until

the 100+ people before them...are standing.
Why?

So if there was an airplane emergency, that same reinforced

movement will play out....and that's something I think about

every time I fly. Scary.

Re: an interesting observation

hckynut — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 16:00:28 GMT

@gellen wrote:
Whatever you decided to do; ;why would you pause to gather up your stuff?

@gellen

Hmmm! Depending on the kind of "stuff", maybe it could be used for some type of protection. Say a bunch of clothing might reduce the injury. About all I can think of!

hckynut

Re: an interesting observation

bathina — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 16:14:09 GMT

The fact this has to be a conversation is putrid to me. How far the mighty have fallen.

Re: an interesting observation

chrystaltree — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 16:15:20 GMT

There's probably a psychological reason for it. The mind goes into disbelief. I also have read that during a plane crash or an emergency landing people will grab their bags and carry ons get in the way of those trying to get off the plane quickly and we know that people die in fires because once out, they run back into the burning buildings to get their handbags or dentures or they won't leave at all until they get dressed. There was sad case locally where a woman got out of her burning house, was out for a while and then snuck past the firemen and ran back in to look for her cat. She died from smoke inhalation. Her cat was not in the house. Her cat had escaped the house, people think shortly after the fire began, when the fire department arrived. He'd been sitting safely on a neighbor's front porch. Frightened but unharmed.

Re: an interesting observation

chrystaltree — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 16:17:40 GMT

@kaydee50

That's the worst thing anyone can do in that situation. Run, hide, barricade yourself in, fight, fight, fight. That's what the experts tell us to do.

Re: an interesting observation

TheMemphisVette — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 16:52:47 GMT

Back in the 80’s, my friend and I were out and about on a Saturday night in LA. We stopped at a hotel club/bar on Sunset Blvd. We parked on a side street. We came back to car. My friend got in the drivers side and had yet to unlock my side. Up came 2 guys with guns. One to her open window. One to me standing out on the sidewalk I stood there negotiating with this armed guy. He stated give me your purse and watch. I said, why my purse, don’t you just want my wallet? Numbfounded he said, yeah ok…. Took my watch and wallet. They fled away. I went over to drivers side and found my friend in a state of shock. She couldn’t speak, she had lost body functions, etc.

You never know what you will do until it happens. Why I negotiated with a gun pointed at me, I don’t know. It was just an immediate natural reaction. My friend reacted one way, I reacted another.

Re: an interesting observation

occasionalrain — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 20:20:31 GMT

People panic when they don't have a plan. I have a plan for any situation because my father played, What's your plan, with me when I was a child.

He would give me a scenario and I would tell him my plan and he would ask me, what ifs to refine my plan and form a back up plan. Then, it was my turn to give him a scenario. These scenarios could be anything, possible, unlikely, or impossible.

I knew to be aware of my surroundings, to be aware of a parked van with it's motor running, to know that a person doesn't have to be a stranger to be a danger..

People running become a stampede and risk getting trampled to death. Unless a gunman is targeting a specific individual, his agenda is to kill as many as possible so he will shoot into the crowd, and while those around a person offer a bit of cover, it's better to escape away from them.

Re: an interesting observation

lovesrecess — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 20:08:10 GMT

I had not heard about a mall shooting in Atlanta, but it seems these incidents are happening almost on a daily basis now. God help our country. I went out driving around last week looking for a specific type of gift for my granddaughter....couldn’t find her size anywhere. Came home and ordered it online...$10 more but still worth it after that ordeal. I have only bought one or two things in stores..everything else has been online. Even Walmart prices are too high on many things now. I like the challenge of shopping online and finding the price I am willing to pay. In my pajamas...😎 it’s no wonder b&m stores are suffering. Risking being caught in a shootout with a knucklehead who wants to make a name for himself by killing people in a mall is just one more reason to stay home!

Re: an interesting observation

SeaMaiden — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 19:47:00 GMT

When I was in a big store and a big earthquake hit while I was shopping here in Washington State about 20 years ago, I ran outside into the parking lot with my hand basket of goods in hand ( not paid for). (Do not know why I carried the basket with me)

All I remember thinking was that I needed to get OUT OF THE BUILDING NOW,'

Other customers just stood in one place frozen I told them I was getting out of there....... I ran past them out the doors and a bunch of people started follow me...LOL!.

I guess they thought I knew what I was doing..... kind of like monkey see monkey do.

Re: an interesting observation

SeaMaiden — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 19:49:22 GMT

@TheMemphisVette wrote:
Back in the 80’s, my friend and I were out and about on a Saturday night in LA. We stopped at a hotel club/bar on Sunset Blvd. We parked on a side street. We came back to car. My friend got in the drivers side and had yet to unlock my side. Up came 2 guys with guns. One to her open window. One to me standing out on the sidewalk I stood there negotiating with this armed guy. He stated give me your purse and watch. I said, why my purse, don’t you just want my wallet? Numbfounded he said, yeah ok…. Took my watch and wallet. They fled away. I went over to drivers side and found my friend in a state of shock. She couldn’t speak, she had lost body functions, etc.

You never know what you will do until it happens. Why I negotiated with a gun pointed at me, I don’t know. It was just an immediate natural reaction. My friend reacted one way, I reacted another.

I heard once on TV, to always carry a dummy wallet with you... and when they demand it you throw it..... away from yourself. The robber usually will go to get the wallet... you run.

Re: an interesting observation

SeaMaiden — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 19:51:30 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
Actually, I never understood why people run so haphazardly. I think I would just drop where I was and try to hide underneath something. Where are they running to??

@kaydee50 When something happens to you you really never know how you will react until you are in a real life situation....

Re: an interesting observation

jeanlake — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 19:54:22 GMT

Love the dummy wallet idea. Thank you. Reading your comments -- I wonder if I'd respond differently if with my grandchildren than I would the hubs.