With the shooting events in Charleston, Chattanooga, and this past week in Lafayette, I am concerned for the safety of my family and myself at crowded, public gatherings. I have always envisioned these scenarios, wondered what I would do, and have formulated a plan of action.

The possibility of being involved in a public shooting is low, but these events are happening.  I am going to give you some tips, not as an expert, but as a common sense guy with a strong penchant for survival.

The first one is to be aware of your surroundings. Do not wander about ignorant of what is going on around you. Observe the people and the place. Note exits wherever you are. They instruct you on airplanes to "make a note of your nearest exit", for a reason. While making note of exits, observe any obstacles that may slow you getting out. It may be faster, and safer to take an exit that is further away.

In a crowd, keep your head up and look around. Observe the people, particularly those observing you. Make eye contact with them and let them know you see them. Don't be confrontational, but criminals are cowards and are looking for weakness. If they know you are watching them, you have communicated that you will not be an easy mark. 

Look for people acting different than the situation would warrant. A party has an expected behavior, whereas at a church or worship gathering, has a different one. If you see someone not blending, acting nervous, agitated, or not dressed appropriately such a coat in the summer, watch them. They may be having a bad day, or are nervous in new surroundings or crowds, but whatever the case, forewarned is forearmed, and if necessary, be ready to take action. 

What action do you take? Above all, don't panic. As they teach in scuba classes, when something goes wrong, stop, think, then act. A person in full panic, running, for an exit while waving their arms and screaming, may as well have a target painted on their back. You have split seconds to act, and what you do can be the difference between being a survivor, or a victim.           

If you are near an exit, and far enough from the shooter when gunfire breaks out, and you can get out with those who are with you, get out. How far is far enough away from the shooter? That is a judgment call. If I am more than five steps from an exit, there is a crowd between the exit and me, or I cannot get those I am responsible for out with me, I am not going.

The thing they drill into you in infantry training, and in combat, is, "Get down, and stay down!" The human eye is attuned to motion, so once down, and concealed, stay still! Unless you can get yourself, and those with you unobserved to a safer point, you are better off where you are. 

When you go down, get as low as you can, and seek solid cover, something that will stop a bullet. If you are caught in the open, lie flat and make yourself as small a target as possible, and DO NOT MOVE! If possible, keep your eyes open and watch the shooter for an opportunity to take further action.

The shooter may stop to reload, or turn his back. If you need to move, now is the time. If you have the training, or a weapon of your own, attack the shooter. You will be in a crowd, and if you act, so will others, but above all, you are to survive and to save as many around you as possible. If you cannot eliminate the shooter, or don't want to take the chance, the aid you render to those near you is just as valuable. 

Your chances of survival are much higher if you will use the one weapon we all carry with us, our brains. If you will stop, think, then act, not react, your chances of survival in any disaster are much higher.

Some of you may be thinking to stay home rather than risking exposure in a large gathering, don't. When you do, the bad guys win. Go forth, enjoy life, but as you should in every situation, be prepared.

David Wilson Atwood is a local writer whose human-interest columns offer a unique perspective. He may be contacted, at www.starchasers.us or david@starchasers.us.