Here we go again. In London three are dead and many injured thanks to the low-tech use of a car and knife in yet another act of cruelty and cowardice in the name of terrorism. If you’ve been on a retreat, in a coma or hiking the AT, here’s a link:
Brits rise up in unity and solidarity, etc. Great. We should all show unity and solidarity. But we should all be able to DO something since the political class as a whole, around the world, seems to think the whole terrorist thing is like a teenage phase and has nothing to do with any particular belief, ideology or policy. Witness the endless handwringing we usually see as police and officials struggle to figure out the attacker’s motivation. ‘Gee, what could it be?’
Fortunately, the Brits have put more police on the streets. ‘Armed and unarmed.’ It’s a great strategy really. One of the dead was an unarmed police officer who clearly distracted the attacker and absorbed the knife so that others could use, you know, weapons to aid him in his pursuit of martyrdom.
I rant on. But what I want to say is this. We individuals cannot predict terroristic acts, and we certainly can’t stop them before they start. That’s the job of law enforcement and the military. We can only do what we can, when these events happen, if we happen to be present.
So I’ve been thinking about things people should know how to do. First of all, we should know how to PAY ATTENTION! I have recently seen a commercial for a cellular company in which a young man streams movies and TV everywhere he goes, on the street, on the sidewalk, on the bus. The world around being, apparently, just too boring. This is dangerous. We should watch and learn. Is that a suspicous package? What does it mean that smoke is coming from under the hood of that parked car in the crowded area? Is that a real gun the scary man pulled out? Or is it just an oddly shaped, giant cell-phone? Why is that gentleman speeding towards me on the sidewalk? Wait, am I on an episode of Impractical Jokers? Paying attention to danger leads to running or fighting which leads to being the guy interviewed the next day about what happened, instead of the one remembered as ‘a really great guy who will be missed.’
We should also read. Learn, from news, books, websites and classes, how to identify concerning behaviors and situations. What does a firearm sound like? What does a bomb blast look-like? (Clue, TV and movies get it wrong a lot.) It’s easy to hear or see something dangerous and immediately think it’s nothing; we want it to be nothing, after all.
One of the sites I visit is Active Response Training. They have lots of articles about self-defense, as well as reviews of mass terror events, etc. They also have excellent classes; I’ve taken one myself many years ago.
Furthermore we should stop being lazy slugs and get in shape. Sheesh, America, there are lots of great reasons to be fit; being attractive to your mate or potential mate is a good one. So is living long and staying away from ER doctors like me. But another is that when you are fit, you can run and fight. This isn’t some right-wing way of looking at things. It’s called an ‘evolutionary advantage.’ Run, bike, lift weights, hit the punching bag. Do it until you’re exhausted then do it some more. Say it with me: Fitness = Survival. It isn’t hard.
As a child I loved the Chuck Jones cartoon production of Rudyard Kipling’s mongoose story, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. In the movie, Rikki the Mongoose says: ‘A fat mongoose is a dead mongoose.’ That is, a fat mongoose can’t fight poisonous snakes. I’ve never forgotten that lesson. Thanks Rikki! And thanks Mr. Kipling! (Not sure if it’s in the book, but the cartoon message really impacted this kid…)
So what else can we do in an age of terrorism? Emergency physicians like me understand how to manage serious injuries, but we need to encourage citizens to learn 1) first aid with hemorrhage control and 2) CPR. CPR classes are everywhere and typically include use of Automated External Defibrillators or AED’s. In fact, in trauma situations like those involving terrorism, CPR and AED’s are probably not going to be very useful. But it’s good to know for other sorts of emergencies.
DHS has a website and initiative called ‘Stop the Bleed.’ It’s worth a look as there are training videos. Many companies also sell bleeding control kits that citizens can, and I think should, keep in their vehicles or on their persons. A tourniquet and dressing don’t take up much space.
I would encourage young people to consider taking local First Responder or EMT basic classes. It’s information you’ll never regret having, and it looks great on a resume.
We need a veritable army of first responders out there, ready to help while police and EMS are either tied up, on their way or being attacked themselves. Physicians should be part of the effort to teach this material as well.
Last, but not least. Those so inclined should learn to fight. Obviously, the average person isn’t Rambo or an Army Ranger. Most of us will never be up the the level of an MMA fighter. But it may not take all that. MInd you, self-defense classes can be absolute crap. Especially the stuff they foist on nurses and physicians in order to handle attackers and dangerous patients (since security is usually told not to touch anybody…).
And self-defense skills need repetition like all motor skills. But those people who want to learn can learn. Learning to fight, whether boxing, wrestling, martial arts, etc., is hard, painful work. It isn’t for everyone.
.However, sometimes, it takes just a willingness to do something, or anything. I saw a video this week in which a citizen and CWP holder shot, and killed, a man who was holding down a police officer and beating said officer badly. Now, he was armed with a pistol, but might just as well have used the shovel I keep in my truck to hit the guy on the head. Or might have thrown a rock. Or picked up a stick.
In a building, a fire-extinguisher might be just enough delay and distraction. A can of wasp and hornet spray kept in the office is mighty nasty stuff if sprayed in the face.
If so inclined, as many of us are (and far more physicians, nurses, medics, etc. than you might imagine), carry (legally) a firearm or reasonable knife. If the attacker is bent on killing you anyway, can you do worse than fight? You may slow him (or her…sorry). You might keep them from killing anyone after they kill or maim you. Or, if you’re in good shape and have trained in some sort of class or fighting discipline (or just get really lucky…or have angels fighting with you), you might win! Sure, sure, people will call you a monster. But lives will be saved.
It’s a dangerous world, and always has been. But there are things we can do to make it less so.
Sitting back while the danger grows with our fear, apathy and inability?
Those are just bad options.
So: Put down the phone, pay attention, read and learn, get in shape, learn to help the injured and learn (or at least consider) how to resist. America, heck, civilization, needs this now more than ever.
This is a great article! And hopefully your reference and link to Greg Ellifritz’s Armed Response Training will be enlightening to many. His work trying to educate others on how terror attacks are carried out and how to respond to them is invaluable. Your advice on what everyday Americans can do to help themselves and others in this area is also appreciated. Lastly, it’s good to hear that there are medical professionals out there who support those citizens and who support the RKBA. Thanks for all you do!!
Excellent article, you mention the ever-present phone issue and I like your observation how the “world is too boring.” apparently people today find that digital screen far more interesting and now the average individual is even more hopelessly oblivious to the world around them. Ultimately nothing will change with the masses because even though we hear about it every day most still believe “it won’t happen to me.”
[…] how to do basic trauma care may save more lives than knowing how to shoot well. In this essay, an emergency room physician talks about what you can do for yourself and […]
Lloyd Reese
7 years ago
As an ER doc, you should know that wasp spray may or may not be effective, but why risk it when pepper spray is an excellent alternative.
Plus, it’s illegal to use wasp spray for anything other than wasps. Suppose it’s effective but blinds the attacker. He may well sue you.
Still with something that’s effective that the cops use: pepper spray.
You should know all of this since you are familiar with Greg’s site.
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[…] In an Age of Terrorism, do Something! […]
This is a great article! And hopefully your reference and link to Greg Ellifritz’s Armed Response Training will be enlightening to many. His work trying to educate others on how terror attacks are carried out and how to respond to them is invaluable. Your advice on what everyday Americans can do to help themselves and others in this area is also appreciated. Lastly, it’s good to hear that there are medical professionals out there who support those citizens and who support the RKBA. Thanks for all you do!!
Excellent article, you mention the ever-present phone issue and I like your observation how the “world is too boring.” apparently people today find that digital screen far more interesting and now the average individual is even more hopelessly oblivious to the world around them. Ultimately nothing will change with the masses because even though we hear about it every day most still believe “it won’t happen to me.”
[…] how to do basic trauma care may save more lives than knowing how to shoot well. In this essay, an emergency room physician talks about what you can do for yourself and […]
As an ER doc, you should know that wasp spray may or may not be effective, but why risk it when pepper spray is an excellent alternative.
Plus, it’s illegal to use wasp spray for anything other than wasps. Suppose it’s effective but blinds the attacker. He may well sue you.
Still with something that’s effective that the cops use: pepper spray.
You should know all of this since you are familiar with Greg’s site.