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Re: [Phys-L] Overreacting to a safety concern - or not


The events in Paris are a shocking reminder of the carnage a few
zealots can do. My thoughts go to the survivors, families, and people
around the world who are saddened and want these atrocities to end.
The events are also a sad clear confirmation of what I posited below.

Focusing on the events at the concert, survivors noted that the gunman
reloaded their AK47's three or four times. It takes a person 3 - 10
seconds to reload. This is *A LONG TIME* and *IT IS HARD TO HIT A
MOVING TARGET.* Much harder for multiple targets moving away.

The survivors were the ones that escaped during reloading. The few
that survived in the theatre were luckily buried under other people,
dead people.

Hiding is not an option. Higher level thinking is gone. The only thing
people need to know how to do is *RUN*.


Again, you may forward this to anyone who may be interested.


Roy Jensen



On Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:38:26 -0600, you wrote:

Before answering your questions, please note that I am a certified
CTSS instructor (near equivalent of PPCT, which is more common in the
US). I teach the introductory course in safety/self-defense/
handcuffing/baton-use that is mandatory for peace officers and
optional for security personnel. (In Canada, peace officers do not
carry guns and deal with traffic, bylaw enforcement, serving summons,
and other 'less-risky' activities.)

When a traumatic event occurs, people revert to basic instincts.
Higher level thinking is gone. Even people trained in law enforcement
may freeze if an incident occurs out of context: when they are with
family, on vacation, etc., and without their gear.

Acute stress responses (basic instincts): fight, flight, freeze, fawn.
Accompanied by screaming or crying and the loss of all rational
thought.

Would you develop a plan with your students about safest egress from the
classroom?
No. Prep students by telling them to either RUN or FIGHT. Their
choice. Even if it means running past the perpetrator.
Most people -- 95+ % -- will freeze when an incident occurs. People
yelling RUN may save the lives of others.


Would you prohibit the placement of backpacks etc in the pathways between
the lab benches and in the isles in the lab room?
We already prohibit this because it is a tripping hazard.


If the classroom has a back door would you insure that that it stayed
unlocked and that students got instructed that they could use it?
If this is an emergency exit (any type of emergency), it should always
be openable from the inside. Push bar, etc. Alarming the door
What door do you have that requires unlocking for egress???


If the classroom did not have a back door would you see to it that one got
installed?
Conduct a risk:benefit analysis. I would argue that if it is only for
the rare occurrence of an on-campus attack, it is not worth it. Many
people shouting and running past a perpetrator will daze and confuse
the perp.


Would you insure that none of the pathways out of the classrooms had become
narrowed by cabinets etc?
Yes. But for general safety, not for the sole purpose of providing
ingress/egress in the event of an emergency. Honestly, it's going to
be a mob situation -- people will get trampled.


Would you make sure that all students knew how to operate the top and
bottom door bolts so that both doors of a double door could be open so that
the maximum number of students per second could exit the classroom, so that
students would less likely trample each other?
Won't have time nor thought nor ability to open them. Opening the
bolts requires fine motor skills -- gone in a stressful situation --
and requires the door to be in a neutral position, not being banged
into by students. It also requires the person opening the door to be
*in the other doorway*. Not going to happen. Finally, if this isn't
regularly practiced, no one will think to open the double-bolted door.
Higher-level reasoning disappears; few people can think rationally --
those trained to deal with stressful situations. Even then, they can't
even give direction to those panicking.


Would you go to the trouble of identifying any student(s) who had relevant
experience with guns and law enforcement and then taking advantage of that
experience?
No. It is highly likely that they will freeze. But it is their choice
whether they choose to engage or not, and it is often *not* a
conscious choice. Witnessing an incident has a high probability of
causing someone to freeze. Being called to the scene allows the
responder to prepare themselves and mentally review their protocols.

For example, consider the actions of an instructor when a student has
a seizure in class. Switching from education/learning mode to first
aid mode is challenging. I have even heard of a seizure occurring in
an emergency medicine class, taught by an emergency room doctor ...
who froze when the seizure occurred.


Would you designate a student experienced in law enforcement to suggest or
direct the movements of students until police arrived?
No. For all the reasons given above. And because no one will listen
because of panic. Getting everyone running (to get away) and screaming
(distracting) is the only thing anyone can do.


Do you think the U of MD Police notice below is alarmist?
HIDING is stupid. RUN and get as far away as possible. If you can't
RUN, FIGHT. *Only* if you know what you are doing, and *only* if you
want to: FIGHT first. Expect to get hurt. (Re: the takedown on the
French train by US military.)


You are free to forward this to anyone who may be interested.


Dr. Roy Jensen
(==========)-----------------------------------------¤
Lecturer, Chemistry
W5-19, University of Alberta
780.248.1808




Many thanks for any responses on Phys-L.

Bill Norwood
U of MD at College Park




On Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 6:00 PM, UMD Alerts <conf-1889470551@everbridge.net>
wrote:


Dear University of Maryland Community,



The tragic incident that took place at Umpqua Community College on October
1st serves as a reminder that violent, heinous acts such as this can
occur anywhere, anytime.



Currently, there are no active threats toward our campus. However, it is
extremely important to remember that, *If You See Something, Say
Something.*The University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) trains
routinely with area Police Departments for such tragic events. In
addition, UMD students, faculty and staff must also be prepared in the
event of an active shooter incident.



*We encourage all UMD students, faculty, and staff to register their cell
phone atwww.alert.umd.edu <http://www.alert.umd.edu/> to receive emergency
text messages from UMPD.*



If you find yourself in the middle of an active shooter event, your
survival may depend on whether or not you have a plan. The plan doesn't
have to be complicated. There are three things you can do that make a
difference: *RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.*



For more information on Run, Hide, Fight and what to expect from
responding police officers, visit
http://www.umpd.umd.edu/services/activeshooter.cfm.

Chief David B. Mitchell


University of Maryland Police Department




On Thu, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:35 AM, David Maiullo<maiullo@physics.rutgers.edu>
wrote:

Hi Bill,

Look, I really value your opinion on stuff and I note how fervently you
want us all to be safe and sound, but sometimes you are a bit silly.

You really think we need to tell people they shouldn't be engaged in these
activities? Really????

I don't know, Bill, sometimes I think you missed your calling. You
should've been campus fire safety officer chief inspector or something like
that....they are always coming in my office explaining how I should avoid
being stupid, too. And it's rather annoying they think we are all that
stupid.

Stay safe,
Dave/RU
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