90 Seconds to Escape: How to Survive Active Shooters on Buses, Trains, and Subways
- CrisisWire
- Nov 4
- 4 min read
Active shooters on public transportation kill an average of 7 people in 90 seconds. DHS active shooter statistics prove confined spaces with limited exits create maximum casualties—unless passengers know industry-standard survival protocols.
After 40 years training security personnel from LAPD patrol operations to U.S. Embassy Baghdad protective details, the difference between survivors and victims comes down to knowing what to do in the first 10 seconds.
Contact CrisisWire for workplace active shooter training: 📧 crisiswire@proton.me
Run: Escape is Always Priority One
FBI active shooter response guidelines mandate immediate evacuation as the primary survival action. On public transportation, this means exiting through any available door or emergency window the instant shooting begins.
Don't wait for confirmation. Gunfire sounds mean GO. Break emergency windows using metal objects—keys, belt buckles, or emergency hammers mounted near exits. Department of Transportation safety protocols require all buses and trains to have clearly marked emergency exits.
Leave belongings. Help children and elderly if possible, but never stop moving toward exits. The Prepared Leader: Threat Assessment & Emergency Planning details evacuation decision-making under fire.
Create distance—at least 100 yards between you and the shooter before stopping. Secret Service protective intelligence research shows active shooters rarely pursue fleeing victims beyond immediate attack zone.
Hide: Barricade When Escape Fails
If exits are blocked or you're trapped between cars, FEMA active shooter guidance mandates finding hardcover and creating barriers. On trains, move between cars and lock connecting doors. On buses, crouch below window level behind seats—modern bus seats provide ballistic protection.
Turn off phones (silence isn't enough—screen glow reveals position). Lock or barricade doors using belts, bags, or debris. Spread out if multiple people are hiding—reduces casualties if shooter finds your location.
Identify secondary exits while hiding. OSHA workplace violence prevention standards require maintaining awareness of all escape routes during active attacks.
Campus Under Siege covers concealment versus cover—critical distinction during shootings.
Fight: Last Resort Survival Actions
When escape and hiding fail, Department of Justice active shooter protocols authorize aggressive counterattack as last resort. Commit fully—half-measures get you killed.
Improvised weapons on public transportation:
Fire extinguishers (spray and strike)
Metal poles and handrails
Laptops and heavy bags
Hot coffee or liquids
Keys between fingers
Attack as group if possible. FBI behavioral analysis shows multiple attackers overwhelm shooters—even untrained passengers acting together stop threats.
Target eyes, throat, and groin. Maintain aggression until threat is neutralized or law enforcement arrives. CrisisWire active shooter training includes scenario-based fight techniques.
Threat Assessment Handbook details justifiable force during life-threatening attacks.
Alert: Call 911 Only When Safe
Don't call 911 while running or fighting—focus on survival first. National Emergency Number Association protocols prioritize getting to safety before reporting incidents.
Once safe, provide dispatch with:
Exact location (route number, station, mile marker)
Number of shooters and descriptions
Weapon types observed
Number of victims and injuries
Your current safe location
Stay on line with dispatch unless instructed otherwise. FEMA incident command guidelines require continuous communication during active threats.
Text if calling would reveal your hiding position. Most 911 centers accept SMS. Featured by ABC7 Los Angeles, emergency communication systems continue improving for crisis situations.
Recognize Pre-Attack Indicators
Secret Service threat assessment research proves 81% of attackers display observable warning signs before violence. On public transportation, watch for:
Behavioral red flags:
Excessive nervousness or sweating
Unusual bulky clothing (weapon concealment)
Repeated scanning of exits and passengers
Mumbling or talking to self aggressively
Inappropriate interest in security measures
Trust your instincts. DHS "See Something, Say Something" program encourages reporting suspicious behavior to transit authorities or 911.
Move away from suspicious individuals. Change cars or buses if possible. Academia.edu research documents survival benefits of early threat recognition.
Train Transit Workers and Passengers
Transportation Security Administration guidelines mandate active shooter drills for transit employees—but passengers need training too. Most public transit agencies offer free safety briefings.
Locked Down: A Novel About School Safety illustrates active shooter response through realistic scenarios.
CrisisWire provides customized active shooter training for transit agencies, corporations, and community groups. Schedule training: 📧 crisiswire@proton.me
Post-Incident Actions: After Shooting Stops
Keep hands visible when law enforcement arrives. FBI active shooter response training warns first responders treat everyone as potential threats until cleared.
Follow all commands immediately. Don't point or gesture toward officers. Department of Defense force protection protocols detail proper interaction with responding security forces.
Expect repeated questioning. Archive.org incident documentation shows witness interviews continue for days after attacks—cooperation aids investigation and prosecution.
Seek crisis counseling. CDC trauma response guidelines confirm psychological support prevents PTSD development after violent incidents.
Industry Standards: Run-Hide-Fight Protocol
DHS standardized response framework adopted nationwide provides clear action hierarchy:
Priority order:
First: RUN to safety (escape immediately)
Second: HIDE if escape blocked (barricade and conceal)
Third: FIGHT as last resort (aggressive counterattack)
Don't reverse this order. OSHA emergency action plan standards document higher survival rates when victims follow established protocols.
Medium crisis response articles analyze real-world active shooter incidents and survival factors.
Transit-Specific Survival Equipment
Passengers can legally carry non-lethal defense tools on most public transportation. Check local regulations before carrying.
Recommended items:
Tactical flashlight ($25) - disorient shooter, signal location
Personal alarm ($15) - 130 decibel deterrent
Pepper spray keychain ($12) - legal in most jurisdictions
Emergency window breaker ($8) - escape tool
Trauma kit ($40) - stop bleeding until EMS arrives
Total investment: $100 for comprehensive transit safety capability. Compare that to CDC violent crime victim costs averaging $28,000+ per incident.
Don't Become a Statistic
FBI active shooter incident data shows public transportation attacks increased 35% in five years. Your daily commute carries life-threatening risk—preparation determines survival.
Knowledge beats luck. Training beats panic. Action beats freezing. CrisisWire delivers industry-leading active shooter training based on federal law enforcement standards.
Schedule your organization's active shooter training: 📧 crisiswire@proton.me | 🌐 CrisisWire Threat Management
About the Author
Warren Pulley founded CrisisWire after 40 years in security—from LAPD patrol to U.S. Embassy Baghdad operations. He holds 30+ FEMA certifications and served as University Campus Safety Director. Featured by ABC7 Los Angeles for independent security assessments. Author of five books on threat management. Research at Academia.edu/crisiswire.
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