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Surviving an active shooter event doesn’t have to be based on chance or luck. Survival can be trained, and with the right skills and proactive steps in your back pocket, you can be prepared for something as unpredictable as an active shooter event.
Let’s discuss four key pieces of knowledge that really could save your life in an active shooter situation.
Plenty of people are situationally aware. We notice all kinds of things — like when the distracted driver in front of us is texting at the traffic light that just turned green, or when the coworker a few desks away is chewing their lunch just a little too loudly.
These types of observations certainly qualify as situational awareness in some form, but they’re not the kinds of observations that would necessarily save your life. The most important part of being situationally aware is knowing what kinds of things to be aware of. You can notice things all day, but if you’re not noticing the right things, you’re not any safer than the person who’s oblivious.
That’s where Situational Awareness Training comes in. The right training will walk you through the levels of situational awareness, teach you how to navigate them, and also educate you on what kinds of things you should be noticing in various settings and interactions.
Have you ever heard a gun go off? Most of us assume we’ve watched enough movies to know what a gun sounds like when we hear it, but the reality is, in active shooter events, most people don’t realize the sound they’re hearing is a gun until they actually see the shooter.
One of the first things we do in our Onsite Active Shooter Training courses is fire a gun outside the building while our class participants are inside. Most people admit that the gunshot sounded different from what they expected. That’s because there are walls and other barriers muffling and distorting the sound. However, it’s important to hear the sound in that environment in order to be able to recognize it and respond appropriately in an active shooter event.
In some active shooter situations, it may not be possible to evacuate the building or escape the shooter. In that type of scenario, knowing how to overtake the gunman could save your life.
Intercepting a weapon is something we teach in our Active Shooter Training classes. This skill is best learned through hands-on practice using a fake gun, but the main tactic to master is to push the barrel of the gun up and back toward the shooter’s wrist. This tactic works because the area of the hand between the thumb and pointer finger is incredibly weak, and the shooter will immediately lose his/her grip on the gun.
It should be noted that we never advise people to go hunt a gunman down. However, if you are ever faced with someone who is using a firearm against you, this could be the skill that saves your life. Sign up for an active shooter training class to practice and master it.
Also remember, there is power in numbers. It’s easy to forget that when a gunman is in your building, but with the right training, you can leverage this advantage to survive.
Most businesses have first aid kits somewhere on the premises in case of injury. However, a first aid kit will do little to stop severe bleeding from a gunshot wound. Bleeding Control Kits are a must for every workplace, church, and school. Frankly, there’s no wrong place to have a Bleeding Control Kit. You should even keep one in your car.
Why are we so passionate about Bleeding Control Kits? Because in the case of an active shooter event, the contents of a Bleed Kit could be the instruments that save your life or someone else’s.
What’s standing between you and Active Shooter Training? Don’t be the person caught in an unexpected emergency wishing they knew what to do. Take action today and schedule a class for yourself or a team.
Jim served as a Sheriff’s Deputy in Illinois for 30 years. During his time as a Deputy, Jim served on the SWAT team as an operator, team leader and Commander. Jim was involved in several barricaded gunman/hostage incidents as well as service of high risk arrest and search warrants.
Jim was a member of the US Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force where he performed surveillance and fugitive apprehension. His team was responsible for thousands of high risk felony fugitive arrests. Jim also served in the patrol division where he earned the rank of Sergeant and was responsible for patrol operations. Jim received numerous awards throughout his career to include Deputy of the Year, medal of valor and unit citation for SWAT operations.
Jim was a state certified CQB (Close Quarter Battle) SWAT instructor as well as an Active Shooter Response instructor, providing training for multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Illinois.
I’m a proven leader with a diverse background in defense, law enforcement, and emergency response. My career began as a Scout Sniper in the U.S. Marine Corps, where I earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. I then served as a security contractor in Afghanistan and Iraq, further developing my tactical and crisis management skills.
Domestically, I served as a Deputy for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, earning a Medal of Valor, and as a firefighter, where I was awarded a Life Saving Ribbon. These roles reflect my commitment to safety and service, demonstrating leadership under pressure and a passion for protecting others.
As part of the Proactive Response Group Team, I design and deliver comprehensive medical training, developing lesson plans and conducting hands-on sessions. I ensure that participants are equipped with essential medical skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and readiness. My role is vital in preparing our team to handle medical emergencies confidently and competently.
Email: jpregel16@gmail.com
Phone: 720-382-3184
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pregel-67765451/
Chris is a retired Major from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina. Chris was third in command over operations, overseeing more than 300 sworn Deputies as well as all special teams within the Sheriff’s Office. In 2012, Chris helped to organize a Dignitary Protection Team within the Sheriff’s Office that assisted the Secret Service with Presidential and Vice Presidential visits throughout the state. In addition to his normal duties, Chris performs private security for dignitaries, celebrities, as well as 12 years with the Miss America Organization. Chris has been instructing Active shooter Response with ProActive Response Group since 2021.
In his down time, Chris enjoys time with his wife and daughter, as well as watching sports and fishing.
Email: ctaylor@proactiverg.com
Phone: 864-979-0978
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-taylor-331b00150/
Tyrie Fowler is an Active Shooter Response instructor at Proactive Response Group and an Emergency Medicine Trauma Nurse at Prisma Health in Greenville. A Greenville native, Tyrie earned his Exercise Science degree from the University of South Carolina and his nursing degree from Mary Black School of Nursing. He joined Greenville Health System in 2015, transitioning from Orthopedic Trauma to Emergency Medicine. At Prisma Health, a Level One Trauma Center, he is part of the Trauma Nurse Leader team, with training in Advanced Trauma Care (ATCN) and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). Tyrie is pursuing certifications in Emergency Nursing (CEN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).
Tyrie enjoys Fall for its long runs, college football (Go Gamecocks!), and hunting, including deer and quail. He also loves smoking recipes with a creative twist. As a medical instructor, Tyrie empowers bystanders to provide critical assistance in emergencies, teaching them to control bleeding and manage injuries, ensuring they leave his class confident in making a difference.
Steven J. Anderson is currently an Active Shooter Response Instructor for ProActive Response Group; he enjoys empowering people to survive in life threatening situations. Steve grew up in central Minnesota and spent three years with the United States Army. He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Steve worked as a federal agent for the United States Border Patrol where he was a member of the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC): completing multiple assignments in Central & South America, an assignment with the United Nations and the Deputy Director (A) of the National Air Security Operation Center. In 2020 he retired from working in Federal Law Enforcement.
In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors especially bow hunting. Steve is a proud husband and father to 3 wonderful daughters.
Rob is originally from Louisville, CO. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003 and served as a Combat Engineer Officer until 2012. Rob deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009 and 2010 where he planned and implemented force protection strategy, counter improvised explosive device operations, and mobility operations for Third Battalion Sixth Marine Regiment and Third Battalion Seventh Marine Regiment . Upon his departure from the military, Rob began to teach firearms and tactics with Arizona based Alpine Arms while simultaneously running his own small residential security consulting firm. Rob relocated the South Carolina in 2021 and joined ProActive Response Group in early 2023.
When not working Rob spends time with his wife Lindsey and son Theo. He enjoys stand up paddle boarding, visiting the rifle range, four wheeling, and camping.
Phone: 720-382-3184
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-christian-29579649/
Andy Sexton spent 12 years with the Greenville County Sheriff’s office in South Carolina, where he held the rank of Uniform Patrol Sergeant. His experience includes serving as an assistant SWAT team leader, involvement in high-risk incidents, including hostage rescues and the protection of dignitaries, working in criminal investigations (including armed robbery and homicide), and serving on the training committee for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
