Here's why emergency services tell you to "Run Hide Fight" in an active shooter situation

There is an active shooter on Ohio State University's campus, the university's emergency management system tweeted on Monday.

The tweet urged students to "Run Hide Fight," which the Department of Homeland Security advises is the proper response sequence to an active-shooter situation.

The phrase is a quick way to remember what to do in an active shooter situation, in order:

1. Run if you can.
2. If you're stuck, hide (also referred to as "sheltering in place").
3. If the shooter finds you, then fight - with whatever you can (from hot coffee to pens).

Experts generally agree that it's good advice.

"The problem is that there are no one-size-fits-all answers for these questions. No one can tell us how we should or will act under these circumstances. The general concept of 'run, hide, fight' is a good one," Dr. Matthew D. Sztajnkrycer, an emergency physician at the Mayo Clinic, said in a Clinic publication.

"The best thing to do, really, is to empower everyone to do what they feel most comfortable doing, without fear of subsequent repercussions or recriminations."

The "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol originates from a video the City of Houston made in partnership with DHS:

 

 

The Ohio State University made its own video example on campus:

"If running isn't an option, and hiding isn't an option, there is one final reaction that you should only use as a last resort if you are confronted by the shooter: fight," OSU law enforcement training and accredidation coordinator Adam Tabor said in the video. 

"Make no mistake: You can survive an active shooter incident by remembering and planning ahead to take three important steps - run, hide, fight."

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