Imagine for a minute that you are shopping in a large department store. Suddenly a man enters the store and begins shooting. People are frantic and running for the nearest exit. Unfortunately many are being shot because they are panicking and have no idea which direction the bullets were coming from. You on the other hand are looking for cover. Cover is something that will not only conceal your location but stop a bullet as well.
A set of double doors made of steel are located nearby. You enter the doors and coach others to follow. Next, you barricade the doors to provide additional protection.
Cover vs concealment are the cornerstone of combat tactics. Simply put, cover will conceal you and protect you from bullets. Cover is bullet proof. Concealment will hide you but will not provide protection from gun fire.
If you are in a self defense or tactical situation always consider that the aggressor may have access to cover or concealment making it difficult to engage the subject. But, if both you and the aggressor have equal cover it may create a stand off and allow time for help to arrive.
The following are examples of cover and concealment. Determine which items will provide cover.
- Concrete Wall or Large sofa
- Plastic table top or Granite
- Hard Thick Wood or Drywall
- Thick Steel or plywood
- Trash Can or Brick Wall
- Large Concrete Planter or Thin Metal Cabinet
Your car can provide excellent cover but you must use the front of the car near the front wheel and engine compartment. This area provides maximum protection because the engine and wheels both can stop bullets.
Remember that the type of weapon used will determine what type of cover is needed to stop a bullet. A bullet from a handgun is easier to stop than a bullet from a high powered rifle.
As you go about your day look for areas and items that will provide ultimate protection. When bullets begin to fly you will have very little time to find cover.
Photo: folding Kevlar shield designed by BYU mechanical engineers
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
1Samuel 13
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