Take Covers: Best Products and Techniques for Every SituationWhen a threat or sudden danger appears, knowing how to take covers quickly and effectively can significantly reduce injury, protect property, and increase the chance of survival. This article covers the best products, proven techniques, and situational advice for taking cover in everyday incidents, natural disasters, and violent events. Practical checklists and product recommendations will help you prepare a reliable plan for home, work, and travel.
Understanding “Taking Cover”
Taking cover means placing a barrier between yourself and an immediate threat to reduce exposure to debris, projectiles, blast effects, or other hazards. It differs from “seeking shelter” in that cover is often immediate and tactical (e.g., during an active shooter event, explosions, or falling debris), whereas shelter may be pre-planned and intended for longer-term protection (e.g., storm shelters).
Key principles:
- Distance reduces risk: the farther from the hazard, the safer.
- Barrier material matters: dense, layered, or angled materials deflect or absorb energy better.
- Positioning: minimize exposed body area; protect vital organs.
- Rapid assessment: quickly judge environment and available cover options.
When and Where to Take Cover
Common scenarios requiring immediate cover:
- Active shooter / violent attack
- Explosions or blast incidents
- Natural disasters generating debris (tornadoes, severe storms, earthquakes)
- Vehicular accidents with fire or shrapnel risk
- Falling objects in industrial settings or construction zones
Assess these factors when deciding where to take cover:
- Type of threat (projectiles, blast, collapse, fire)
- Mobility: can you move quickly or must you stay put?
- Available materials: solid walls, vehicles, furniture, terrain
- Escape routes and secondary hazards (fire, flooding, structural damage)
Best Products for Taking Cover
Below are recommended products categorized by context. Choose items rated for the specific threats you might face.
Personal protection
- Ballistic helmets (NIJ-rated) — protect against shrapnel and head trauma.
- Body armor/ballistic vests (NIJ Level IIIA and above for firearm threats).
- Tactical shields — useful for group movement and law enforcement.
- Hard-shell backpacks — can be used as improvised shields.
Home and workplace
- Reinforced safe rooms/storm shelters — built to FEMA/ICC standards for tornadoes and storms.
- Window protection films and storm shutters — reduce flying glass hazard.
- Fire-resistant storage for flammables and important documents.
- Heavy furniture anchoring kits — prevent toppling during quakes.
Emergency kits & gear
- First-aid kits with tourniquets and hemostatic dressings.
- Portable fire extinguishers (Class ABC for general use).
- Emergency blankets and thermal covers.
- Headlamps/flashlights with extra batteries.
Improvised/low-cost options
- Thick mattresses or couches for tornado cover.
- Filled backpacks, sandbags, or stacks of books as temporary ballistic barriers.
- Parked vehicles for shielding from gunfire or explosions (engine block side away from threat).
Techniques for Specific Situations
Active shooter / violent attack
- Run if safe: leave the area, warn others, call emergency services.
- Hide if you cannot run: lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, silence devices, stay out of sight.
- Fight as a last resort: use improvised weapons, target the assailant’s face and center mass, act decisively.
- When taking cover: behind concrete, engine blocks, or steel structures offers the best protection. Everyday items like heavy desks, file cabinets, or piled heavy objects can help but are inferior to ballistic-rated barriers.
Explosions and blast zones
- Put as many solid barriers between you and the blast as possible; angle yourself to reduce surface area exposure.
- Protect airway and eyes from dust and debris; cover with cloth if no mask available.
- Seek lower ground and avoid windows and glass.
Tornadoes / severe storms
- Go to a basement or interior room without windows, preferably a small room under a staircase or a storm shelter.
- Protect your head and neck with a mattress, helmet, or thick padding.
- Mobile homes: evacuate to a sturdier nearby structure or pre-identified community shelter.
Earthquakes
- Drop, cover, and hold on: get under sturdy furniture, hold on until shaking stops.
- If outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
Vehicle incidents
- If shot at, exit the vehicle and move to cover if possible; engine block provides decent protection if you must stay in the car momentarily.
- In crashes with fire risk, exit quickly and move at least 100 feet away, upwind if possible.
Industrial/falling objects
- Wear hard hats and stay within designated safe zones.
- Use scaffolding netting and toe boards; secure loose materials.
Quick Decision Checklist (When Seconds Count)
- Is escape possible? If yes, run now.
- Is there immediate cover (concrete, engine block, thick wall)? Move there.
- Can I barricade and hide? Do it—silence devices and stay low.
- Do I need to treat injuries immediately? Stop severe bleeding first (tourniquet/pressure).
- Can I call for help? Yes—call emergency services when safe.
Setting Up Your Home/Work for Better Cover
- Identify the safest interior rooms and practice drills (fire, active attacker, tornado).
- Reinforce doors and add locks or secondary barricades.
- Anchor heavy furniture and secure shelving to walls.
- Keep a small “go bag” with first-aid, flashlight, phone charger, and water accessible.
- Install laminated safety film on large windows and consider shutters in high-risk areas.
Training and Practice
- First-aid/Stop the Bleed courses for everyone in the household or workplace.
- Regular drills for earthquakes, fires, and active threats; vary scenarios to test decisions.
- Consider professional training: tactical training for workplace security teams, FEMA community shelter training, or local law enforcement workshops.
Limitations and Considerations
- No cover is 100% safe; prioritize distance and evacuation when possible.
- Ballistic gear adds weight and may impede mobility—balance protection with ability to move.
- Improvised cover helps short-term but often fails against high-velocity projectiles or armor-piercing rounds.
- Legal and workplace policies: body armor or tactical gear may be restricted in some jurisdictions or settings.
Recommended Products (Examples)
- NIJ-rated soft armor vest (Level IIIA) — personal defense against most handgun threats.
- Ballistic plates (Level III/IV) for higher-risk environments.
- FEMA/ICC-certified storm shelter — for tornado-prone homes.
- High-lumen rechargeable headlamp — hands-free light for low-visibility evacuations.
- Trauma kit with tourniquet and hemostatic gauze.
Final Notes
Preparation, quick assessment, and appropriate use of barriers will drastically improve your chances during sudden threats. Combine suitable products with regular training and a clear plan tailored to your environment. Stay aware of escape routes and keep essential emergency items within reach.
Leave a Reply