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Taking Cover: Selecting and Using Cover in Hostile Environments

NCJ Number
175484
Journal
Journal of Counterterrorism & Security International Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: Fall 1998 Pages: 50-56
Author(s)
J M Peterson
Date Published
1998
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes how to select and use cover in hostile environments.
Abstract
With the ever present threat of sponsored acts of terrorism and random acts of violence, both counterterrorism and security professionals and average citizens are at risk and should know how to rapidly and correctly assume cover. The article recommends that, in order to protect themselves, persons should be aware of their surroundings, take cover before issuing a challenge, and immediately start looking for other cover and escape routes. At the same time, they should always look from the side of cover and not over the top of any horizontal surface, should not move from cover before having another piece of cover to use, should not hide in doorways or near windows. In addition to these and other suggestions, the article provides reasons to create distance from cover, techniques for using cover, weapons techniques, using vehicles for cover, using cover in stairways and on ramps and tactical tips primarily for rehearsing and using the strategies discussed. Figures