What is the primary action advised if you can escape during an active shooter incident?

In an active shooter incident, the primary action advised is to escape if it is safe to do so. This means making every effort to get away from the threat as quickly as possible, using designated exits or any available means to remove oneself from the situation. Escaping minimizes the risk of harm and allows individuals to reach a safe location where they can alert authorities and report the incident.

This action aligns with the instinctual response of prioritizing one's safety and serves to reduce the overall risk to life during such a dangerous event. The ability to escape does not depend on being physically restrained or unable to react; it is about seizing any opportunity to distance oneself from the danger when the chance arises.

While the other options may also be appropriate actions in certain circumstances—such as barricading or hiding when escape is not possible or preparing to fight as a last resort—they do not prioritize the primary goal of self-preservation through evacuation when feasible. The immediate goal is to remove oneself from harm's way, and escape offers the highest likelihood of safety in an active shooter situation.