10 Tips To Survive A Terrorist Attack While Traveling

Summary

The video explains how to increase your chances of surviving a terrorist attack. Key strategies include avoiding high-risk travel destinations, blending in with locals, staying aware of your surroundings, and knowing when to cooperate or resist in hostage situations. The importance of first aid in life-threatening situations, such as dealing with puncture wounds or using a tourniquet, is emphasized. The advice is practical, aiming to help people avoid or mitigate danger during a terrorist attack, particularly for Western travelers, who may be higher-profile targets.

Takeaways

• 🔫 In 2019, there were 25,000 terrorism-related fatalities globally, with Afghanistan, Syria, and India being the most affected countries.
• 🛡️ To survive a terrorist attack, the best strategy is prevention, like avoiding risky areas and staying informed.
• 🇺🇸 The United States is relatively safe from terrorism compared to Europe and other conflict zones, though attacks on the U.S. tend to be large when they occur.
• 🌍 Travelers, especially Westerners, face greater risks in regions with ongoing ethnic and religious conflicts. Avoid drawing attention to yourself, and try blending in.
• 🧳 When traveling to high-risk areas, avoid displaying national symbols, especially American flags, as they can make you a target.
• 🚶‍♂️ Traveling in groups and avoiding being conspicuous are crucial for reducing the risk of becoming a victim of terrorism.
• 👮‍♂️ If kidnapped, cooperation can improve survival chances, as hostages may hold ransom value, though resistance might be necessary in cases like ISIS or Al Qaeda abductions.
• 🏃‍♂️ During a kinetic terrorist attack, awareness of your surroundings and planning escape routes are key to survival.
• 🚑 Basic first aid knowledge can be lifesaving in the aftermath of a terrorist attack, especially for wounds like punctures or burns.
• 🩸 Applying pressure to bleeding wounds, using bandages properly, and knowing when to use a tourniquet can increase survival chances in severe injury situations.

Q & A

What was the total number of terrorism-related fatalities in 2019?

In 2019, there were 25,000 terrorism-related fatalities worldwide.

What is the best way to survive a terrorist attack, according to the script?

The best way to survive a terrorist attack is similar to surviving a gunshot wound—avoid being in a situation where the attack occurs in the first place.

Which nations had the highest number of terrorist attacks in 2019?

The nations with the highest number of terrorist attacks in 2019 were Afghanistan, Syria, and India.

Why is India particularly vulnerable to terrorist attacks?

India faces a wide range of terror groups, including Islamic jihadists, separatists, and revolutionaries trying to topple the government. Additionally, its neighbor Pakistan has been known to support terrorists through its intelligence agencies.

What is a good method to reduce the risk of being involved in a terrorist attack while traveling?

Travelers can reduce their risk by avoiding conspicuous behavior, not drawing attention to themselves, and blending in with locals. For Americans, avoiding wearing clothing with overt American symbols, such as the US flag, can help.

What should you do if you are kidnapped by terrorists?

If kidnapped by terrorists, cooperation is the best strategy, as terrorists may see you as valuable for ransom or propaganda. However, if you are targeted by groups like ISIS or Al Qaeda, which are known for ceremonial executions, resisting is your best chance for survival.

What kind of locations are most likely to be targeted by terrorists?

Locations with high propaganda value, such as crowded markets, government buildings, concerts, rallies, and high-value corporate interests, are most likely to be targeted by terrorists.

What should be your priority in the event of a terrorist attack?

Your priority in the event of an attack should be to get to immediate safety before attempting first aid or searching for missing companions.

What is the recommended method for treating puncture wounds during a terrorist attack?

To treat a puncture wound, apply constant firm pressure to stop blood loss. Never remove an embedded object unless it's impeding movement, as removing it can cause further bleeding.

How can you treat a sucking chest wound caused during a terrorist attack?

To treat a sucking chest wound, create an airtight seal using a credit card or plastic, apply pressure, and wrap the wound with a bandage. Ensure no air enters the wound, and if the victim struggles to breathe, lay them on their side.

Outlines

00:00

💣 Understanding Global Terrorism Threats in 2019

The year 2019 saw around 25,000 fatalities due to terrorism worldwide, with many regions at higher risk than others. While the U.S. remains relatively safe, Europe, Afghanistan, Syria, and India are more prone to attacks. India faces various threats from jihadists and separatists, with neighboring Pakistan often accused of aiding terrorists. One of the best ways to survive a terrorist attack is to control travel destinations, following U.S. State Department advisories.

05:02

👤 Staying Safe by Not Standing Out

Traveling overseas increases the risk of being involved in a terrorist attack, especially for Westerners. It's essential to avoid drawing attention to oneself by wearing clothing or items that could mark you as a target, particularly American symbols like the flag. Blending in with locals and traveling in groups is advisable. In a worst-case scenario, pretending to be Canadian is common advice to avoid unwanted attention.

10:04

🤝 Cooperation or Resistance: Navigating a Terrorist Kidnapping

Terrorist kidnappings usually occur for ransom or propaganda purposes. Cooperating with kidnappers is crucial for survival, as Americans hold significant value for ransom and media attention. However, groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda often take hostages for ceremonial executions, making resistance a possible option for avoiding a grim fate. The U.S. government does not pay ransoms, but private entities might.

🚨 Recognizing Potential Terrorist Targets

Terrorists often choose high-profile targets to maximize propaganda value, including crowded places, government buildings, and corporate facilities. Avoiding peak times and dangerous areas, particularly those with high-value targets like embassies, can reduce the likelihood of encountering an attack. Situational awareness, including knowing exits and spotting unusual behavior, is critical for safety.

🏃 Prioritize Safety in a Kinetic Terrorist Attack

In the event of a terrorist attack, immediate safety should be the priority before attending to injuries. Secondary dangers like building collapse or fires pose additional risks. Once in a safe location, first aid can be administered. It's essential to know basic first aid techniques, such as how to treat puncture wounds, chest wounds, and burns, to improve chances of survival in a kinetic attack.

🩹 Essential First Aid for Survival

Basic first aid knowledge is critical during a kinetic terrorist attack. Puncture wounds should be treated with constant pressure, without reapplying bandages. Embedded objects should not be removed. Sucking chest wounds require an airtight seal, and burns should be treated with clean, damp bandages while avoiding water. In extreme cases, like amputations or uncontrollable bleeding, tourniquets can be life-saving, though they may lead to loss of limbs.

🔪 When and How to Use a Tourniquet

Tourniquets should be applied only as a last resort when bleeding cannot be stopped. A belt or rope can be used to stop severe blood loss, but a tourniquet should never be re-applied once in place. Multiple tourniquets might be needed for large wounds. While using a tourniquet might result in limb loss, it can be the difference between life and death in critical situations.

Keywords

💡Terrorism

Terrorism refers to the use of violence, often against civilians, to create fear and achieve political, ideological, or religious goals. In the video, it discusses the global impact of terrorism, noting the 25,000 fatalities in 2019 and highlighting countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and India that face frequent terrorist attacks.

💡Surviving a terrorist attack

The concept of surviving a terrorist attack is a key theme of the video, providing advice on how to minimize risks. It suggests that avoiding high-risk areas, being inconspicuous, and knowing when to cooperate or resist are crucial to survival. Practical examples, such as avoiding crowded places and being aware of surroundings, are emphasized.

💡Kinetic attack

A kinetic attack refers to a physical or violent assault, often involving explosives or firearms. The video mentions these attacks in the context of terrorist incidents in crowded public areas like markets or government buildings. Situational awareness is key to reducing exposure to such attacks.

💡Situational awareness

Situational awareness involves being conscious of your surroundings to identify potential threats or dangers. The video stresses the importance of this during travel, especially in crowded areas, to help avoid becoming a victim of a terrorist attack. It includes examples like monitoring exit points and observing suspicious behavior.

💡Kidnapping

Kidnapping by terrorists is described as a common tactic used for ransom or propaganda purposes. The video advises on how to respond to such situations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in certain cases to ensure survival. It also discusses the value of American citizens as targets due to their potential for generating media attention.

💡First aid

Knowing basic first aid is highlighted as essential in surviving a terrorist attack, especially in situations involving injuries like puncture wounds or burns. The video provides detailed instructions on handling these injuries, such as applying pressure to stop bleeding and using items like credit cards to seal chest wounds.

💡Travel safety

Travel safety is a recurring theme, with advice on how to minimize risks when traveling abroad. The video suggests avoiding high-risk regions, consulting travel advisories, and blending in with the local population to avoid becoming a target. It also mentions that Westerners, especially Americans, face higher risks in some areas.

💡Tourniquet

A tourniquet is a medical device used to stop severe bleeding, often by tightly wrapping a limb to cut off blood flow. The video explains its importance in cases of severe bleeding, such as after an explosion, and gives practical advice on how to create and apply a tourniquet using everyday items like belts or ropes.

💡Propaganda value

Terrorists often aim for maximum propaganda value by targeting high-profile individuals or staging events for media attention. The video discusses how some groups, like ISIS and Al Qaeda, used ceremonial executions of hostages to recruit members and spread their ideology. This underscores the importance of understanding the terrorist’s objectives.

💡Crowded places

Crowded places, such as markets, concerts, and government buildings, are frequent targets of terrorist attacks due to their potential for mass casualties. The video advises avoiding such places during peak times to reduce risk, as terrorists often look for maximum impact. It suggests being aware of exits and crowd dynamics in case of an attack.

Highlights

In 2019, there were 25,000 terrorism-related fatalities worldwide.

The best way to survive a terrorist attack is similar to avoiding a gunshot wound – avoid the situation entirely.

While terrorism is a concern in the US, it remains one of the safest countries globally in terms of terrorist attacks.

You are more likely to experience a terrorist attack in Europe due to ongoing religious and ethnic conflicts.

The countries with the highest number of terrorist attacks in 2019 were Afghanistan, Syria, and India.

India faces a wide range of terrorist groups, including Islamic jihadists, separatists, and revolutionaries.

Terrorists can target Americans for ransom or propaganda value, making it essential to be cautious when traveling.

Avoid drawing attention to yourself abroad, particularly by avoiding wearing conspicuous or nationalistic clothing.

In some cases, pretending to be from another country like Canada can reduce the risk of being targeted.

In kidnapping situations, cooperation can increase your chances of survival, especially since terrorists may view you as valuable.

Certain terrorist groups, like ISIS and Al Qaeda, may kidnap victims for propaganda purposes, and resisting may be the only option.

Avoid crowded places such as markets, government buildings, and corporate headquarters, as they are common targets for terrorists.

Being aware of your surroundings can help you spot potential threats, such as unusual behavior or attire in public spaces.

If you are caught in an attack, prioritize getting to safety before attempting first aid or looking for others.

Knowing basic first aid, such as how to handle puncture wounds or sucking chest wounds, could make the difference between life and death.

Transcripts

In 2019 there were 25,000 terrorism related fatalities in the world.

Sooner or later, you may become one of those fatalities.

Unless you learn how to survive a terrorist attack.

Know Before You Go

The best way to survive a terrorist attack is a lot like surviving a gunshot wound- you

don't get shot in the first place.

Terrorism may still be a hot buzzword in the US, but the fact is the United States is one

of the safest nations in the world when it comes to terrorism.

That's not to say the US hasn't suffered- when it's been hit, it's been hit big- but

there's no need to fear a terrorist hiding around every corner.

In fact, you're far more likely to end up in the middle of a terrorist attack if you

live in Europe, where multiple ongoing religious and ethnic conflicts continue to this day.

Plus, it's a lot easier and cheaper for the type of terrorists Americans are afraid of

to simply attack Europe instead.

However, the nations with the highest number of terrorist attacks in 2019 were Afghanistan,

Syria, and India- figures for the last two years haven't yet been completely veted.

Afghanistan and Syria are perhaps not surprises, they are after all largely active and on-going

war zones.

But you may be surprised to learn that India faces a very wide range of terror groups,

from Islamic jihadists, to separatists and revolutionaries trying to topple the government

altogether.

To make matters worse, next-door neighbor Pakistan is well known to have aided terrorists

in India through the use of its intelligence agencies.

A good way to survive a terrorist attack is to control where you travel to.

The US State Department has a list updated daily of nations it doesn't recommend travel

to, and the reasons why.

If you have any questions, simply phone a friendly State Department official for clarification-

for example, which areas of India should you specifically avoid?

Don't Be Conspicuous

You're at your greatest threat of being involved in a terrorist attack if you're traveling

overseas.

In that case, you may inadvertently be caught up in the midst of a planned attack.

Or, you could be the specific target of a terrorist attack.

The world is overwhelmingly a friendly place, but Westerners are at increased risks when

traveling to certain areas of the world.

You can largely thank colonialism and interventionism for that fact, but either way it would probably

be best to avoid being very conspicuous.

Don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself when out in public, and by all means avoid

deliberately making yourself a target by the clothing you're wearing.

This one's looking at you, our fellow Americans- the American flag may be a popular fashion

symbol here in the US, but best skip on the free advertising when traveling the more shady

areas of the world.

Many terrorist groups hate America for ideological and political grounds, and any opportunity

to strike is golden- specially if it happens to be in your backyard wrapped in an old glory

wife beater.

Try to blend in with the locals where you travel, and always travel in a group.

Avoid ever being left alone in a situation, and if worse comes to worse, tell people you're

Canadian.

We're not kidding, this is very common advice in the counterterrorism world.

About the worst thing most terrorists are mad at Canada about is being America's tophat.

Know When To Cooperate, Know When To Fight

A terrorist attack could be of a variety of different natures, but one attack you might

experience is an attempted kidnapping.

Terrorists commonly carry out kidnapping attacks for one of two reasons- ransom and seizing

high propaganda value individuals for ceremonial execution.

Throughout much of the sixties through the eighties, Americans were quite a prize for

South American terrorist groups, but today even terrorists who may not be ideological

or political enemies of the US may snatch an American for one reason- Americans are

typically a good ransom, or of great value in attracting international attention.

Nothing grabs international headlines quite like “Two Americans Taken Hostage In...”,

and that media attention can be of great benefit to a terrorist group looking to draw attention

to its causef.

In this case, cooperation with your abductors is the best way to survive a terrorist attack.

The United States government will not pay a ransom for a kidnapped citizen so that it

won't encourage further terror attacks.

However, many private groups and even some companies will happily pay out a ransom and

terrorists know this.

You may also simply be an object of attention for a group looking to cash in big on some

international recognition- either way, you are worth something alive, and cooperation

with the angry men holding guns is the best way you stay alive.

However, some terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda routinely take victims for their

propaganda value, and it never ends pretty.

Throughout the 2000s until two or three years ago, ISIS and Al Qaeda popularized the production

of ceremonial executions of western citizens.

These videos have an extraordinary value in recruiting new members, as well as legitimizing

a movement or ideology.

In this case, your best bet would be to resist as much as possible, as otherwise the ending

will be quite grim for you.

If you're going to get your ticket punched anyways, might as well risk having it punched

in an escape attempt.

Be Aware

If however you are a victim of a more kinetic attack, it can help to first be aware of when

exactly you might be a victim of said attack.

Terrorists pursuing more kinetic forms of terrorism will look for targets with the greatest

propaganda value- which means either most victims or most economic damage inflicted.

These targets can include things such as crowded markets, government buildings, concerts, rallies,

and high-value corporate interests.

By being aware of where you are and where you'll be throughout your day, you can dramatically

lessen the chance of even being in a terrorist attack.

If overseas, try and learn the local schedule and hit up markets and other normally crowded

areas in non-peak hours.

The smaller the crowd the less a chance a terrorists is going to think it's a valuable

target- terrorism is after all a high risk operation, and one you only undertake once

in many cases- better to strike when you're going to get the most bang for your buck.

Being near or inside government buildings is also something to actively avoid- especially

if said buildings are embassies to nations with well- known terrorist enemies.

Try and limit your time spent around these and buildings that house high-value corporate

interests.

Anything from new processing plants to corporate or even regional headquarters represent a

high financial and human loss to a company or a nation in the eyes of a terrorist, and

can be a tempting target.

If forced to be in a crowded area, try and always keep an eye towards the nearest exit,

and an additional backup exit just in case.

Knowing where to go and how far to get there can give you a huge leg up in the immediate

aftermath of a kinetic incident.

Situational awareness could also help you predict from where an attack may take place.

In a crowded area for instance, an attacker would seek to maximize casualties, and thus

move to the center of a crowd in case of an explosive attack, or to shut off avenues of

exit thus forcing panicking individuals into narrower funnels in case of a gunman attack.

Being aware also means being aware of the individuals around you.

Is someone wearing a heavy jacket even though it's very hot outside?

That could mean the individual is attempting to hide something- such as explosives or guns.

Look for irregularities in the patterns of a crowd, and like a good comedian learn to

read a room.

Get To Safety

In the event of an attack, your first priority should be to get to immediate safety.

Before you try to treat any wounds or look for missing group members, you should first

get to a place safe from an ongoing attack or secondary threats.

An explosive attack after all could still set off secondary dangers that are still deadly-

building collapse or secondary fires could both pose a risk of death.

It does you no good to escape the primary attack only to be caught in the secondary

effect.

In case of an attack, it's very likely you'll have to apply first aid either to yourself

or a companion.

Getting to safety first should trump even treating an obviously mortal wound- otherwise

the end is likely the same.

Only once safety has been guaranteed should the focus be on carrying out first aid.

Know First Aid

It's likely you won't survive a kinetic terrorist attack if you don't know even basic first

aid.

Puncture wounds should be treated immediately, with firm pressure to stop blood loss.

The pressure should be constant, and bandages should never be re-applied- re-applying a

bandage to a puncture wound will often mean ripping away blood clotting, and re-opening

the wound to flow again.

If a bandage becomes soaked or doesn't seem to be very absorbent, simply add additional

bandaging over the old.

If an object is embedded in you, you should not remove it unless it is somehow impeding

you from immediately getting to safety.

As long as the object remains impaled in you it's also sealing the wound- pulling it out

now would only leave you with a massive hole in your body leaking a lot of blood.

Simply apply bandaging around the site where the object is impaling you, and take great

care to make sure the object remains immobilized so it doesn't cause even greater damage.

A sucking chest wound can occur from penetration of the chest cavity and the collapse of one

or both lungs, and is often characterized by pink or reddish frothing of blood.

It's important to attempt to form an airtight seal over the wound, a credit card can be

an excellent tool in helping create said seal.

Then apply continuous pressure to the wound after wrapping with a bandage.

If a credit card isn't available, plastic of any kind such as from bags or even tape

can make for a good seal- and ideally you'd be using the cleanest plastic you can find.

Don't forget to check for an exit wound, and seal that one as well, then ensure no air

enters the wound while you minimize bleeding.

Then you want to lay the victim on their side, as they attempt to exhale as much excess air

as possible.

If this makes it more difficult for them to breathe however, don't move them.

If you must treat burns, make sure to immediately remove any restrictive items such as jewelry

or belts, as burn areas can swell quickly.

Contrary to instinct, you want to actually avoid simply pouring water over a burn area-

if large enough it can lead to hypothermia.

It can also contaminate a burn area and pose future infection risk.

Simply cover in a clean, damp bandage, avoiding using pressure unless there is serious accompanying

bleeding in same area.

As with most wounds, you'll want to elevate the wounded area so that it's above the heart.

This will make it more difficult to pump blood to the affected area, lessening the bleeding

at the wound site.

More severe injuries can be outright amputations or extremely severe bleeding, and require

more immediate and aggressive attention.

If bleeding can't be slowed or stopped, or if a limb is partly or fully amputated, you'll

want to immediately apply a tourniquet.

You can make a simple and effective tourniquet with a belt, or if you have access to rope

or thick string, you can also make one with the help of a stick.

Simply wrap the rope or string around the stick after wrapping the victim's limb, and

then twist the stick to tighten.

The aim of a tourniquet is to apply mechanical pressure and stop the bleeding, and can be

very effective in the case of severe bleeds that can't be stopped or slowed through pressure.

However you make your tourniquet, the goal is to wrap it around the affected limb and

then apply as much pressure as you can to cinch off the bleeding.

You should never re-apply a tourniquet, and if another is needed or the first doesn't

seem very effective, simply apply a second one over the first.

Loosening and reapplying a tourniquet will open the wound up to immediate re-bleeding.

Tourniquets should however be a last-ditch effort- the proper application of a tourniquet

could very likely mean the loss of the affected limb.

Getting yourself some immediate first aid can very well mean the difference between

life and death.

Now go check out How to actually survive getting shot, or click this other video instead.