Quick Answer
When cornered during an escape, remain calm and assess your options. If possible, create a diversion to distract your pursuers and create a window of opportunity to escape. Otherwise, use a physical barrier to block your pursuers and find an alternative escape route.
Assessing Your Options
When cornered, take a split second to assess your surroundings and available options. Look for a potential escape route, such as a gap between buildings, a side alley, or a staircase. If you’re in a crowded area, try to blend in with the crowd and use it as cover. If you’re in a more open area, such as a park or a plaza, look for a nearby vehicle or a dense cluster of trees that you can use to create a diversion.
Creating a Diversion
If you have time to create a diversion, use it to your advantage. Throw a small object, such as a rock or a bottle, in a direction that will draw your pursuers’ attention away from you. Alternatively, use a fire extinguisher or a smoke bomb to create a smoke screen. If you have a loud noise-making device, such as a whistle or a horn, use it to create a loud commotion. The goal is to distract your pursuers and create a window of opportunity to escape.
Using Physical Barriers
If you’re unable to create a diversion, use a physical barrier to block your pursuers. Look for a nearby wall, a fence, or a row of parked cars that you can use to block their path. If you’re in a stairwell, try to block the stairs with your body or a nearby object. If you’re in a doorway, use your body to block the doorway and create a barrier between you and your pursuers. Remember to stay low and use any available cover to protect yourself from potential attacks.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.