The Crucial Difference: Cover vs. Concealment in an Active Shooter Situation
- william demuth
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
In the terrifying chaos of an active shooter event, every second and every decision matters. While the primary directive is always to run, hide, or fight, a key aspect of the "hide" strategy is often misunderstood: the difference between cover and concealment. These two terms, while sounding similar, are fundamentally different and understanding them can be the difference between survival and a tragic outcome.
Concealment: Hiding in Plain Sight
Concealment is anything that hides you from an active shooter's view. It makes you difficult to see, but it offers no protection from bullets. Think of concealment as a visual barrier. Examples include:
A cubicle wall: It might block the shooter's line of sight, but a bullet will easily pass through it.
A thick curtain or drape: It makes you unseen, but offers zero ballistic protection.
A shrub or hedge: It breaks up your outline, but won't stop a bullet.
The thin wall of an interior room: A bullet will often pass through multiple layers of drywall with ease.
The danger of relying on concealment alone is a false sense of security. A shooter may not be able to see you, but they can still shoot through the object you're hiding behind. If they have a general idea of your location, they can fire rounds blindly into the space, and the concealment will be useless.
Cover: The Ultimate Protection
Cover, on the other hand, is a physical barrier that provides protection from bullets. It not only hides you from view but also acts as a shield against incoming fire. It is designed to stop or deflect rounds. Examples of true cover include:
A concrete pillar: Concrete is dense and an effective shield.
A large, solid metal desk or filing cabinet: Steel can be very effective at stopping or slowing down bullets.
The engine block of a car: The dense metal and components of a car engine are a very effective barrier.
A brick wall: The density of brick and mortar provides excellent ballistic protection.
A reinforced concrete wall: This is one of the most effective forms of cover.
When seeking shelter during an active shooter event, your goal should always be to find true cover. It's the only way to significantly increase your chances of surviving if the shooter is firing in your direction.
When to Use Cover And Concealment
In an ideal scenario, you’d use both: concealment to move stealthily and cover to protect yourself. But real-life situations rarely offer perfect options.
Use Cover When:
You’re under direct fire
You need immediate physical protection
You’re in an open area with limited escape routes
Use Concealment When:
You need to avoid being seen
You’re trying to move to a safer location
No cover is available, and you must hide
The Hybrid Dangers: Misidentifying Cover
Many everyday objects can be a mix of both and are often misidentified as effective cover. A car door, for instance, provides concealment and some protection, but it is not true cover. A bullet from a rifle can easily pass through the thin metal and glass of a car door. Similarly, a thick wooden door might stop some smaller caliber rounds, but it is not reliable protection against a high-powered rifle.
The Takeaway: A Life-Saving Mental Checklist
In a high-stress, life-or-death situation, you need a simple and effective mental checklist. When you hear shots and are unable to run:
Identify Potential Hiding Spots: Look for objects that can hide you from the shooter.
Evaluate for Ballistic Protection: Ask yourself, "Will this stop a bullet?" Is it a solid, dense object like concrete, metal, or brick? Or is it a flimsy material like drywall, wood paneling, or fabric?
Choose Cover Over Concealment: If you have the option, always choose an object that offers true ballistic protection (cover) over one that only hides you (concealment).
Maximize Your Protection: Get as close to the ground as possible and use the largest and densest part of the cover. Stay low and quiet.
Understanding the difference between cover and concealment is a crucial piece of knowledge that can empower you to make a life-saving decision. While we hope to never be in such a situation, being prepared with this fundamental knowledge is a vital step in enhancing your personal safety and security.
Online Violence Prevention and Defensive Tactics Training Brought To You By Generous Supporters
The Center for Violence Prevention and Self-Defense (CVPSD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing violence by educating at-risk individuals and communities.
Through a combination of online and in-person training, workshops, and seminars, CVPSD provides practical self-defense skills, violence prevention strategies, risk assessment tools, and guidance on setting personal and relationship boundaries.