When in a crowd, do you find yourself planning for what you would do in an emergency such as if a crazed shooter were to occur?

I do tend to think about contingencies, most often in the days immediately after an event.

I was looking more carefully at the passengers when I flew shortly after the WTC attacks, and considered my position while in a theater shortly after the Aurora Batman Movie killings.

Yes, I often think through a similar situation -- in that, what would I do if someone in a specific location in the room started to attack me or someone I was with.

My fight or flight became unmanageable. I avoided all large crowds that I couldn't easily escape from. Extremely suspicious of strangers. The first time I took my kid to Disney she was stuck in the bathroom stall with me having a panic attack. I'm one of the few females who despise the mall. I do my grocery shopping monthly to avoid the place. After walking my daughter to school I got panicked and while trying to get back into the house my hand went through the glass cutting tendons, nerves and artery. VA hand surgeon did fantastic job fixing my hand. I actually kicked some ax hol in the face with heels on for threatening me aft I said something back about some crude remark. Oh and while half asleep walking my dog the neighbors nasty dog bit me I wrenched the chain around his neck choking him into the ground. Next thing I know the fat man is saying lady lady let loose of my dog. I think I hissed something about killing it if it's out without a leash again. This was totally out of character and not in my nature. I don't blame the military for this. Yes I had PTSD from postmortem care of a infant from my service I got out in 2005 but it was manageable I loved my job. In 2008 I was the victim of a violent assault. That compounded trauma resulted in what I described above. Most people would not guess what was going on with me because I stayed home. Completely unable to work The VA is the one that figured out that I had Central Cranial Diabetes Insipidus. It's a rare endocrine disorder that happens after brain surgery or TBI the brain does not make vasopressin. Today I take synthetic vasopressin and supplements to balance the electrolytes. I credit the VA in St. Petersburg for figuring this out. My primary doctor, MH and endocrinologist all see the same labs and notes. This may have gone on for years or landed me in prison if it were not for the VA. I Hope this embarrassing info helps some one else. The only negative I have to say is I've been waiting three years for my IU claim to be processed

Sgt James Grignon. I don't worry about crazed shooter or random terrorist . . . but I do tend to keep an eye out for people who may have specific interest in me, my family, business associates, employees, or guests. I make an effort to avoid trouble . . . but I am also prepared if the need to see, avoid, or respond ever arises. Warmest Regards, Sandy

I always expect that the wall over there might erupt in flames, flying metal and loud noises at any moment. I make plans accordingly.

Whether consciously or unconsciously, when choosing a place to sit (I'm nearly always first in the room) I go for a solid wall behind me, facing the door; failing that, at the very least, facing the door.

The longer I am in a large crowd (movie theaters are bad news) the more edgy I get.

If I'm still like this 45 years after a rather mild 362-day tour in Viet-Nam, I can only just begin to imagine what my brothers and sisters, veterans of more recent operations, are going through every day.

I tend to think about this more so when I am with my wife and kids.

Always. I also eye suspicious characters until they leave the area.

Scope out cover, concealment, exits and potential weapons. Whether or not tables and chairs are bolted down.

I think the same way including looking for exit signs and what I could use for cover and what I can use as a weapon. I might be going out on a limb here but I think this is normal now!

Yes, every where I go I am scoping out entry and exit points and any possible choke points. I'm unable to sit down in a restaurant or business with my back to an entrance.