Facing Danger - Just Shout Fire! - Really?
Dr Iain Bourne
Director & Consultant, IMPACT Training & Consultation, Violence, Suicide, Self-harm, Psychosis & Trauma
We are told:
“Shouting ‘fire’ rather than ‘help’ – it can get more results if you are under attack in the street says City of London Police.” https://www.iamstolen.com/2013/05/04/shout-fire-instead-of-help/
This sounds dangerous to me - as well as ill-informed. It may have worked once, or more likely someone thought it would be great advice and somehow it caught on. Apparently the logic is that if you are being attacked or threatened with an assault shouting “Help” doesn’t work because of “Bystander Apathy” and the fear of getting involved. So shout “Fire!” instead. How does that work? People like me run away from fires, not towards them. When I hear someone shout “Fire” I assemble in the car park. People who run towards fires are called pyromaniacs (sorry that doesn’t sound very pc – pyrophilliacs?) and when they arrive they are more likely to disappointed than helpful. Then there is a rather major issue if they are holding a gun …
Advice like this takes us in the wrong direction of finding cheap tricks to deal with dangerous behaviour. We need to be better than that.
I will continue….
If you want to rush ahead, however, you can:
Read “Facing Danger” or attend a “Difficult, Disturbing and Dangerous Behaviour” workshop in London on 25th April, or visit our website for more information on bespoke in-house training options.
Social Worker- Family Safeguarding Team at Surrey County Council
8 年I completely agree, but the sad side of this is, that people are many times more curious than helpful.
Director & Consultant, IMPACT Training & Consultation, Violence, Suicide, Self-harm, Psychosis & Trauma
8 年Thanks Patricia. Maybe then we should shout "Free Money!" instead? I just think it's a very poor gimmick that has no sound theoretical or empirical backing and people should not be encouraged to risk their safety with it.
Social Worker- Family Safeguarding Team at Surrey County Council
8 年As per people's nature they usually don't like to involve in any thing which "smells" trouble, so when they hear "help!!!" most of people tend to ignore it, but being very curious in nature when they hear fire they will stop to see what is happening. But I think it requires a "little" practice to reprogramme our brain to shout anything else that HELP when we are in danger.