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What "Low-Visibility Preparedness" Really Means (and Why It Saves Lives During Active Threat Events)

What "Low-Visibility Preparedness" Really Means (and Why It Saves Lives During Active Threat Events)

Most people imagine preparedness as highly tactical, aggressive, or visibly defensive — the person acting paranoid, constantly scanning, or openly discussing danger. In reality, the most effective form of preparedness during active threat situations is far more subtle, intentional, and quiet. It blends seamlessly into everyday life without disrupting environments or drawing attention.

This is known as low-visibility preparedness — the ability to notice threats early, make fast decisions, and protect yourself and others without signaling anxiety or altering normal life.

At A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training, we teach individuals and organizations how to build this kind of readiness using practical skills that save lives when seconds matter.


The Goal Is Not to Live in Fear — It’s to Live Prepared

Low-visibility preparedness is grounded in awareness, not paranoia. It allows people to move through public spaces confidently rather than anxiously. Preparedness is empowering, not intimidating.

The intent is to:

  • Notice danger early

  • Make faster decisions

  • Avoid predictable behavior

  • Identify exits and obstacles

  • Reduce hesitation under stress

Prepared people stay calm not because they ignore risk, but because they understand it.


Why Low-Visibility Preparedness Works

Active threat events unfold fast. Many are over before law enforcement can arrive. The individuals who survive are often the ones who:

  • Recognize danger first

  • Break from the herd instinct

  • Take decisive action quickly

Preparedness buys time — and time increases survival.


The Psychology of Not Broadcasting Preparedness

In an active threat situation, broadcasting defensive intent can:

  • Draw attention from the attacker

  • Create confusion among bystanders

  • Slow escape or impede plans

  • Increase panic in the environment

Low-visibility preparedness allows you to act without telegraphing intent.


What Low-Visibility Preparedness Looks Like in Everyday Life

It is subtle, quiet, and habitual. Examples include:

  • Noticing exits when entering rooms

  • Keeping headphones volume low in public

  • Sitting where you can see the entrance

  • Trusting intuition when something feels “off”

  • Moving away from escalating situations early

These micro-behaviors do not disturb the environment — they simply give you options.


Why Situational Awareness Is the Foundation

You cannot escape, impede, or defend against a threat you fail to notice. Situational awareness is the first and most important survival skill.

It includes:

  • Observing what’s normal

  • Identifying what’s not

  • Spotting behavioral anomalies

  • Reading changes in environment

  • Detecting pre-attack indicators

Most attackers exhibit warning signs before acting.


The A.L.I.V.E. Method and Low-Visibility Preparedness

Low-visibility preparedness aligns naturally with the A.L.I.V.E. five-step method:

  • Assess: Identify exits, obstacles, and potential threats

  • Leave: Escape quickly and intelligently when danger arises

  • Impede: Barricade or block if escape isn’t possible

  • Violence: Fight back with purpose if survival depends on it

  • Expose: Provide information once safe, not before

Awareness fuels decision-making. Decision-making increases survival.


Why VIPs, Workplaces, and Schools Benefit From Invisible Preparedness

Training does not need to disrupt culture or operations. Low-visibility preparedness ensures safety without:

  • Fear-based messaging

  • Drills that traumatize students or employees

  • Turning workplaces into fortresses

  • Sacrificing privacy or comfort

The goal is resilience, not alarm.


Preparedness Should Feel Normal — Not Extreme

The misconception is that preparedness must be tactical, expensive, or militaristic. In reality, the most effective skills are:

  • Cognitive

  • Behavioral

  • Situational

  • Habit-based

Anyone can learn them. Everyone benefits from them.


In a Crisis, the Prepared Do Not Freeze

Unprepared individuals often:

  • Deny reality

  • Freeze under stress

  • Follow the crowd blindly

  • Lose precious seconds deciding

Prepared individuals:

  • Move first

  • Think clearly

  • Adapt faster

  • Influence others to survive

Training converts panic into purposeful action.


Build Confidence Without Broadcasting It

Low-visibility preparedness allows people to:

  • Live normally

  • Feel secure

  • Move freely

  • Travel confidently

  • Protect loved ones without announcing it

Preparedness is not for show. It is for survival.


Ready to Learn How It Works?

If you want to develop practical, silent, and effective preparedness skills for your workplace, school, organization, or family, A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training can help. Contact Us Today to learn more about our programs!

Confidence comes from capability. Preparedness saves lives.

LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE AN ACTIVE SHOOTER!

"Michael Julian has written an excellent book. Practical, detailed, and a potential life saver if you find yourself in the midst of a targeted attack."
J. Reid Meloy Ph.D. - ABPP Forensic Consultant, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit Faculty, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Instructional Read - I completed my reading of Mr. Julian's book "10 Minutes To Live" and I have to say this is one of the most concise and professional books I have read on active shooter survival. The book is excellent and straight to the point on ways for the individual to take action and provide for their own safety and survival. The book provides intricate information through the "ALIVE" presentation in an easy to remember format and adds more tools to the toolbox to survive an active shooter event. With the threat of active shooters becoming more pervasive each day across the United States, every piece of information that can be gained should be explored to prepare. The first book they should look at is the "10 Minutes To Live" book and place those ideas into action. This book has become an integral reference manual for my research on the subject of active shooter survival and it should be a part of any active shooter survival specialist's library looking for accurate and applicable information. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Amazon Customer
I hope I never need to act on the tips in this book, but I learned a lot from it - Sadly, I purchased this book the day before yet another mass shooting at a public school unfolded. Mr. Julian has laid out a straightforward and practical method for surviving. I can already see from reading this book and the news reports, how more lives could have been saved had the victims practiced what this author lays out here. I plan on carrying this book with me on vacations, business trips and to large gatherings. It might help me see the one extra thing that makes me a survivor instead of a statistic.
This is an excellent book that EVERYONE should read. This is a wealth of knowledge to prepare yourselves, just in case. We never know where terror might strike and we should know how to react to save ourselves and our loved ones.
Randy K.
Gives you an edge and a plan - This may save your life. Well written and thoughtful. Helps you clearly understand what you need to do to have a chance. Read and share with your friends and co-workers.
Tina Lizzie
Informative Book Everyone Should Read - This book is an informative read that, unfortunately, everyone should buy and read since we live during a time when we have active shooters too often!
Kimberly M Hawkins
Five Stars - Everyone should read.
Robert Sherwood
An outstanding, thoughtful, well-presented approach to a difficult subject. The format makes for an easy read.
Terry R. Cox
Excellent information for professionals and laymen alike - Michael lays this information out so everyone can understand it. Straightforward and to the point. Excellent information for professionals and laymen alike. Well done, my friend.
Five Stars - Excellent read and right on target. It is a must-read for Security and Police Professionals.
Dean A. Beers
First, I know Mr. Julian well, he is a close friend and close professional colleague. Be certain-my review is unbiased, with the exception of also being from my perspective. One reason he is such a good friend is we are on the same page-and this book confirms that. I have young grandkids and we have very direct conversations about their personal safety and bullying. How many regularly tell their kids and grandkids-no matter what, you get away alive because a bad person only wants to hurt and kill people. Some may not like that-but it's effective. How many, when walking in stores, malls, playgrounds, regularly ask their kids and grandkids what they would do if someone tried to grab them? Our daughters, when in elementary school, had someone try to grab them from the bus stop (they were the only two)-their reactions saved them. The very small town we lived in (literally one traffic light) had someone try to kidnap a young girl-adults saw it and stopped it, keeping the bad guy until the SRO got there within minutes. It's real life, folks. The odds are nothing will happen-but our lives, and those of our dearest loved ones, are not "odds." The best thing every person-every family, business, school, etc.-can do is Be Prepared (Boy Scouts) and Improvise, Adapt, Overcome (US Marines). Mr. Julian lays it out very strong and very simple for every person to stay ALIVE-Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, Expose. No one is too young or old, strong or weak, to follow this. No special training-just a very strong mindset. Every school administrator, teacher, student, and parent should have this book as required reading at every grade.
Chris Story
Security professionals and others-Read and share this book. It could help save lives! I just read Michael Julian, CPI PPS CSP's book "10 Minutes To Live." I'm a voracious reader, often reading 3james -4 books at a time. At the same time I am discerning. If the back cover or first few pages don't make me want to continue, I move on fairly quickly. As a security professional, I have a critical eye for fluff and conjecture. With this book that was not the case. After the first chapter, I reached out to several colleagues and friends and recommended it. I also recommended Michael be a guest interview on a popular survival mindset podcast. This book is well written, well researched, cited, and yet easy to read and comprehend. It isn't a stale scholastic book on concept. It is an educational, read-and-apply-NOW manual for thinking through and surviving an active shooter event. His approach goes beyond the accepted "Run, Hide, Fight" and walks the reader through a mindset approach to surviving mass killing events. Regardless of background or experience, the author's simple and direct approach speaks volumes to the reader. The book is a must-read for security professionals and loved ones alike. It helps explain why and how mentally preparing now is simple survivability insurance in both corporate and personal settings. Well done! I look forward to more.
Randy Ontiveros
Excellent reading, very helpful and I would recommend to anyone who has thought "What would I do if a shooter appeared out of nowhere?" A box of rocks on each student's desk is not a solution. Read Michael's to find a better way.
Carl Scala
Great information geared towards surviving an active shooter/active threat situation - A very good read in explaining how to survive an active shooter/active threat situation for the novice. Having years of experience from the military, law enforcement and now Executive Protection, Mr. Julian breaks down the information in a very easy way so that it may open the reader's eyes to be more situationally aware. With all of the past decades of mass threat incidents, I highly recommend this book. It may just save your life.
Richard Marruffo
Great book!!! - Very well written and easy to read. Fantastic information and really hits home. I also highly recommend the Surviving an Active Shooter course taught by Mr. Julian!
Cynthia C.
Michael gave lots of very helpful tips on how to recognize a potential active shooting situation and the steps to take following. He also gave educated advice on what to do in every possible situation you could possibly find yourself in in several different scenarios. This course has been very helpful!
Christine Drawdy
Do not sub-contract your own security - Excellent read on action to take to survive an Active Shooter situation.


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"As a retired 32 year law enforcement veteran, with several years of SWAT and tactical experience, I learned some different unique perspectives as it pertains to civilians dealing with active threat situations. Very good class for civilians who may have never experienced reacting to a life and death stressful situation."
- Christopher C.

A.L.I.V.E. STANDS FOR:


Assess

Assess the situation quickly


Leave

Leave the area if you can


Impede

Impede the shooter


Violence

Violence may be necessary


Expose

Expose your position carefully for safety

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MICHAEL JULIAN

Creator of A.L.I.V.E.

A.L.I.V.E., which stands for Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, and Expose, was created in 2014 when Michael began teaching his Active Shooter Survival philosophy throughout the United States. His book on the subject, 10 Minutes to Live: Surviving an Active Shooter Using A.L.I.V.E. was published in 2017 and the online version of the A.L.I.V.E. Training Program was launched in 2019 and is now part of the corporate security training program for companies throughout the world.


Michael Julian - Creator of A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training

Why A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter
Survival Training Program?

The A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training Program is a comprehensive training program designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive an active shooter incident. Its emphasis on situational awareness and decision-making makes it a practical and effective approach to active shooter situations. By empowering individuals to take proactive measures to protect themselves and others, the program can help prevent tragedies and save lives.


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