What It Means to “Impede” in an Active Threat Situation

When seconds count and escape isn’t possible, knowing how to impede a threat can mean the difference between life and death. In the A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training method, “Impede” is the third step -coming after Assess and Leave – and it focuses on slowing, blocking, or stopping the attacker from reaching you or others until help arrives.

Impeding isn’t about confrontation – it’s about a strategic delay. The goal is to create barriers between yourself and the attacker long enough to survive and give law enforcement time to intervene.

What “Impede” Really Means

To impede means to delay or obstruct an attacker’s movement or line of sight. If you can’t safely leave an area, your next best option is to make yourself difficult to reach, see, or harm.

This might include:

• Locking and barricading doors
• Turning off lights and silencing devices
• Blocking entryways with heavy furniture
• Positioning yourself behind solid cover (like walls, desks, or cabinets)
• Creating multiple obstacles to slow the threat’s progress

In an active shooter or violent threat event, even a few seconds of delay can save lives.

Why Impeding Works

Active shooters are often looking for speed and visibility – they want to move quickly through spaces to cause harm before responders arrive. Every locked door, barricaded hallway, or blocked sightline increases the chance they’ll move on to another area instead of wasting time.

Data shows:
According to FBI statistics, the average active shooter incident lasts less than 10 minutes, and nearly 70% end before law enforcement can arrive. That means those on-site-employees, students, or visitors – must act immediately to protect themselves.

The ability to impede movement buys critical time for survival and for first responders to engage.

Practical Ways to Impede a Threat

You don’t need special tools or training to make a big difference – you just need a plan.

Here are effective ways to apply “Impede†in real situations:

• Lock doors immediately if possible – attackers often won’t waste time trying to force entry.
• Stack furniture (desks, filing cabinets, chairs) tightly against entry points.
• Turn off lights and silence phones to reduce visibility and noise.
• Stay low and out of sight of doors and windows.
• Use belts or cords to secure door handles if no lock is available.
• Keep quiet and remain alert for updates.

These steps transform ordinary spaces into safe zones that can protect you until the threat passes.

How “Impede” Fits Into the A.L.I.V.E. Method

The A.L.I.V.E. acronym stands for:

• A – Assess: Recognize what’s happening and make fast, informed decisions.
• L – Leave: Escape if you can do so safely.
• I – Impede: Barricade and block the attacker if escape isn’t possible.
• V – Violence: Defend yourself with commitment and force if confronted.
• E – Expose: When it’s safe, share information with first responders.

Each step builds on the other – and “Impede” is the critical pause that can keep you safe until rescue.

Training Makes the Difference

When panic sets in, your body and mind default to what you’ve practiced. Without preparation, hesitation takes over. With A.L.I.V.E. training, you’ll know exactly how to act when every second matters.

Our courses teach:

• How to quickly assess exits and safe zones
• The best materials to use when barricading
• Real-world scenarios to practice “Impede” safely and effectively

Take the Next Step Toward Preparedness

Don’t wait until it’s too late to learn what to do in an active threat situation. You can’t predict violence – but you can prepare for it.

Contact Us Today to schedule your training for your company, school, or organization.

Stay alert. Stay safe. Stay A.L.I.V.E.

About the Author

Michael D. Julian is President of MPS Security & Protection and a 30-plus-year veteran of the security and investigations industry. He served as President of the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) from 2005 to 2015 and has led executive protection, residential security, and corporate investigations engagements for Fortune 500 principals, high-net-worth families, and public figures across the United States. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.