Michael Turner
I will not provide instructions, schematics, materials lists, timing methods, or operational steps related to explosive or incendiary items.
If there is an immediate threat or a suspicious object: move away to a safe distance, keep others clear, and do not touch or disturb the item.
Call local emergency services and law enforcement, give an exact location, describe visible characteristics, and report any nearby people or vehicles. Follow directions from trained responders.
For lawful research, historical context without procedural detail, legal ramifications, or official emergency procedures, I can supply non-actionable summaries and references. If there is risk of harm to yourself or others, I can also provide crisis support contacts and guidance on seeking help.
Respond to a suspected explosive device in a personal bag
Move to a safe distance immediately (minimum 100 m) and call emergency services from a secure location.
Do not touch, move or cover the item. Mark the discovery point visually from where you stand without approaching it. Keep bystanders away and prevent re-entry to the area until trained responders arrive.
Initial actions for bystanders
Avoid using radios, mobile phones or other transmitters near the item except to contact emergency services. Provide the dispatcher with precise location, a short physical description (size, color, visible attachments), whether any sound or smoke is present, time of discovery and the number of people nearby. Establish a perimeter of at least 100 m, using natural barriers or vehicles as shields if no official barrier is available. When evacuating people from nearby structures, use stairs not elevators and direct evacuees on pathways that move away from the item.
After first responders arrive and if an incident occurs
Comply with all instructions from law enforcement and bomb technicians; avoid interfering with cordons or scene management. If an explosion causes injuries, call for medical teams, apply direct pressure to severe bleeding, and provide chest compressions if an unresponsive victim is not breathing and you are trained to perform CPR. Preserve any eyewitness observations (times, sounds, people seen near the item) and report them to investigators; do not handle or move debris or personal effects.
Do not attempt to investigate, disable or transport the item yourself; leave technical assessment and neutralization to qualified teams.
Identifying suspicious visual and sensor cues on a carrying pack from a distance
Maintain a standoff of 50–100 meters and do not approach; keep bystanders away and relay exact location (GPS coordinates or clear landmarks) to emergency services or security control.
Visual indicators to note without closing distance: exposed or bundled wiring visible through seams, taped or non-factory adhesive patches, external battery packs or loose cells, small electronic modules or displays, unusual switches or knobs, asymmetrical bulges or hard objects creating an odd silhouette, scorch marks or melted areas, fresh stains or chemical discoloration, unsecured straps or attachments that look recently added, and placement in atypical locations (beneath benches, inside trash receptacles, left in transit corridors). Record color, approximate size and shape, and any labels or markings.
Sensor-type indicators observable remotely or via installed systems: localized thermal hotspots inconsistent with surrounding objects on fixed thermal cameras, intermittent mechanical noises audible at distance (ticking or faint motor sounds) detected by CCTV audio, persistent radio-frequency emissions picked up by monitoring equipment, and distinct metal-dense signatures on perimeter metal sensors. Note the sensor type reporting the anomaly and timestamp.
Document observations systematically: time and date, precise position and orientation, estimated dimensions, visible components (wiring, power source, enclosure type), observable behaviors (vibration, heat, smoke, vapor), nearby pedestrian flow and any recent interactions. Capture photos or video from a safe vantage; avoid moving closer or altering the scene and avoid using devices that could interfere with remote sensors.
When contacting responders, provide the checklisted details above plus any CCTV camera IDs or vantage points that show the item, last-seen direction of movement if applicable, and number of people in proximity. Limit actions to observation and reporting; do not touch, cover, open, or attempt remote interference with the object–leave further assessment to trained specialists.
Immediate bystander actions: distance, concealment, and moving others away from a suspicious bag
Move everyone to a minimum standoff of 100 meters (330 ft) immediately; if the scene is indoors or contains dense population, expand the distance toward 300 meters (1,000 ft) and pull people laterally off the expected blast axis.
Use loud, single-step commands from a safe distance: “Back away now – keep moving!” designate one speaker to avoid confusion, and use a phone on speaker or a megaphone to project voice through noise.
Create a perimeter that prevents re-approach: place visible barriers (chairs, tables, a line of people at arm’s length) and instruct staff to block doorways. Do not form a tight crowd; spread evacuees into a wide arc to reduce concentration of fragments.
Seek physical cover rather than concealment behind glass or lightweight walls. Prefer substantial barriers: concrete columns, thick masonry, vehicle engine blocks. If no solid cover exists, lie face-down with hands over the back of the neck and keep the face turned away from the object.
Move children and impaired individuals with prioritised, controlled motions: carry small children piggyback or cradled, support older adults under the shoulders, reverse wheelchairs out slowly rather than turning through the scene. Maintain roughly 2–3 meters (6–10 ft) spacing between people during movement to avoid clustering.
Stop anyone attempting to retrieve personal items such as a red flower or a pink wine; instruct them firmly to leave possessions behind and direct them to the nearest clear zone. Keep the cleared area secured and hand control to arriving emergency personnel for further action.
What exact information to report to emergency services and communicating it clearly
Provide precise location first: full street address, nearest cross-street, building name, floor/unit number, and GPS coordinates if available.
Priority information (state in this order)
- What you observed: “unattended bag” or “suspicious package” and a one-line physical summary (item type, color, approximate size in centimetres or comparison object).
- Exact location (address, cross-street, entrance, floor, landmark) and time first seen (HH:MM, local time).
- Visible hazardous indicators: exposed wires, timer or clock display, battery pack, leaking liquid, smoke, odor (chemical/gas), ticking, visible damage.
- Number of similar items or multiple containers at the site.
- People: count of people immediate to item, injuries, or anyone acting unusually; whether area is crowded or empty.
- Your contact information: name, phone number, whether you can remain at a safe distance to give updates.
Clear communication rules
- Speak slowly and use short sentences. Give one fact per sentence.
- Repeat the exact address and spell any uncommon names or numbers when asked (A as in Alpha, etc.).
- Quantify rather than qualify: say “red duffel bag, 60 x 30 x 25 cm” instead of “large red bag.”
- Avoid assumptions about contents; say “I do not know what is inside” if uncertain.
- If you have photos taken from a safe distance, state “I have photos” and ask for the preferred method to send them; do not volunteer to take new images if it requires approaching.
- If conditions change, call back immediately with the update and reference your earlier call: give time of first call and your name.
- Stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you otherwise and follow any instructions they give; confirm receipt of key facts before ending the call.
Suggested concise opening line for the call: “Emergency: unattended suspicious bag at [address]; visible features – [color], [size], [hazard indicators]; observed at [time]. My name is [name], phone [number].”
Rapid evacuation of a small venue to reduce blast and fragmentation hazards
Move occupants immediately to pre-selected assembly points positioned laterally off the suspected device axis, targeting a minimum standoff of 100–200 meters and behind solid mass (concrete walls, earth berms, parked heavy vehicles) where available.
Sequence and crowd flow
Assign one clear leader per 25 people to direct egress, close doors behind groups, and prevent re-entry. Use sector-based clearance: evacuate one zone completely before releasing the next to avoid cross-flow; lead persons should maintain 3–4 m spacing between individuals to reduce trampling risk and allow mid-route shielding. Prefer brisk walking over running to lower fall injuries.
Mark two evacuation corridors: primary (widest, obstacle-free) and secondary (alternate if primary is blocked). If corridors converge, stagger release times by 10–20 seconds to keep movement unidirectional and prevent bottlenecks.
Protection, placement, and post-evacuation control
During movement, keep faces turned away from the device axis and use available hard cover at right angles to the device location; glass facades and open vehicle bays offer no reliable protection. If terrain permits, move to lower ground behind mass rather than into exposed open areas.
At assembly points conduct a rapid headcount (name or tally) and keep groups grouped by original sector. Designate one communicator to relay confirmed occupancy and scene access details to responders. Prevent anyone from approaching the scene; maintain cordon lines at a minimum radius equal to the chosen standoff. For weather or mobile-phone needs, an unrelated item such as a best phone umbrella can be used without returning to the hazard area.
First aid priorities for blast: bleeding control, airway and shock management before EMS arrival
Control life‑threatening hemorrhage immediately: apply direct pressure; if bright red spurting or blood soaks through dressings, place a commercial tourniquet 5–7 cm (2–3 in) proximal to the wound and tighten until bleeding stops, then note the application time on the patient or clothing.
Bleeding control
Expose the wound quickly, remove gross contaminants, and compress directly for at least 3–5 minutes. Use a hemostatic dressing if available and maintain firm pressure. For limb wounds uncontrolled by direct pressure, use a tourniquet as above; do not loosen once applied. For junctional (inguinal/axillary) or neck bleeding where a limb tourniquet cannot be placed, pack the wound with gauze or hemostatic material and hold continuous pressure. Expect rapid blood loss: 500–1,500 mL can produce signs of hypovolemia; an arterial bleed can exsanguinate in minutes.
Airway and breathing
If the casualty is unresponsive and breathing, place them in a lateral recovery position unless there is suspicion of spinal injury; if spinal injury suspected, maintain manual in‑line stabilization and perform a jaw‑thrust without head tilt. Clear obvious airway obstructions (blood, vomit, large debris) with suction or finger sweep only if visible. If not breathing, begin chest compressions and ventilations per local CPR protocol immediately. For penetrating chest wounds with sucking chest signs, apply an occlusive dressing taped on three sides to reduce pneumothorax progression.
Treat shock concurrently: keep the casualty supine, elevate legs ~30° only if no pelvic, hip, or spinal injury suspected, maintain normal body temperature with dry blankets, and limit movement. Give high‑flow oxygen if available. Do not give oral fluids to an unconscious or confused patient. Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and mental status every 5 minutes; escalating tachycardia, falling systolic pressure, or altered consciousness indicate major hemorrhage and need for urgent extrication and rapid transport.
| Priority | Immediate action | Target timeframe | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massive hemorrhage | Direct pressure → hemostatic dressing → limb tourniquet if uncontrolled; record time | Apply within seconds–minutes | Gloves, gauze, hemostatic dressing, commercial tourniquet, marker |
| Airway | Open/clear airway; jaw‑thrust for suspected neck injury; CPR if absent breathing | Immediate (seconds) | Suction, pocket mask/BVM, oxygen if available |
| Breathing / chest injuries | Assess for tension pneumothorax signs; seal open chest wounds with occlusive dressing | Immediate assessment; interventions within minutes | Occlusive dressing, adhesive tape, monitoring |
| Circulation / shock | Control bleeding, supine position, raise legs if safe, keep warm, rapid reassessment | Ongoing; reassess every 5 minutes | Blankets, monitoring device, oxygen |
| Handover | Report interventions, tourniquet time, vitals, responsiveness to EMS | On EMS arrival | Written note or verbal report |
Preserve the scene and evidence for EOD and law enforcement after evacuation
Do not re-enter the exclusion zone; hold the perimeter, control all access points, and maintain a written access log until explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) or law enforcement takes command.
Immediate perimeter and access control
- Establish a physical exclusion zone using tape, cones, vehicles or natural barriers. Typical initial distances range from 100–300 m depending on location and density; only responding specialists may alter the zone size.
- Post identified staff or responders at all access routes with clear instructions: no entry without authorization, no moving of objects, no vehicle passage through the cordon.
- Designate one controlled entry/exit point; keep it locked/monitored and record name, agency, time and purpose for every person who crosses.
- Prevent cleaning crews, maintenance staff, contractors and media from entering the scene or disturbing potential evidence.
- Preserve utilities and environmental controls: do not switch off lighting, HVAC or power to surveillance systems without explicit direction from responding authorities.
Documentation and evidence preservation checklist
- Photograph and video from outside the cordon: capture wide context shots, then medium and closer images from safe stances; include fixed reference points (doors, signs, furniture) and note camera position and time.
- Record time stamps for: evacuation order, establishment of perimeter, first notification to police/EOD, and arrival times of responding units.
- Log witness details: full name, contact information, exact location at time of discovery, time of observation, and a short written statement signed and dated.
- Note environmental and scene conditions: weather, lighting, crowd density, any obstacles, and whether items were moving (e.g., blown by wind) before cordon placement.
- Mark locations of objects or traces from outside the cordon using flags, cones or numbered placards; avoid touching or relocating anything.
- Preserve electronic evidence: identify CCTV cameras, DVR/NVR locations and owners, record footage time ranges, and request that systems remain powered and footage not be overwritten. Provide system access details to arriving investigators.
- Maintain a single, written chain-of-custody log for any material removed at direction of authorities: item description, who removed it, reason for removal, time, and destination.
- If items were displaced during evacuation, document their original positions as reported by witnesses and note any observed handling prior to cordon establishment.
- When EOD/police arrive, meet them at a prearranged point outside the cordon; deliver access logs, photos, witness statements, CCTV details, keys, and venue plans.
- Assign a single contact from venue/staff to remain available for follow-up questions; do not escort responders into the inner scene unless explicitly asked and cleared by command.
