How To Be a Resilient Transit Rider

As you all have probably heard,

Female suicide bombers set off huge explosions in two subway stations in central Moscow during the Monday morning rush hour

If you’re like me you may have wondered, “How would I handle something like this?” We’ve pulled together a bunch of sites that can help you be prepared for the smartest possible reaction to an event like this.

Our government holds frequent drills to test their own responses – one happened over the weekend right here in Washington, DC:

The Washington-area subway system — the second biggest in the United States — already had scheduled a drill Monday to practice emergency responses to a bus explosion. This past weekend, Metro conducted a drill that simulated mass casualties in two busy, below-ground subway stations.

But what can you do as an individual? Staying informed is the best way to train your brain to handle emergencies well – both during and after. Here are a few links to get you started:

• Practice our general preparedness advice: get a kit, make a plan, and stay informed
• Federal Transit Administration Emergency Management plans
• Read the safety guidance on your local transit system (evacuation routes, etc)

Resources:

• American Red Cross Preparedness Fast Facts
• Amanda Ripley:  a longtime TIME Magazine contributor, has traveled the world studying disasters, natural and manmade. Her book, The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes — and Why, is the first major book to explain how the brain works in disasters — and how we can learn to do better.