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Insight from the FBI on surviving an active shooter

It can happen anywhere, anytime, and without warning. If a gunman stormed your building ... do you know what to do?

(The training videos used in the above report are graphic and violent in nature, but designed to keep you and your family alive.)

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - On average, there are 20 mass-shootings a year in the United States, but how prepared are you if you found yourself in the middle of one?

FBI supervisory special agent Brady Finta said having a plan could save lives. 

"I think people just need to deal with the hard facts, that this is our world, that these things do happen, and they actually could happen to you or your family," he said.

Agent Finta said just taking a few moments to think about possible escape routes will allow your brain to function more quickly in a crisis.

"Everywhere I go, I do judge time and distance on exits, how many people are in the room, where the potential threats might be, and most importantly where my family is. All I do is create a very quick mental plan for what I would do. Your response time and ability to react to a very, very stressful situation, will be much much faster, sometimes five-times faster if you've actually planned on what you're going to do," he said.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have endorsed the run-hide-fight strategy featured in public service videos.

"If you can, get out. The best thing that you can generally do for an active shooter is create distance," said agent Finta. 

If you can't escape, then hide. If that is not possible, your last resort should be to fight.

"Maybe your running, your hiding, your fighting only has to last two minutes," said agent Finta. 

Agent Finta is part of an FBI team that conducts active shooter training sessions for law enforcement officers across the country.

Their tactics are designed to protect the public, but before law enforcement arrives on scene, it's up to you to protect yourself.

It could mean the difference between life and death.

One of the public service videos used in the report was funded by the Department of Homeland Security, the other was put out by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

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