How To not get Ambushed on the Road
When you’re getting out of dodge or escaping a crisis, you need to be aware of one of the biggest risks when you’re in transit. And that’s the ambush. Criminals who are now preying on unsuspecting travelers to sustain themselves, who will happily leave you dead or dying on the side of the road while they escape with all your gear. The difficulty is in surviving, because ambushes by their very nature are a surprise attack, one that catches you off-guard. Of course, being heavily armed and in a defensible vehicle is a good first step, but in my opinion avoiding an ambush altogether is a better place to start.
What is an ambush attack?
Designed to take the victim by surprise, the trouble with an ambush is they can take place almost anywhere. To counter such an attack, you need to understand how the different elements work together, so you can avoid getting caught out. The first step is getting you to stop. By whatever means necessary there will be an obstacle in your path. Perhaps it’s a few parked cars crossing the road, a felled tree, or even just a person on the roadside waving you down. The goal of this initial action is to get you to stop. But not to stop just anywhere. You’re in an exposed position where your ambushers can open fire from their own defensive locations. It could be heavy wooded areas on the side of the road, large cliffs that gives them a superior position, or another tactical advantage. Finally, is the trap. This is where you’re locked into position, so you cannot escape. Maybe another tree is dropped to cut off your retreat, or other cars are driven right up behind you to lock your party in place. When you’re trapped in the fire zone, you’re in a perilous spot. Of course, surprise is the key here. It gives the attackers an edge as they can start firing before you’ve even brought your weapons up to bear. You’ll be shocked, surprised and may even freeze as it’s all going down. Exactly what the bad guys want. Here’s how to counter it.Don’t go headfirst into a trap
Have you ever done something against the feeling of your gut that something’s not quite right? That’s your intuition, and in a survival situation, you should be listening to it. If you’re approaching an area that feels a little off, or looks like the perfect place for an ambush, it may be best to simply stop, and consider your options. Perhaps it’s smarter to find another route, or if not, pay attention and look for the signs of an ambush.- Is there a road block or another obstruction in your path?
- Is there anyone acting suspiciously or erratic in your path?
- Is there someone trying to wave you down to stop?
- Is there any cover (man-made or natural) on the sides of the road?
- Are there any unnatural sounds, like gunfire or shouting?