What If It’s You? Why Every Bystander Needs a Plan Before a Crisis

By Jeremy Robbins, CEO of Krav Maga Maryland

We like to think that we would step up if something dangerous were to unfold in front of us. We imagine ourselves speaking up, taking control, and doing something. The reality is that most people freeze. Not because they do not care, but because they have never thought through what action would actually look like in that moment.

That is where Krav Maga Maryland began. In the inception of this company, the question was asked: How do ordinary people act when chaos strikes? The answer is not bravery alone. It is preparation. This is not about fear; it is about readiness. Whether you are a parent, a student, or a professional, being prepared means deciding ahead of time what you will do in the event of an unexpected situation.

Nobody expects to be the person in the room when something goes wrong. Until they are, if you look at interviews with survivors or bystanders after violent encounters, one of the most common statements is, “I never thought it would happen to me.” You could be in a store when a fight breaks out, at work during a lockdown, or walking to your car and noticing someone behind you. What happens next comes down to one thing: have you given it thought before?

Saying “I’d do something” is easy. Acting under pressure is not. The brain defaults to hesitation unless it has a clear next step. That pause is not a sign of weakness; it is a natural stress response. The solution is clarity. The more realistic scenarios you experience and the simpler responses you practice, the faster and more confidently you will act.

One prepared person can shift the entire room. A firm voice, a clear move toward safety, or a decisive step can snap others out of hesitation. We have seen this in classrooms, offices, and real emergencies. If you are ready, you may be the one who helps others move, too.

Preparedness does not mean running toward danger. It means making the first useful move. Lock a door. Guide people to an exit. Use your voice to interrupt a threat. Recognize danger early and leave. Call for help or create space with an object. These are not complex skills, but small, decisive actions that anyone can take when trained.

Parents, start the conversation now. Teens often face pressure or risk long before they talk about it. That does not mean something bad has happened; it means they need space to think through it before it does. Ask simple questions: What would you do if something felt wrong? Who would you call first? What if a friend didn’t feel safe? These conversations build confidence. And if you are a student reading this, you do not need to be perfect; you just need to think ahead.

Employers must see preparedness as the new standard. If you lead a team, your people assume you have a plan. They want more than a binder or a checklist that only works on paper. That is why we built our Corporate Safety Solutions program. We prepare leadership and staff to act clearly under pressure. Teams that train this way perform better in emergencies and in everyday operations.

Krav Maga Maryland was never meant to be a martial arts school. We are a personal protection and safety organization, focused on one question: are the people in front of us more prepared to act today than they were yesterday? That is our measure of success. We provide simple solutions to complex problems and practical training that prepares ordinary people for extraordinary moments.

You do not always get to choose whether you are in the room when something happens, but you do get to choose whether you are ready. You do not have to be the strongest person there, but you do need a plan. Being decisive is critical when seconds count. While I always emphasize that most people are looking for a victim, not a fight, it is essential to pay attention to the words in the previous statement, "most people". Some attackers will expect resistance, and some will welcome it. You must be prepared to give them more than they bargained for. This is where the gap between basic awareness and real preparedness shows up. When someone wants control, they are counting on your hesitation. Your job is to take that moment away from them. Stepping up, even in a small way, gives others permission to do the same. That is how leadership works and how safety spreads.