Many Self defense courses and teachers recommend calling out "fire" when attacked. As this is a potentially life or death situation, it is important to know what the evidence is, if any. What studies / experts or experiments support calling out "fire". Are they proven to be the best words to utter? And how do we know? Would "police!" be a better choice of words?
2007-11-06 18:26:31 · 6 answers · asked by aikido 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
If you yell "Police!" or "Help!" people are afraid to "get involved." But if they hear "fire," they're more likely to try to help because they're not afraid of being shot or beat up. I guess it makes sense. :)
2007-11-06 18:34:00 · answer #1 · answered by LadyLynn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about studies, but I have run with many different crowds in life. I'd have to say FIRE! will get you more help and attention than yelling RAPE! or POLICE! or even plain ol' HELP! Of all of these, I have personally seen people yell every one of these except fire as a joke. Also some circuits of people WILL NOT respond to a call of Police! for fear that they may get in trouble for whatever they're smoking, warrants, etc. I'm not 100% sure why this is, but from what I've seen, yell fire. Even if it's a crackhead who chooses to remain annonymous, they are not going to let you burn to death. Nobody wants to burn to death.. And fire also affects everyone in the building, not just the person yelling it. There's something in human nature that wants to help, no matter the situation. But some people will choose not to, if they think it's a joke or that they may get in trouble for their own dealings.
2007-11-07 02:35:52 · answer #2 · answered by krysta0204 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it stemmed from real life events in which victims were being attacked and yelling for help, but witnesses saw it but did nothing. People are more likely to act on a 'fire' request than anything that involves violence.
Another interesting issue is that of group dynamics when asking for help. In first aid, they teach you to tell a specific person to call for help, because everyone thinks the others have probably called. More info on this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect
2007-11-07 02:32:39 · answer #3 · answered by Susan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A grouo if stupid teen stoners were standing next to a 90 year old war verteran getting beat up by a robber and did nothing, if that old guy wouldve have yealled fire the teeners would put some water on him and scare away the beater,.
2007-11-07 02:30:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never seen a police man yell fire for self defense and they are professionally trained . I say this is a stupid false security .
2007-11-07 02:33:17 · answer #5 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was not aware that yelling "fire" was suggested protocol when getting attacked. Maybe it would be to alert bystanders into calling for help. Personally I plan on yelling "Don't run b***h. You'll only die tired" after I pull out my concealed PDW.
2007-11-07 02:34:56 · answer #6 · answered by repentant sinner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋