The deadly shooting at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration this month and several other mass violence events around the world have left many Australians asking what they should do if violence breaks out around them

At about 6:45pm on December 14, two gunmen opened fire during the Hanukkah celebration, Chanukah by the Sea. The attackers, a father and son, killed 15 people, while dozens of others were injured and taken to hospital.

A day earlier in the United States, two students were killed and nine other people were injured when a gunman entered an engineering building during final exams at Brown University on Rhode Island. 

A few days later, a knife and smoke-bomb attack unfolded near a train station in Taipei, Taiwan. A 27-year-old man attacked people near Taipei Main Station and in a nearby busy district, killing four people and injuring others before dying during the incident. Many onlookers reportedly stood by and filmed the fallout on their phones.

The incidents have left many asking a confronting question: If faced with a sudden outbreak of violence, what should they do to stay safe and maximise their chances of survival?

While such deadly incidents remain rare in Australia, experts say mental preparedness can make a critical difference.

"Give some cognitive attention to the possibility that something like this might happen," said Nathan Mullins, a former Australian Defence Force commando and Victoria Police officer. 

"You can plan things like your escape routes in advance."

Survival rule number one: escape quickly

Mr Mullins has worked in high-risk environments around the world, including being deployed in Afghanistan, and has faced terrorist threats firsthand.

He said the only real way to protect yourself in such critical moments was to escape.

"As soon as you hear gunshots, the first thing you want to do is assume it is something dangerous and leave the area, " he said.

According to advice from Australian National Security (ANS), "escape" means to move "quickly and quietly" away from danger.

"If a safe route is available, it's important to leave the area immediately, taking a phone only if it's easy to reach and leaving everything else behind," an ANS guide reads.

"You can encourage others to come along, but you shouldn't slow things down by hesitation, and warning people away from the area should only happen if it doesn't create extra risk."

Mr Mullins suggested that people should move in a way that kept objects between themselves and the attacker, and get out of the line of sight as quickly as possible.

"Put as many objects and as much distance as possible between you and the danger," he said.

Experts say one of the biggest mistakes people make during mass attacks is not reacting at all. (ABC News)

Mr Mullins said those obstacles did not have to be bulletproof. 

At places like beaches or on city streets, trees, cars, signs, benches and bins can all help by blocking an attacker's view.

"Anything you can have between you and violence is a good thing,"

he said.

Mr Mullins added that it was not always necessary to take high heels off when running.

"If taking them off helps you move faster, do it. If keeping them on works better for you, keep them on," he said.

How and where should I hide?

If you cannot get away completely, hiding may be the next best option.

The ANS guide said people should stay out of the attacker's sight and silence their phones.

Mr Mullins added that the safest option was solid, bulletproof cover such as a thick concrete wall.

"If someone is outside with a gun, they can't penetrate that wall," he said.

If you are in immediate danger, and it is safe to do so, call Triple Zero (000) for help. (ABC News: Baz Ruddick)

He suggested the next best option was finding something that could not be seen through.

Opaque materials that blocked an attacker's line of sight could still offer protection, even if they were not bulletproof.

"Avoid glass windows, which allow attackers to see and aim at you," Mr Mullins said.

"Attackers usually have limited time to do whatever damage they are trying to do. If they can't see a target, they often stop."

So what about cars?

Mr Mullins said hiding behind a car was reasonable if there was no better choice.

"You don't need to overthink which part of the car is 'the best'. Most parts can slow or deflect bullets to some degree," he said.

"While high-powered rifles can penetrate vehicles … many parts of a vehicle can reduce a bullet's energy. 

"If the attacker stops to reload, that moment may give you a chance to move farther away or reach better cover."

Who to call for help?

ANS advises that if you are in immediate danger and it is safe to do so, call Triple Zero (000).

If you notice suspicious behaviour or believe someone may pose a threat to the community, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

What actions can make things worse?

According to Mr Mullins, one of the biggest mistakes was not reacting at all.

"I often see people stay around when a dangerous situation is developing because they want to watch," he said.

"But as soon as something feels dangerous, when things start happening, or people start yelling, you should get away immediately."

Another mistake was trying to protect yourself with personal items. 

Bags, clothing or makeshift shields rarely helped in a real attack, he said.

"There are no items you can carry that will make a difference. The best thing you can do is leave.

"I wouldn't advise anyone to carry something specifically for self-defence. What you should carry with you is calmness, an understanding of the situation, listening to advice, and getting out of the area."

Be mentally prepared for the worst scenario

Mr Mullins said assessing your surroundings to prepare for a violent event could also be helpful.

"It can be very hard to imagine violence occurring, but some places are safer than others," he said. 

"In less safe places, you have to treat this as a real possibility, even if it's rare."

Experts advise that during a violent incident, people should remain calm, assess the situation, follow instructions, and leave the area as quickly as possible. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)

"If you're in an area that's more dangerous, perhaps because attacks have happened there before, or because the groups or locations you're visiting could be potential targets, you need to give it more thought," Mr Mullins said.

"Give some cognitive attention to the potential that something like this might happen. You can plan things like your escape routes in advance.

"The more thought you put in, the safer you will be."