This is free link through the NY Times pay wall - really gob-smacked at the content
My kid’s old secondary school in London taught the same “hide in your classroom and give the shooter a target even David Blunkett couldn’t miss” drill as many US schools.
I told them to ignore that and run out the nearest fire exit, zigzagging as you go. Stay away from way from walls in corridors and if you have to group with other kids, surround yourselves with fat people as they absorb bullets and shrapnel better than thin kids.
Pro tip: If you’re going to put a NIJ Level 4 hard plate in your kids backpack, remember to put a Level 3A Kevlar panel between the hard plate and your kid as back face deformation is non-trival.
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Seems good advice - should be easier in the US
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I know you’re being tongue in cheek but I’m curious what that would weigh. I had to wear a ballistic vest in a previous job and the weight was significant. My back would complain for days afterwards.
They’ve gotten lighter over time, but a decent L4 SAPI plate and Kevlar backing is going to weigh around 4 kilos, so not ideal for a child whose skeleton is still developing to lug around.
Full mil spec body armour is still heavy, but it’s both way more breathable and modular these days. They’ve also improved how such systems fit the body, so the days of bone spurs forming under extended use are fading.
Yes, it was, especially when jumping in and out of vehicles 
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