Empowering Kids to Think, Act, and Survive — On Their Own

Introducing KIDS FIRST – the ultimate self-guided video training program designed by a father and son team!
This one-of-a-kind course features a comprehensive curriculum that teaches life-saving skills in a way kids actually understand. What sets it apart? A relatable teenager is the lead instructor — not an adult talking at them — keeping students engaged and making the lessons stick.

After years of working with schools, organizations, and individuals across the country, founder Shawn Rafferty saw firsthand how many people—even adults—still didn’t know what to do in the face of an active shooter or life-threatening emergency. That realization led to a critical question: Would the average kid know what to do if an adult wasn’t there to guide them?

That question became the driving force behind KIDS FIRST, a program built with one clear purpose: to teach children how to act independently when it matters most — because in a real emergency, an adult might not be there to help.

Whether they're at school, the mall, a friend’s house, or walking home alone, kids need to know how to stay safe, recognize danger, and make smart decisions under pressure.

That’s why FIRST stands for Focused Individual Response Survival Training — because awareness, confidence, and the ability to act decisively can save lives.
KIDS FIRST empowers children to explore the world safely, avoid danger, and take control when every second counts.


The purpose of KIDS FIRST is to foster self-reliance and confidence in kids by equipping them with essential survival skills through engaging, easy-to-understand video training. KIDS FIRST empowers children to think critically and act decisively in emergencies—without relying on adult supervision—so they can stay safe and confident in any situation.

Parents Consider This

As parents, we can't always be with our kids. They're at school, with friends, or busy with activities. We want to protect them, but we can't be everywhere. So, what happens if you're not there, and your child faces a life-or-death situation?

Let's be real: kids often think we're too old to get it. Teaching them crucial safety info can be tough when they won’t listen. That's where KIDS FIRST comes in. As outsiders, we can grab their attention. Plus, some parents might not know this info themselves. It took Shawn over 25 years to learn, and now he's sharing it.

Parents, ask yourselves: if your child faced an active shooter at school, with friends, or even with you, would they know what to do? If you're unsure, get KIDS FIRST. It can give your kids the knowledge and confidence to stay alive.

Course Curriculum

    1. Video 1 Introduction

    2. Video 2 Mindset

    3. Video 3 Situational Awareness

    4. Video 4 Observational Awareness

    5. Video 5 Things To Think About At School

    6. Quiz 1

    7. Video 6 Types of Threats

    8. Video 7 Have a Plan

    9. Video 8 Warning Signs and Clues

    10. Video 9 Body Language

    11. Quiz 2

    12. Video 10 Look for Weapons

    13. Video 11 Time and Distance are Your Friends

    14. Video 12 Where To Sit and Stand

    15. Video 13 Cover and Concealment

    16. Video 14 Power and Capabilities of Firearms

    17. Quiz 3

    18. Video 15 Stop the Bleeding

    19. Video 16 Role of First Responders

    20. Video 17 How to Call 911

    21. Video 18 When First Responders Arrive, What to Expect

    22. Video 19 Malls and Restaurants

    23. Quiz 4

    24. Video 20 Driving

    25. Video 21 Walking Outside

    26. Video 22 Riding in Elevators

    27. Video 23 Parking Lots and Garages

    28. Video 24 Added Survival and Safety Tips

    29. Quiz 5

    1. Video 1Things to Consider

    2. Video 2 Moving Down Hallways

    3. Quiz 6

    4. Video 3 Moving Around Corners

    5. Video 4 Using Stairwells

    6. Video 5 Exiting the Building

    7. Quiz 7

    1. Video 1 Things to Consider

    2. Video 2 Barricading the Door

    3. Video 3 Angle of View Versus Angle of Fire

    4. Quiz 8

    1. Video 1 Things to Consider

    2. Video 2 Exploiting Weaknesses of the Shooter

    3. Video 3 If You Have to Fight, Make It Count

    4. Quiz 9

    1. Video1 Accountability

    2. Video 2 Being Questioned By Law Enforcement

    3. Video 3 Reunification

    4. Quiz 10

    1. Session 1 Digital Practice Cards

    2. Session 2 Digital Practice Cards

    3. Session 3 Digital Practice Cards

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 38 VIDEOS
  • 10 QUIZZES
  • DIGITAL TRAINING CARDS

Pricing Options

You've got options when it comes to purchasing KIDS FIRST! Choose between paying the full price upfront or spreading the cost over three months.

How The Process Works

  • Register

    Sign-up for the course.

  • Videos and Quizzes

    Watch the videos sequentially and complete/pass all the quizzes.

  • Certificate of Completion

    A completion certificate will be provided upon viewing all the videos and successfully completing and passing all the quizzes.

  • Practice and Implement

    Learning doesn't end after completing the course. To ensure readiness and capability to act, practice and apply what you've learned.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What age range is suitable for KIDS FIRST?

    KIDS FIRST targets individuals aged 10-18. While some content is tailored to teenagers, younger children can also benefit and be able to assist adults. Although younger kids can take the training, they may require adult explanations for certain topics.

  • Why is the training called KIDS FIRST?

    FIRST stands for Focused Individual Response Survival Training. We aim for your child to act independently when necessary. There may be times when a parent, teacher, or other adult cannot assist them, and we want them to be prepared for such situations.

  • When registering for the training, should I use my name or my child's name?

    Use your child's name to ensure that the completion certificate reflects their name rather than yours.

  • How do you access KIDS FIRST and take the quizzes?

    KIDS FIRST is hosted on a site called Thinkific and can be accessed on any digital platform. While the Thinkific app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android, quizzes cannot be taken within the app due to platform limitations. However, quizzes can be completed through the Thinkific web browser, with automatic completion recognition when using the app.

  • How many videos are included in the training, and how long are they?

    There are 38 videos in total. On average, each video lasts 3 minutes, though some are 1 1/2 minutes long, while others may range from 4 to 5 minutes.

  • Does the training include any violent or bloody content?

    The training contains no violence, bloody content, or inappropriate language. The information is presented in a way that is clear and understandable, without being overly frightening or graphic.

  • Does the information in KIDS FIRST only apply when they are young?

    No, the knowledge gained from the program can be applied throughout their lives, extending beyond their youth.

  • When you start the training can you take breaks or do you have to finish it all in one sitting?

    You can pause and resume the training at your convenience. This allows your child to take as much time as they require to complete the training.

  • Are there methods available to practice with our child to evaluate their learning?

    Certainly, we've created Digital Practice Cards as additional training aids. They enable parents/caregivers or even friends to assess the child's comprehension by posing various scenarios and questions covered in the training. This helps reinforce the knowledge gained from the videos and enhances muscle memory.

Get ready to take your child's personal safety to the next level!

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