YOU ARE YOUR OWN FIRST RESPONDER As we note in news reports, you cannot hope for help from bystanders if you’re being attacked. A phenomenon called Bystander Effect states that the more bystanders there are, the lower the probability any of them will help. That’s because to each bystander, a larger crowd implies wider approval for not helping. Bystanders just stand by. You are your own first responder. Prepare accordingly.