Stairways usually bring to bear two conclusions. “I haven’t been killed on a stairway yet” or “Oh crap — a stairwell.” In reality, think of a stair-well as simply a hallway you might have to move through. They constrict movement and do have unsure footing. The only real quirk of stairwells are the funny corners. Those corners come in the form of overhangs, which are really simply horizontal corners.

1

The Basics

Keep your muzzle between you and what most threatens you. Don’t project yourself ahead of your eyes by leading with the muzzle, or your ability to see. If the stairwell has a landing, clear the landing area as you get closer by moving the muzzle down — but keeping it between you and the tight corner. Should a short-range fight begin, having the muzzle down is a better place to start, because your arms are stronger in an “up” motion than in a “downward.”

I’m not a proponent of the “quick peek.” I figure I paid for the ground once by sticking even a small part of my head around the corner, so I’m going to keep that ground. I break the plane with the idea the threat will be there and I’ll stay and fight. Don’t misconstrue this to mean stay there and exchange fire if you find an AK pointed at you. If you find a gun pointed at you, roll back using what little cover the wall will provide.

In my opinion the “quick peek” programs a process I compare to a yo-yo. If your head is geared to apply a peek, then you peek and find something you withdraw. You simply get to clear it again with everyone knowing you are there — and coming. In training, most people will peek, find what they’re looking for, withdraw and then almost invariably will go right back to the same place and peek again — not good.

Even with its shortcomings the “peek” could still be a viable tool if you don’t peek from the same place two or three times. If you insist on doing it, roll in with the intent there will be a threat and you’ll defend yourself — and you will win. If the corner is clear, then do it on the next corner, and the next, and the next — for the rest of your career.


Overhangs

These horizontal corners need to be addressed. Start by staging yourself on the highest step you can, without breaking the angle of the corner created by the overhang. Be careful not to expose your muzzle, elbows, legs, feet and your head. Roll out to get your first look, keeping the muzzle between yourself and what you’re about to look at. This can be awkward because you’re looking “over” your head. Get over it because it’s probably gonna get worse before it gets better.

Be very careful when doing this and think about the rest of the stairwell as you move. When you roll to clear the close overhang immediately in front of you, your head can break the plane of another angle, like at the top of a landing having stairs


Up-Stuff

Here’s where you feel the depth of the step with your foot to confirm your footing.

Remember to keep your back to a solid wall if possible, remembering not to drag yourself as you start up. If you do this you will be supplying sound as a target indicator to your possibly, very savvy opponent.

Also, as you go up, consider the top of your head can be exposed before your eyes can see the floor and length of the room at the top of the stairs. If the threat simply lies on the floor in the back of the room they’ll see your head before you can see them. As you climb, consider the floor of the room at the top of the stairs as a plane. As you approach that line you can squat lower so you don’t lead with your head as you continue.

Then, stage yourself a step or two below where your head will clear. With your weapon at the ready, stand up enough from the squat to clear the floor above. Simply climbing the stairs will provide a jack-in-the-box movement and probably not come to any good.