What is a fatal funnel?

• A. Doorways, windows, hallways, and stairways in which you should only be in for minimum amount of time.
• B. A long corridor designed for rapid movement.
• C. A tactic to improve stealth during entry.
• D. A clearance procedure for open spaces.

Answer: (A)

A fatal funnel is a chokepoint in a building where movement is restricted and a defender can concentrate fire. Doorways, windows, hallways, and stairwells become high-risk spots because you’re exposed to multiple angles and have limited room to maneuver. The danger comes from being visible and vulnerable while you’re squeezed through these confined spaces, often with limited cover and no easy retreat.

That’s why the best approach is to pass through these areas quickly and decisively, minimizing the time you spend in them. Plan the entry, keep teams moving with purpose, stay tight to cover, and avoid lingering in the doorway or hallway where you can be targeted. Effective coordination helps prevent bottlenecks and reduces exposure, turning a potential deadly moment into a controlled, safer passage to the next stage of the operation.

The other options don’t fit because they describe general corridors or tactics that aren’t about the specific risk of exposure in confined passageways, or they refer to stealth or open-space clearance, which are not what a fatal funnel denotes.