What is the immediate action if a grenade is thrown at you?

The immediate action if a grenade is thrown at you is to shout "GRENADE!", drop to the ground, and cover your neck. This response is crucial because it helps alert others in your vicinity about the threat, which could potentially save lives by prompting them to take cover as well. Dropping to the ground reduces your profile, making you a smaller target, and allows you to use the ground for protection. Covering your neck helps prevent serious injuries from shrapnel, which is a common cause of injury during a grenade explosion.

Other responses may seem like viable options, but they do not prioritize safety effectively. Running away may not be practical given the unpredictable nature of a grenade's trajectory and the potential for shrapnel. Throwing the grenade back could be dangerous, depending on the timing and distance, and it may be challenging if the grenade has already been thrown. Standing still and waiting for it to explode greatly increases the risk of injury or death, as it offers no means of protection.