What do to if a crowd crush occurs
While crowd surges are rare, a seemingly safe situation can rapidly turn into an unsafe one in a matter of minutes. That’s why it’s important to know how to make your way safely through a large crowd in the unlikely event of a crowd rush.
A useful rule of thumb to know if the crowd density at an event has reached unsafe levels is if you are touching shoulders with people on both sides of you, or if you are in contact with others on multiple spots on your body.
Here’s what to do and not to do if you’re stuck in a crowd crush:
Keep your arms in front of your chest, to create more space between you and the person in front of you. Adopt the stance of a boxer, with one foot in front of the other to help you retain your balance, and absorb pressure from people pushing against you. You also want to keep your knees flexible, so that your body is not rigid and you’re able to move.
Even if your phone falls to the ground, don’t bend over and reach for it - you may not be able to get back up.
You want to save your oxygen, and yelling, even for help, is a waste of precious energy. Since air in a crowd crush tends to be hot and muggy, lift your head up for more access to fresh air.
You want to stay on your feet, but if you fall down, try to lie on your left side to protect your heart and lungs. If you’re on your stomach or back and people fall on top of you, there’s a risk that your chest could compress.
Don’t resist the force of the crowd. Instead, work your way diagonally to the edge of the crowd when there’s a lull in movement.
Locate and identify the exits.
Consider leaving the event if you suspect the crowd is getting out of control.
Avoid wearing loose clothing or accessories that could become tangled or pulled.
Wear closed-toe shoes, and ensure your laces are tied to prevent tripping.
Wear easily recognisable clothes: bright colours in a crowd is a good way to stand out and easily get spotted by your group.
Avoid standing on or near structures that could collapse.
Walk around big crowds rather than pushing through them.
Decide to leave either early or late to avoid the rush when the event is over.
If you're caught in a moving crowd, always walk sideways or diagonally.
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