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| How do you prevent being trampled in a crowd? |
Crowds killed at least 151 people during Halloween celebrations in Seoul (the death toll had risen to 156 as of Nov. November marks the one-year anniversary of Houston's Astro World Music Festival , the day 10 people died and hundreds were injured at a Travis Scott concert; earlier this month, an Indonesian football match The stampede killed more than 100 people .
Clifford Stott, professor of social psychology at Keele University in the UK and an expert on crowd behavior, said that while such examples have drawn a lot of attention, such "incidents are very rare". He also said: "The likelihood that people will find themselves in a situation that could lead to an accident like this is low."
Even so, experts say there are some simple strategies that can help you stay safe in crowded situations. "It doesn't matter if you're big or small, strong or not," says Los Angeles-based crowd safety expert Paul Wertheimer. "If you're caught in a crowd, everything is out of your control." Here's what you need to know.
What to do before going to a crowded event
Do some research on the activity - and make sure the kids know about it too.
Most organized, ticket-and-display events will have a crowd safety plan, so these types of events may be a safer bet. The looser, more open street celebrations usually take fewer precautions. Standing-only events and those without assigned seating tend to be the most dangerous, Wertheimer said.
G. Keith Steele, visiting professor of crowd science at the University of Suffolk in the UK, said parents should also know what types of activities their children will be participating in. Tell children to find where the exits are and to be alert for any potential hazards, such as crowded hallways or blocked stairs.
When you first arrive at the event location, pay attention to how the event is organized.
If the entrance to an event appears to be poorly organized — for example, the security and ticketing process is confusing and chaotic — subsequent events may not be able to cope with crowds, Dr. Steele said. "If the entrance looks chaotic, I'd try to avoid high-density crowds from then on," he said. If the event has general admission and no assigned seating, you might want to find the least crowded area, he said. Even if it means standing in the back row.
Know where exits are located throughout the venue.
Wertheimer said you should look out for the exits closest to where you're sitting or standing, and as you walk throughout the venue, look for exits near venue stores or restrooms, as crowd surges can occur anywhere.
"You should keep looking around," for signs that your surroundings are getting too crowded, or that exits are too far apart, said Dr. George Champas, director of the Disaster Management and Community Emergency Preparedness Program at Northwestern Medical Group.
How do I know if things are getting dangerous?
Be aware of warning signs that crowds are becoming dangerously dense. Being pushed and shoved could be a sign that an event has become unsafe, Wertheimer said. You should also look around to see if there are crowd safety managers or security monitoring the situation; if no one is around, this could also be a sign that the situation is unsafe.
"When you feel a crowd huddle -- that is, when you feel your personal space is crowded -- it's a sign that you're better off moving to another location rather than waiting for things to get worse," said University of West Florida crowd management expert Adjunct Professor Jill Fried said. For example, while watching a concert in the front row close to the stage is a joy, the back row may be less crowded and safer.
what to do if crowd jostling occurs
Stand like a boxer.
Bring your arms across your chest to create more space between you and the person in front of you, says Wertheimer. Standing like a boxer with one foot in front of the other will give you more stability and better absorb pressure from someone pushing you, he suggests. You also want to keep your knees flexible so your body is not stiff and can move.
If you drop something, don't try to pick it up.
Even if you drop your phone, don't bend over to reach it -- you may not be able to get back up, says Wertheimer.
Don't scream.
You want to conserve oxygen, and yelling — even to ask for help — in a large crowd can be futile, Wertheimer said. And, since the air in a crowd is often hot and stuffy, head up for more fresh air.
If you fall, lie on your side.
Stand still, but if you fall, try lying on your left side to protect your heart and lungs, says Wertheimer. If you're lying on your stomach or back and someone falls on top of you, there's a chance you could get pressure on your chest, he said.
Get off the edge of the crowd.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you walk diagonally to the edge of a crowd when the movement of the crowd has stalled. But the agency advises against fighting the power of the crowd.
While crowd surges are rare, seemingly safe environments can quickly become unsafe. The best strategy, experts say, is to go to events with a worst-case scenario plan and to remain aware of your surroundings.
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