What is a crush of people? How does it occur?
When people are crammed so closely together that no one can move, a crowd crush often occurs. Anywhere there are enormous crowds, such as at sporting events, rallies, and festival activities, these crushes might occur.
According to an expert on crowd safety, they also differ from a stampede, which occurs when people rush to escape a danger.
In a crowd crush, though, you get trapped.
Mass fatalities, like we witnessed in South Korea, don’t require any triggers; all you need is a big bunch of people crowded so closely together that they can’t breathe.
The excitement of something might be a trigger.
Tthe venue and its design and administration—which, regrettably, are beyond the audience’s control—are the main contributors.
According to a expert in the social psychology of crowd control, crowd crushes typically entail three factors:
- crowd overcrowding
- waves of movements in an already extremely dense throng
- crowd collapse
The effects are enhanced when there is an obstacle.
Compressive asphyxiation, which occurs when people are crushed so closely that they are unable to breathe or expand their lungs, is a common cause of death in crowd crushes.
Therefore, what safety-related preparations are possible before the event?
Research first
You should check out the venue in advance to see where it is located, how big and how the space is laid out, as well as if it is an outdoor or indoor space.
Be sure to do your homework on the event’s genre as well. The event is either sitting or standing. Who will the music and the fans be? Who knows how many people will show up? When will it end?
Instead than traveling alone, go in groups.
Go in groups and try to wear distinguishing clothes that helps everyone stand out. It’s crucial to make sure the group decides on a location to meet if they need to leave the event quickly or for some other reason.
Park as near to an exit as possible.
Parking close to an exit when you arrive at the event, even if it necessitates a longer walk to the venue where the event is being conducted. Don’t forget to take note of the car exits and your parking spot as well.
Comfortable attire is recommended.
You’ll be able to move around more easily if you wear “comfortable shoes.
Bring a lot of water with you
People frequently become dehydrated in the pit area, Fried advised, so make sure you drink plenty of fluids or request water from security.
If you plan to drink during the event, be careful to control your intake because it’s crucial to recognize how alcohol can influence both you and those around you.
When you initially arrive at the location, what are some options you have?
Find every exit in the area.
Once inside, be cautious to locate all available exits so you can quickly leave if something goes wrong.
Make a plan.
What if X or Y happens is a question you must ask yourself. Be sure to be aware of the location of the event’s exits as well as the proper time to go.
Observe your surroundings.
Be sure to pay attention to what is going on in your immediate environment. Keep an eye out for shifts in the crowd or an increase in security. Additionally, keep an eye out for any changes in the crowd density.
Avoid the densely populated places. Be mindful of the people both in front of and behind you, and move away from the area if you notice that you are starting to shuffle forward.
Avoid erecting a guardrail in front of a stage.
A customer could get trapped by the barricades and have trouble moving around. Other customers could also bump into them while they were dancing. If you don’t feel safe, tell the security guard at the railing that you want to be pulled out.
Staying near the sides of the crowd rather than the center if you want to be close to “the action” in order to avoid getting hit when mosh pits emerge or when people begin rushing forward to a stage area.
Take care when using ramps and stairs.
The standard stairs was 44 inches wide so that two persons could climb it together. But as we walk downstairs, our hip movement takes up more than 22 inches of space. This phenomena was evident on September 11, 2001, when it was difficult for people to descend the stairs and they had to move to the side to make room for firefighters to ascend.
Seek out warning signs
Chaos in the line-up for the event is a warning sign. What can you expect when you enter a venue if they couldn’t organize a simple entry system?
What should you do if you get lost in a crowd?
How you stand matters.
Stand like a boxer with one foot in front of the other to be more steady and better able to absorb pressure from individuals pushing against you.
Stand upright, feet apart, one foot in front of the other, knees slightly bent, and hands guarding chest and head. Maintain your footing solid and hold your hand in front of your chest like a boxer. Be sure to keep your balance as well.
Try to leave through the crowd’s edge.
Moving toward the sides rather than the front or the back. He advised against attempting to get back up after falling because it might not be possible. Instead, crawl to the sides.
Try to move diagonally to the edge of the crowd when there is a lull in movement, advises the CDC. The organization advised not to fight back against the crowd’s force.
Do not attempt to pick up something you have dropped.
Do not stoop down to pick up something that has dropped since you might not be able to stand back up.
The CDC advises that you protect yourself if you do fall down by “curling into a ball,” “remain calm, and stand up as soon as you can.”
To better safeguard your heart and lungs, try to lie on your left side. If someone falls on top of you while you’re lying on your back or stomach, you might not be able to breathe, which will cause your chest to constrict.
Save your breath.
Do not feverishly shout or scream in the midst of a tumultuous throng. No one may hear you, and you will run out of breath. Lifting your head upwards will provide you better access to fresh air because the air in a crush is frequently hot and sticky.
Lastly, make an effort to maintain your composure.
Try not to panic or shout; you need to conserve as much energy as you can. A crowd surge should not be fought. Try to follow it if you can.
You will be able to stand up straighter and keep some use of your hands and arms. Avoid battling the pressure waves as they surge. To survive, you’ll need all of your strength. Allow the pressure to subside. Expect to have your feet trodden on, pushed around, and twisted.