If you want to go out and enjoy life safely, like I encourage, you will most likely end up dealing with crowds. And even if your enjoyment is heading to the mountains were there are few people, you will still most likely be dealing with crowds at times because that’s just a part of life these days. In our fast paced lives, crowds are just about everywhere these days. Times are different than they used to be, and for some, these increasing crowds can be unsettling or scary.
That’s easy to understand when we are bombarded with angry protesters, riots, active shooters, bombings, natural disasters, and vehicle attacks, all involving crowds of people being injured and killed, constantly in our news media. I can understand why some people choose to never go places where there are crowds of people. And that’s sad, because it is limiting what those people do, and they will miss out on some things that they might otherwise really enjoy.
I want you to always be aware when you are out and about, especially in crowds, and take basic precautions, but I don’t want fear to keep you from enjoying life, or from your basic daily life activities. Here are a few strategies that can help you stay safe in crowds when things become dangerous.
Leave at First Signs Something is Not Right.
At the first sign of danger, leave the area immediately. This might seem obvious, but too many people rubber neck to get a better view to see what is happening, or worse these days, pull out their phones to video the ruckus. Getting to safety is much more important than seeing what’s going on or getting a video clip for YouTube. Especially if you are with others and are responsible for their safety too.
This means pay attention to your “gut” feelings or intuition. If you have a feeling that trouble is brewing and something bad may happen, listen to those feelings.
Remain Calm.
With any dangerous situation, or in any emergency, keeping your cool and remaining calm will help you get through it easier. And yes, this is easier said than done for some. Your adrenaline and survival instincts kick in, and you will need to remember to breathe. This is why I teach Combat Breathing (Sometimes called box breathing) in all of my programs, and wrote about it in “Survive A Shooting.” This will help you remain calm and do what you need to in order to survive. Breath in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, breath out for a count of four, and hold for a count of four. Repeat, repeat, repeat… Practice this breathing so you can use it when you need to.
Stay Together.
If you are with others, grip hands or lock elbows and stay close together. Do everything you can to not be separated. If you have a small child, hold him or her so they don’t get separated or trampled. Staying together is a priority, and finding a way to safety for all of you is your primary goal. Stay together and work together toward that goal.
Stay Out Of Riots.
In a riot situation you don’t want to take part. Don’t take sides, help out, or stand out. Try to be invisible and get away from everything as quickly as you can. Remember, your goal is to get to safety. Stay close to walls and other barriers rather than be out in the middle of the crowd. Be wary of bottlenecks, areas where many people are squeezing through a small space. That’s why it is always important to know alternative exits and escape routes.
Drive Away if in a Vehicle.
If you are in a vehicle, stay in the car and drive away as calm and controlled as possible. Try to use streets that are clear of rioting, and avoid the main streets that are congested if you can. Don’t stop, keep moving. If someone tries to block your car, lay on the horn and keep driving until they get out of the way. I don’t advocate hitting anyone, but if they do not get out of the way slowly pushing them out of the way may be your only option to continue. You will have to assess the situation you are in. Be assertive, but not aggressive, with your vehicle, just as taught in any self-defense situation.
Get Away From Riots and Dangerous Situations.
If you are on foot, get away by going with the flow of foot traffic, not against it. It is always harder to move up stream, and if you are going against the flow of traffic you are more likely to stand out, and have greater chances of being stampeded. Do everything you can not to get knocked down in a big crowd as people are killed by being trampled. You can sometimes ride along with the crowd, letting them almost carry you. Being by the walls can also help with support. Try to remain calm and work toward getting to safety without running in panic.
Find a Safe Enclosed Area.
Riots and mobs are usually outside. Finding a building you can enter can often protect you from the riot outside. If you can get inside a safe building and hide from the mob, it can keep you safe. Once inside, stay away from windows and doors. It’s preferable to move toward the center of the building away from the mob outside. Find alternative exits in case you need to escape the building. Also be aware of fire. If the building is set on fire, you will need to escape to safety.
Conclusion.
Being in a riot or angry mob can be scary and dangerous. But being in a large crowd doesn’t have to be either. Many large crowds are people having a good time, or just going from one place to another. The strategies presented here can help you stay safe if things do turn to dangerous. Be smart. Be aware. And enjoy life safely.