While there is “no golden rule,” there are best practices to help us survive when caught in a stampede.
Large gatherings are common and usually do not result in serious issues. However, if a crowd exceeds the capacity of the venue or if management is poor, chaos can ensue.
When a crowd moves in one direction simultaneously, some people may shove and trample each other. This can become extremely dangerous.
Dr. Quan Hong Duc from the Analysis Line Company discusses the causes of deadly crowd disasters and how to protect oneself if one finds themselves in a similar situation.
It is clear that in today’s world and society, people are increasingly facing a new type of disaster that occurs more frequently and has increasingly severe consequences: Deadly disasters from crowds.
A horrific stampede occurred during the water festival in Phnom Penh on November 22, resulting in at least 375 deaths (as of 6 PM on November 23). (Photo: AFP)
In such incidents, many believe that trampling is the primary cause of most fatalities. However, the reality is that the majority of deaths are due to asphyxiation.
Below is a chart detailing the average number of deaths in chaotic crowds from various events, providing readers with an objective view of this new type of disaster.
There are three main causes of death in chaotic and stampeding crowds:
- 1. Asphyxiation (the leading cause)
- 2. Excessive crushing (when crowds push against each other)
- 3. Trampling (when victims fall and are stepped on by others)
Through the analysis of recent disasters, we find that most fatalities are due to the aforementioned causes. There is very little data and reports indicating deaths from actual incidents causing disasters such as fires or explosions, as authorities typically address such causes promptly before they result in casualties. When they do occur, the number of victims is often not large.
We want you to note the first principle for self-preservation in such circumstances: controlling fear (as the thought of dying from an incident at the event can be overwhelming). Remember, authorities always prepare plans and resources to deal with unexpected incidents at events. This is a mandatory requirement in organizing large-scale gatherings.
Keep in mind: People often die from the consequences of fear, rather than from the actual cause of the fear.
To enhance your ability to control fear in a chaotic crowd at an event, you should prepare the following before deciding to attend:
- Decide on the type of event you will attend (consider the analysis of related fatalities mentioned earlier).
- Assess your health status. For example, if you have asthma, cardiovascular disease, or musculoskeletal issues, it is best not to attend the event.
- Consider the venue: indoors or outdoors. If the event is indoors, be aware of emergency exits. If outdoors, be mindful of the layout and identify locations (buildings, parks…) where you can escape the event area in an emergency. This will help you easily identify exit routes when in the crowd.
- Avoid carrying sharp objects when attending events. Sharp items can injure you if the crowd pushes and shoves.
- You should bring a mobile phone and try to maintain communication with family and friends if you are caught in the crowd. Also, remember to charge your phone before heading to the event.
- Avoid bringing children to events with large crowds.
If you find yourself stuck in a crowd that is becoming increasingly chaotic and difficult to control, what should you do?
Remember, the primary cause of death for victims is asphyxiation. Therefore, stay calm and control your fear. Keep your head up to take in more air.
You should also know that when 6 or 7 people push in one direction, the force can reach nearly 500 kg. This force is enough to bend a steel bar or topple a wall. Victims who die are often found standing. Even when the crowd disperses, they may die still standing. These victims typically die from broken ribs or internal organ damage due to crushing. Broken ribs and internal injuries occur from direct pressure on the body from the front and back. Thus, when moving in a crowd, the best posture is to move sideways to minimize pressure on your body.
To increase your chances of survival when caught in a crowd that is beginning to spiral out of control due to an incident, keep the following in mind:
- Stay calm to evaluate information about the ongoing incident (accuracy of the information, type of incident: fire, explosion, building collapse…)
- In the first few moments, do not run with the bulk of the crowd. The likelihood of getting trapped increases significantly when many people run in the same direction at once.
- Look around for the positions you have identified (such as buildings, parks… or the nearest exit) and try to move towards those locations.
- Observe your surroundings for rescue personnel or other attendees who may have more information than you. Typically, in chaotic crowds, few people pay attention to their surroundings; they only focus on where they are running. Many people know the best escape route, but few listen to them in such situations. Sometimes these individuals are in higher positions (on trees, walls…) and can observe better from there. Try to spot them and follow their guidance.
- Find a way to communicate with family and request further information if they are in a different location.
- Be aware of the direct consequences of the incident (smoke, toxic gases from a fire). Observe the direction of rising smoke to determine your path.
If you are certain you are stuck in a crowd, do not attempt to go against the flow. This will exhaust you and can easily lead to being pushed by others, causing you to fall. If you fall in a chaotic crowd, the likelihood of death is significantly increased.
It is best to move with the flow of people; let the force of others carry you along. Do not try to cut through or move against the flow. Move sideways with the crowd and stay alert for opportunities to escape.
Finally, remember that: There is only one way to escape a disaster: Calmness. Let calmness guide you to make the most accurate judgments and actions.
Dr. Quan Hong Duc – Analysis Line Company Limited states.
Be aware that there may be danger if the crowd is too dense and unusual around you.
How to Recognize Dangerous Signs in a Crowd
Once you are in a crowd and start feeling pressure, Moussaïd suggests it may be too late to act. The best thing you can do is try not to put yourself in this urgent situation. “The problem is that most people do not realize how dangerous it is. We lack a culture of awareness regarding the dangers of crowds.”
The most important advice is to be aware that there may be danger if the crowd around you is too dense and unusual.
Leave immediately if you feel the crowd is too dense.
If you start to feel uncomfortable, but you still have time and can move freely, leave immediately.
Stay steady
Keeping your feet stable is important because if you fall, it will be very difficult to get back up. When you fall, you become an obstacle for others, creating a chain reaction like a snowball effect. As a result, people push against each other, fall together, and trample one another.
Practice your breathing
Lack of oxygen is the leading cause of death in crowd surges and chaos. “The issue lies in breathing. If you can maintain enough space to breathe, you will be okay. Extend your arms straight out in front of your chest and keep them there. In this position, you will have a little space to breathe. It won’t be comfortable, but at least you’ll survive,” Moussaïd emphasizes.
Move with the crowd
In a crowd, everything follows a chain reaction. When you push those around you, they will push back. This leads to pushing and chaos escalating. If you feel yourself being pushed, don’t push back. Just move with the crowd. This is the best course of action in such a situation.
Avoid walls and hard objects
When moving with a crowd, you must also pay attention to avoid obstacles. For example, if you encounter a wall, you won’t be able to move forward and may be crushed against the wall by those behind you. This is very dangerous.
Learn to detect crowd density
Crowd density is measured by the number of people per square meter, and there are certain safety thresholds. “Under 5 people/m², things may be uncomfortable, but still fine. Over 6 people/m², it starts to become dangerous. At 8 people/m², the risk of casualties increases significantly.”
It can be very difficult to visually assess density. Moussaïd offers a tip: “If you feel people touching you on both shoulders or in several places on your body at the same time, then the density is likely around 6 people or more. If you still have time and can move, leave immediately.”
Pay attention to others
“Helping behavior can also ‘spread’ within a crowd. If you attempt to assist those around you, they will help you, or they will help others. If this spreads, it creates a positive, helpful atmosphere that makes everything less dire,” Moussaïd explains.
In relation to this, crowd safety expert Paul Wertheimer, who has written over 600 articles on the subject, has listed some best practices for surviving when stuck in a chaotic crowd.
The expert’s first piece of advice is to stand firm. If you have to walk, try to match the pace of the crowd. To keep your balance, he recommends standing with your feet staggered and “guard your hands like a boxer,” according to The Jerusalem Post.
In extremely dense crowds, this action will help protect your heart and lungs from pressures that can reach thousands of kilograms compressing your chest.
If you fall, do not lie flat on your stomach or back
If you fall, do everything you can to get back on your feet and immediately assist others who have also fallen. If you cannot stand, protect your head by hugging it with your arms and curling your legs close to your body. He emphasizes: Lie on your side to protect your most vital organs.
Stay calm, alert, and avoid screaming
Do not scream, Wertheimer stresses. No one can actually hear you, and in the event of being crushed by the crowd, yelling can lead to a loss of oxygen.
A loss of oxygen can lead to fainting. Therefore, if necessary, try to signal with your hands, communicate with eye contact, or use facial expressions.
