How to Stay Safe in a Crowd
Sporting events, concerts, festivals, marathon races, and other large gatherings are fun. But, each year thousands of concert- and festivalgoers are injured because of crowd problems—stampedes or even dehydration.
Crowds can be unpredictable, and their behavior can be dangerous. These suggestions from the Web site CrowdSafe can help keep you and your family safe and sound in a crowd.
Watch out for GA
Be wary of general admission tickets. If you’re sitting in outdoor or indoor general admission or “festival seating” areas, be aware you may be in an oversold, overcrowded environment. Keep your distance from the crowd and the stage, and be aware that injuries and sexual molestations are more likely to occur in the “mosh pits.”
Stay sober
If you drink alcohol at a concert or sports event, do so moderately. Staying alert and aware in a crowded place can help you notice and take action if a fire or other dangerous condition occurs.
Locate the exits
As you enter a venue and find your seat, take time to locate the closest exits and several others in case those nearest to you are blocked. Be aware that the main entry/exit will be the most crowded if a dangerous situation arises. No matter where you are, make sure you always know how to get out.
Watch the weather
When outdoors, be alert to changing weather conditions. It’s easy to become dehydrated on a hot, humid day, and sudden rain or thunderstorms can cause panic and slippery conditions among people trying to find shelter.
Protect your ears
Loud rock and roll or the roar of stock cars can damage your hearing permanently. Insert a pair of earplugs in your ears to preserve your hearing without blocking your enjoyment of the event.
Plan to meet
When you arrive at a venue, agree on a time and place to meet your family or friends in case you get separated.
Escape the crowd
If you’re caught in the middle of a moving crowd, don’t stand still or sit down because you could be trampled. Instead, move in the same direction of the crowd, but try to move sideways to the crowd movement to escape the crush.
If you fall and can’t get up, keep moving by crawling in the same direction of the crowd. If that’s not possible, then cover your head with your arms and curl up into the fetal position.
Try to stay away from walls, fences, or barricades, as crowd pressure can build up rapidly.
Leave a few minutes early
You’ll beat the crowd and get out of the parking area more quickly. If you stay to the end of an event, wait at your seat until the mass of exiting people thins out.