“When you feel there’s congestion — when you feel your personal space is being crowded, that’s a sign that maybe you should move to a different area and not wait for it to get worse,” said Gil Fried, a crowd management expert and professor at the University of West Florida. For instance, as fun as it is to watch a concert near the front of the stage, the back is likely to be less crowded and safer.
What to do if a crowd crush occurs
Stand like a boxer.
You want to keep your arms in front of your chest, to create more space between you and the person in front of you, Mr. Wertheimer said. Stand like a boxer, with one foot in front of the other so that you are more steady and can better absorb pressure from people pushing against you, he advised. You also want to keep your knees flexible, so that your body is not rigid and you’re able to move.
If you drop something, don’t try to pick it up.
Even if your phone falls to the ground, don’t bend over and reach for it, Mr. Wertheimer said — you may not be able to get back up.
Don’t scream.
You want to save your oxygen, and yelling, even for help, is likely futile in a big crowd, Mr. Wertheimer said. And since air in a crowd crush tends to be hot and muggy, lift your head up for more access to fresh air.
If you fall, lie on your side.
You want to stay on your feet, but if you fall down, try to lie on your left side to protect your heart and lungs, Mr. Wertheimer said. If you’re on your stomach or back and people fall on top of you, there’s a risk that your chest could compress, he said.
Exit through the edge of the crowd.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises working your way diagonally to the edge of the crowd when there’s a lull in movement. And don’t resist the force of the crowd, the agency advised.
While crowd surges are rare, a seemingly safe situation can rapidly transition into an unsafe one. The best strategy is to walk into an event with a plan for the worst-case scenario, the experts said, and then to remain aware of your surroundings.
