Stampede: how do you survive and when can it be deadly?

More than 150 people were killed in a stampede in South Korea on Saturday. About 100,000 people, most of them in their teens and twenties, flocked to Seoul’s Halloween festival.

South Korea’s police chief has now admitted that his agency made obvious mistakes. Hours before the mass panic, several emergency calls had been received warning of the impending danger, national police chief Yoon Hee Keun admitted.

Authorities admit that the police response to these emergency calls was “inadequate”. We are doing everything we can to investigate exactly what went wrong. An independent investigative body is also being set up within the police for this purpose.

The incident in South Korea is reminiscent of other crowds that have claimed many lives. One of the worst occurred on September 24, 2015 near the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca. At that time, about 2300 pilgrims died in a crowd.

In such situations, knowing how a crowd ticks can be a matter of survival. But even before the escalation, there are some signs of recognizing the danger of mass panic.

1. Recognize When a Crowd Gets Dangerous

For a moment everything seems normal, shortly afterwards mass panic breaks out. But there are already signs that a dangerous situation is developing: If crowds of people are moving slower and slower, that’s a sign that density is increasing, a professor at the British University of Suffolk told the Washington Post.

You should also pay attention to the noise of the crowd. Cries of despair or people who complain loudly are serious signs that the situation is spiraling out of control. Last but not least, there is a rule of thumb for when a situation is potentially dangerous: a maximum of four people per square meter is still acceptable, anything above that becomes dangerous.

When it gets hard to judge, it’s time to leave the crowd. In the tragedy in South Korea, up to 10 people are said to have shared a square meter.

2. Prepare for the event

Being aware of the situation is fundamental. If you are participating in an event in enclosed areas, first pay close attention to where all emergency exits are located. The main exit will probably be busy. For outdoor events, it’s helpful to preview a city map in advance to remember possible escape routes, side streets, or dead ends.

Wearing practical shoes is another preparation that is easy to implement. Because the most important thing is to keep going in a crowd. People often step on each other’s feet, so sturdy shoes protect the feet and improve stability.

It’s also best to be on the edge or in the back of a crowd from the start. At the very front of the barriers or the stage there is a risk of being crushed by the crowd. If you’re in the middle, you run the risk of being harassed from the front and the back.

3. Know what to do when you’re stuck in a crowd

It only gets really dangerous when a crowd is so packed you can’t move. Then the most important thing is to stay on your feet. You must be able to support yourself in order not to fall over. You can do this by holding your arms in front of your chest to protect your chest and airways, rather than tuck them in next to you. You should always keep your hands up to protect yourself with your elbows from other bodies – but not to injure them.

Positioning your feet in a boxer-like stance is another helpful pose, according to the Washington Post. Spread feet, one foot in front of the other and slightly bent knees contribute to better stability.

Not fighting the crowd is essential for your safety. When people move in waves, you have to go with them so as not to be lifted off your feet. Even if it’s tempting, if you want to defend yourself against the pressure of a crowd, you don’t stand a chance.

If the scenario arises where you fall into the crowd, get back up right away. If you can’t be there, you have another option: Lie in a fetal position on your left side and protect your head. You are more likely to survive in the prone or supine position.

1. Shouting, getting hysterical, pushing others away

In mass panic, calm is the order of the day, which sounds paradoxical. But if you yell unnecessarily or get hysterical, you’re wasting energy and oxygen. Behaving negligently towards others can also lead to disaster. When people are already busy, a small movement can shake up the crowd and create even more pressure. When someone is knocked over, it can set off a terrible chain reaction.

2. Retrieve items

If your cell phone or other object falls to the ground during a stampede, it’s best to leave it where it is. If you try to pick something up, you probably won’t get up.

3. Take off backpack

If you are wearing a backpack, never take it off. The first instinct might be to free up space by detaching the backpack and placing it on the ground. However, this is a great danger because other people could trip over it and the situation would worsen. Experts recommend turning the backpack forward to better protect the chest.

1. Help someone who has tripped up

The priority should be to stay on your feet. If you are steadfast and do not put yourself in danger, you should try to help others. Because if someone falls, it can mean a mob collapse – which in turn is life-threatening for everyone.

2. Talking when someone lies motionless on the floor

Someone lying motionless on the ground is a danger to others because the crowd could trip and fall over them. The first thing to do is to see if the person is conscious. Approaching them and shaking their shoulders is a start. If the person still doesn’t move, check their breathing.

3. Check breathing

To stabilize the injured person’s breathing, lift the chin to open the airway. When she breathes, her chest rises or falls. You can also place a hand on your chest or a finger under your nose to feel for a warm breath.

4. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

If the person is unresponsive and does not breathe for ten seconds, they should be resuscitated using cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Do not stop until paramedics or other rescue medical personnel arrive.