How can I tell when a crowd is becoming dangerous?

Crowd density can shift in seconds, and by the time a situation starts to feel risky, the crowd already may be packed too tightly for an individual to leave. But there are some subtle danger signs. If the crowd is moving, then slows, that’s a sign that density is increasing, said G. Keith Still, a visiting professor of crowd science at the University of Suffolk in England. Listening to crowd sounds is important. If you hear people complaining about discomfort and cries of distress, it’s a signal that things are getting out of control. And pay attention to your instincts. Several people at the Seoul event noted feeling like the situation was becoming unsafe and left. Once the crowd density begins to exceed about five people per square meter (about 11 square feet), the situation is potentially dangerous, said Martyn Amos , a crowd expert and professor of computer and information sciences at Northumbria University. (Crowd experts have estimated, based on video footage, that there were about eight to 10 people per square meter in the Itaewon tragedy.) While it may be difficult to gauge the crowd density, you will notice when you’re starting to feel confined, which means it’s time to leave. “As soon as you feel like you’re losing autonomy, that’s the key,” said Amos. “It’s when you start to get in a situation where your movement is not your own, and you’re at the whim of physics. It becomes very difficult for you to move independently. If you can, remove yourself. Keep your eyes open and look for the most obvious escape route.”

What should I do if I’m stuck in a crowd crush?

Once the crowd stops moving, your priorities should be to stay on your feet, keep your arms from being pinned by your side, protect your chest and conserve oxygen. To stay on your feet, you need to brace yourself but also move with the crowd rather than push against it. Dense crowds can surge, ripple and move in waves. “Go with the flow,” said Amos. “It’s tempting to resist the flow or pressure of the crowd, but you’re not likely to win against a mass of humanity.” Keep your feet in a boxer-like stance, with feet apart, one foot in front of the other and knees slightly bent, said Paul Wertheimer of Crowd Management Strategies, a Los Angeles crowd safety consulting service. It’s important to keep your hands up. Once crowds get packed too tightly, your hands can be pinned by your side. Use your dominant hand to grab your opposite forearm, which creates a sort of shield in front of your chest with your elbows as a brace against other bodies. This will help protect your chest and maintain a breathing zone. If you have a backpack, turn it forward over your chest, said Wertheimer. Short people are at higher risk of restricted oxygen than tall people. Don’t bring children into crowds, but if it happens, put them on your shoulders or hold them and have them wrap their legs around your waist. Don’t try dragging them by the arm. Shouting is a waste of energy and oxygen. Experts note that most crowd crushes are relatively quiet as people work together and try to help each other. Stay calm and keep your head up for maximum air. If you drop your phone or any other item, let it go. Once you bend down to pick something up, you’re unlikely to get back up. If you fall or trip, try your best to get on your feet, but if you can’t, your odds of surviving are best if you go into a fetal position on your left side and protect your head. You’re most vulnerable if you’re on your back or your stomach.

How do people die in crowd crushes?

Many people who die in crowd events aren’t killed by trampling or a stampede. Some people struggle to breathe and lose consciousness while they’re still standing up; others faint and fall to the ground. A common cause of death in crowd disasters is compression asphyxia, which means you’re packed in so tightly your lungs can’t expand inside your chest. It takes about six minutes of pressure to go into compressive or restrictive asphyxia, said Still. Crowd experts often compare the forces in a dense crowd to the movements of the ocean. In a densely packed crowd, physical interactions between people create forces that are transferred from one body to another. The result can be uncontrollable waves and swirls of motion called “crowd turbulence" or “crowd quake" that can cause people to stumble and fall. When one person falls, it can create a domino effect and people in the pile up may suffocate. Those who escape may succumb to their injuries later. Some people will have broken ribs and fractures or spinal cord injuries. Organ damage, particularly to the lungs and heart, as well as internal bleeding or muscle damage can also occur. People in crowd crushes say the pressure can cause limbs to go numb. The resulting muscle damage can lead to a life-threatening condition that occurs when muscle tissues release proteins and electrolytes into the blood, damaging the heart or kidneys.

Is it safe to help others during a crowd crush?

Your chances of survival improve if those around you also stay on their feet. When one person falls, it can trigger a dangerous crowd collapse, essentially a domino effect when people fall onto each other. If someone around you trips or falls, do your best to help them up. “It might not just help their chances but your chances as well,” said Amos. “A crowd crush isn’t a battle. It’s in everyone’s interest for everyone to make it out alive. If someone trips and falls, try and help them. Apart from saving their life, you may have prevented a crowd collapse.”

Is there a way to plan and lower my risk if I’m attending a crowded event?

One of the most practical things you can do is wear sensible shoes when you plan to be in a crowd. Staying on your feet is essential to surviving dangerous crowd conditions. People often step on each other, so wearing sturdy shoes can protect your feet and improve your stability. Situational awareness is key. If you’re in a crowded club or an indoor or outdoor concert venue, be aware of all the exits, not just those closest to you. During the Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, R.I., there were multiple exits, but people surged toward the main exit, resulting in a crowd crush that left people trapped. “The conventional knowledge is to take the exit closest to you to get out, but that doesn’t work if everyone else is doing that, too,” said Wertheimer. For outdoor events, look at a map before attending so you are aware of potential escape routes, side streets and “choke points,” such as narrow streets or dead ends that you want to avoid. At concerts, events with assigned seating are typically safer than standing room only or “festival” seating, said Wertheimer. Use what Wertheimer calls “pre-visualization.” Ask yourself, “What if crowds get out of control, a barricade collapses, a shooting occurs? What will be my response?” said Wertheimer. “Where are the exits, the fire extinguisher, or safe haven?”

Where is the safest place to be in a packed crowd?

Every crowd is different, and experts say that people trapped in the Itaewon tragedy didn’t appear to have many options because of the narrow streets and densely packed crowds. But in general, it’s better to be on the periphery or back of the crowd than in the front or the middle. At concerts, people near the stage or barriers can be at risk of being crushed as the crowd surges. People in the middle may feel pressure from both the front and the back. Your best chance may be to try to move diagonally so that you aren’t moving against the crowd but you’re moving toward the edge of it. “The problem with crowd crushes is you only have a very limited range of visibility,” said Amos. “You have your own view. You don’t have a drone-style view, and at the street level it’s incredibly difficult for individuals to anticipate crushes until they are in them.”

How to survive a crowd crush and why they can become deadly

Staying on your feet, keeping your arms free and helping those around you are all ways to improve your chances of getting to safety

By Tara Parker-Pope

October 31, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EDT

South Korean fans enjoy a May 2022 concert by singer and producer Psy at an outdoor venue at Korea University in Seoul. (Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images)

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8 min

Crowded events like the Seoul Halloween gathering can go from fun and celebratory to frightening and dangerous in a manner of minutes.

An event known as a crowd crush in Seoul’s Itaewon neighborhood caused more than 150 deaths. Experts in crowd management say that public safety officials and event organizers should be held responsible for keeping people safe at large events. But once a risky crowd situation starts to develop, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and improve your chances of survival.

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How to survive a crowd crush and why they can become deadly

Staying on your feet, keeping your arms free and helping those around you are all ways to improve your chances of getting to safety

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