Recently, in Seoul, South Korea, there was a crowd crush that killed and injured many; these people did not know that only a few moments later, their lives would be in danger.
Crowd crushes can happen at very common events like festivals or even just busy city streets. A Year 7 student at Boston High School said that they had been to a party that was overcrowded, we spoke to them about their experience.
We asked them how they felt during the party, and they said, “I felt overwhelmed because there were so many people and when I looked behind, I felt dizzy because there was a sea of heads”.
We want to ensure that this kind of tragedy doesn’t happen to you, or anyone you know, so here are some overcrowding survival tips for you. We found these expert tips from a Deputy Chief of a Fire Department in California on Abc7.com
“What can you do before you go into a crowd? Is there a way to prevent getting caught up in a surge while also enjoying the event you’re at?”
The Deputy Chief said, “The best thing you can do is to understand the event. Ask yourself – is this event well run by a reputable organisation? Is there adequate security? Plus, as you enter the event, look around to identify where the exits are, so you can get out if necessary.”
“If you find yourself in a crowd surge, what should you do?”
‘If you are in a large crowd and you notice that you are feeling really cramped to the point where it becomes hard to move and hard to breathe, you’re in a dangerous situation. Here are important survival tips to keep in mind:
· Put your arms up in front of you, similar to a boxer’s pose. This will create space in front of you to give you room to breathe.
· Stay on your feet. If you drop something, it is critical that you do not attempt to pick it up.
· Move diagonally through the crowd until you are able to reach a safer, less-crowded spot. Make sure to move in the same direction as the wave, not against it.’
Have you ever been to an event that has been overcrowded? How did you feel, and how do you think it could have been organised better? Tell us in the comments below.
Written by Chloe O and Olivia
Boston High School Newsroom
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