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PrintWhat Would You Do: Surviving Big Crowds
It can happen at a football game, a concert, even a nightclub. It doesn't take much for a crowd of people to become a stampede. But what can you do to prevent yourself from getting trampled and killed? Here's seven's Charles Perez with the answers.
(WSVN) -- One minute your team has won the big game.
The next ... People are being trampled by an unruly crowd.
69 people were hurt in Madison, Wisconsin when these football fans rushed the field.
Lt. Shwartz says, "Everything went wrong here. This is the crowd mentality. Don't look at this as individuals .. look at this as one giant monster .. that is destroying individuals."
Dozens were also killed last year in chicago and rhode island in two separate nite club stampedes .. most died because they were crushed by the surging crowd.
Lt. Schwartz says, "When it happens it's like being hit by a tidal wave. The only way to protect yourself is knowing what to do ahead what you will do in that situation.
So what do you do?
Well, first no matter where you go .. the minute you find your seat .. make a plan for your whole group.
Lt. Schwartz says, "We're sitting in row 12 h ...if you look over there you'll see the exit. Now, if something goes wrong ... we're all going to go to that exit together."
In night clubs .. look for emergency exits. If something happens most people will rush for the front door.
Next ... If you find yourself caught up in a surge of people ... Don't fight it.
"You cannot beat the crowd You have to work with it. You have to find your way out of it. But you can't fight it," says Schwartz.
Instead ... Move with the crowd .. make your way to the edge ..
And whatever you do ... Stay on your feet.
So you don't get off balance, you don't fall down. Stay on your feet. know where your center of gravity is.
Because if you go down .. you often can't get back up.
So the bottom line .. if you're at a big event whether it's at an ice skating rink or a football stadium is .. pick a common place to meet. That way you can find each other if you become separated.
I want you all to meet me by the big palm tree right outside the main entrance. Or, by the car whatever you decide.
Whatever you decide make sure everyone in your group knows what the plan is.
Lt. Schwartz says, "Innocent people get crushed .. trampled ... So it's so important. Very important to be aware of your situation and have a plan."
And stay calm.
Next week, you have a poisonous spider crawling up your arm. If you swat it, it could bite you. What do you do?
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Contact: cperez@wsvn.com