What to Do If You Are Caught in a Crowd Crush

A crowd crush can generate forces strong enough to bend steel barriers — you cannot fight it with strength. Stay on your feet at all costs and keep your arms in a boxer position in front of your chest to protect your lungs and give yourself breathing room. Move diagonally toward the edge of the crowd, never directly against the flow. If you fall, immediately curl into a ball protecting your head with your arms, get onto your knees, and push yourself up using the crowd's movement. Most deaths in crushes come from compressive asphyxia — protecting your chest space is the single most important thing.