How to escape a stampede?

Stampedes or crush happen wherever the people gather in big number and the arrangements are woefully inadequate – just as in Rajahmundry.

In this Pushkara capital, there were more people and fewer barricades. The VIPs tried to hog the limelight and the pliant bureaucracy busied itself pleasing the bosses. The bar of expectation is raised by bombardment of ads, but the arrangements are abysmal.

The pilgrims, in such cases, have to fend for themselves. Here are a few tips for those in stampede like situation.

• ESCAPE ON TIME: When the going gets tough and you feel uncomfortable, try to leave the place as early as possible. While leaving, don’t try to take the same route that you have come as most people prefer the same route due to familiarity. Taking to new route, will increase your chances of survival.
• STAY ON FEET: In case you cannot leave, try to stay on your feet. If you fall down, try to get up quickly. Conserve your energy by not pushing against the crowd or by not screaming.
• PROTECT CHEST: Keep your hands close to your chest like a boxer. This protects your chest and torso and the elbows can be used to make way.
• COVER YOURSELVES: If you fall down and cannot get up, keep moving by crawling in the same direction of the crowd, or if that is not possible, then cover the head with your arms and curl up into the fetal position. Never lie on you back as this exposes your lungs.
• NO PANIC: Do not panic. It is the panic that is the real killer.
• STAY TOGETHER: If you are with your family, hold hands together. Try to hold the babies up to prevent them from being crushed.
• MOVE DIAGONALLY: If you are to move amid crowd, always move diagonally. A couple of steps sideways, wait and another few steps - that should be the best exit strategy.