know the signs.

it's important that you can recognize when a crowd is becoming unsafe. the most obvious way to recognize this is if you can't lift your hands up high enough to touch your face. this means the amount of people per square meter has gone past a safe level. before things get dangerous, if the crowd moves slightly and you move with it against your will, it's time to begin finding a way out because if a bigger, stronger push comes, you will be taken with it.

look around. take notice of other people's energy. are they panicked? agitated? uncomfortable? angry? afraid?

what is the situation? keep your eyes peeled on where the law enforcement is. notice their movements so you know which direction they're gonna advance from if they will start to push or pursue the protestors.

keep an eye out on your surroundings and potential ways to exit the crowd or move into a more dispersed place.

locate exits.

once you know things are getting hairy, scan the area for your best exit options and begin moving to the closest. without knowing where to move you might get lost or trapped. how many rows of people are there between you and the nearest exit/free space? take a mental note. before the shit hits the fan, you need to know which direction to head in if things become dangerous. if you get tear-gassed this might be harder, so bring protection.

protect your chest.

there's a misconception that trampling is why people die during stampedes. that happens, but the most dangerous thing isn't that.

it's suffocation.

this is caused by surrounding bodies compressing your chest so no oxygen can flow. get your arms up to your chest like you're a boxer, and use them to keep people off you to your best ability. maintain the guard and apply force with your arms to keep people at bay, and give yourself breathing room.

keep upright and move with the crowd.

this is how you prevent being trampled.

staying on your feet is easier said than done, especially if you are disoriented or afraid. waves are harsh. no matter how good and sturdy your footing is, you aren't going to be able to fight against the weight. the best way to avoid falling over is to move with the flow of the crowd, not against. the moment you feel the wave, allow yourself to move in its direction and focus on moving to the exit.

stay calm.

it takes a long time to get out, you need to keep a clear head so you can focus on protecting your chest, staying upright, and getting to the exit. if you begin to panic, you'll also start breathing faster. in a situation where suffocation is the main cause of death, staying calm will regulate your breathing and preserve your most important resource. it will also prevent your thinking from going haywire, and that is critical.

staying calm is how you stay alive.

what to do if you're knocked down:

If you do every find yourself in the worst-case scenario and are knocked over, attempt to fall in a rigid fetal position (arms over your face and chest) to attempt to make room for your lungs to breathe. this will protect your vital organs.

clench your teeth and be ready for it to get painful. you might leave with injuries, or maybe even broken bones. but there's a good chance you will survive.

help others.

finally, your own survival is obviously critical but that doesn't mean looking out for number one at all cost. in fact, the opposite is true. working together is the best way to avoid mass death in crowd crush. helping people (when you can) get off the ground, or making sure people don't fall will actually increase your chances of getting out faster, and if you fell you'd definitely want someone to help you.

remember, fascists rely on us not being there for each other. they rely on us being afraid and atomized.

if you choose to go out today, you are very, very brave and i commend you. remember what you are fighting for and stay safe.

fuck ice
anarchy will win

❤️ 🔥