Caught in a Crowd? What Happens During a Stampede and How to Stay Safe

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Recently, we have heard the news of the Hathras stampede, where a religious gathering in India turned into a deadly stampede and more than 120 people died. This is not the first incident, many such incidents have happened before. In this article, I will explain what happens during a stampede and how to stay safe during a stampede, from personal experience.

What is a stampede?

Stampede is a fatal and dangerous condition that occurs when a crowd exceeds the limits of an area, all heading in the same direction at the same time, especially out of fear. During a stampede, people collide and stack against or on each other.

Why do Stampedes happen?

There are numerous reasons. Some of the hazards include:

• Overpopulation
• Mass panic
• Limited space
• Lack of safety precautions
• Bad infrastructure
• Ineffective management

It is often difficult to pinpoint the particular causes of a stampede. Especially after the stampede had already happened.

Examples of the largest stampedes from History:

Place	Date	People Died (Approx.)
Ivory Coast	01st January 2013	61
India	13th October 2013	115
Mecca	24th September 2015	2400
Ethiopia	02nd October 2016	52
Iran	07th January 2020	56
Tanzania	21st March 2021	45
Israel	30th April 2021	45
Indonesia	01st October 2022	135
South Korea	29th October 2022	159

What is the biggest risk during a Stampede?

During a stampede, many people may fall and be crushed, but the most prevalent cause of death is compressive asphyxia, a deadly condition in which breathing is blocked by external pressure on the body. Humans receive oxygen through respiration, which involves moving air into and out of our lungs. The same mechanism that carries oxygen to our body’s cells also carries carbon dioxide, a waste product, out of our bodies.

During a stampede, persons trapped in the crowd smash against one another. This indicates that there is no room to move. This prevents the diaphragm, a main muscle involved in respiration, from contracting (Systole) and relaxing (Diastole), thus air cannot enter or exit the lungs. When this occurs, it can quickly develop into compressive asphyxia, which is characterized by an increase in carbon dioxide and a lack of oxygen. The human body cannot function without oxygen for long periods, as this can result in organ failure and brain death.

There is evidence that women are more likely to get compressive asphyxia. Women generally have smaller frames and more body mass in the upper chest. If pressure is applied there during a rush, the consequences can be dangerous for women.

How Do We Help People with Compressive Asphyxia by CPR?

Compressive asphyxia is serious, yet it does not always cause death. People suffering from compressive asphyxia can be saved if they receive timely first-aid treatment, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

If you are unfamiliar with CPR and do not know how to administer it properly, it is always better to try than to do nothing. Victims of compressive asphyxia or diseases such as cardiac arrest may suffer irreparable brain damage after four minutes. CPR helps to maintain oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical treatment arrives.

Before performing CPR, make sure the person is still breathing. If there is no pulse or respiration within 10 seconds, start CPR. Remember, when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, every second counts. If you know how to perform CPR, you will be able to increase someone’s chances of survival.

Advantages of CPR :

When a person suffers from sudden cardiac arrest, oxygenated blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs, and brain death happens within 4 to 6 minutes after the heart stops breathing. However, if you know CPR, you can reverse the situation and save someone’s life. CPR is a hands-on emergency intervention used to restore oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain and other organs via chest compressions and rescue breathing. CPR can be performed if a person becomes unconscious.

With the increasing number of cardiac arrests, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a blessing that can restart the heart. It is a life-saving method that can increase one’s chances of surviving by two or three times. Approximately 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home, and 90% of individuals who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die. These deaths outside of the hospital can be avoided if we all learn how to conduct CPR properly. CPR training should be mandatory in schools and colleges to provide students with the necessary information to save lives before medical help arrives.

How to do CPR:

There are two main stages to CPR:

• The Preparation Stage
• The CPR Stage

Preparation Stage of CPR:

Before performing CPR on an adult, follow the instructions below:

Step 1. Call medical emergency

First, look around the area for anything that can risk you, such as falling brickwork, traffic, or fire. Check the person after that. Do they require help? Pat their shoulder and shout, “Are you OK?” If they do not respond, call the medical emergency.

Step 2. Place the person on their back

To begin CPR, you must position the person who is suffering. Ensure that they are lying flat on their back; however, if you assume a head or neck injury, take care when repositioning their body. While the person is lying flat on their back, tilt their head back and gently lift their jaw. You should also check to see if there is an object blocking their airway.

Step 3. Open the victim’s airway and check the breathing

Once the victim’s airway has been opened, you should see if they are breathing. Put your ear down over their mouth and give it a ten-second listen. Start CPR right away if you don’t hear or see any evidence of breathing. You should still start CPR if the person is occasionally having trouble breathing. You do not need to administer CPR if the victim is unconscious and breathing normally, but you should continue to monitor their breathing until paramedics arrive.

CPR stage :

Step 4. Perform 30 chest compressions

Now you can begin performing CPR. Start chest compressions by placing one hand over the other and interlocking your fingers. Place your hands in the centre of your chest, just below the breastbone, straighten your arms, apply your entire body weight, and press firmly at least two inches deep, doing compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. In between compressions, allow the chest to be raised.

Step 5. Perform two rescue breaths

Make sure their mouth is clear, then bend their head back slightly and elevate their chin. Pinch their nose tight, place your mouth completely over theirs, and blow to raise their chest. Retilt their head if their chest does not lift with the initial breath. If the chest does not lift with a second breath, the person may be choking.

Step 6. Repeat the cycle

Repeat the cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until the victim begins breathing and professional medical help arrives.

CPR for infants and children :

In the case of infants, neonatal resuscitation is performed. Neonatal resuscitation must be performed by professionals who have received the necessary training in managing the procedure carefully and gently. Only use two fingers for chest compressions. Place the newborn on their back and perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (the head should not be tilted). Make sure you’re only taking short breaths.

Bonus Tips for what happens during a stampede and how to stay safe:

If you plan to attend a crowded event in a limited space, such as a concert or sporting event, plan to ensure your safety.

1. Wear brightly coloured clothing. This allows you to stand out from the crowd and makes it easier for people to identify you in an emergency.
2. Make a mental note of each exit. In the event of an emergency, you may be unable to reach the nearest location. Plan your path to the nearest exit and leave the venue as quickly as possible.
3. Check the weather forecast. If it starts raining, crowds may surge or panic as they seek shelter. Dress appropriately and be prepared for when it happens.
4. Hold the railings for support. When climbing stairs or escalators, use railings for support if they are available.
5. Do not go alone. Attend the event with a friend or partner and take care of each other.

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