Tips to avoid getting suffocated in a public gathering

Posted by Felix Okoli on Friday March 21, 2014 at 9:28:5:

At a recent job fair organized by the Nigerian Immigration Service in Abuja, over 10 people were reported to have died as a result of suffocation after a stampede happened at the National stadium. It is normally good to avoid such crowded places especially when the capacity of such a place becomes exceeded.

Suffocation can occur in a Public gathering especially if the place is over crowded and people don't have sufficient space for breathing and movement.

In Over crowded public gatherings, Suffocation occurs as a result of shortage in supply of oxygen, because everybody there will be trying to breathe in oxygen at the same time, and in extreme cases, stampede can occur in such places.

This situation is very different from claustrophobia which is a phobia for Public places or enclosed places.

This regularly happens most especially in a place where the number of People that visit a location at a particular time is not regulated. Examples of Public gatherings that are always overcrowded are; Stadiums, during a popular match, religious places like churches and mosque, clubs and social events. You may find yourself in such a place in the future; this article will provide some important tips that will avoid suffocation.

TIPS TO AVOID GETTING SUFFOCATED IN PUBLIC GATHERING
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- Do not Panic: When you find yourself in such situation, the first thing that will enter your mind is fear, and fear leads to panic. Remember that when you panic, you may not be able to think well. It is better to avoid panic and remain calm enough to handle the situation.

- Start deep breathing: Try to get as much oxygen as you can and when you can so that when there is shortage of oxygen as a result of the crowd pressure, you'd still be able to survive. Breathe deeply in to suck in enough oxygen and then try to find an escape route

- Escape Route: When you find yourself in a congested place, use you eyes to locate any available escape route and start making your way little by little to that route. This is a safety precaution to avoid being suffocated and for easier escape.

- Raise your hands to your face: Do this is such a way that you elbows also cover your rib cage such that in case of crowd pressure, your rib cage and lungs don't get compressed and prevent you from breathing.

- Go to places where there is more air circulation: You can go close to windows or where there is ventilation. When the air becomes stale, you can convert any book or paper with you into a hand fan to generate some air for you and to avoid suffocation.

- Avoid crowded locations: In an Over crowded gathering where there is no provision for seats and everybody is standing, there is a tendency for People to push into your space from all sides, when you find yourself in such a situation, you can create space for yourself by gently extending your hands by your side, this can lead to pushing other people if done aggressively, but when you allow People to continue pushing into your space, it can lead to suffocation.

Though it is advisable to avoid such Gatherings totally for your own safety, but in a situation where you find yourself in such a place, these few tips listed above can help you avoid suffocation, until help comes your way or until you use the exiting route.