Riots are illegal acts committed by a large group of people, usually in a spontaneous and unpredictable manner. The crowd destroys everything in its path, sets fires and fights with law enforcement agencies.
During riots, people become suggestible and extremely emotional. They can behave cruelly towards the object of hatred and harm even those who have nothing to do with their ideas.
To avoid becoming a victim of pogroms, try to notice the flaring flames of conflict in time and leave the danger zone before the first stone is thrown or the first blood is shed.
How to behave on the street during riots
Most often, the occurrence of riots can be predicted.
If there have been some recent changes that cause public discontent (for example, increased fuel prices or an increase in the retirement age), protests and unauthorized rallies may break out in the city.
So, if you realize that there is unrest on the street, or hear that some kind of protest is planned, stay home or at least stay away from public places.
Avoid crowds
Unauthorized rally becomes extreme situation even before it began. So if you see a crowd gathering in town, don’t rush to join.
To satisfy your curiosity, ask passersby or check news feeds, but keep your distance at all times so that you have time to get to a safe place when active actions begin.
If you accidentally find yourself in a crowd of protesters, try to get out of it before the masses begin to move. To prevent dense rows of people from becoming an obstacle, try using psychosocial techniques – pretending to be drunk or pretending to be sick.
Maybe this will help you get out. If the crowd has already begun to move, do not try to go against it.
Behave properly in a crowd
If you find yourself in the midst of events with loved ones, try to stay together – clasp your elbows so that you do not get pulled apart in different directions. Take the children in your arms.
If you are carried by a dense flow of people, observe the following rules:
- Dodge all stationary objects on the way, otherwise you may get crushed. Avoid walls, partitions and nets that a crowd might press you against.
- Do not try to grab hold of stationary objects with your hands to avoid injury.
- Button up your clothes, get rid of high heels, scarves and shoulder bags. If you get caught on something or fall, you may be injured.
- If you drop something, do not try to pick it up. You can be knocked down and trampled.
- In a dense crowd, when you are being squeezed from all sides, clasp your hands in front of your chest and spread your elbows to the sides.
- If you fall, protect your head with your arms and try your best to get back to your feet. Get down on one knee, place your foot on the ground and quickly straighten up.
Move with the flow, but try whenever possible to separate yourself from a crowd of people, for example, turn into an alley.
Go to a safe place
When you manage to get out of the crowd, get off the streets. Try to avoid main avenues and squares – most often clashes with the police occur in such places.
Get home through not particularly busy streets, avoid contact with aggressive citizens. People in such a situation are capable of terrible cruelty, and until the atmosphere of madness subsides, appealing to common sense is useless.
Also, during riots, stay away from the police and security forces. You may be mistaken for a participant in illegal activities and detained.
If this happens, do not try to fight back, scream or run away: this will provoke the police to use force. Also, on the spot, it makes no sense to argue and prove that you were just passing by.
Don’t panic if riot control agents are used
When dispersing demonstrations, police may use chemicals that are sprayed into the air and cause irritation and pain in the eyes, mucous membranes and skin. If such particles are inhaled Maybe coughing, sneezing, or wheezing begins. However, serious lung damage is only possible when exposed to large amounts of the substance in an enclosed area. As a rule, the negative effects go away on their own within half an hour. Remember this and don’t panic.
Cover up mouth and nose with a handkerchief or any other cloth soaked in liquid. Blink frequently to protect your eyes. Leave the dangerous place as soon as possible, and at home wash your things, take a shower and wash with clean water or saline solution.
If your skin blisters, your eyes continue to feel uncomfortable, or you have trouble breathing, call your doctor.
How to prepare to go outside
If riots start on the street, it is best to stay home until they are over. But if you absolutely must go out, do everything to protect yourself:
- Regardless of the weather, wear clothing that covers most of your skin and comfortable, thick-soled shoes.
- Try not to wear items that could be mistaken for a police uniform in low light conditions. Also, do not choose black hoodies with a hood – the police associate them with the clothing of riot participants.
- Remove your contact lenses. When sprayed with crowd dispersal chemicals, they can cause severe pain. Glasses, on the contrary, will protect your eyes. Sealed models, such as those designed for swimming, cope especially well with this function.
- Bring a respirator or mask for respiratory protection. If you don’t have anything similar at home, a wet scarf or bandana will do.
- If possible, take two phones. Keep one in your pocket, the other in your backpack.
- Have your ID with you.
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