Crowd safety at concerts and festivals

When you arrive

1. Look at the site map and find the exits, the medical tent, water points and information booths.
2. Agree on a meeting point with your group, somewhere easy to find that is not right by a stage.
3. Note landmarks near where you are standing, since everything looks different in the dark.
4. Save emergency numbers for the country you are in, and any event help line, on your phone and on paper.

Reading crowd pressure

Crowds get dangerous when people are packed so tightly they cannot move freely. Warning signs include being pushed without moving your own feet, feeling pressure on your chest, and the crowd swaying in waves. If you notice these signs, act early:

• Move toward the edges of the crowd, sideways or at an angle, rather than straight back against the flow.
• Keep your arms up in front of your chest, like a boxer, to protect room to breathe.
• Stay on your feet. If you fall, try to get up straight away, and help others up.
• Avoid walls, barriers and fences where pressure can build up.

If someone needs help, tell staff right away. Wave to security or stewards, point clearly, and shout for help together with the people around you. A show can be stopped if the crowd is in danger.

Look after your group

Pair up so no one is ever alone, and check in with each other through the day. If a friend seems unwell, very drunk or confused, stay with them and get help from medical or welfare staff. Never leave someone alone to sleep it off.

Drinks and personal safety

• Watch your drink being poured, and keep it with you.
• If you feel suddenly much more drunk than you should, tell a friend and find staff.
• Know your limits, and pace yourself through a long day.
• Look for welfare and safe spaces, which many events now provide for anyone who feels unsafe.

If you get separated

Phones often lose signal in big crowds, so go to the agreed meeting point and wait there. If you can't find your group, go to an information or welfare point. Children should know to find staff in uniform, and some parents write a phone number on a wristband for young kids.

Keep valuables close

Pickpockets work crowded areas. Keep your phone and cards in a zipped front pocket or a pouch you wear in front. Carry only what you need, and have a backup plan if your phone is lost, such as a written meeting point and contact number.