There’s a lot going on in the news today, and a lot of it is scary. I’m not here to argue politics with anybody, but it’s a plain and simple fact that we’re more likely to end up in a threatening crowd today than any other time in recent history.
The first line of defense against civil unrest is to not be there at all. Check the news if you’re going somewhere that might have a demonstration or riot going on. Keep an eye out. Change your plans when necessary. It’s always the safer solution, especially if you have kids with you.
But sometimes, through no fault of our own, that isn’t an option. Below is what I’ve learned by talking with experts about safety if it all breaks loose right in front of you.
It’s Not Our Job to Engage
A lot of us feel like we have a responsibility to engage when bad guys are doing bad things, but this is not that time. Civil unrest is Bad News, and our kickpunchery training does not prepare us for the task.
It’s not our job to tell demonstrators we disagree with them, or to tell riot police to take it easy. It’s our job to stay safe, and to keep our people safe. Engaging with civil unrest does not fulfill that job.
Check Your Clothes
Short sleeves and pants, open-toed shoes, and anything else that exposes your body to injury is bad uniform for civil unrest. To the degree you can, immediately cover up with any extra layers you have with you. The less of your skin that shows, the better protected you will be.
If you wear contacts, take them out right away. Tear gas melts many kinds of contact, which is a sort of misery you do not want.
Keep Moving
If you’ve been to a concert, you know this already. Keep moving, and move with the direction of the crowd. Moving against the crowd takes many times the work and exposes you to many times the risk. Staying still risks knocking you down.
Use the balance and mobility you’ve learned from martial arts to move with the crowd until you find a side street, building entrance, or other opportunity to get free of the situation entirely.
Stick With the Walls
As you move with the crowd, angle until one side of you is against a wall. This cuts how much of you is exposed to the crowd by 25% and gives you an anchor to balance yourself against.
This is especially important if you do get knocked down. Being on the ground in a crowd is very dangerous, and a wall will help you climb back to your feet. If you fall and you’re not near a wall, find a car, dumpster, or similar structure to protect you and help you get up.
Avoid the Police
During a demonstration or riot, police are where the action is. Whether you get the attention of the police, or of a protestor on the front line, that attention is unlikely to work out in your favor. Even police who aren’t in a combative mindset at that time will have more important things to think about than helping you.
As a general rule, if you see police during civil unrest, move the other way. The only good news here is they tend to be easy to spot.
Crack Your Windows
If you’re in a car, roll down the windows just a crack. Less than the width of a finger is fine. Fully closed windows are easier to break than a cracked window. This will help keep you safe while you drive out of the dangerous area.
If you smell tear gas, close the windows and turn your air conditioner to recycle. This is the one exception where those cracked windows aren’t a safety asset.
Above All Else
The best way to stay safe during civil unrest is to avoid it. These are not tourist attractions. If you see it coming, move the other way. If you’re at the office and see it happen, call home and say you’ll stay late.
If you feel a moral obligation to join a demonstration, that’s a different matter. But if you go, you should go prepared, wearing protective gear, and have at least some direct safety training.
Editor’s Note: For more vital safety tips, you can also check out the Top 5 Martial Art Skills for Parents and 5 Unsexy Things to Add to Our Training!
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- Five Ways Parents Can Make Time for Training - May 3, 2023
- Travel Safety from a Martial Point of View - October 11, 2022
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