Escaping being a target in a group is a critical part of situational awareness. Large settings can turn chaotic in the blink of an eye. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the various ways you can avoid being an easy target.
Below, we’ll look at some ways to escape being targeted in a group setting should the scenario become unsafe. But before we do so, let’s look at the reasons being in a group can be threatening to safety.
Top Dangers Associated With Being In A Group
Distractions
Situational awareness is difficult to practice in a large group. This is because there will be a lot of distractions from various sources. Trust that this inundation of noise will severely affect your ability to observe the singular aspects of your environment. Common noises in a group include television screens, screams on an announcer, music, an ongoing speech, the continuous bumping into others, or it may simply be the effect of having too many people speak at once.
There is also more to see, take in & process. This may be banners, signs, the inscriptions on clothes, how everyone is acting & what everyone else is doing. These two features of a group leave you with so much information to filter, process & assess. This takes so much time & effort, and you may find the threat of danger too late.
Restricted Mobility
Moving in or through a large crowd is always a slow process. I’m sure you’d know this too if you’ve ever been in one or two. Apparently, the size of the group determines the speed of mobility. The larger the group, the slower it is to get around it.
Mobility is also influenced by the environment of the group. Is the procession confined indoors, causing you all to stand shoulder to shoulder, or are you in an open place where there’s a lot of space? Whichever the situation is, you need to understand that being a group will limit your ability to move & you may find it difficult to escape when it matters.
Herd Mentality
Have you observed that it is easy to do the wrong things when in a group? It’s only a matter of time before someone in a group suggests a not-so-good idea, and although there may be initial mutters, everyone always agrees. Everyone would rather get on board, even if the ship is sinking.
Herd mentality is similar to peer pressure. The actions of a single person can influence everyone else, and this can be unconscious. Let’s say you were in a group & someone beside you started clamoring for an escape due to a threat of danger he may have noticed; what would you do? Your decision to also clamor for an escape will only reverberate around the crowd & it’s only a matter of moments before everyone struggles to escape.
The smaller the group size, the lower the possibility of getting affected by the decision of someone else.
Target Opportunity
It is truly sad & unfortunate that several bad people live among us & there may not be a better opportunity to hurt the society than through a group. A person who wishes to hurt others has the perfect chance to when he sees a crowd. With a gun & 4 bullets, more than a dozen people can be killed in a crowd. All a criminal needs do is pull the trigger on the group & watch them all climb themselves over & over to get to safety.
Let’s not even consider the possibility of throwing a bomb into a crowd.
Tips For Escaping Being A Target In A Group
Avoid Crowds
A person who wishes to be very safe in these situations just avoids crowds completely.
Sure, there may be times when you can’t avoid mixing with the crowd. For example, you can be going about your daily errands & just run into a group of protesters in the streets. Ordinary crowds like this do not pose significant harm. This includes crowds in sporting events, movie theaters, plays & concerts.
However, you need to avoid crowds that form to champion certain agendas. They may be out for a noble cause sometimes, but your life is a nobler cause.
Know Where The Exits Are
Whether in large crowds or not, knowing the exit points is necessary whenever you get to a place.
While this is very easy to do, it is a very effective way of getting out of harm’s way. So, whenever you enter a movie theatre, restaurant, sporting center, or wherever, be sure of where the exits are & how to get to them.
You should check the exit points of a location from time to time as long as you’re in it. It may also be pertinent to be sure of what is beyond some exits. For example, an exit that leads to an alleyway can become a bottleneck with the presence of many people in it.
Remain Along the Perimeter
A crowd can be very similar to a traffic jam. It takes a lot of effort to break away from the middle of it to a freer space. As such, the best thing to do is remain along the perimeter. Better yet, this could be outside of the group completely, thereby offering you space & mobility options unavailable when in a crowd.
For instance, one exit might lead to an alleyway, which could quickly become a bottleneck when people flood into it. While another might lead to a wide-open space.
Be Conscious of Your Wears
An attack on crowds is never a personal issue between 2 people. Your choice of clothing can tell if you identify with a particular sect, and depending on what’s happening, you may be marked as a threat & treated to hostile treatments. So, I’d advise that you don’t wear clothes that will reflect your identity & purpose of being in the crowd. A couple of plain clothes is just enough for your time in the crowds.
Conclusion On Escaping Being A Target In A Group
Escaping being a target in a group does not require much of you. Asides from the tips given above, you just have to be mindful of your words & cut down on movements too. Keep to these tips to ensure you don’t end up getting injured in a crowd one of these days.