What would you do if while out enjoying yourself around a lot of people - suddenly everything goes to hell in a handbasket?

Crowds that turn into mobs, especially when fueled by alcohol, can quickly become ugly and unsafe. We live in troubled times and I think it is very wise for us to educate each other about safety.

Something to be mindful of during a riot is to not blindly follow whoever in the crowd yells the loudest. At best the person might not be thinking clearly, at worst they might purposefully want the adrenaline rush of stirring shit up.

Remain calm. Riots bring intense emotions boiling to the surface, but if you want to survive one you'd be better off keeping yours in check. Your adrenaline and survival instincts will kick in, but try to think rationally and pursue safety methodically.

Stay on the sidelines. If you're caught up in a riot, don't take sides. Try to look as inconspicuous as possible, and slowly and carefully move to the outside of the mob.

The more time you spend in the midst of a riot, the greater your chance of being injured or killed. That said, in most circumstances it's better to move out of a riot slowly. If you run, you will draw attention to yourself, so it's usually best to walk. It can also be dangerous to move against a crowd, so go with the flow until you are able to escape into a doorway or up a side street or alley. It may also be advantageous to stay with the crowd until you are certain you can safely escape because it will help you remain inconspicuous and improve your odds of survival if shots are fired.

More ideas from How to Survive a Riot

also helpful: How to avoid being shot by a Police Officer

Have you ever been caught up in a crowd fight/bar brawl/riot before, especially here in Olympia? What worked for you and what did not?