Panic


10 mins -- Purpose: By the end of this part, everyone will have basic preparedness skills to spread calm, find exits, and look out for their affinity group's health during a mass panic.


Facilitator: Grace (preparedness line-up),             (discussion);
Note-taker:             (discussion); Timekeeper:

K: walk dont run; plan for aftercare; scene safety / de-escalation; ...checking up on each other, risk of death; basic needs; what not to bring / diversity of tactics / affinity group structure; have a buddy
A: do no harm; know what you don't know, and get help; calm comfort reassure; anti-oppression; solidarity and advocacy
S: red flags


  • "Your affinity group is heading through a dense crowd to the site where your lockdown is planned, and the crowd surges toward you, running for some reason you can't figure. It slows the group down. When the running stops, one of your members is gone."

  • "I would know how to respond to this situation." Line up in the room where you stand on this statement, from "Strongly agree" to "Strongly disagree." Facilitator asks a few people why they are standing where they are.

  • The person had stopped to tie their shoes and got run over and separated from y'all. How can we prevent this situation?

  • Some points for discussion:

  • Have a buddy

  • Have a map

  • Face the crowd when squatting down

  • Privacy / safety circles

  • Comms in a loud crowd (phone on vibrate; in pocket) / rendez-vous plan

  • Aftercare plan

  • Checking in, rapid decision-making, head count

  • Debrief

Stuff: "Strongly agree" and "Strongly disagree" signs posted on opposing walls, cardboard and big marker for taking notes during discussion.