The received wisdom (from Wertheimer) seems to be to try and get to the edge of the crowd: 'After you're pushed forward, like in a wave there's a lull. In that

The received wisdom (from Wertheimer) seems to be to try and get to the edge of the crowd: 'After you're pushed forward, like in a wave there's a lull. In that lull is your chance to move, and the way you move is on a diagonal, between pockets of people. There's always space between people. A couple of steps sideways, another wave surge, then another couple of steps in the next lull. You work your way out that way till you get to the [edge].' source (amongst several): http://www.scmp.com/article/984081/how-survive-when-crowd-stampedes http://www.scmp.com/article/984081/how-survive-when-crowd-st... Also worth highlighting, as soon as you detect any kind of wave like behaviour start working to get to the edge of the crowd, as that's the big warning sign things are likely to get out of control, since I rather suspect at some point moving in any direction isn't an option.