How to experience a riot and live to tell the tale
From ArticleWorld
To experience a riot and live to tell the tale, you would be extremely lucky, especially if you are in a foreign country. South American countries are known for their political instability and everyday riots that accompanies such climate. For a Westerner to be caught in such a situation could quickly turn into a nightmare. There are no survival rules in such situations because they rarely follow a pattern but there is certainly a basic code of conduct that may help if you (God forbid) are ever caught in such a situation.
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A few suggestions
- If you are in a hotel then remain indoors. Close the windows and stay away from them. Keep a watch on the situation through television and radio news bulletins and if you perceive the situation escalating out of control, make plans to leave as quickly as possible.
- Collect only that which is valuable (passports and cash) and that which you can carry on your person. At the utmost carry a small overnight bag. Find out the shortest way to the airport and prepare to leave the building using an exit that is reasonably safe. The safe exit could be a window, a fire escape, the roof or a viaduct.
- When you leave the hotel, try to go as part of a group. Terrorists are less likely to attack a group of people than a lone man.
- Don’t make a dash for safety. A running man attracts more attention and suspicion than a man who is casually walking, so unless and until you find that your life is threatened do not run.
- If you have a car then use the car to get away from the scene of the activity using evasive maneuvers.
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Do’s
- Be prepared to bargain with whatever you have if you encounter a road block or are stopped by a gang. You may have to use all your cash, and other valuables to purchase your life.
- If your bid to escape fails (the airports have been taken over by the rebels) find your way to your country’s consulate office and let them take care of the details.
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Don’ts
- Don’t lose your temper and argue, acting dumb and simple would serve your cause better.