Panic reactions and mass phenomena in mass disasters

Mass panic situations usually occur at large public events although only rarely. Nevertheless, (senior) emergency physicians need to be aware of, and prepare for, such an eventuality with an eye to (emergency) crowd management, the local situation, emergency escape routes and evacuation strategies. During such a large-scale public event, an outbreak of panic is difficult to foresee and, therefore, difficult to prevent. However, a number of measures exist to calm people facing a rising mass panic. In the last resort, emergency physicians in charge need to be familiar with measures and actions to be taken during and following a mass panic. There is no doubt that, "panic prevention in the mind" is the most important preventive measure in combatting mass panic and related phenomena. It is extremely important to think through possible scenarios and strategies in advance, before having to encounter such an event as mass panic. In the last resort, the worst panic reaction is that experienced by the unprepared and clueless emergency physician.