Thread by @ArtistInWarTime

Safety Advice for #AzadiMarch 🧵

𝟏. 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠:
Planning is good. It gets you in the right state of mind. Decision‐making is much quicker and when the unexpected happens, you are better able to handle it. No plan is perfect, and you should be prepared for things to go wrong. Hence have backup plans for..

..when things do go pear‐shaped, such as alternative meeting points, and when just to cut your losses and leave.

𝑩𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒚 𝑼𝒑:
If you are attending the march go in a group - the saying "strength in numbers" is very accurate and helps you look after each other and present a..

..harder target.

Before you leave share your itinerary with at least 2 trusted contacts - this should include your route & mode of transport, your time of departure, estimated time of arrival and a safe word which can be shared via SMS or over the phone to indicate you are in..

.. distress during a conversation. Make sure you consider your route planning to and from the venue to avoid harassment.

𝐀 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 (𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞)

As part of your route planning have at least 2 or more exit routes - plan early to avoid an inconvenience on the day.

𝑴𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅:

Maps aren’t just good for navigating, they can help you learn the ingress and egress routes, points of interest and emergency resources of an area that you’re planning to visit. You don’t even need a physical map, (though one is good for backup) most of this..

.. area familiarization can be done using Google Maps or another online navigational resource in advance of your visit.

With all the advancements in technology today, there’s even a way to get a three-dimensional view of the area with online map views and Google’s Street View..

.. can be an invaluable resource to learn about terrain features in the immediate vicinity, sadly street view is not available in Pakistan, but it doesn't hurt to do a recce of an area prior to visiting it.

This is all about knowledge work. Knowledge is power and the more familiar you are with the places you visit, or even intend to visit, the more prepared you’ll be for responding to threats that could occur and where you should go during an emergency.

𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒃-𝒃𝒂𝒈:
Prepare to stay awhile. Bring energy-rich snacks, like mixed nuts or protein bars, and plenty of water. Items to consider in your rucksack:
• Water in a plastic bottle with squirt top, to drink and to wash off your skin or eyes

• Scissors and a multitool
• Flashlight
• Power bank for mobile phone
• Charger and usb cable
• Umbrella or Poncho
• Spare socks, and over shirt
• Small towel
• Whistle
• Energy snacks / Chocolate / Glucose Biscuits
• Identification and/or emergency contact information

• Enough money for easy load, food, transportation
• Wristwatch, paper, pen for accurate documentation of events
• Personal Medication such as Inhaler, insulin & prescription medication
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Wet Wipes and tissues
• Plastic Hard Hat / Baseball Cap

• Shatterproof Wrap around googles (Swimming goggles work too)
• Parna/Shawl (to be used to cover your face)
• N95 Facemasks ( Not very effective against tear gas but they provide a basic barrier for smoke)

𝟐. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡:
When travelling - try to travel in groups - if you are travelling on your own consider the risk of placing posters or stickers on your vehicle which may expose you to the risk of being stopped at police check posts.

If you are taking protest signs and flags, consider folding these or concealing them until you get in a convoy of vehicles to avoid being singled out by police.

𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕:
• Slow down
• Avoid any brusque movements in the car, and keep your hands clearly up and visible.
• Stop the car a few yards from a barrier, but always keep the engine running unless ordered otherwise.

• After dark, avoid using High-Beam headlights when approaching check posts
• After dark turn on the light inside the car cabin so that all passengers are clearly visible
• Be polite and comply with the officer's questions. No need to get offended and be rude.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓:
• Comfortable, protective shoes that you can run in.
• Clothing covering all your skin to protect from sun and CS gas exposure
• Shatter-resistant eye protection (i.e. sunglasses, swim goggles, or gas mask)

• Parna/Shawl to cover nose and mouth soaked in water, lemon juice or vinegar, it can aid in breathing during chemical exposure
• Fresh clothes in plastic bag (in case yours get contaminated by CS Gas)
• A hat to protect you from the sun and from CS Gas
• Earplugs

𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗦 & 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗨𝗣 (Contact lenses especially can soak up any oil based chemical irritants used by police such as OC spray which can increase pain and discomfort).

𝟑. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲:
• Stay focused and aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Wear a mask and avoid touching your face.
• Stay at least 6 feet apart from others to maintain physical distancing.
• Stay hydrated by frequently drinking water.

• Don’t shake hands, hug, share drinks or engage in long face-to-face conversations.
• Cover your cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Document injuries caused by police with photos and note the time and location.

• Turn off Face ID and Touch ID, switch to Airplane Mode and disable data.
• Enable a passcode on your phone.
• If your eyes exposed to pepper spray or tear gas:
Do not rub them; blinking and rinsing are most effective.

Tilt head sideways and rinse each eye with water (and diluted baby shampoo if available).
Do not flush with milk, because the goal is to flush, not neutralize.

𝑨𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉 𝑰𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔:
• If you are caught up in the crowd, stay clear of glass shop fronts, stay on your feet and move with the flow

• If you are swept along in the crush, create a space for yourself by grasping your wrists and bracing your elbows away from your sides; bend over slightly – this should allow you breathing room

• If pushed to the ground, try to get against a wall and roll yourself into a tight ball and cover your head with your hands until the crowd passes
• Remember to keep calm – the crowd should sweep past in a short space of time

• If there is gun fire, drop to the ground and cover your head and neck, and lie as flat as you can

𝐈𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬.

Stay vigilant & help others, if you spot someone acting suspiciously or any unattended items follow these simple rules:
1. Stay Alert: Referred to as Situational Awareness
2. Avoid Risky Situations: No need to be a Hero
3. Trust Your Instincts: If it does not feel right…avoid it

𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀:
Police 911 / 15
Ambulance / Rescue 1122/911
Fire 16/911
Bomb Disposal Squad 15/911