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What to do if…
someone near you is acting aggressively or erratically and you feel unsafe

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Move away first and head toward a staffed or safer place. Call 911 from a safer distance if immediate assistance is needed or you think a medical emergency may be happening.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t argue, threaten, challenge, or lecture the person.
  • Don’t approach, touch, restrain, or block the person’s path unless you need to get away from immediate harm.
  • Don’t follow the person or record them in a way that could increase the risk.
  • Don’t enter a car, elevator, small room, or other confined space with them to talk.
  • Don’t assume a person who has passed out can safely sleep it off.
  • Don’t give the person more alcohol, medication, or an unknown substance.

What to do now

  1. Reach a safer pause. Move away from the person and toward an exit, open area, staffed counter, reception desk, security point, or transit operator. Avoid getting trapped against a wall, near traffic, or close to a platform edge.
  2. Keep distance while leaving. If an existing counter, closed door, bench, or other barrier is already between you and the person, keep it there when that is easy to do. Don’t move closer to create a barrier.
  3. Tell staff or security what is happening. Use a brief description such as: “A person near the entrance is becoming aggressive. Please call 911 and help keep people away.”
  4. Call 911 when immediate assistance is needed. Call if the person is making threats, assaulting someone, displaying a weapon, blocking a safe exit, following someone, or moving into traffic. Also call for a possible medical emergency, including collapse, seizure, trouble breathing, inability to wake the person, or vomiting while difficult to wake. Give the exact location, what is happening, a description of the person, and whether anyone is injured.
  5. Help with a possible alcohol overdose only when it is safe to do so. If an awake person is vomiting, have them lean forward if you can do that without putting yourself at risk. If the person is unconscious or lying down, roll them onto one side with an ear toward the ground if it is safe and you are able. Follow the 911 call-taker’s instructions. If approaching is not safe, keep your distance and tell responders exactly where the person is.
  6. Use 988 only when the situation is not an emergency. If you are concerned about emotional distress or a suicidal crisis and there is no immediate physical danger or medical emergency, you or another bystander can contact 988 for support. Use 911 instead when urgent police, fire department, or ambulance assistance is needed.
  7. Use Poison Help after you are safe if poisoning is possible but there is no emergency. Call 1-800-222-1222 to speak with a poison expert. Call 911 instead for collapse, seizure, trouble breathing, inability to wake the person, or any other immediate danger.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out whether alcohol, drugs, a medical problem, emotional distress, or something else is causing the behaviour.
  • You do not need to decide whether to make a formal report, document what happened, or contact venue or building management while the situation is escalating.
  • You do not need to stay nearby once you have told staff or emergency responders where the person is.

Important reassurance

Freezing, feeling shaky, or second-guessing yourself can happen when someone’s behaviour is escalating. It is reasonable to leave quickly, change direction, and ask for emergency help before anyone is injured.

Scope note

These are first steps for reaching a safer pause and getting appropriate help. Later decisions may need support from emergency responders, medical professionals, crisis services, or local staff.

Important note

This guide provides general information only. It is not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice. Call 911 for immediate danger or a possible medical emergency.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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