When Good Samaritans Get Hurt: Bystander Safety and Overdose Response at Live Events

When stepping in to help puts you at risk: a practical guide for bystanders at concerts

Hook: You want to help — you see someone crying, being hassled, or collapsing near the stage. But what if rushing in puts you in danger, like it did for actor Peter Mullan outside a Glasgow venue in 2025? Many people worry about safety, stigma, and whether calling for help will make things worse. This article gives clear, actionable guidance for bystanders at live events: when to intervene, when to call for professionals, how to de-escalate, and how to safely respond to an overdose with naloxone and first aid.

Top takeaways (inverted pyramid)

• Your safety first: assess the scene before intervening; avoid direct confrontation with armed or intoxicated aggressors.
• Call for help early: alert venue security and call 911 for assaults or suspected overdoses when someone is unresponsive or in danger.
• Naloxone works — and it's increasingly available: if someone shows opioid overdose signs (unresponsive, slow/absent breathing), administer naloxone and provide rescue breathing until medics arrive.
• Use non-physical tactics to protect victims: distraction, creating a human barrier, and recruiting others are often safer and effective.
• Document and support: be a witness, preserve evidence, and seek emotional support after the incident.

Why Peter Mullan’s case matters for bystanders

In late 2025 a high-profile incident outside a concert venue made headlines: actor Peter Mullan intervened when he saw a woman in distress and was, according to court reports, physically attacked and headbutted. The attacker had been drinking and using drugs, and was later jailed. That story is a sobering reminder that even well-intentioned interventions can escalate and lead to injury.

“Mullan tried to come to a woman’s aid … before being headbutted.” — court reports, 2025

Lessons from that incident are not about discouraging compassion — they are about arming good Samaritans with safer strategies. At crowded events, the risks are unique: intoxicated or drug-affected people, poor lighting, loud noise, and chaotic egress. Knowing how to make a quick, safe decision can protect both the person in need and you.

Deciding to intervene: a quick decision flow for bystanders

Before you step in, run a rapid mental checklist. Treat this like a triage decision:

1. Is anyone in immediate life-threatening danger? (unresponsive, not breathing, severe blood loss, sexual assault in progress). If yes, call 911 now and prioritize safety.
2. Is the aggressor clearly armed or extremely violent? If yes, do not engage physically; call security and police.
3. Can you get help from venue staff or a group? If yes, recruit them — staff are trained protocols exist for a reason.
4. Is the situation one of harassment or pushing? Consider non-physical interventions like distraction, creating space or helping the person move away.

Quick rule of thumb

If stepping in physically would likely put you between an aggressive person and an exit or weapons, step back and call for professional help. If the risk is moderate and you can safely create distance or alert nearby staff, a non-physical intervention may be better.

Non-physical intervention tactics that work at concerts

You don’t need to be a hero to help — sometimes the smallest action is the most effective.

• Use distraction: spill a drink (or pretend to), ask the person a direct question (“Hey — are you okay?”), or loudly ask a venue staff member for assistance. Distraction can diffuse an attacker’s focus.
• Create a human barrier: calmly position yourself next to the person in distress with others, forming a circle to block the aggressor’s access.
• Recruit witnesses and staff: point to specific people and give instructions (“You, in the red jacket, call security now.”) — specific asks increase the odds of action.
• Offer extraction: invite the target to move with you to a safer area. Use simple, non-judgmental language: “Come with me — there’s a quieter spot.”
• Document safely: if it’s safe to do so, record video from a distance to deter aggression and preserve evidence. Keep your distance and don’t engage in filming that escalates the aggressor’s behavior.

What NOT to do

• Don’t physically confront an intoxicated or armed person alone.
• Don’t place yourself where you could be trapped between an aggressor and a crowd or exit.
• Don’t shame the victim or make assumptions about substance use — focus on safety and consent.

Recognizing and responding to an overdose at a concert

Overdoses at live events are a real and growing concern. In 2024–2026, many festivals and venues began expanding overdose-prevention measures — naloxone availability, on-site medics, and clearer venue protocols became more common. If you suspect an overdose, time is critical.

Key signs of opioid overdose

• Unresponsiveness or inability to wake the person.
• Slow, shallow, or absent breathing; or very slow (<8 breaths per minute).
• Pinpoint (very small) pupils, blue lips or fingernails, gurgling/snoring noises (called the “death rattle”).
• Not reacting to loud voice or a sternum rub.

Immediate steps to take

1. Call 911 immediately. Tell dispatch it’s a suspected overdose, give your exact location in the venue (section, gate, nearest landmark), and request medics and security.
2. Check responsiveness and breathing. Try to wake them (shout, rub sternum). If not breathing or breathing is inadequate, start rescue breathing or CPR as indicated.
3. Administer naloxone if available and you’re trained. Naloxone is safe and effective for reversing opioid overdose. Use intranasal or injectable formulations per instructions. Many community programs provide brief training.
4. Position the person on their side (recovery position) if they are breathing after naloxone — this protects the airway from vomit.
5. Stay with the person until medics arrive. Naloxone can wear off in 20–90 minutes and breathing can slow again; monitoring is essential.

Rescue breathing and CPR basics for bystanders

If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin rescue breathing or CPR. In loud concert environments, try to move to a slightly quieter area first if it’s safe.

• If not breathing but has a pulse: give one breath every 5–6 seconds and check pulse every 2 minutes until medics take over.
• If no pulse: begin chest compressions at 100–120 compressions per minute and give 30 compressions to 2 breaths if you are trained.
• Use an AED if available in the venue and if someone can fetch it.

When to call 911: clear signs you should always dial

Call 911 (or the local emergency number) immediately if you observe any of the following at an event:

• Someone is unresponsive or not breathing.
• Severe bleeding that won’t stop with pressure.
• Signs of a sexual assault in progress.
• An aggressively violent or armed person.
• A seizure lasting more than a couple of minutes or repeated seizures.

If you are unsure, call — emergency dispatchers are trained to triage and can advise you while you wait for help.

Venue protocols and the 2025–2026 trends to watch

Following several high-profile incidents and advocacy by harm-reduction groups, many venues updated safety protocols in late 2025 and into 2026. While policies vary, trends include:

• On-site medical teams: increased presence of trained medics or paramedics at large shows and festivals.
• Mandatory naloxone kits: some venues and festivals now keep naloxone readily available backstage and at medical tents.
• Staff training: more venue staff receive overdose recognition, de-escalation, and first-aid training.
• Event apps and panic features: apps now let attendees flag medical or security events with exact location data to speed response.
• Pilot harm-reduction services: a small number of festivals experimented with supervised consumption or overdose-prevention sites; these remain controversial and localized but show a shift toward pragmatic risk reduction.

Before attending an event, check the venue’s website or app for safety info: where the medical tent is, how to contact security, and whether naloxone is on site. If you’re organizing or advocating, push for trained medics, visible medical signage, and naloxone availability.

Legal protections and naloxone access in 2026

Good Samaritan laws that protect people who call for help during an overdose exist in many places and were expanded in several jurisdictions through 2024–2025. Naloxone moved toward over-the-counter access in numerous countries by 2023–2024, and by 2026 community distribution programs are more common. Still, laws and access vary widely by country and region.

Practical advice: know your local laws. Many emergency services will not pursue low-level drug possession charges when someone calls for an overdose, but it’s important to check the specifics where you live. When in doubt, prioritize life over legal concerns — most public health guidance supports calling for help.

Self-protection and aftercare for interveners

Being a good Samaritan can be emotionally and physically taxing. Protect yourself and your wellbeing.

• Physical safety: if you get injured, seek medical care and report the assault to venue security and police. Preserve clothing or items that may be evidence.
• Emotional support: witnessing violence or administering naloxone can cause shock, anxiety, or moral injury. Reach out to friends, event support services, or mental health hotlines.
• Legal steps: if you were assaulted while helping, document the incident, get medical records, and consider reporting to police. Your testimony can be vital in holding aggressors accountable.

Training, preparation, and tools to carry to events

You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference. Simple preparation increases your effectiveness and safety.

• Take a short course: many community orgs and health departments offer 30–90 minute naloxone and overdose-response trainings. CPR classes remain gold-standard for life-saving skills.
• Carry naloxone if available in your area: learn how to use intranasal or auto-injector kits. Store them where you can reach them quickly.
• Download event apps and venue maps: know where exits, medical tents, and security booths are before the crowd swells.
• Go with friends: groups are safer for noticing danger and intervening together.
• Practice de-escalation language: short, calm phrases like, “Hey, that’s not okay,” or “Please step back,” can be effective.

Case study: a safer alternative to physical intervention

Consider a hypothetical variation on the Mullan story: you see someone crying and being cornered. Instead of moving between the two people, you do the following:

1. Verbally address the target: “Do you need help?” to acknowledge and check safety.
2. Call nearby staff and point them to the exact location.
3. Recruit two other bystanders to join you and form a gentle barrier.
4. Offer the target a direct invitation: “Come with me — I’ll help you get some water and a quiet spot.”
5. If the aggressor escalates, step back and call security and police; do not pursue or chase.

This approach reduces physical risk while still centering the person in distress.

Future predictions for 2026 and beyond

Trends through early 2026 suggest continuing improvements in live-event safety:

• Wider naloxone deployment: more venues and promoters will stock naloxone and train staff as standard practice.
• Integration of tech: event apps with one-tap med/security alerts and crowd-sourced safety reporting will grow.
• Standardized staff training: industry groups may adopt common minimum standards for venue staff on de-escalation and overdose response.
• Harm-reduction collaborations: more events may partner with public health organizations for on-site prevention services, education, and safe spaces.

These changes won’t eliminate risk, but they will make bystander action safer and more effective.

Final checklist: what to do at the next concert

• Before you go: learn where medical and security stations are on the venue map.
• Bring a friend; agree on a meet-up plan and who calls for help in an emergency.
• Consider carrying naloxone if it’s legal and available to you.
• If you see an assault or overdose: call 911, alert venue security, assess safety, and use non-physical interventions when possible.
• After helping: document what happened, get medical care if needed, and seek emotional support.

Closing: compassion with caution — how to be a safer bystander

Peter Mullan’s experience is a powerful reminder that compassion without situational awareness can have serious consequences. The goal for bystanders should be to help without becoming another victim. That means making rapid, informed choices: call for professional help early, use non-physical tactics to protect vulnerable people, and carry life-saving tools like naloxone when possible.

Events and venues are improving safety systems in 2026, but individual preparedness still matters. Learn the basics of overdose response, know when to call 911, and practice safe, evidence-based intervention strategies. Your actions can save a life — and protect you while you help.

Call to action

Get trained, get equipped, and advocate now. Sign up for a brief naloxone and CPR course, check your next venue’s safety policy, and ask event organizers to publish their medical and security plans. Share this article with friends who go to shows. If you’re a venue worker or promoter, push for clear protocols, staff training, and naloxone on site. When safety systems and compassionate people come together, concerts can be joyful — and safer — for everyone.

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