guiding someone needn't be a verbally-intensive or slow process. A tuned-in blind person at your elbow can go as fast as you can in many circumstances, and you can use body language to indicate steps, narrow spaces and so on, all-the-more efffectively if they are someone well-known to you. One of the highlights of walking with my guide dog was the fact that we didn't have to speak; I could enjoy a quiet morning stroll. I've had that with only a few sighted people over the years, because I'm not guided regularly or far enough for it to matter, but the theory is sound.

Molly burke speaks on a time she was at a concert or something and everyone panicked and ran at once, and her and her guide dog and her family were trying to navigate that. She loses her family and guide dog during the commotion and is risking being trampled. She has no sight at all to use as it's dark and she normally only has light perception. There's 10,000 people there.

That may be a good video to watch to get an idea of what it's like to be in a situation like that, as a blind or low vision person. And maybe from there you can plan to know what to do in advance to make things safer?

https://youtu.be/ZTxC9LIeD6Q

Have the person grab your arm and tell them to run! If it is life or death, I would think the person would forgive you any bumps or scrapes. Don’t over think it.

Practice running while he holds your elbow. Holding the elbow works so well because it's my default state, I don't have to think about it, because of how often I do it.

If this guy's your best friend, I'm sure you guys have a routine about mentioning obsticles and moving obsticles, like people.

The thing is, if shit goes bad quickly, I want to get the fuck out just as bad as you do, but but I'm relying on your vision to move us. Which means my job is to follow your directions while running.

No mobility teacher has ever taught me a different, emergency technique.

The number one thing you can do in any emergency is to stay calm. If you're able to do that, then guiding your friend, finding exits, navigating safely, and avoiding getting swept into the crowd will be far, far easier. The number one thing your friend can do is stay calm and trust you.

Be aware of your surroundings when you enter a crowded space and plan how you will navigate the two of you to safety if you have to leave. Verbally explain to your friend where nearby exits are and the routes to get to them, and any hazards along the way like steps or pillars, so if you do end up needing to guide him away quickly, he at least has some idea of what to expect and the confidence that you have a plan.

You just kinda do it, you know? Just drag him along, if it is an emergency I am sure he would rather have a sprained ankle or something than to be stuck in whatever was happening. He should have his cane with him IMO though, it can be a little sketchy to be stuck out without it.